The 2026 midterm elections was a decisive victory for Democrats, who won control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. With Republicans retaining the White House, the election results bring a period of divided government starting in January.
Wall Street's initial reaction has been enthusiastic. As of this writing (Nov. 4), the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI) surged more than 1,500 points during morning trading, while the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) and Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQINDEX: ^IXIC) also rallied.
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 »
Beneath the broader market's gains, investors are undoubtedly repositioning their portfolios. Artificial intelligence (AI) hyperscalers like Amazon, Alphabet, Microsoft, and Meta Platforms are surging, while many semiconductor stocks and data center operators are plunging.
The contrasting performance reflects uncertainty about how the election could affect AI and adjacent industries. For investors wondering whether to change their portfolios following the election, Warren Buffett's advice about mixing politics and investing is particularly relevant.

#election

Investors are worried. CNN's Fear and Greed Index is at "extreme fear." Inflation remains persistently high, with the ongoing Iran war and tariffs not helping matters. Stock market valuations are frothy by most metrics.
In times of uncertainty, many investors look to safe havens. Utility stocks rank high on the list. But if the stock market crashes, will utility stocks really protect your portfolio?
Missed AI's "Act 1"? Act 2 Could Be 16x 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 »
Arguments for buying utility stocks as a defensive portfolio move make sense. Consumers don't stop using electricity, natural gas, or water during an economic downturn or stock market sell-off.
There's also historical precedent for utility stocks protecting against a market crash. For example, the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) sank almost 50% from its peak in early 2000 by October 2002 when the dot-com bubble burst. The Nasdaq-100 index plunged more than 80%. Meanwhile, shares of NextEra Energy (NYSE: NEE) and The Southern Company (NYSE: SO), both large electric utility providers, jumped more than 20% during the same period.

#utility #Stock #fear #high

Meghan Markle is reportedly "questioning" whether the Sussexes' U.K. move was the right choice. Fans are aware that Prince Harry and Meghan moved to the U.K. on August 26 and intend to stay in the country for an extended period of time. However, the couple hasn't exactly received the warm welcome they were seemingly hoping to get. This has reportedly led to friction between Harry and Meghan.
Meghan Markle reportedly wishes to spend more time in the U.S., while her husband, Prince Harry, wants to stay in the U.K. longer. According to a report by Closer, almost three months later, the Suits alum is debating her decision to move to the U.K.
The ****** ss of Sussex did not enjoy her stay in Britain when she got married to the Duke. It seems like nothing much has changed, and she is "terrified" that she's in for another round of misery. "Then there's the uncertainty over how things are going to go with the royals and the British public. Meghan is understandably pretty anxious about that and already wondering if this was a mistake," the source added.
The Sussexes were seemingly trying to make inroads with the royal family when King Charles made an important announcement. The monarch released a statement via Lord Chamberlain, ****** erting that the Sussexes remain private citizens. Harry and Meghan cannot use royal ****** les (HRH) or participate in royal engagements.
The Sussexes released a statement stating that they "were a little surprised not to have been told about this in advance." The actress is reportedly hurt that there has been no acknowledgement of them from the royal family. It is quite "hurtful" because one positive word would silence their critics. On top of that, the bills are piling up for them, and the expenses are only increasing.

#reportedly #royal #prince

The relationship between Hollywood and luxury fashion continues to evolve, as brands increasingly look beyond traditional celebrity endorsements to build deeper, more strategic partnerships with talent.
"It's not about one-offs anymore," said Joseph Thornton-Allan, who co-leads fashion brand partnerships at William Morris Endeavor, helping connect talent with fashion houses and shaping the partnerships that define their careers. "It genuinely is about relationships. So many of my clients have genuine, authentic relationships with designers, and they've been with them for years and years."
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#fashion #talent #thornton

Patriots' Receiver Concerns Put DeMario Douglas In Unexpected Spotlight originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New England Patriots entered the season hoping their passing game would take another significant step forward with Drake Maye leading the offense. A.J. Brown was expected to play an important role in that development, giving Maye a proven receiving threat capable of making difficult catches and creating explosive plays.
Instead, the Patriots have spent much of the opening two months trying to keep their wide receiver group healthy.
Thursday brought another discouraging development when Brown missed practice because of ankle and knee issues.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that a knee problem had flared up, leaving Brown's availability for Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins uncertain.

