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HubSpot Brings Back Co-Founder Brian Halligan as CEO in Major Leadership Reset HubSpot (NYSE: HUBS) announced a major leadership transition,

HubSpot (NYSE: HUBS) announced a major leadership transition, with co-founder Brian Halligan returning as chief executive officer effective November 12 as the company begins...

11-13-26

Marvell Showcases Next-Generation AI Connectivity and Memory Technologies at SC26 Marvell Technology (NASDAQ: MRVL) announced a broad set of connectivity

Marvell Technology (NASDAQ: MRVL) announced a broad set of connectivity and memory technologies that it will showcase at Supercomputing 2026, targeting emerging bottlenecks in...

11-13-26

Apple Launches HomeView Smart Display With Siri AI for $299 Apple has launched HomeView, a new 7-inch smart home display

Apple has launched HomeView, a new 7-inch smart home display designed to combine entertainment, communication and home control with Apple Intelligence and the company’s...

11-13-26

Domino’s Pizza Rises 3.8% as Baird Upgrades Stock to Outperform and Raises Target to $400 Domino’s Pizza (NASDAQ: DPZ) shares

Domino’s Pizza (NASDAQ: DPZ) shares rose about 3.8% after Robert W. Baird upgraded the stock to Outperform from Neutral. Analyst Chris O’Cull also raised...

11-13-26

Broadcom Falls 6.5% as Rothschild & Co Redburn Downgrades Stock to Neutral Broadcom (NASDAQ: AVGO) shares fell about 6.5% after

Broadcom (NASDAQ: AVGO) shares fell about 6.5% after Rothschild & Co Redburn downgraded the semiconductor and infrastructure software company to Neutral from Buy. Analyst...

11-13-26

Autodesk Gains 2.3% as Loop Capital Upgrades Stock to Buy and Raises Target to $310 Autodesk (NASDAQ: ADSK) shares rose

Autodesk (NASDAQ: ADSK) shares rose about 2.3% after Loop Capital upgraded the stock to Buy from Hold and raised its price target to $310...

11-13-26

Canada Wholesale Sales Rise 0.7% in September, Beating Expectations Canadian wholesale sales increased 0.7% month over month in September, exceeding

Canadian wholesale sales increased 0.7% month over month in September, exceeding expectations for a 0.5% gain. The result also marked a clear rebound from...

11-13-26

U.S. Stocks Fall as Nasdaq Drops 1.5% and S&P 500 Slides Nearly 1% U.S. stocks traded lower, with technology shares

U.S. stocks traded lower, with technology shares leading the decline as the Nasdaq Composite fell 1.54% to 24,974.47. The S&P 500 dropped 0.97% to...

11-13-26

U.S. Producer Prices Rise 0.3% in October, Below Headline Forecast U.S. producer prices increased 0.3% month over month in October,

increased 0.3% month over month in October, slightly below the 0.4% forecast and sharply slower than the previous 1.4% increase. Core...

11-13-26

Brazil Retail Sales Rise 0.2% in September, Beating Expectations Brazilian retail sales increased 0.2% month over month in September, outperforming

Brazilian retail sales increased 0.2% month over month in September, outperforming expectations for a 0.2% decline and matching the previous month’s gain. On an...

11-13-26

Eurozone Economy Grows 0.4% in Q3 as Trade Deficit Narrows The eurozone economy expanded 0.4% quarter over quarter in the

The eurozone economy expanded 0.4% quarter over quarter in the third quarter, matching expectations but slowing from 0.6% growth in the previous quarter. On...

11-13-26

China New Loans Turn Negative in October, Missing Expectations China’s new yuan loans fell to negative 100 billion yuan in

China’s new yuan loans fell to negative 100 billion yuan in October, sharply below the 80 billion yuan expected by economists and down from...

11-13-26

US

U.S. Stocks Fall as Nasdaq Drops 1.5% and S&P 500 Slides Nearly 1%

U.S. stocks traded lower, with technology shares leading the decline as the Nasdaq Composite fell 1.54% to 24,974.47.

The S&P 500 dropped 0.97% to 7,518.86, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.45% to 52,059.91.

The sharper Nasdaq decline points to heavier selling pressure in technology and other growth-oriented stocks, while the Dow’s smaller loss suggests relative resilience among large-cap industrial and value names.

The broad weakness comes as investors reassess the outlook for interest rates, Nvidia scandal and inflation following fresh U.S. economic data, contributing to a more cautious tone across equity markets.

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The Investor 11-13-26

U.S. Producer Prices Rise 0.3% in October, Below Headline Forecast

U.S. producer prices increased 0.3% month over month in October, slightly below the 0.4% forecast and sharply slower than the previous 1.4% increase.

Core producer prices, which exclude food and energy, also rose 0.3% during the month, matching expectations and easing from the prior 0.8% increase.

The data suggest upstream inflation pressures moderated significantly in October after the unusually strong rise in the previous month.

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The Investor 11-13-26

S&P 500 Edges Higher as Energy and Communication Services Lead Gains

The S&P 500 was modestly higher in midday trading, rising about 0.17% to 7,632.36 as strength in energy and communication services offset weakness in technology and materials.

Energy was the strongest-performing sector, gaining 1.83%, followed by communication services at 1.00%. Utilities rose 0.64%, consumer staples gained 0.49%, consumer discretionary advanced 0.38% and health care added 0.36%.

The broader market initially traded lower after the open before rebounding sharply during the late morning session. The S&P 500 briefly approached the 7,650 level before giving back part of its gains and stabilizing near 7,630 around midday.

Defensive and cyclical sectors generally outperformed technology. Real estate slipped 0.02%, financials fell 0.04% and industrials declined 0.06%. Information technology was down 0.32%, while materials was the weakest sector with a 0.49% decline.

The mixed sector performance suggests investors were rotating away from some technology and materials names while maintaining exposure to energy, communication services and defensive sectors.

With the S&P 500 holding slightly positive despite weakness in several major sectors, the session reflects a relatively balanced market rather than a broad-based risk-on move.

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WS Investor 11-12-26

U.S. Existing Home Sales Fall 5.5% in October, Missing Expectations

U.S. existing home sales fell sharply in October, declining 5.5% month over month compared with expectations for a 3.5% decrease.

The annualized sales rate dropped to 3.75 million units, below the 3.89 million forecast and down from 3.97 million in the previous month.

The weaker-than-expected figures point to renewed pressure in the U.S. housing market after sales had increased 1.0% in the prior month.

The data suggest elevated borrowing costs and affordability constraints continue to weigh on housing demand, adding another sign of softness in interest-rate-sensitive parts of the U.S. economy.

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WS Investor 11-12-26

U.S. Initial Jobless Claims Rise to 200,000 While Continuing Claims Decline

U.S. initial jobless claims rose to 200,000, above the 194,000 market forecast and up from 191,000 in the previous week.

The increase suggests a modest rise in new unemployment claims, although the overall level remains relatively low.

Continuing jobless claims, meanwhile, fell to 1.697 million from 1.717 million, coming in below expectations of 1.710 million.

The mixed data point to some softening in new claims but continued resilience among those already receiving unemployment benefits, leaving the broader U.S. labor-market picture relatively stable.

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WS Investor 11-12-26

U.S. CPI Rises More Than Expected in October as Core Inflation Holds at 0.3%

U.S. consumer prices rose 0.4% month over month in October, above the 0.3% forecast but slowing from September’s 0.6% increase.

Core CPI, which excludes food and energy, increased 0.3%, also exceeding the 0.2% forecast and matching the previous month’s pace.

Separately, ADP’s weekly employment measure showed private payrolls increasing by 19,800, slightly above the previous reading of 19,500.

U.S. equities traded modestly lower following the data. The S&P 500 was down 0.19%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.35%, and the Nasdaq declined 0.06%.

The hotter-than-expected headline and core CPI readings suggest underlying inflation pressures remain persistent, potentially reinforcing expectations that the Federal Reserve will remain cautious about further monetary-policy easing.

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WS Investor 11-10-26

U.S. Inflation Expectations Hold at 3.9% as Atlanta Fed Raises Q4 Growth Estimate

U.S. one-year consumer inflation expectations were unchanged at 3.9% in October, according to the New York Federal Reserve, slightly above the 3.8% forecast.

Separately, the Atlanta Fed’s GDPNow model raised its estimate for fourth-quarter economic growth to 3.5% from 3.4%, also slightly above the 3.4% consensus estimate.

The combination points to a U.S. economy that remains relatively resilient while near-term inflation expectations stay elevated.

For Federal Reserve policy, the data are modestly hawkish: stronger growth estimates and inflation expectations above forecast could reduce the urgency for additional near-term rate cuts.

