Enterprise AI agents were meant to be the breakout software offering for 2026, yet instead they've become one of the major sources of buyer distrust. According to Anaconda and Forrester research, over 88% of AI agent pilots never reach production, as confirmed by independent polls from a16z and MIT Sloan's CIO panel, while Gartner predicts that more than 40% of agentic AI initiatives will be discontinued entirely by 2027 due to questionable ROI.
Salesforce Inc. (NYSE:CRM) walked into the gap between agent hype and agent reality when it placed its growth narrative on Agentforce, and by 2026, that bet has made Salesforce Inc. (NYSE:CRM) one of the worst-performing components of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, down around 31.48% year to date.
The immediate cause appears to be a credibility problem, not a demand issue. Bernstein downgraded Salesforce Inc. (NYSE:CRM) to Sector Weight from Outperform on July 9, removing its price target completely and citing poor customer feedback on Agentforce in particular. According to **** yst Jackson Ader, the released data doesn't yet indicate growing momentum, and a recent CIO survey found Salesforce Inc. (NYSE:CRM) to be "a standout for the wrong reasons."
That said, this interpretation is not uniform, and the debate on the market is serious. On July 14, Goldman Sachs reiterated its Buy rating and $242 price target, expecting organic growth to pick up in the third quarter as more details on AI monetization become available at Salesforce's Agentforce event in September. Goldman's more constructive reading is based on management's own acknowledgment of headwinds in Tableau, Commerce, and Marketing, which the firm sees as realistic rather than concerning, arguing that Salesforce Inc. (NYSE:CRM) is being open about a 12-to-24-month drag on its organic growth algorithm rather than covering it up.
Salesforce Inc. (NYSE:CRM)'s historical valuation decline looks to be the most mispriced aspect of the market story. Shares are currently trading at a compressed forward earnings multiple of only 10.83x, a substantial drop from the stock's five-year historical average of over 127x. The disparity is even more obvious when compared to prominent peers such as ServiceNow, which trades at a forward P/E of around 20.43x and requires consistent revenue growth above 18% through 2028 to maintain its valuation premium. Salesforce's current valuation of less than 11x forecast earnings is in near-total deadlock, despite the company's strong free cash flow generation and substantial enterprise data integration.

#valuation #july

League sources, who spoke on the condition anonymity to discuss ongoing negotiations, said what the Lakers are prepared to offer Atlanta in a trade is underwhelming, whereas Cleveland has potentially more appealing trade pieces. The Cavs have been linked to possible trades of veteran forward Max Strus ($16 million) and point guard Dennis Schröder ($14 million). To execute a sign-and-trade transaction, Cleveland must remain under the NBA's first salary apron of roughly $209 million, which is why James Harden remains unsigned.
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: To execute a sign-and-trade transaction, Cleveland …

#trade #cleveland

The Charlotte Hornets have been linked with interest in Schroder, league sources told HoopsHype. It's worth noting that Hornets executive Jeff Peterson is said to still be a fan of Schroder dating back to their time together in Atlanta.
HoopsHype
Since Cleveland's season ended in a Game 4 loss to the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals, sources say the team has had discussions about the possibility of trading Max Strus and Dennis Schroder. Strus is set to make $16.6 million in the final year of his contract. Schroder is still owed nearly $31 million over the next two seasons. Those moves would help Cleveland's salary cap situation. If the Cavs get below the punitive aprons, they could also theoretically orchestrate a sign-and-trade for James. — 6/30/2026 Cleveland Plain Dealer
Meanwhile, as the Cavaliers navigate James Harden's return and Wade's free agency, Cleveland's Max Strus and Dennis Schroeder have been mentioned in trade talks with the franchise currently projected over the second apron. — 6/28/2026 HoopsHype