#Patriots #knee #demario

Former **** nal forward Gabriel Jesus has revealed that he turned down an approach from Brazilian heavyweights Flamengo during the summer transfer window out of loyalty to boyhood club Palmeiras. Instead of returning to South America, the 29-year-old attacker completed a deadline-day switch from north London to Spanish giants Barcelona.
Speaking to TV Bandeirantes, the Brazil international disclosed that Rio de Janeiro outfit Flamengo attempted to lure him back to his homeland once it became clear he was no longer part of Mikel Arteta's plans. Although the striker enjoyed a trophy-laden spell at Manchester City earlier in his career, recurring fitness setbacks hampered his progress at the Emirates Stadium. That uncertainty prompted several clubs across Europe and South America to enquire about his availability.
Having progressed through the Palmeiras academy between 2013 and 2015, the forward won the 2015 Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A Best Newcomer award alongside the Copa do Brasil before claiming the 2016 Bola de Ouro as the Verdao lifted their first league **** le in 22 years.
Across 83 appearances in Sao Paulo, he registered 28 goals and nine **** ists prior to moving to England. Explaining why that history stopped him from negotiating with Flamengo, Jesus said: "They wanted to talk to me, but I politely said: 'I really appreciate the contact, but just as there are players from Flamengo's youth academy that you want to come back, I'm also a product of Palmeiras' youth system.'"
Rather than heading back to South America prematurely, the centre-forward opted to remain in European football by penning a three-year contract with Barcelona running until June 2029. While he has no immediate plans to leave Catalonia, the attacker stressed that only his former club will be considered when he eventually returns home, adding: "I am Palmeiras, my mind is Palmeiras, 100% Palmeiras in a possible return. I don't know when."

#south #back #jesus

The Oklahoma Sooners are again battling injuries as they head into their game against the South Carolina Gamecocks. The Sooners had 15 players on the Wednesday availability report.
They will again be without key offensive linemen Ryan Fodje and Eddy Pierre-Louis, but should get Heath Ozaeta back. Center Jake Maikkula was listed as "questionable." This follows an injury he suffered against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Caleb Nitta replaced him in the game and did a nice job in his snaps.
Offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle praised Nitta's preparation when his number is called.
"Caleb's a fighter and he loves football, plays his ****** off," Arbuckle said. "And it's been that way since he's gotten here. That showed on his previous tape from other institutions. He's very smart, like really intelligent, understands defense, understands what's happening in the box, can see defensive back rotations. I mean, he's a sharp kid. But he's a fighter, you know, and he'll give us everything that he has."
Nitta's readiness could prove valuable as Oklahoma navigates another week of uncertainty on the offensive line. Maikkula's status will be worth monitoring, especially as the Sooners try to build on their improved performance against Mississippi State. A backup who can quickly recognize defensive fronts and communicate adjustments gives the offense stability when injuries force changes up front.

#state

Growing security concerns in the Middle East have cast doubt over several major combat sports events scheduled in the region. Recent missile and drone attacks targeting critical infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport, have raised questions about whether upcoming sporting events can proceed as planned.
According to DW News, Ansar Allah, the Yemeni movement commonly known as the Houthis, has repeatedly targeted Riyadh airport. The report cited an October 10 attack that killed 12 people and injured around 300, adding to concerns about security in the region.
The uncertainty has also put the UFC's rumored December 5 Fight Night in the spotlight. The card is expected to feature Israel Adesanya against Shara Magomedov, but speculation has emerged that the event could be canceled or moved elsewhere. Dana White, however, has offered a different outlook, suggesting the UFC is still moving ahead with its plans for the Middle East.
The December 5 card is not the only UFC event attracting attention amid the regional tensions. UFC 333 is scheduled for October 24 in Abu Dhabi, where Alexander Volkanovski is set to defend his featherweight **** le against Movsar Evloev.
Boxing has also been caught up in the uncertainty. Canelo Alvarez's planned October 31, 2026, fight against Christian Mbilli in Riyadh could face complications, with prominent boxing figures, including WBC champion Sebastian Fundora, voicing concerns about security following the airport attacks.