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WS News 11-09-26

U.S. Consumer Sentiment Improves in November as Inflation Expectations Ease

U.S. consumer sentiment improved more than expected in November, while both short- and long-term inflation expectations declined.

The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index rose to 51.0 from 48.0, beating the 48.1 forecast. Consumer expectations also improved to 50.9 from 48.8, above expectations of 49.5.

One-year inflation expectations fell to 4.3% from 4.7%, below the 4.6% forecast. Five-year inflation expectations eased to 3.4% from 3.5%, also slightly better than expected.

The combination of stronger sentiment and softer inflation expectations is broadly constructive, suggesting consumers became somewhat less pessimistic while inflation concerns moderated. For monetary policy, the decline in inflation expectations partly offsets the earlier strength in payrolls and wages, leaving the Federal Reserve with mixed signals on the inflation outlook.

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WS Investor 11-06-26

U.S. Payrolls Surge by 165,000 in October as Unemployment Falls to 4.1%

U.S. nonfarm payrolls increased by 165,000 in October, far above the 65,000 forecast and up from 60,000 previously, signaling substantially stronger-than-expected job creation.

The unemployment rate fell to 4.1%, compared with expectations for it to remain at 4.2%.

Average hourly earnings also came in stronger than expected, rising 0.4% month over month versus the 0.3% forecast and previous increase.

Taken together, the data point to a resilient labor market with stronger hiring, lower unemployment and firm wage growth. The report could reduce expectations for near-term Federal Reserve rate cuts, as persistent labor-market strength and wage pressures may keep inflation risks elevated.

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WS Investor 11-06-26

U.S. Jobless Claims Fall to 189,000 as Tech Stocks Slide

U.S. initial jobless claims fell to 189,000, below the 197,000 forecast and down from 195,000 previously, pointing to continued resilience in the labor market.

Continuing jobless claims, however, increased to 1.718 million from 1.695 million, slightly above the 1.710 million forecast. The combination suggests layoffs remain low, while workers already unemployed may be taking somewhat longer to find new jobs.

U.S. equities traded mixed following the data. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose about 0.54%, while the S&P 500 fell 0.32% and the Nasdaq declined 1.12%.

The stronger initial claims reading may reinforce expectations that the labor market remains relatively firm, potentially limiting the case for faster monetary easing. The heavier decline in the Nasdaq suggests rate-sensitive technology stocks were under greater pressure, while the Dow showed relative strength.

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The Investor 11-05-26

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NASDAQ:CBRS

Cerebras Systems Jumps 17.8% After Hours as Record Q3 Revenue and Hyperscaler Wins Drive Raised Outlook

Cerebras Systems (NASDAQ: CBRS) shares surged about 17.8% in after-hours trading after the AI infrastructure company reported record third-quarter revenue, rapid cloud growth, major hyperscaler wins and a higher full-year outlook.

Third-quarter GAAP revenue increased 55% year over year to a record $210.8 million, while core revenue rose 70% to $230.9 million. Core cloud and other services revenue jumped 272% to $144.9 million, highlighting strong demand for Cerebras’ high-speed AI inference platform.

Profitability also improved sequentially. Core gross margin reached 41%, while core operating margin improved to negative 14%. Management said its pipeline for high-speed AI inference increased more than tenfold during the quarter.

Cerebras raised its full-year 2026 outlook to core revenue of $940-$960 million, with core gross margin of 42%-44% and core operating margin of negative 10% to negative 8%. For Q4, the company expects core revenue of $310-$330 million and core operating margin between negative 1% and positive 1%, indicating a path toward operating breakeven.

Commercial momentum was another major catalyst. Oracle is integrating Cerebras inference into Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, and Cerebras also disclosed a new agreement with another top-three hyperscaler. Remaining performance obligations reached $26.1 billion.

Capacity expansion is accelerating as well. The company has secured 700 MW of data center capacity for delivery by the end of 2027 and expects manufacturing capacity to be more than ten times higher at year-end 2026 than at the start of the year.

The 17.8% rally appears to reflect the combination of record revenue, accelerating cloud demand, major hyperscaler customer wins, improving margins and a stronger outlook, reinforcing investor confidence in Cerebras’ ability to scale rapidly into 2027.

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Global Finance News 11-13-26

Cerebras Systems Stock Jumps 7.5% After Jefferies Upgrade

Cerebras Systems shares rose 7.5% to $178.90 after Jefferies upgraded the stock to Outperform.

The positive rating action appears to be supporting renewed investor interest in Cerebras as enthusiasm remains strong around AI infrastructure, specialized accelerators and alternatives to traditional GPU-based computing architectures.

Reasons for the upgrade may include continued growth in AI compute demand, increasing interest in purpose-built AI hardware, and the potential for Cerebras to gain share as hyperscalers and enterprise customers look to diversify their compute platforms.

The stock’s sharp move suggests investors are responding not only to the upgrade itself but also to expectations that demand for high-performance AI systems could remain elevated.

Near term, the key questions are likely to center on revenue growth, customer expansion, execution at scale and whether Cerebras can translate strong AI demand into sustained commercial momentum.

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WS Investor 10-05-26

11-13-26The Investor

09-22-26WS News

08-15-26European Investor

France

Eurozone Economy Grows 0.4% in Q3 as Trade Deficit Narrows

The eurozone economy expanded 0.4% quarter over quarter in the third quarter, matching expectations but slowing from 0.6% growth in the previous quarter.

On an annual basis, GDP increased 1.3%, also in line with forecasts and slightly above the previous 1.2% growth rate.

Separately, the eurozone recorded a trade deficit of €10.3 billion in September. While still negative, the deficit narrowed considerably from €16.6 billion previously, though it remained wider than the €4.5 billion deficit expected by economists.

Overall, the data point to continued economic expansion in the euro area, although quarterly growth moderated and the trade balance remained weaker than forecast.

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The Investor 11-13-26

### European Inflation Data Mixed as Swiss Producer Prices Jump and Spain Holds at 4.9%

European inflation data were mixed, with Switzerland reporting a sharp increase in producer prices while French and Spanish consumer inflation largely matched expectations.

Switzerland’s producer price index rose 0.9% month over month in October, well above the 0.2% forecast and up from 0.3% previously. The stronger reading points to a notable acceleration in upstream price pressures.

In France, consumer prices increased 0.4% month over month, matching expectations and reversing the previous month’s 0.3% decline. France’s harmonized CPI also rose 0.4%, in line with forecasts.

Spanish consumer inflation held at 4.9% year over year in October, exactly matching both expectations and the previous reading.

Spain’s harmonized CPI eased slightly to 4.9% from 5.0%, also matching the 4.9% forecast.

Overall, the data show persistent consumer inflation in Spain, stable price momentum in France and a much stronger-than-expected rise in Swiss producer prices.

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Global Finance News 11-13-26

Eurozone Services Growth Slows in October as France Contracts Sharply

Eurozone services activity continued to expand in October, but momentum weakened more than expected as a sharp contraction in France offset relatively resilient readings elsewhere in the region.

The HCOB Eurozone Services PMI fell to 51.4 from 53.0, below the 51.7 forecast. The Composite PMI, which combines manufacturing and services activity, also declined to 51.7 from 53.1, missing expectations of 51.9. Both readings remained above the 50 threshold separating expansion from contraction, but pointed to a clear slowdown in overall business activity.

Among the major economies, Spain remained the strongest. Its Services PMI eased to 57.2 from 58.3, slightly below the 57.6 forecast but still indicating robust expansion.

Italy’s Services PMI improved to 52.0 from 51.7 and exceeded the 51.4 forecast, suggesting modest acceleration. Germany’s Services PMI slipped to 52.5 from 52.9 but beat expectations of 51.7, keeping the sector in expansion.

France was the major weak point. Its Services PMI plunged to 46.2 from 51.2, substantially below the 48.4 forecast and signaling a renewed contraction in activity.

Overall, the October data show that eurozone growth remains positive but is losing momentum. Resilience in Spain, Germany and Italy was insufficient to prevent both the regional Services and Composite PMIs from weakening, while the sharp deterioration in France highlights increasingly uneven economic conditions across the bloc.

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European Investor 11-04-26

Eurozone Manufacturing Stays in Expansion as Spain and Germany Outperform, Italy and France Contract

Eurozone manufacturing activity remained in expansion territory in October, with the HCOB Manufacturing PMI at 52.7. The reading came in above the 52.4 forecast but slightly below the previous 52.9.

Spain delivered one of the strongest results, with its manufacturing PMI rising to 52.2 from 51.0 and beating the 50.4 forecast. Germany also remained solid at 54.2, matching expectations and improving from 53.9.