#strus #hornets #sources

Prince Harry allegedly endured "uncomfortable" security checks before sitting down with King Charles. The claim came from an insider following the Duke and ****** ss's first joint UK visit in years. The trip highlighted the complex dynamics within the royal household as he and Meghan Markle seek to rebuild family ties.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are said to have faced rigorous security screening before their closely guarded meeting with King Charles and Queen Camilla.
According to sources who spoke to RadarOnline.com, it stemmed from ongoing concerns about privacy and potential leaks of sensitive conversations. The extraordinary measures, insiders claimed, point to the deep mistrust that still surrounds the Duke and ****** ss despite the low-key family gathering.
"Every precaution was taken before the Sussexes were allowed into the residence. Staff were determined that nothing capable of recording private conversations or compromising security would make its way inside. It was undoubtedly an uncomfortable experience for Harry and Meghan, as they were essentially frisked like any other commoner, but those organizing the visit believed it was essential – and the order came directly from Charles," stated the source.
The insider noted that the protocols stemmed from continued unease within royal circles, not outright hostility. They revealed that the security checks were embarrassing, but considered a necessary step toward restoring trust. Officials and the King demanded the measures amid worries that private discussions would be made public if the Sussexes attended.

Q: Ira, compare the starting fives as they stand now on the Philadelphia 76ers, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Miami Heat and tell us which team you think LeBron James would fit the best on? – Barry, Deerfield Beach.
A: In terms of overall talent, Philadelphia would trump the field you mention, with Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown, V.J. Edgecombe and Dean Wade. The Cavaliers certainly would be close with Donovan Michell, James Harden, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, and, say, Jaylon Tyson or Max Strus. But when it comes to fit, the best role that suits LeBron James' game at age 41 would be the Heat, where he could play as unquestioned ballhandler and playmaker, while being able to avoid overtaxing defensive ******* ignments, with teammates such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins and Davion Mitchell in place to handle such dirty work. Now, if you're asking where he might have the best chance to win, that would be with the 76ers if Joel Embiid can stay healthy in the playoffs. But that's a big "if."
Submit your "Ask Ira" question here!
Q: The talent of LeBron James would be nice but the documentary baggage and everything that goes with it, not so much. I really enjoyed the Big Three era, but honestly as a Heat fan, I'd really like this to be the Giannis Antetokounmpo/Bam Adebayo era. – Douglas.
A: While the outside concern of a LeBron James "Last Dance" is appreciated, the NBA, and pro sports in general, are a world of potential distractions, between the type of documentary you mention and the non-stop influence of social media. But teams also are built better than ever to handle such supposed distractions. NBA teams have staffer after staffer after staffer ******* ignment to deal with such elements. You don't avoid greatness over concerns of distractions.

Max Strus garnered attention on Wednesday for recreating an iconic Instagram story of LeBron James. The four-time NBA champion posted it in August 2018 and since become a meme.
Strus played golf and posed like James, complete with the same caption "Smiling through it all! Can't believe this is my life." It added more fuel to fans' speculation that the former Los Angeles Lakers forward will sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers. James' hometown team is reportedly one of the frontrunners to land him this offseason.
MORE: Austin Reaves admits LeBron James 'ruined' his day after Lakers exit
The image was posted by ESPN Cleveland on X and fans dropped their reactions in the comments section.
"Aye Bron just need to announce this by this week man," one fan said.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding seemed to have a royal touch. According to a recent report, a giant white staircase was spotted outside Madison Square Garden. It was said to be part of the theme-based decorations for the celebrity couple's upcoming celebration. Furthermore, it was reported that the duo might have a fairytale royal castle at the venue, hence the stairs. For those unversed, several reports claimed that the singer and the NFL star are set to tie the knot on July 3 at MSG in New York.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding would reportedly have a fairytale castle. TMZ reported that they spotted a giant white staircase outside Madison Square Garden. It appeared to be being craned into the venue, according to the video obtained by the outlet. Allegedly, the soon-to-be-married couple could be planning a castle-themed event, adding a royal touch to their nuptials.
Furthermore, a CBS News video captured trucks unloading equipment wrapped in tarps. However, labels were visible that read "Garden Party 1 (scenic)" and "GP" was spray-painted on the items. Swift and Kelce have been secretive about their wedding details. They have not revealed their confirmed date, venue, or guest list. Meanwhile, the buzz outside MSG has raised questions, hinting that the couple will hold their event there.
Earlier, Page Six revealed additional clues about the reported wedding preparations. Staffers were spotted offloading many chairs, spotlights, and lighting equipment. Amid all the work, the secrecy was seemingly maintained. While the huge items were covered, some vendors had reportedly concealed their companies' logos and names. One worker said, "We aren't told anything. Everything is so tight-lipped." They also told the outlet that they had no idea who the clients were.
Meanwhile, another report suggested that Swift and Kelce's wedding guests were said to be "annoyed." They allegedly felt distrusted because the pair seemed not to have shared any details with them as well.