#concerns

The Trump administration is struggling to get clear answers about the death of a Russian laboratory worker at an institute dedicated to studying the plague and has formally escalated its request for information from the country, amid days of stonewalling from Russian officials about the mysterious circumstances surrounding the episode.
The death of the technician at the Irkutsk Research Anti-Plague Institute of Siberia immediately raised alarms throughout the administration, prompting a race to compile intel and plot for a potential public health response, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.
But Russia’s reluctance to share information about the incident has complicated those efforts, leaving officials uncertain what broader risks it could pose — and how exactly to defend the US against them.
The US escalated its request for information, issuing a formal diplomatic communication, called a démarche, a source familiar told CNN late Tuesday.
“We have officially requested additional information from the Russian government,” a State Department spokesperson said. “We are also in official communication with other countries around the world to share information.”

#information #russian #request #officials

US bond yields have surged upward over the past month, as yields on both the 10-year Treasury (^TNX) and 30-year Treasury (^TYX) have reached levels not seen since 2002, surpassing 2007 high-water marks in the lead-up to the financial crisis.
Investors have attributed the run-up in yields to a variety of concerns, from the artificial intelligence build-out and the competition for capital to changing foreign ownership of gold versus fixed income.
Read more: How soaring Treasury yields could hit your finances
One overlooked source of upward pressure, argued Macquarie's Thierry Wizman, is not just the impact of the Iran war on the energy market but uncertainty about when the war will end or what the conflict will look like going forward.
"The perception that global conflict is endemic may also be causing long-term inflation expectation[s] to stay elevated," Wizman wrote to clients.

#conflict

On September 9, 2026, Reuters reported that AI music startup Suno launched a new suite of models, including its flagship v6 and exploratory v6-Wild, built in partnership with Warner Music Group Corp. (NASDAQ:WMG) and BMG. It lets users make new music inspired by licensed recordings from participating artists. The launch follows Warner Music's copyright lawsuit settlement with Suno in November 2025, under which artists and songwriters can opt in to have their names, voices, and compositions used in AI-generated music in exchange for compensation.
Warner Music Group Corp. (NASDAQ:WMG) can turn the Suno litigation dispute into a new licensing revenue opportunity. Suno has now launched its v6 models in partnership with Warner Music and BMG. It allows users to make music inspired by licensed works from participating artists. Warner previously sued Suno over copyright issues before reaching a licensing agreement. This gives the label a direct path to monetize AI-generated music rather than relying solely on litigation. The deal could create a new revenue stream as consumers increasingly adopt AI music tools.
Warner enters the AI-music market from a position of financial strength. The firm reported fiscal third-quarter revenue of $5.44 billion, up 9% year over year. Adjusted OIBDA increased 16% to $433 million, and its adjusted OIBDA margin expanded to 23.2%. Warner also said it had met or exceeded its financial targets for five consecutive quarters. That basic growth gives the company greater flexibility to invest in AI initiatives while using licensing agreements to add another potential growth driver to its existing streaming and publishing businesses.
Warner could help establish a more sustainable commercial model for AI-generated music. Suno said future products will include opt-in experiences that allow individual artists to participate and receive payment when users generate music around them. So Warner has an opportunity to help shape licensing and compensation practices as Spotify and other platforms develop their own AI-music products. If the industry increasingly adopts licensed models, Warner's large catalog and relationships with artists could solidify its negotiating position and create recurring AI-related revenue.
Suno's new licensing model does not eliminate the overall legal risks surrounding AI music. Warner Music Group Corp. (NASDAQ:WMG) has reached an agreement with Suno, but other copyright owners are challenging the firm's technology. Independent publisher Round Hill sued Suno in August, alleging that the company used copyrighted songs to train its AI system. Suno also faces separate litigation from Universal Music Group and Sony Music. Hence, lawsuits could increase legal costs and create uncertainty over the licensing framework that Warner hopes to monetize.