Conditions were weaker in Italy and France. Italy’s PMI fell to 49.4 from 50.4, below the 49.9 forecast, while France remained in contraction at 49.5 despite beating expectations of 49.3.

Outside the euro area, Switzerland’s procure*ch Manufacturing PMI jumped to 56.7 from 55.3, also exceeding forecasts.

Overall, the data points to continued manufacturing expansion across the eurozone, but with a clear divergence between stronger activity in Germany and Spain and persistent weakness in France and Italy.

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The Investor 11-02-26

Eurozone ZEW Economic Sentiment Falls More Than Expected in October

Eurozone investor sentiment weakened in October, with the ZEW Economic Sentiment index falling to 18.5 from 25.8 previously.

The reading came in well below the 23.6 consensus estimate, signaling a more cautious outlook among financial-market experts.

The decline suggests that expectations for the euro-area economy have deteriorated despite some improvement in current conditions in Germany.

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WS News 10-20-26

Eurozone Industrial Production Falls 0.5% in August, Missing Expectations

Eurozone industrial production declined 0.5% month over month in August, weaker than expectations for no change.

The result also marked a further deterioration from the previous month’s 0.3% decline, pointing to continued softness in the region’s manufacturing and industrial sectors.

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WS News 10-15-26

French Consumer Prices Fall 0.3% in September, Matching Expectations

French consumer prices declined 0.3% month over month in September, matching economists’ expectations and reversing the previous month’s 0.7% increase.

The EU-harmonized HICP measure also fell 0.3% on the month, slightly better than the expected 0.4% decline and down sharply from the previous month’s 0.4% increase.

The data points to a clear monthly easing in inflation pressures in France after the stronger August readings.

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WS News 10-15-26

Eurozone Services Activity Strengthens in September, Led by Spain

Eurozone services activity improved in September, with the HCOB Services PMI rising to 53.0 from 51.6, matching expectations and signaling a firmer pace of expansion across the region.

Spain remained the standout performer. Its services PMI climbed to 58.3 from 57.8, beating the 57.1 consensus and pointing to strong growth in the sector.

Germany’s services PMI improved sharply to 52.9 from 49.7, moving back into expansion and matching expectations. France also returned to growth, with its services PMI rising to 51.2 from 48.0, although the reading came in slightly below the 51.4 forecast.

Italy was the main weak spot. Its services PMI fell to 51.7 from 55.2, well below expectations of 54.6, though it still remained above the 50 threshold.

The Eurozone Composite PMI increased to 53.1 from 52.0, confirming broader improvement in overall business activity. Taken together, the data point to stronger regional momentum heading into the fourth quarter, with Spain and Germany providing the clearest support.

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European Investor 10-05-26

Eurozone Inflation Accelerates to 3.8% in September, Slightly Above Expectations

Eurozone inflation accelerated in September, with headline CPI rising 3.8% year over year, above the 3.7% market consensus and up sharply from 3.2% in August.

Core inflation also edged higher, reaching 2.5% from 2.4% previously, in line with expectations. On a monthly basis, consumer prices increased 0.6%, accelerating from a 0.4% rise in August.

The data suggest that inflation pressures in the euro area strengthened heading into the fourth quarter, with both headline and core measures moving higher.

For markets, the stronger inflation backdrop is relatively hawkish for the European Central Bank. The figures could reduce expectations for near-term policy easing and support higher euro-area bond yields, while potentially offering some support to the euro.

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WS News 10-02-26

Eurozone Manufacturing Expands in September as Major Economies Stay Above 50

Eurozone manufacturing activity strengthened modestly in September, with the HCOB Manufacturing PMI rising to 52.9 from 52.7 and beating the 52.7 consensus.

Germany remained the strongest among the major economies shown, with its manufacturing PMI at 53.9, slightly above expectations of 53.8, though down from 54.3 previously. France also stayed in expansion at 50.6, ahead of the 50.3 forecast but below August’s 51.1.

Italy’s manufacturing PMI improved to 50.4 from 49.6, moving back above the 50 threshold and beating the 50.1 consensus. Spain showed a similar improvement, with its PMI rising to 51.0 from 49.5, clearly above the 50.2 forecast.

Overall, the data point to a broader recovery in euro-area manufacturing, with Spain and Italy returning to expansion and Germany and France remaining above 50. The stronger regional reading is a positive signal for industrial momentum heading into the fourth quarter.

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WS News 10-01-26

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The Investor 11-13-26

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WS News 10-01-26

Spain Inflation Accelerates to 4.9% in September, Above Expectations

Spain’s annual CPI inflation rate rose to 4.9% in September from 4.3% previously, coming in above the 4.6% market forecast.

The stronger-than-expected increase points to renewed inflation pressure in one of the euro area’s largest economies. The acceleration is notable because it suggests price growth is not only remaining elevated but is moving higher again.

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WS News 09-29-26

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04-29-25Global Finance News

NASDAQ:CSCO

Cisco Falls 1.6% After Hours Despite Record Q1 Results and Raised FY2027 Guidance

Cisco Systems (NASDAQ: CSCO) shares fell about 1.6% in after-hours trading despite delivering record fiscal first-quarter results and raising its full-year revenue and earnings outlook.

Fiscal Q1 revenue surged 24% year over year to a record $18.5 billion, while GAAP EPS increased 58% to $1.14 and non-GAAP EPS jumped 40% to $1.40. Non-GAAP operating margin reached a record 37.8%.

Growth was broad-based, with product revenue up 32%. Networking revenue climbed 43%, Security grew 7%, Collaboration increased 8% and Observability rose 2%. Revenue increased 28% in the Americas, 18% in EMEA and 21% in APJC.

Cisco also raised its fiscal 2027 outlook. The company now expects revenue of $74.8-$75.8 billion and non-GAAP EPS of $5.47-$5.53. It increased its expectation for AI infrastructure revenue from hyperscalers to $9 billion for fiscal 2027, more than double the total generated in fiscal 2026.

However, second-quarter guidance implies some sequential moderation. Cisco expects Q2 revenue of $18.0-$18.2 billion, below the $18.5 billion reported in Q1, while non-GAAP EPS is projected at $1.34-$1.36 versus $1.40 in the latest quarter. Non-GAAP operating margin is expected at 36%-37%, also below Q1’s 37.8%.

Gross margins also declined year over year. Non-GAAP gross margin fell to 65.6% from 68.1%, while product gross margin decreased to 63.7% from 67.2%.

The 1.6% after-hours decline appears to reflect elevated expectations and investor focus on sequentially softer Q2 revenue, earnings and margin guidance, despite record Q1 performance, a higher full-year outlook and accelerating AI infrastructure demand.

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Global Finance News 11-13-26

Cisco Unveils New Agentic AI Collaboration Tools Across Webex, Workplaces and Customer Experience

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) introduced a broad set of agentic AI capabilities across Webex, workplace infrastructure and customer experience, expanding its collaboration platform beyond traditional meetings and messaging.

The company said Webex will increasingly support AI agents that can work alongside employees, execute multi-step tasks and use shared enterprise context. New capabilities include Claude Managed Agents, which will allow teams to analyze data, generate content and coordinate actions directly inside Webex, as well as collaborative agents that can operate across Webex and third-party applications.

Cisco is also integrating Webex with OpenAI dots through the Model Context Protocol, enabling Webex context to flow into personal AI agents. The company emphasized enterprise controls around identity, security, governance and visibility to determine what AI agents can access and what actions they are permitted to take.

On the workplace side, Cisco unveiled Intelligent Workplace
Experiences, combining networking, collaboration devices, physical-space intelligence and digital experience assurance. New tools include Workplace Designer, Workplace Insights and RoomOS 27, which adds AI-powered room controls and support for Webex, Microsoft Teams, Zoom and native Google Meet. RoomOS 27 is expected to become available in November.

Company also introduced Dialog, a new agentic framework for the Webex AI Agent platform aimed at customer service. Dialog is designed to maintain persistent customer context, continue working after an interaction ends, coordinate across systems and agents, and improve its performance over time.

The announcements show Cisco positioning Webex as a broader enterprise AI platform rather than simply a communications product, combining collaboration, networking, security, observability and AI agents within a common architecture.

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Global Finance News 10-07-26

Dividend Growth Stocks: Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) Dividend Stock Analysis

Your source for finding the best dividend growth stocks

(dividend-growth-stocks.com)

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The Investor 10-04-26

# Cisco Stock Falls 5.8% as Piper Sandler Cuts Price Target to $125

Cisco shares fell 5.8% to $104.97 after Piper Sandler lowered its price target on the networking company to $125 from $132 while maintaining a Neutral rating.

The revised target still implies roughly 19% upside from the latest share price, but the lower target reflects a more cautious view on Cisco’s near-term valuation and earnings potential.