LeBron James has informed the Lakers that he'll be playing elsewhere in 2026-27, ending his eight-year run in Los Angeles . The three known suitors are the Cleveland Cavaliers , Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors . None of these are confirmed signings yet, but let's break down the fantasy basketball pros and cons of each scenario and land on a verdict for where his value, and the value of the players around him, lands best.
Pros: A reunion with his original franchise carries obvious sentimental appeal and Cleveland has continuity on its side. James Harden is expected to re-sign, and the Cavs already have a strong foundation built around Donovan Mitchell , Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen . James slots right in as a connective playmaker who can function as a primary or secondary scorer when called upon. Posting a 20-6-7 line like last season is achievable.
Cons: Harden and Mitchell are both high-usage, ball-dominant guards, and adding James on top of that creates some tension for shots and touches. Mitchell's fantasy stock likely takes the biggest hit here, with his scoring volume at risk as he shares the offensive workload with two other veteran ball-handlers. Jaylon Tyson and Max Strus 's roles would be most compressed in this scenario. With so much gravity moving towards Harden and Mitchell, James, Mobley and Allen are better shielded from the crunch, and should get more efficient looks than ever before.
Verdict: Cleveland offers James the most help and the best chance to win. However, it's the worst outcome for the fantasy value of everyone else on the roster, especially Mitchell and Tyson.
Pros: Pairing James with Giannis Antetokounmpo , fresh off Miami's blockbuster trade, would give the Heat two of the most dominant forwards of this NBA generation. James operating as a point-forward alongside Giannis would put so much pressure on defenses. And then you have Bam Adebayo , who has experience playing with LeBron for Team USA, who can cover some of his defensive shortcomings that are bound to show up across an 82-game season. That's a pretty fun team where LeBron would still have the chance to collect ample counting stats across scoring, rebounds and ****** ists.

The Knicks traded down in the second round before eventually selecting Vanderbilt forward Tyler Nickel with the No. 47 pick of the 2026 NBA Draft...
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 217 pounds
2025 Stats: 13.5 points (43%/40% from three), 3.3 rebounds, 1.2 ******* ists in 36 games (30.6 minutes)
NBA.com: Nickel is a movement shooter, comfortable launching off pindowns, flares and curls without needing to gather. He reads the floor and relocates constantly. He has the frame to hold up on the wing, and his physicality lets him absorb contact through screens. Other offensive positives include playing within himself, keeping the ball moving and avoiding mistakes. The tools to grow defensively are there, and he competes on every possession.
Bleacher Report: Nickel's shooting ability is the foundation of his NBA appeal. He connected on 40.0 percent of his three-point attempts while also shooting 84.7 percent from the free-throw line....he's a good movement shooter who understands how to create opportunities without the ball. He relocates effectively, uses screens well and consistently finds open ******* e along the perimeter.
NBA.com: Duncan Robinson, Sam Hauser and Max Strus