#music #licensing #corp #revenue

In the end, Kevin Warsh's Federal Reserve acquitted itself well. For all the uncertainty he had sparked at the previous meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee, when he refused to provide any indication of what he was prepared to do to tame stubborn inflation, the chair on Wednesday presided over a unanimous decision to raise interest rates for the first time in three years.
"Today's action starts to show that we're serious about this," he said at the press conference after the meeting, with "this" meaning inflation in excess of the Fed's 2% target for over five years. Welcome though it was, his embrace of economic orthodoxy nonetheless did little to dispel the Keystone Cops quality of governance in Donald Trump's US.
Warsh's resolve – raising rates just a few weeks before elections that will determine whether Republicans retain control of Congress – appeared even more resolute in the face of a veiled threat from White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett, who pointed out to his chums on Fox that "if you want an independent Fed, then one thing the Fed does is it stays out of the way of elections".
The central bankers' parsimonious comments in the press conference following the meeting made a sharp contrast with the more unhinged commentary from other members of the administration, including the president himself, who earlier this month celebrated the resilience of the labor market with a mind-boggling threat to "STOP TRADING WITH COUNTRIES WITH WHICH WE HAVE A DEFICIT" unless the Fed cut interest rates.
Trump has yet to turn on Warsh in the way he did on his predecessor, Jerome "numbskull" Powell. But the signs are ominous. After the rate hike, Trump went ballistic – spewing more of the random, incoherent thoughts that have become his trademark. "Interest Rates in the United States should be 1%, or less, because we are the Best Credit in the World," he wrote on social media, despite recalcitrant inflation and a budget deficit that is likely to exceed $2tn this year. He again demanded the powers that be to "LOWER THE INTEREST RATES FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND FAST!"

#rates #federal #states

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

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When the stock market dips and investors are concerned about inflation, gold's price tends to increase.
Gold has historically held its value and increased in price over time, making it a useful long-term investment tool.
Investors can use gold as a safe-haven ****** et by buying physical gold coins or bars, gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs), or gold mining stocks.
Gold is a safe-haven investment, meaning its value remains steady or even increases during periods of economic uncertainty. Unlike stocks, the price of gold isn't tied to a single country or company, and gold has been a valuable ****** et for centuries.

#investors #investment #safe #advertiser

Comparing iShares National Muni Bond ETF (NYSEMKT:MUB) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF (NASDAQ:VGIT) reveals a choice between tax-advantaged municipal income and the federal credit safety of intermediate-term U.S. government securities.
Both funds serve as core fixed-income holdings. The iShares fund tracks high-quality municipal bonds, which may provide tax benefits for certain investors. The Vanguard fund targets Treasury notes with maturities between three and 10 years, offering a refuge from credit risk during periods of market uncertainty.
Metric
MUB
VGIT

#income

MILAN — Italy's tanning industry has yet to emerge from a downturn that has dragged on for four years. During the Lineapelle trade show which ran Tuesday to Thursday, UNIC, Italy's tanners' ***** ociation reported a 6.4 percent decline in turnover and a 5.2 percent drop in production volumes in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period last year.
The situation, UNIC said, continues to reflect geopolitical uncertainty and persistent inflation, which is tightening consumer spending on fashion, furniture and automotive products.
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#percent #lineapelle #thursday #Trump

By Stine Jacobsen, Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen and Tom Little
COPENHAGEN, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Denmark and Greenland on Saturday said any agreement with the United States would not compromise Greenland's sovereignty, after President Donald Trump said the deal would give Washington "permanent control" over the Arctic ‌island's security, leaving its precise scope unclear.
The United States, Denmark and Greenland said late on Friday they had reached an agreement ‌for the US to develop a significant military presence on Greenland, while prohibiting US adversaries from building their own bases on the island.
Key details of the agreement have not been made public, including the scale of US military presence in the self-governing Danish territory and whether any formal power over foreign policy and resources would be ceded to Washington.
Denmark and Greenland expressed hope that a deal, which is expected to be signed during the UN General ******* embly next week, would end months of uncertainty triggered by Trump's threats to seize control of Greenland.