Reasons behind the weakness might include concerns around enterprise networking demand and uncertainty over how quickly AI-related infrastructure investments will translate into stronger growth for Cisco’s core businesses.

Cisco continues to benefit from exposure to data-center networking, security, observability and AI infrastructure, but investors may be weighing those opportunities against softer traditional networking demand and a more demanding valuation backdrop.

The 5.8% decline suggests the lower target added to broader caution around the stock, even though Piper Sandler kept its Neutral stance.

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Global Finance News 09-22-26

Cisco Expands Splunk AI With NVIDIA and AWS Partnerships

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) announced a broad expansion of its Splunk AI platform, introducing new capabilities aimed at helping enterprises deploy, monitor and secure AI agents at scale.

A key part of the announcement is an expanded collaboration with NVIDIA. The new Cisco AI POD for Splunk combines Cisco infrastructure, NVIDIA accelerated computing and AI software to allow companies to run Splunk AI within their own data centers, private clouds and air-gapped environments.

Cisco also introduced Tokenomics capabilities for Splunk Agent Observability, allowing enterprises to monitor AI token spending and usage of coding agents such as Claude Code, Codex and Cursor in real time. The system can forecast future consumption and help companies connect AI spending with business outcomes.

Meanwhile, Splunk and AWS signed a multi-year agreement to jointly develop security solutions designed to counter increasingly sophisticated AI-driven cyberattacks. The collaboration combines Splunk’s security data and detection capabilities with AWS cloud infrastructure to support AI agents across threat detection, investigation and response.

The announcements strengthen Cisco’s push to position Splunk as a core platform for enterprise AI observability and cybersecurity as businesses accelerate adoption of agentic AI.

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The Investor 09-15-26

AMD, Cisco and HUMAIN Expand Saudi AI Infrastructure With Instinct GPUs

AMD (NASDAQ: AMD), Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) and Saudi Arabia’s HUMAIN announced Monday that their first AMD-powered AI infrastructure is now operational in the Kingdom, marking a major step in their plans to build large-scale sovereign AI capacity.

The production system uses AMD Instinct MI355X GPUs and EPYC CPUs alongside Cisco Silicon One networking and 800G optics. HUMAIN is already using the infrastructure to provide GPU-as-a-service for AI workloads ranging from model training to inference.

The companies also announced the next major phase of the project. Beginning in 2027, they plan to deploy up to 250 megawatts of additional AI infrastructure based on AMD Instinct MI400 Series GPUs, EPYC processors and ROCm software, combined with Cisco networking technology. Capacity is expected to begin coming online in the second half of 2027.

The expansion forms part of the previously announced AMD-Cisco-HUMAIN joint venture, which remains on track to deploy up to 1 gigawatt of AI infrastructure by 2030. The companies said strong customer demand is supporting the buildout.

The project is particularly significant for AMD as it expands the footprint of its Instinct accelerators in large-scale AI data centers, competing for a greater share of a market currently dominated by NVIDIA. For Cisco, the project provides another major opportunity for its high-speed networking technology as AI clusters become larger and more demanding.

The partnership also supports Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a major global AI infrastructure hub, with locally operated computing capacity designed to give governments and enterprises greater control over their data, models and AI systems.

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The Investor 08-31-26

Cisco Expands Secure AI Factory With NVIDIA and Supermicro for Rack-Scale AI

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is expanding its Secure AI Factory with NVIDIA through a partnership with Supermicro, strengthening its position in the rapidly growing AI data center infrastructure market.

The expanded platform combines Cisco networking and security, NVIDIA accelerated computing, and Supermicro’s high-density liquid- and air-cooled servers. It will support large-scale AI workloads including trillion-parameter model training and high-throughput inference using next-generation NVIDIA Vera Rubin NVL72 and HGX Rubin NVL8 systems.

The architecture targets enterprises, neocloud providers and sovereign cloud operators, areas seeing strong investment as global AI computing capacity expands. Cisco said the solution will be NVIDIA Cloud Partner compliant, integrating Cisco Silicon One and NVIDIA Spectrum-X-based networking.

The partnership also moves Cisco beyond supplying networking equipment toward offering a broader AI infrastructure stack spanning compute, networking, security, cooling and management.

Cisco plans to begin offering Supermicro systems through its Secure AI Factory with NVIDIA in October 2026.

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The Investor 08-26-26

Cisco Expands AI Factory With NVIDIA and Supermicro for Rack-Scale AI Infrastructure

Cisco Systems (NASDAQ: CSCO) is expanding its Secure AI Factory with NVIDIA through a new partnership with Supermicro, adding high-density rack-scale computing to its AI infrastructure portfolio as demand from enterprises, neoclouds and sovereign cloud operators accelerates.

The expanded platform combines Cisco networking and security, NVIDIA AI infrastructure and Supermicro's liquid- and air-cooled server systems, creating an integrated architecture capable of supporting some of the industry's largest AI workloads.

Cisco Targets Massive AI Data Center Buildout

Cisco said the new architecture can support workloads ranging from trillion-parameter model training to high-throughput AI inference.

Supermicro's dense GPU systems will be integrated with Cisco's AI networking portfolio, including Silicon One-based front-end switches and NVIDIA Spectrum-X-based back-end switches. The infrastructure will support next-generation NVIDIA platforms including Vera Rubin NVL72 and HGX Rubin NVL8.

Cisco President and Chief Product Officer Jeetu Patel described the industry as being at the beginning of "one of the largest datacenter buildouts in history," highlighting the company's ambition to capture more spending associated with AI infrastructure.

Why the Expansion Matters for Cisco

The announcement broadens Cisco's exposure to AI beyond its traditional networking business. By combining compute, networking, security, cooling and management into a validated full-stack system, Cisco is positioning itself to capture a larger portion of customers' overall AI infrastructure budgets.

The architecture is also NVIDIA Cloud Partner compliant, targeting rapidly expanding neocloud and sovereign cloud markets where customers increasingly require high-performance AI infrastructure while maintaining greater control over their data.

Cisco's networking technology remains an important differentiator. The company said it is the only NVIDIA technology partner using its own networking switches and network operating system within an NVIDIA Cloud Partner-compliant solution.

The expansion strengthens Cisco's position in the AI data center ecosystem alongside NVIDIA and Supermicro and gives the company greater exposure to the massive capital investment being directed toward next-generation AI factories.

Cisco plans to begin offering the Supermicro compute systems as part of its Secure AI Factory with NVIDIA in October 2026.

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WS Investor 08-25-26

Cisco Stock Falls 4.7% Despite Record Earnings as Margin Outlook Weighs on AI-Fueled Growth

Cisco Systems (NASDAQ: CSCO) shares fell 4.7% in premarket trading Thursday despite reporting record fiscal fourth-quarter results, as investors appeared to focus on profitability expectations and whether rapid AI infrastructure growth can translate into sufficient earnings upside.

Cisco reported Q4 revenue of $17.3 billion, up 18% year over year, while non-GAAP EPS increased 23% to $1.22. Networking revenue jumped 28%, and total product orders surged 35%, highlighting strong demand across the business.

AI Infrastructure Demand Accelerates

AI was one of the strongest parts of the report. Cisco received $4 billion of AI infrastructure orders from hyperscalers during Q4, bringing fiscal 2026 orders to $9.3 billion. The company generated approximately $4 billion in AI infrastructure revenue during the year and expects that figure to climb to $7.5 billion in fiscal 2027.

Networking orders increased 40% in Q4, marking the eighth consecutive quarter of double-digit growth and supporting management's view that a networking "supercycle" is underway.

However, margins provided a potential reason for the negative share reaction. Non-GAAP gross margin declined to 66.3% from 68.4% a year earlier despite the substantial revenue growth. Cisco's Q1 FY2027 guidance calls for a non-GAAP gross margin of 65%-66%, indicating further pressure at the midpoint.

For fiscal 2027, Cisco expects revenue of $72.2 billion to $73.4 billion and non-GAAP EPS of $5.05 to $5.11.

The premarket decline suggests investors expected even stronger profitability and guidance after Cisco's recent AI-driven momentum. Still, rapidly expanding hyperscaler orders and the expected rise in AI infrastructure revenue leave Cisco increasingly positioned as a major networking beneficiary of global AI data center investment.

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Global Finance News 08-13-26

Cisco Surges 19% in Premarket on Record Revenue and Explosive AI Infrastructure Demand

May 13, 2026 | NASDAQ: CSCO

Cisco is set for one of its best single-day performances in years, jumping 19% in premarket after delivering a quarter that reframes the company's identity — from legacy networking giant to essential AI infrastructure backbone — and raises its AI-related revenue expectations by 80%.