As Norway excels in its first World Cup appearance since 1998, a wave of false claims about the team's eating habits is also capturing online attention. These allegations specifically target the quality of American food, suggesting the Norwegians distrust it to such an extent that they brought provisions from home to avoid local fare.
The Norwegian team is currently based in Greensboro, North Carolina, throughout the 2026 tournament, which the U.S. is co-hosting with Canada and Mexico. While it is true the team shipped certain products from Norway for the World Cup, the underlying reason has absolutely nothing to do with concerns about food quality.
CLAIM: The Norwegian men's national soccer team brought its own food to the 2026 World Cup because it doesn't trust the quality of food in the U.S.
THE FACTS: This is false. The team brought some products from Norway to maintain consistency in players' diets and provide a taste of home, according to its head chef Aron Espeland. Other ingredients have been sourced locally. Nutrition experts say that such a practice is common among elite athletes who play internationally.
“When athletes are competing at the highest level, consistency is important,” Espeland said. “The players are used to certain products and flavors, and familiar foods can contribute both to nutrition and overall well-being during a demanding competition.”

As Norway excels in its first World Cup appearance since 1998, false claims about what the team is eating are also grabbing attention online.
The allegations focus on the quality of American food — more specifically, that the Norwegians distrust it so much that they brought food from home to avoid eating it. Norway's team is based in Greensboro, North Carolina, for the duration of the 2026 tournament, which is being co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
It's true that the team shipped certain products from Norway for the World Cup, but the reason has nothing to do with concerns about quality.
Here's a closer look at the facts.
CLAIM: The Norwegian men's national soccer team brought its own food to the 2026 World Cup because it doesn't trust the quality of food in the U.S.

The Dallas Cowboys finished a strong offseason, and for now, the team takes a break until training camp later next month. While the players wrapped up the latest phase of team activities, the front office was certainly busy.
Dallas signed four players on Friday and made three corresponding roster moves, including placing backup center Matt Hennessy on injured reserve with a neck injury. Of the names added to the team, one name does stick out. The Cowboys signed former second-round pick of the New York Jets, Denzel Mims. With Parris Campbell’s retirement, Dallas added a veteran wideout at the bottom of the roster to get through the summer. However, is there reason to think Mims could stick around longer? Let’s weigh in on whether Mims could make the team.
Mims has always been on the Cowboys’ radar. He once starred in-state at Baylor, where he posted two 1,000-yard seasons over his collegiate career. Mims’ size and speed (4.38 40-yard dash) had many teams interested during the draft process, including Dallas, which had him in for a pre-draft visit ahead of the 2020 draft. Once Dallas lucked into CeeDee Lamb in the first round, Dallas set their sights elsewhere in the second round, and Mims landed in New York.
A combination of factors went wrong, sending Mims on a negative trajectory with the Jets. First, he sustained an injury that delayed his NFL debut until Week 7 of his rookie season. In his second season, he had lost 20 pounds due to sickness, and the coaching staff apparently lost faith in him, relegating Mims to a reserve role.
Distrust between him and the coaches, and his lack of production, led to him being traded to the Detroit Lions in 2023. Since then, Mims is now on his seventh professional football team, which includes stops in the UFL. Clearly, the odds are stacked against him to make the Cowboys’ roster, but if he did, what is he up against?

At a time when the November slump is testing every Bitcoin (BTC) trader's patience, one person has decided to take the plunge.
Rich Dad Poor Dad author Robert Kiyosaki has revealed that he sold some of his Bitcoin.
Kiyosaki is one of the most influential personal-finance voices of the past two decades, has long used his platform to frame Bitcoin as the ultimate hedge against a global “everything bubble.”
His teachings, centered on financial independence, cash-flow investing, and distrust of fiat money, have made him a prominent figure among Bitcoin advocates.
This week, however, Kiyosaki s

Opinion by Philip ****** p: New polling from YouGov reinforces that distrust in traditional media, a central engine of the political moment, remains acute.