#greenland #control

On August 10, Ferguson Enterprises Inc. (NYSE:FERG) reported results for the quarter ended June 30, and the numbers show a company growing straight through a soft housing market. Sales rose 4.6% to $8.8 billion, and management lifted its outlook for the full year. But profit grew more slowly than sales, and that gap is what makes this report worth a closer look.
The strongest engine was non-residential work, where US revenue jumped 8% on share gains in what management called a mixed market. Large capital projects are part of the story, with open order volumes growing and bidding activity strong, so there is a pipeline behind the current numbers. Housing, roughly half of revenue, is the weak spot. Yet residential sales still rose 2% in the US even though new construction is weak and repair work is soft, which means Ferguson is beating its markets rather than riding them.
Capital deployment is the second pillar. Ferguson closed five acquisitions in the quarter, and on July 13, it announced a deal for FWI Holdings, known as FloWorks, an industrial distributor of valves and flow-control products that is expected to close in the third quarter. The eight deals announced this year carry about $1.4 billion in annualized revenue, a second growth path alongside organic sales. Net debt sits at 1.3 times adjusted EBITDA, a level management calls strong. The company also returned cash, buying back $202 million of stock in the quarter and declaring a $0.89 dividend payable October 7 to holders of record on August 21. Management raised its full-year sales outlook to mid-single-digit growth, before counting FloWorks.
Start with the gap between sales and profit. Adjusted operating profit rose 2.9%, behind the 4.6% sales gain, and gross margin slipped 20 basis points to 31.0%. Ferguson notes that last year's gross margin was temporarily lifted by the timing of supplier price increases, which is fair context, but the direction is still down. Reported earnings per share of $3.43 rose 6.9%, while the adjusted figure of $3.39 grew a slower 5.3%.
Then there are the soft spots. About half of revenue comes from residential markets that management describes as subdued, so a 2% gain there is modest. Canada's sales slipped 1.9%, with a business divestment outweighing organic growth, and management calls the market there challenging, especially in residential. Management also describes the economic environment as uncertain, and the margin part of the guidance raise is small. The low end of the adjusted operating margin range moved from 9.4% to 9.5%, while the top stayed at 9.8%. The guidance also leaves out FloWorks, and net debt to adjusted EBITDA is 1.3 times, against 1.2 times a year ago.

#management

WASHINGTON – If recent history is the judge, President Donald Trump faces an uncertain legal landscape after his latest attempt to ban certain media outlets from covering him at the White House.
Trump announced in a Sept. 18 social media post that he is banning reporters from three major media outlets – CNN, MS NOW, and Politico – from the White House because he views their coverage as "FAKE NEWS."
Trump later said there wasn't a specific incident or story that prompted him to initiate the ban, which would not preclue the outlets from reporting on the president.
"It's really just ***** ulative stories over the last few years. You get sick of it," he said.
It's not the first time the Trump administration has taken such action against the press.

#House #washington #sept

During market uncertainty, cautious investors may feel compelled to sell everything while they wait for the dust to settle. But Ross Gerber believes that, to paraphrase Rudyard Kipling, if you can keep your head when everyone else is losing theirs, you'll reap even bigger rewards.
The Gerber Kawasaki CEO says that while inflation, higher bond yields, oil prices, and Federal Reserve rate hikes can pressure stocks, he does not think investors should abandon equities wholesale. Instead, he advocates for a more defensive approach.
He recommends investors trim holdings with valuations that look stretched relative to their growth, build reserves in cash and short-duration fixed income **** ets, and keep long-term positions in companies that he believes still have strong earnings support, such as Nvidia.
And for investors trying to navigate an environment where corporate earnings remain strong while macroeconomic risks pressure stock valuations, that distinction matters. Gerber's framework is less about calling the market's next move than deciding which risks a portfolio can absorb—and which positions still deserve capital.
Here is a closer look at Gerber's defensive-focused strategy.