The headline numbers are exceptional. Record quarterly revenue of $15.8 billion grew 12% year-on-year, beating the high end of guidance. GAAP EPS of $0.85 surged 37%, and non-GAAP EPS of $1.06 grew 10%. GAAP operating income rose 24% to $4.0 billion. Net income jumped 35% to $3.4 billion. Every major geographic segment posted growth — Americas up 14%, EMEA up 9%, APJC up 9%.

The numbers driving the 19% premarket move, however, are the order metrics. Total product orders grew 35% year-on-year — and even excluding hyperscalers, orders were up 19%, demonstrating that demand is broad-based rather than concentrated in a handful of mega-customers. Networking product orders accelerated to more than 50% growth year-on-year. Data center switching orders grew more than 40%. Campus networking orders grew more than 25%, with the next-generation portfolio ramping faster than prior product cycles.

The AI infrastructure story is where the real revision happened. Cisco raised its expected fiscal 2026 AI infrastructure orders to $9 billion — nearly double the prior $5 billion expectation. And it raised expected FY26 AI-related revenue to $4 billion, up from $3 billion previously. Year to date, the company has already taken $5.3 billion in AI infrastructure orders. The message is unambiguous: hyperscalers and enterprises are buying Cisco's networking infrastructure to connect and secure AI workloads at a pace that is accelerating, not stabilizing.

The campus networking refresh cycle adds another layer to the growth story. This is the traditional enterprise replacement cycle — companies upgrading aging campus networks — and Cisco is seeing it ramp faster than historical product launches. Combined with the AI-driven data center and hyperscaler demand, Cisco is simultaneously riding two distinct capex waves.

Q4 guidance calls for revenue of $16.7 to $16.9 billion with non-GAAP EPS of $1.16 to $1.18, and full-year revenue guidance was set at $62.8 to $63.0 billion. At $16.7 to $16.9 billion, Q4 would represent another sequential record.

With $16.6 billion in cash, $9.6 billion remaining in buyback authorization, and $2.9 billion returned to shareholders in the quarter alone, the balance sheet is in excellent shape. In a market that has been hungry for concrete proof that AI infrastructure spending is translating into real revenue for networking names, Cisco just delivered the most convincing evidence yet.

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European Investor 05-14-26

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Italy

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WS News 10-01-26

Eurozone Growth Momentum Strengthens in September as Services Lead

Eurozone business activity improved more than expected in September, led by stronger services growth across the region.

The Eurozone Composite PMI rose to 53.1 from 52.0, beating the 51.7 consensus and signaling a faster pace of overall private-sector expansion. Services PMI increased to 53.0 from 51.6, also well above the 51.4 forecast, while manufacturing PMI held at 52.7, slightly above expectations of 52.6.

Germany showed a similar pattern. Manufacturing PMI eased to 53.8 from 54.3 and missed the 54.1 forecast, but services PMI jumped to 52.9 from 49.7, comfortably above the 49.9 consensus and returning to expansion territory.

France also improved on the services side. Services PMI climbed to 51.4 from 48.0, sharply above the 48.3 forecast, while manufacturing PMI slipped to 50.3 from 51.1 and came in below expectations.

Overall, the data suggest Eurozone growth momentum strengthened in September, with services more than offsetting some moderation in manufacturing. The stronger composite reading points to a more resilient regional economy heading into the final quarter.

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WS News 09-23-26

Eurozone Inflation Rises to 3.2% in August as Core CPI Eases

Eurozone annual inflation accelerated to 3.2% in August from 2.9% previously, though the reading came slightly below the 3.3% market forecast.

Core inflation, which excludes more volatile components, eased to 2.4% year over year from 2.5% and matched expectations. The decline suggests underlying price pressures moderated slightly even as headline inflation moved higher.

On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.4% in August, up from a 0.2% increase in the previous month.

The mixed inflation picture leaves the European Central Bank facing competing signals: headline inflation has moved further above its 2% target, while core inflation continues to cool gradually. The data could reinforce a cautious approach to further monetary-policy changes as officials assess whether the latest increase in headline prices proves persistent.

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WS News 09-17-26

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NASDAQ:AMAT

Applied Materials Slips 0.8% After Hours Despite Record Q4 Results and Strong FY2027 Outlook

Applied Materials (NASDAQ: AMAT) shares fell about 0.8% in after-hours trading despite reporting record fiscal fourth-quarter revenue and earnings, strong margin expansion and a solid outlook for the first quarter of fiscal 2027.

Fourth-quarter revenue jumped 53% year over year to a record $10.41 billion. GAAP EPS increased 43% to $3.40, while non-GAAP EPS surged 92% to a record $4.16. Non-GAAP operating income reached $3.68 billion, representing a 35.3% margin.

Gross profitability also improved significantly. GAAP gross margin rose 240 basis points to 50.4%, while non-GAAP gross margin increased 250 basis points to 50.6%.

For the full fiscal year, Applied Materials generated record revenue of $34.45 billion, up 21%, with record GAAP EPS of $12.62 and record non-GAAP EPS of $12.89. Annual cash flow from operations reached a record $8.87 billion.

Management highlighted accelerating AI-related semiconductor demand and said the Semiconductor Systems business is on track to grow more than 40% in calendar 2026. Applied also continued investing in next-generation chipmaking technologies through its EPIC Center and new partnerships with Intel, KIOXIA, Besi and UCLA.

For fiscal Q1 2027, Applied expects revenue of about $11.1 billion, plus or minus $500 million, and non-GAAP EPS of $4.35, plus or minus $0.20, implying another sequential step higher from Q4.

The 0.8% after-hours decline appears to reflect elevated expectations and possible profit-taking rather than weakness in the report. Applied delivered record revenue, sharply higher earnings and strong guidance, but after a major AI-driven semiconductor equipment rally, investors may have been looking for an even larger upside surprise.

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Global Finance News 11-13-26

Applied Materials and Intel Expand Collaboration to Accelerate AI Chip Manufacturing

Applied Materials (NASDAQ: AMAT) and Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) announced an expanded collaboration aimed at accelerating development of next-generation semiconductor technologies for AI computing.

The companies will work together at Applied Materials’ new EPIC Center in Silicon Valley and Intel’s R&D campus in Hillsboro, Oregon, focusing on advanced transistors, interconnects and packaging technologies. The goal is to shorten development cycles and speed the transition of new semiconductor innovations from research into high-volume manufacturing.

The collaboration includes work on next-generation materials, process technologies and device architectures for advanced logic nodes, as well as interconnect scaling and Foveros-based 3D packaging. These technologies are designed to improve interconnect density, power delivery and thermal performance for high-performance AI systems.

Applied Materials said the partnership builds on decades of cooperation with Intel and is intended to address increasingly complex chipmaking challenges as AI workloads demand greater performance and efficiency.

Intel, meanwhile, said the collaboration will support its foundry ambitions by helping accelerate R&D and manufacturing innovation for advanced AI infrastructure.

Applied’s EPIC Center is expected to become operational in 2026 and is designed to give chipmakers earlier access to new equipment and process technologies, with the aim of bringing semiconductor breakthroughs to market faster.

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The Investor 10-06-26

Applied Materials and Besi Expand AI Packaging Partnership

Applied Materials and BE Semiconductor Industries expanded their strategic partnership to accelerate development of next-generation advanced packaging technologies for AI systems.

Besi will join Applied Materials’ EPIC Center as an Innovation Partner, extending a collaboration that began in 2020 with the companies’ Hybrid Bonding Center of Excellence in Singapore. The broader partnership will focus on 3D IC scaling, logic and memory integration, and photonics technologies used in increasingly complex AI infrastructure.

The companies plan to expand beyond die-to-wafer hybrid bonding into new hybrid-bonding platforms, thermo-compression bonding, die-on-wafer, die-on-die and die-on-panel architectures. They will also work on photonics-enabled interconnect technologies supporting co-packaged optics and higher-bandwidth AI systems.

Applied Materials said the collaboration is intended to give semiconductor customers earlier access to co-optimized process and assembly technologies across the advanced packaging flow.

The work will take place partly at Applied’s new EPIC Center in Silicon Valley, where capital investment is expected to scale to approximately $5 billion as customer projects begin.

The expanded partnership reflects the growing importance of advanced packaging as AI chips require denser interconnects, higher memory bandwidth and more sophisticated integration between logic, memory and optical components.

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WS Investor 10-01-26

Applied Materials and KIOXIA Partner to Advance Next-Generation AI Memory Technology

Applied Materials and KIOXIA have formed a new R&D partnership at Applied’s EPIC Center in Silicon Valley to develop next-generation memory technologies for AI infrastructure.

The collaboration will focus on advanced memory-cell structures, multi-chip stacking, advanced packaging and new materials engineering approaches designed to improve memory density, bandwidth and energy efficiency.

KIOXIA will join Applied Materials’ expanding EPIC Center ecosystem, which includes chipmakers, designers, equipment partners and universities. The companies plan to work side by side on technologies that can move more quickly from early-stage development into high-volume manufacturing.

A key focus will be stacked memory architectures, where higher levels of integration are needed to improve performance while managing space, cost and manufacturing complexity. The companies will also work on materials and process innovations intended to support commercial-scale production.

Applied Materials said the partnership should give KIOXIA earlier access to its R&D portfolio while allowing both companies to shorten learning cycles and accelerate commercialization of new memory technologies.

The collaboration also strengthens the strategic role of Applied’s EPIC Center, a planned roughly $5 billion semiconductor equipment R&D facility designed to bring customers and technology partners into the development process earlier as AI drives increasingly demanding memory and packaging requirements.

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WS Investor 09-29-26

Meta and Applied Materials Declare Quarterly Cash Dividends

Meta Platforms and Applied Materials announced quarterly cash dividends on September 10, continuing shareholder capital returns at two of the largest U.S. technology companies.

Meta’s board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.525 per share for both Class A and Class B common stock. The dividend will be paid on September 28 to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 21.

Applied Materials separately declared a quarterly dividend of $0.53 per share, payable December 10 to shareholders of record on November 19. The semiconductor equipment company increased its quarterly dividend by 15% earlier this year, from $0.46 to $0.53, marking its ninth consecutive annual dividend increase.

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Global Finance News 09-11-26

Applied Materials (AMAT) Falls 5.2% Despite Record Q3 Results and Strong AI Demand

Applied Materials (NASDAQ: AMAT) shares are down 5.2% in premarket trading after the semiconductor equipment maker reported record fiscal third-quarter 2026 results and provided a strong fourth-quarter outlook.

Revenue reached a record $9.12 billion, up 25% year over year, while non-GAAP EPS climbed 41% to a record $3.50. GAAP EPS increased 43% to $3.17. Profitability also strengthened, with non-GAAP gross margin rising 150 basis points to 50.4% and operating margin expanding to 34.0%.

Why Is AMAT Stock Down?

The decline appears to reflect elevated expectations following the semiconductor equipment sector’s strong AI-driven performance rather than weakness in Applied Materials’ reported results.

Applied delivered record results and expects another substantial sequential increase in Q4, forecasting revenue of $10.25 billion, plus or minus $500 million, and non-GAAP EPS of $4.02, plus or minus $0.20. However, with investors already pricing in rapid growth from AI infrastructure, HBM, advanced packaging and leading-edge foundry spending, the strong outlook may not have provided enough upside relative to increasingly demanding expectations.

There may also be some concern around the scale of additional manufacturing investment required to meet projected demand through the end of the decade, particularly after the company recently expanded its manufacturing and R&D footprint in Singapore.

AI and HBM Demand Remain Major Growth Drivers

Underlying business momentum remains strong. Applied said it is raising its calendar 2026 Semiconductor Systems revenue expectations and expects to grow faster than the overall market this year, followed by another strong growth year in 2027.

Management highlighted particularly strong demand from DRAM, leading-edge foundry-logic and advanced packaging. These markets are benefiting directly from the AI infrastructure buildout, especially increasing production of high-bandwidth memory and advanced AI processors.

The company also generated record quarterly operating cash flow of $3.04 billion and returned $860 million to shareholders through buybacks and dividends.

Despite the 5.2% premarket decline, Applied Materials’ report points to accelerating semiconductor equipment demand and continued margin expansion. The negative stock reaction therefore appears more consistent with a high-expectations reset and profit-taking than deterioration in the company’s underlying AI-driven growth trajectory.

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WS Investor 08-14-26

Applied Materials (AMAT) Stock Gains After Mizuho Raises Price Target to $650

Applied Materials (NASDAQ: AMAT) shares traded higher on Wednesday and 4% up in premarket today after Mizuho raised its price target on the semiconductor equipment maker to $650 from $570.50 while maintaining its positive rating on the stock.

Why Is AMAT Stock Rising Today?

The latest analyst action reflects growing confidence in Applied Materials' long-term growth prospects, particularly as artificial intelligence investments continue to fuel demand for advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment.

The new $650 price target represents roughly 14% upside from the previous target, reinforcing Wall Street's bullish outlook on the company despite recent volatility in the semiconductor sector.

AI Spending Continues to Support Applied Materials

Applied Materials remains one of the key beneficiaries of increasing capital expenditures by leading chip manufacturers. Demand for advanced wafer fabrication equipment continues to be supported by investments in AI processors, high-bandwidth memory (HBM), and advanced packaging technologies.

The company is also expected to benefit from continued expansion by major foundries and memory chip producers as they ramp production to meet growing AI-related demand.

What Investors Are Watching Next

Investors will continue to monitor semiconductor capital spending trends and upcoming earnings from major chipmakers for further signs of sustained demand. Any additional evidence of resilient AI infrastructure investment could provide further support for Applied Materials shares.

The latest price target increase from Mizuho adds to the constructive outlook for AMAT, helping lift the stock as investors remain optimistic about the long-term growth opportunities across the semiconductor equipment industry.

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Global Finance News 07-09-26

Applied Materials Stock Jumps 7% as Analysts Raise Price Targets

Applied Materials (NASDAQ: AMAT) shares climbed more than 7% on Monday after several Wall Street firms reaffirmed their bullish outlook on the semiconductor equipment maker, citing continued strength in AI-driven chip manufacturing demand.

Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated its Overweight rating and raised its price target to $850 from $650, implying significant upside from current levels. KeyCorp also maintained an Overweight rating while increasing its target to $750 from $550, reflecting growing confidence in the company's long-term growth prospects. Meanwhile, HC Wainwright initiated or set a price target of $850.

The wave of optimistic analyst actions reinforced investor confidence in Applied Materials' position as a key supplier to the semiconductor industry, particularly as advanced chipmakers continue expanding capacity to support artificial intelligence and high-performance computing applications.

The rally also comes amid a broader advance in technology stocks, with easing geopolitical tensions and renewed risk appetite lifting semiconductor names across the market. Investors remain optimistic that sustained AI infrastructure spending will continue to drive demand for wafer fabrication equipment, providing a favorable backdrop for Applied Materials' business.

Applied Materials shares are trading around $675, up approximately 7.7% during Monday's session.

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European Investor 06-29-26

Applied Materials (NASDAQ: AMAT) surged 13.4% on Thursday as investors poured back into AI-related semiconductor stocks, with the broader chip sector rallying after Micron's blockbuster earnings and upbeat outlook reinforced confidence in AI-driven demand.

On Friday, Jefferies reiterated its Buy rating on Applied Materials and maintained a $770 price target, reaffirming its positive long-term view on the semiconductor equipment maker. The firm expects Applied Materials to remain a key beneficiary of rising investment in advanced chip manufacturing, supported by strong demand for AI processors, high-bandwidth memory, and leading-edge fabrication technologies.

Applied Materials is well positioned to benefit from increasing wafer fabrication spending as global chipmakers expand production capacity to meet growing AI infrastructure needs. Its broad portfolio of manufacturing equipment and exposure to both logic and memory markets continue to support a favorable long-term outlook.

While Thursday's rally was driven by the broader semiconductor rebound, Jefferies' reaffirmed bullish stance reinforces Wall Street's confidence in Applied Materials' growth prospects as AI-related capital spending continues to accelerate.

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WS Investor 06-26-26

Applied Materials (NASDAQ: AMAT) fell 8% despite receiving a major vote of confidence from Bank of America, which raised its price target to $720 from $540 while maintaining a Buy rating.

The decline was driven less by company-specific developments and more by a broad selloff across technology and semiconductor stocks. Investor sentiment weakened after fresh concerns emerged about the global chip industry outlook, triggering profit-taking throughout the semiconductor supply chain.

The move overshadowed Bank of America's bullish outlook, which reflects confidence in Applied Materials' long-term growth prospects and its central role in the ongoing AI-driven semiconductor investment cycle. The company remains one of the world's largest suppliers of equipment used to manufacture advanced chips for artificial intelligence, data centers, and high-performance computing applications.

While the sharp decline pressured the stock, the positive analyst action suggests Wall Street continues to see significant long-term upside. Investors appear to be reacting to broader sector weakness rather than any deterioration in Applied Materials' fundamentals.

The selloff highlights how sentiment-driven market moves can temporarily outweigh positive company-specific news, particularly in sectors that have delivered substantial gains during the AI boom.