#gerber #pressure #still

Ethereum runs smart contracts on a proof-of-stake network where over a third of circulating ETH is staked, earning low single-digit yields.
Over five years, Bitcoin gained 58% while Ethereum lost 30%, exposing a stark performance gap despite Ethereum's expanding platform usage.
Spot Ethereum ETFs exclude staking yield, and IRS tax uncertainty on staking rewards continues to limit institutional capital from participating.
Just released. Our ***** ysts combed the entire stock market and named the ten best stocks to buy right now. The report is free. Enter your email and see if any of your stocks made the cut.
Ethereum (CRYPTO:ETH) is a blockchain built to run programs, which is why people point to it when they say crypto can do more than move money. Developers deploy code to it, users call that code, and the network's native token, ETH, pays for the computing power behind every transaction.

#ethereum #Crypto #stocks #enter

Burford Capital Limited (NYSE:BUR) announced on September 14 that its indirect, wholly owned subsidiary, Burford Capital Global Finance LLC, priced $300 million of 8% senior secured notes due 2029. Closing is expected September 17, subject to customary conditions.
Net proceeds and existing cash are intended to redeem the subsidiary's 6.25% unsecured notes due in 2028. The transaction would move this maturity into 2029, with a coupon 175 basis points higher.
The September 14 offering announcement confirmed $400 million of outstanding 2028 notes, making the cash contribution central to the refinancing. Burford Capital Limited (NYSE:BUR) said it expected to issue a conditional notice targeting September 24, 2026, for redemption of all $400 million, subject to successful completion of the $300 million financing.
For Burford Capital Limited (NYSE:BUR), refinancing ahead of maturity creates more room for litigation investments to generate cash. Court proceedings, settlements, and collections follow uncertain schedules. Reducing dependence on a particular realization date could help management preserve investment value.
Redeeming the confirmed $400 million balance with $300 million of replacement notes would reduce gross principal by $100 million. Calculated annual coupons would fall from $25 million to $24 million, before fees and other financing costs.

#capital #september #NYSE

Updated Sept. 17, 2026 2:46 pm ET
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(3 min)
1443 ET – Precious metal futures settle higher in New York, recovering from a swoon in the wake of yesterday’s Federal Reserve interest-rate increase. “My sense is that they will lag while we’re in a rate-hiking cycle, and right now we’re fairly clearly in a rate-hiking cycle,” says David Russell, global head of market strategy at TradeStation. There are a lot of arguments in favor of gold, in terms of central bank buying and an alternative to the dollar, but the current macro environment “is not in any way textbook favorable for gold and silver,” he adds. Front-month gold settles up 0.3% to $4,360.20 a troy ounce, and silver rises 1.8% to $65.47 a troy ounce. (anthony.harrupwsj.com)
1118 ET – Gold futures recover losses that followed the Fed’s rate hike as Treasury yields move lower and the dollar slips, while oil prices extend their pullback to a second day. “Gold is rangebound with two-way risk, but the large bull market we had seen earlier in the year is considered on pause for now,” Pepperstone strategist Ahmad ******* iri says in a note. The bull market could continue at some stage with underlying drivers such as central bank demand, macro uncertainty, and fiscal concerns, he says. But “the path of oil prices and their transmission into Fed policy remains the single most important variable from now till year-end.” The December contract is up 0.4% in New York at $4,404.90 a troy ounce. Silver rises 2.3% to $66.44 a troy ounce. (anthony.harrupwsj.com)

#Gold #york #futures

Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR) announced a joint venture with Rönesans Infrastructure on September 14 to develop and operate data centers in Türkiye. The first Ankara campus is designed for more than 22 megawatts of IT capacity. Land, power and permits are secured, early construction has begun, and the first facility is scheduled for completion in 2028.
Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR) has established credible development foundations. The investment question is whether those foundations can support attractive returns once construction spending, customer contracts, and operating costs enter the calculation.
For Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR), securing land, electricity and permits reduces uncertainty around whether development can proceed. That matters because customer interest has limited commercial value when a developer cannot offer a credible delivery schedule. Construction progress can make discussions with prospective tenants more concrete.
Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR) also combines its global customer relationships and operating experience with Rönesans Infrastructure's local development and construction capabilities. The potential benefit is practical: a partner familiar with local execution can help deliver the buildings, while an established data-center operator can help attract customers and manage their deployments.
Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR) is entering through a venture that also plans an additional Istanbul facility. A presence in both cities could appeal to customers seeking multiple locations for resilience and connectivity. Success in Ankara could therefore create a commercial foundation for further expansion, provided demand supports additional investment.