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European Investor 06-23-26

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NYSE:STN

Stantec Jumps 5.1% After Hours as Record Margin and Higher 2026 Outlook Boost Sentiment

Stantec (NYSE: STN) shares rose about 5.1% in after-hours trading after the engineering and consulting firm reported strong third-quarter growth, record profitability and raised its 2026 outlook.

Third-quarter net revenue increased 9.4% year over year to $1.9 billion, driven by 5.3% organic growth and 2.6% acquisition growth. Adjusted EBITDA rose 16.6% to $377.1 million, while adjusted EBITDA margin expanded 120 basis points to a record 20.2%. Adjusted EPS increased 23.5% to $1.89.

Backlog reached $9.2 billion, up 11.6% from a year earlier, including 9.9% organic growth, and represents roughly 13 months of work.

Stantec also raised several full-year targets. The company now expects an adjusted EBITDA margin of 18.3%-18.5%, up from 17.8%-18.3%, adjusted net income margin of at least 9.8%, and adjusted EPS growth of 17%-19% versus the prior 15%-18% range. Net revenue growth guidance was narrowed to 9%-11%.

Operationally, all regions and businesses delivered organic growth, with particularly strong performance in Water. Project margin improved to 55.0%, while operating cash flow increased to $392.3 million.

The 5.1% after-hours gain appears to reflect the combination of record margins, double-digit backlog growth and a higher profitability outlook, reinforcing confidence in Stantec’s ability to carry momentum into 2027.

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Global Finance News 11-13-26

Stantec Stock Flat in Premarket Despite Strong Q2 Results and Higher Margin Outlook

Stantec (NYSE: STN) shares were essentially unchanged, down 0.01% in premarket trading Thursday, despite the engineering and consulting company reporting strong second-quarter results and raising its 2026 adjusted EBITDA margin outlook.

Stantec reported Q2 net revenue of $1.8 billion, up 11.5% year over year. Adjusted EBITDA increased 17.1% to $332.9 million, while adjusted EBITDA margin expanded 90 basis points to 18.7%. Adjusted EPS rose 18.4% to $1.61. Contract backlog also reached a record $9.2 billion, up 17.5% from a year earlier.

Stantec Raises 2026 Margin Expectations

The company maintained its broader 2026 guidance but raised and narrowed its adjusted EBITDA margin target to 17.8%-18.3%, from the previous 17.6%-18.2% range. Stantec continues to expect net revenue growth of 8.5%-11.5% and adjusted EPS growth of 15%-18%.

Despite the solid report, the muted premarket reaction may reflect the absence of a major upside surprise. Organic revenue growth was 3.7% in Q2, with much of the overall 11.5% increase coming from acquisitions, particularly Page. Cash flow from operations also declined to $118.6 million as working-capital requirements increased alongside revenue growth.

Overall, Stantec's results point to healthy demand, improving profitability and a strong project pipeline, but investors appear to be treating the quarter as broadly consistent with already elevated expectations.

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Global Finance News 08-13-26

Stantec Edges Higher in Premarket as Record Backlog and Margin Expansion Impress

May 14, 2026 | NYSE: STN

Stantec is nudging 1.67% higher in premarket after a first quarter that demonstrates the steady, compounding quality that has made the Canadian engineering and consulting firm a reliable performer — record backlog, expanding margins, and double-digit adjusted EPS growth delivered in a macro environment that is creating genuine tailwinds for infrastructure spending.

Net revenue grew 9.1% to $1.694 billion, driven by 7.2% acquisition growth and 3.6% organic growth across all regional operating units. Adjusted EBITDA rose 13.8% to $287 million, with margin expanding 70 basis points to 16.9%. Adjusted EPS of $1.33 grew 14.7% year-on-year, and net income rose 10.7% to $110.8 million. The standout organic growth came from Water, up 14.3%, and Energy & Resources, up 8.6% — two sectors benefiting directly from global infrastructure investment cycles.

The number that arguably matters most for a professional services firm is backlog, and Stantec's hit a record $9.0 billion at quarter end, up 13.2% year-on-year. That represents approximately 13 months of forward revenue visibility, giving management confidence to reaffirm full-year guidance of 8.5% to 11.5% net revenue growth and 15% to 18% adjusted EPS growth. The Global segment posted particularly strong organic backlog growth of 21.8%, driven by Water activity under ongoing Asset Management programs in the UK and Australia.

The one soft spot was operating cash flow, which swung to a small outflow of $2.3 million from a strong positive position a year ago. Management attributed this to integration disruption from the Page acquisition — specifically a financial system migration — and elevated working capital from high organic growth in the Global segment. Days sales outstanding of 74 days was actually an improvement of three days year-on-year, suggesting the underlying collections discipline remains intact.

Balance sheet leverage of 1.3x net debt to adjusted EBITDA sits comfortably within the company's 1.0 to 2.0x target range, and the board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.245 per share — up from $0.225 a year ago.

The modest premarket move reflects the market's familiarity with Stantec's consistent execution rather than any surprise element. This is a business quietly compounding at double-digit EPS growth with a record order book — exactly the kind of steady compounder that attracts institutional accumulation rather than headline-driven spikes.

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European Investor 05-14-26

Brazil

Brazil Retail Sales Rise 0.2% in September, Beating Expectations

Brazilian retail sales increased 0.2% month over month in September, outperforming expectations for a 0.2% decline and matching the previous month’s gain.

On an annual basis, retail sales rose 1.7%, above the 1.0% forecast and accelerating from 0.5% previously.

The stronger-than-expected figures suggest consumer spending remained resilient heading into the fourth quarter, with both monthly and yearly growth exceeding market expectations.

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The Investor 11-13-26

Brazil Inflation Rises to 4.63% in October but Comes in Below Forecast

Brazil’s consumer price inflation accelerated to 4.63% year over year in October, up from 4.58% in the previous month but below the 4.74% market forecast.

The softer-than-expected reading suggests inflation pressures increased only modestly and may provide some relief to policymakers, particularly after concerns that price growth could reaccelerate more sharply.

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WS Investor 11-12-26

Brazil Retail Sales Barely Rise in August, Missing Expectations

Brazilian retail sales increased just 0.1% month over month in August, well below the 0.7% gain expected by economists. The reading nevertheless marked an improvement from the previous month’s 0.8% decline.

On a year-over-year basis, retail sales rose 0.4%, also significantly weaker than the 1.5% consensus estimate and slowing from 1.3% previously.

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The Investor 10-15-26

Brazil Inflation Accelerates to 4.58% in September, Above Expectations

Brazil’s annual consumer inflation rate rose to 4.58% in September, exceeding the 4.50% consensus estimate and accelerating from 4.22% previously.

The stronger-than-expected reading suggests inflation pressures picked up again during the month, potentially complicating the outlook for monetary policy.

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Global Finance News 10-09-26

Brazil Gross Debt-to-GDP Ratio Rises to 82.9% in August

Brazil’s gross debt-to-GDP ratio increased to 82.9% in August from 82.5% previously, though the reading came in slightly below the 83.1% expected by economists.

The increase points to continued fiscal pressure, with public debt remaining elevated relative to the size of the economy.

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WS News 09-30-26

Brazil Unemployment Rate Holds at 5.3% in August

Brazil’s unemployment rate remained at 5.3% in August, matching both market expectations and the previous reading.

The unchanged figure suggests the labor market remained relatively tight, with no clear deterioration in employment conditions during the month.

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WS Investor 09-29-26

Brazil Foreign Direct Investment Reaches $7.4 Billion in August

Brazil recorded $7.40 billion in foreign direct investment in August, above the $6.90 billion market forecast.

The figure was only slightly below the previous month’s $7.46 billion, suggesting foreign investment inflows remained relatively strong despite broader global financial-market volatility

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WS News 09-28-26

Brazil Cuts Interest Rate to 13.75%, Matching Expectations

Brazil’s central bank cut its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 13.75% on September 17, continuing the gradual easing of monetary policy.

The decision was in line with market expectations. The Selic rate had previously stood at 14.00%, meaning the latest move represents another step down from the considerably higher interest-rate levels seen earlier in the cycle.

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WS News 09-17-26

Brazil Retail Sales Fall 0.8% in July, Missing Forecasts

Brazilian retail sales weakened more than expected in July, adding to signs of softer consumer demand in Latin America’s largest economy.

Retail sales fell 0.8% month over month, compared with expectations for a 0.2% decline and following a 0.3% increase previously. On an annual basis, sales rose just 1.2%, well below the 2.2% forecast and slowing from 2.8%

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The Investor 09-15-26

Brazil Inflation Slows to 4.22% in August, Below Expectations

Brazil’s annual inflation rate eased more than expected in August, providing a positive signal for the country’s inflation outlook.