#digital #construction #development #venture

Fenimore ***** et Management, an investment management company, released its Q2 2026 investor letter. The letter can be downloaded here. U.S. equity markets saw broad gains in Q2, driven by strong corporate earnings, economic resilience, and enthusiasm for artificial intelligence (AI). Major indices reached all-time highs, though the energy sector declined. Continued earnings growth, especially among AI-related investments, supported the rally. Technology, particularly semiconductors, led performance as demand for AI infrastructure surged. Despite macroeconomic uncertainties and interest rate influences, Fenimore remains committed to investing in high-quality businesses. The Fenimore Small Cap Strategy returned 9.51% in the quarter, lagging the Russell 2000 Index's 21.49% gain. The underperformance was largely driven by avoiding lower-quality tech stocks linked to data center expansions. Additionally, reviewing the Fund's top five holdings could help identify its best picks for 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Fenimore ***** et Management highlighted Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:RYAN). Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:RYAN) is a specialty insurance services company that provides distribution, underwriting, product development, administration, and risk management services. On September 17, 2026, Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:RYAN) closed at $40.03 per share. The one-month return of Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:RYAN) was -8.32%, and its shares lost 25.53% over the past 52 weeks. Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:RYAN) has a market capitalization of $10.15 billion.
Fenimore ***** et Management stated the following regarding Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:RYAN) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"We initiated a position in Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:RYAN), which we had previously owned after its initial public offering. The insurance industry has seen softness in rates. While RYAN's model differs from traditional retail brokerage, the company released results citing a volatile environment which led to a decrease in their earnings outlook for the year. We're encouraged by the business's long-term prospects and, in our opinion, its legendary leader Pat Ryan. He is also purchasing shares of RYAN's stock during this weakness."
Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:RYAN) is not on our list of 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds Heading Into 2026. According to our database, 32 hedge fund portfolios held Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:RYAN) at the end of the second quarter, compared to 35 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:RYAN) as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

On September 11, a caller praised The Boeing Company's (NYSE:BA) CEO and asked when the company would overcome the ongoing labor uncertainty and finally move beyond years of sideways stock performance. Mad Money host Jim Cramer replied:
I think that Boeing is ready to go up. But here's the problem. Every time crude goes up a dollar, the stock goes down a dollar. And that, think about it, that was actually the ratio. I did some work on this. And because today crude was down, Boeing went up $5... No, it's so stupid because, in truth, the airlines need more planes because the planes are more fuel-efficient. So they actually do better in this environment, but ******* ody cares. They know that airlines have to borrow money to buy planes and rates are higher, and they think that oil somehow's bad. But what ends up happening is the stock does nothing. I think it's about to go up because I think oil might be peaking unless there's some catastrophe over there.
The Boeing Company's (NYSE:BA) second-quarter results showed improving cash generation, but profitability remained weak. Revenue rose 8% year over year to $24.6 billion, while operating cash flow reached $1.4 billion and free cash flow was $631 million. Its total backlog reached a record $715 billion, including more than 6,200 commercial airplanes. CEO Kelly Ortberg said, "We're ramping up production just as we planned. That's driving higher revenues and improved cash flow." He also said there's more work ahead to ramp production, complete commercial-aircraft certifications and uphold customer commitments. Boeing said the 737-7 and 737-10 had completed flight testing, with deliveries expected to begin in 2027.
The Boeing Company's (NYSE:BA) large backlog has yet to translate into consistent commercial-aircraft profitability, leaving execution and margins as important concerns for investors. Commercial Airplanes delivered 171 aircraft in the second quarter but still posted a $322 million operating loss and a negative 2.7% operating margin. It also reported a $428 million GAAP net loss.
The balance sheet leaves less room for further setbacks. The company ended June with $45.9 billion of consolidated debt against $20 billion of cash and investments in marketable securities. The FAA certified the 737-7 on August 3, while Boeing continues working toward certification of the 737-10. First deliveries of the variants are expected in 2027. The company also recorded $280 million of losses on the VC-25B program in the quarter.

#boeing #cash #commercial

Apollo Global Management warned Wednesday that credit default swaps on hyperscaler debt are pricing in more risk. Chief economist Torsten Slok tied the shift to weakening credit fundamentals rather than routine bond-dealer hedging.
Hyperscalers are the cloud computing giants, including Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and Meta, that run the infrastructure behind the AI boom. They face a credit default swap (CDS) gap against bank debt, widened to about 60 basis points since October 2025.
Slok made the case in a Wednesday note reported by CNBC.
"What the market is repricing is hyperscaler credit fundamentals, namely a debt-financed AI capex cycle with rising leverage, negative free cash flow and uncertain payback on depreciating ****** ets."
Dan Alpert, founding managing partner of Westwood Capital, compared the setup to the run-up to the 2008 mortgage crisis. He said banks have since built far bigger equity buffers and are more diversified than they were then.

#slok

Seagate Technology Holdings plc (NASDAQ:STX) announced on September 9 that its subsidiary, Seagate HDD Cayman, completed the redemption and exchange of its remaining 3.50% exchangeable senior notes due 2028 on September 8. Approximately $150.7 million of principal was retired through a settlement involving approximately $150.97 million in cash and 1,647,862 ordinary shares.
For notes submitted for exchange, principal was paid in cash, and the exchange obligation above principal was settled in shares, with cash for fractional shares where applicable. The share delivery therefore satisfied an existing contractual obligation.
Seagate Technology Holdings plc (NASDAQ:STX) has removed a 2028 maturity and the remaining settlement uncertainty attached to this instrument. Based on the approximately $150.7 million principal balance and 3.50% coupon, the transaction eliminates roughly $5.3 million of annual stated interest. That is a calculated annualized saving before taxes and any interest income lost on the cash used.
Recent cash generation supports the ability to absorb the payment. As of July 3, 2026, Seagate Technology Holdings plc (NASDAQ:STX) reported $1.704 billion in cash and cash equivalents. Fiscal fourth-quarter free cash flow was $1.118 billion. This company-defined non-GAAP measure is operating cash flow less acquisitions of property, equipment, and leasehold improvements.
The settlement cash payment equals approximately 8.9% of that reported cash balance. Although the July figure predates settlement, it provides a useful measure of the transaction's scale.

#technology #million #exchange

Tuesday's Performance: -11%
52-Week Range: $50 to $159
Valuation Model Target Price: around $110
Implied Upside: about 28%
Circle Internet Group (NYSE: CRCL) is facing a key investor debate over whether regulatory uncertainty can slow its push to turn USDC from a fast-growing digital dollar into a broader financial infrastructure platform. That concern intensified Tuesday as Circle stock fell about 11% to $86 per share after the U.S. Senate failed to advance the CLARITY Act. The bill received a 50-49 majority but fell short of the 60 votes required to move forward, while Circle and Coinbase each fell about 9% during the broader post-vote selloff and Bitcoin declined roughly 4%.

#performance #valuation

Palantir Technologies (PLTR) trades near $172.56, and the options market has already drawn the year ahead in dollars. The one-year band runs from $96.77 at the floor to $307.69 at the ceiling. That is not a forecast. It is the size of the uncertainty you are holding, and it raises a question about position size rather than direction.
What You Are Actually Risking On A Palantir Position
That range is where the options market puts roughly a two-in-three chance over the twelve months ahead. On a $10,000 holding, that is about $4,400 at risk down to the floor. Up to the ceiling there is about $7,800 of room. The two sides are not the same size because a stock cannot fall below zero but can rise without limit.
Outside that band sit two tails: roughly a one-in-six chance the stock finishes above the ceiling, and the same chance it finishes below the floor. So $96.77 is the edge of the ordinary, not the bottom of it.
Palantir Has Been Moving More Than Its Options Imply

#options #position