Consumer prices increased 4.22% year-over-year, below the 4.27% market forecast and slowing from 4.44% previously. The decline indicates that inflationary pressures continued to moderate during the month.

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WS Investor 09-11-26

07-10-25WS News

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The Investor 11-13-26

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WS Investor 11-10-26

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The Investor 11-05-26

U.S. Stock Futures Rally After Democratic Midterm Sweep as ADP Employment Matches Prior Month

U.S. stock futures moved sharply higher on Wednesday as investors digested the Democratic sweep of both chambers of Congress and a stronger-than-expected private-sector employment report.

Dow futures climbed about 2.1%, S&P 500 futures rose 1.1%, while Nasdaq futures gained 0.4%. The broader move followed confirmation that Democrats won control of both the House and Senate in the November 3 midterm elections, creating a divided government with Republican President Donald Trump.

Labor-market data also provided support. ADP reported that U.S. private payrolls increased by 86,000 in October, matching the previous month’s reading and exceeding the 67,000 forecast. The result points to continued hiring momentum, although employment growth remains relatively moderate.

The market reaction suggests investors are balancing two themes. The election outcome has increased expectations that large legislative changes may become more difficult, while the ADP report indicates the labor market has not weakened sharply. Together, those factors supported cyclical shares and helped push Dow futures substantially higher.

The Nasdaq’s smaller gain also reflects a more complicated post-election backdrop for technology stocks. Democratic victories have increased investor focus on possible tighter oversight of AI infrastructure and data-center development, particularly after election campaigns in several states highlighted concerns over energy use, utility costs and local opposition to new data centers.

Overall, the combination of greater political clarity and resilient employment data is supporting U.S. equities ahead of the opening bell. However, investors are likely to remain focused on how the new congressional balance may affect fiscal policy, AI regulation and future Federal Reserve decisions.

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WS Investor 11-04-26

U.S. Stocks Rise as Oil Plunges and ISM Manufacturing Beats Forecasts

U.S. stocks extended gains Monday as sharply lower oil prices eased inflation concerns and stronger-than-expected ISM manufacturing data supported confidence in the economy.

The Dow Jones rose 1.03% to 52,304.31, the Nasdaq gained 0.87% to 25,658.79, and the S&P 500 advanced 0.62% to 7,627.00.

Brent crude fell more than 6% to around $106.41 a barrel. The sharp decline in energy prices provides a favorable backdrop for equities by reducing concerns over fuel-driven inflation and potentially lowering costs for businesses and consumers.

Economic data also offered support. The ISM Manufacturing PMI increased to 55.5 in October, beating the 54.5 forecast and improving from 54.5 previously. The reading remained well above the 50 threshold, indicating continued expansion in U.S. manufacturing activity.

At the same time, the ISM Manufacturing Prices index eased to 75.2 from 77.9 and came in below the 77.2 forecast. Although input-price pressures remained elevated, the decline provided some reassurance on the inflation outlook. Manufacturing employment slipped slightly to 52.4 from 52.7 but remained in expansion territory.

Construction spending was the major weak point, falling 1.9% month over month in September compared with expectations for a 0.4% increase and a previous 2.0% gain.

Overall, the rise in U.S. indexes appears to reflect a combination of sharply lower oil prices, stronger manufacturing activity and some moderation in manufacturing price pressures. The weak construction spending figure limited the otherwise positive macro picture but was not enough to offset the broader improvement in investor sentiment.

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European Investor 11-02-26

U.S. Stocks Trade Mixed as Wider Trade Deficit Offsets Inventory Growth

U.S. stocks were mixed after fresh economic data showed a wider-than-expected goods trade deficit alongside stronger retail inventory growth. The S&P 500 rose 0.15% and the Dow gained 0.27%, while the Nasdaq was nearly unchanged, down 0.01%.

The U.S. goods trade deficit widened to $134.90 billion in September, larger than the $130.40 billion consensus estimate and the previous $132.07 billion deficit. The deterioration suggests imports continued to outpace exports and could weigh on the trade component of third-quarter GDP calculations.

Retail inventories excluding autos increased 0.4% in September, accelerating from 0.1% previously. Higher inventories can provide some near-term support to GDP, although persistent inventory accumulation can become a negative signal if it reflects weaker-than-expected final demand.

Overall, the releases offered a mixed economic signal: stronger inventory accumulation was offset by a larger trade deficit, helping explain the relatively subdued reaction across major U.S. equity indexes.

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WS Investor 10-28-26

Wall Street Rises as Strong Consumer Confidence Offsets Mixed U.S. Economic Data

U.S. stocks moved higher Tuesday, with the Nasdaq gaining 1.19%, the S&P 500 rising 0.66% and the Dow Jones adding 0.14%, as investors digested a mixed batch of economic data.

Conference Board Consumer Confidence climbed to 91.7 in October, well above the 81.2 forecast and up from 84.2 previously. The stronger-than-expected reading pointed to improved household sentiment and provided the clearest positive signal from the day’s releases.

New home sales also came in better than expected at an annualized 676,000 in September, compared with the 651,000 forecast, although sales edged down from 680,000 previously.

Other indicators were softer. Building permits slipped to 1.398 million, slightly below the 1.400 million forecast and 1.403 million prior reading. Weekly ADP employment growth slowed to 16,800 from 18,500, suggesting some moderation in private-sector hiring.

Durable goods orders rose 1.8% in September, a sharp improvement from the prior 0.1% increase but slightly below the 2.0% consensus estimate.

Overall, the data presented a mixed economic picture, with stronger consumer confidence and housing demand offsetting softer employment and building activity. The stronger move in the Nasdaq suggests risk appetite remained relatively firm despite the uneven macro signals.

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European Investor 10-27-26

Wall Street Falls as Mixed Jobless Claims and Surging Oil Keep Rate and Inflation Concerns in Focus

U.S. stocks traded lower after the latest labor-market data sent a mixed signal while a sharp rise in crude oil added to inflation concerns.

Initial jobless claims fell to 194,000, better than the 200,000 consensus estimate and down from 200,000 previously. The reading suggests layoffs remain relatively contained and the labor market is still holding up.

Continuing jobless claims, however, rose to 1.728 million, above the 1.720 million forecast and up from 1.703 million previously. That points to some difficulty for unemployed workers in finding new jobs even as new layoffs remain low.

Equities were under pressure, with the S&P 500 down about 0.78%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average off 0.15%, and the Nasdaq falling roughly 1.42%. The heavier Nasdaq decline suggests continued pressure on rate-sensitive growth and technology stocks.

At the same time, Brent crude climbed about 2.4% to $111.48 per barrel. Higher oil prices can complicate the inflation outlook by increasing energy and transportation costs, potentially reinforcing concerns that the Federal Reserve may need to keep monetary policy restrictive for longer.

Overall, the combination of resilient initial claims and rising oil prices appears to be weighing on risk appetite, even as the increase in continuing claims points to some underlying softening in the labor market.

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WS News 10-22-26

Wall Street Trades Mixed as Hotter PPI and Strong Retail Sales Reinforce Rate Concerns

U.S. stocks traded mixed after a batch of economic data showed stronger consumer spending, hotter producer inflation and continued labor-market resilience. The S&P 500 fell 0.26% to 7,698.99 and the Nasdaq dropped 0.86% to 26,463.05, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.55% to 51,907.65.

September retail sales increased 0.8% month over month, well above the 0.3% consensus estimate, although growth slowed from 1.3% previously. Core retail sales rose 0.9%, also beating the 0.6% forecast but easing from 1.4%.

Inflation data were more concerning. Producer prices jumped 1.3% month over month, more than double the 0.6% expected and sharply above the prior 0.5% increase. Core PPI rose 0.7%, compared with a 0.3% forecast and 0.2% previously.

The labor market remained firm. Initial jobless claims were 199,000, matching expectations and little changed from 198,000, while continuing claims came in at 1.710 million, exactly in line with forecasts and slightly below 1.714 million previously.

Manufacturing data were also much stronger than expected, with the New York Empire State Manufacturing Index jumping to 25.5 in October from 7.6, far above the 12.1 consensus estimate.

The data combination points to an economy that remains resilient but is also experiencing renewed inflation pressure. That backdrop may reinforce expectations for interest rates to remain elevated for longer, which appears to be weighing particularly on the rate-sensitive Nasdaq even as the Dow moves higher.

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The Investor 10-15-26

Wall Street Falls as September Inflation Comes in Hotter Than Expected

U.S. stocks moved lower after September inflation data showed broader price pressures remained firmer than economists expected. The S&P 500 fell 0.76% to 7,745.85, while the Nasdaq dropped 0.99% to 26,934.31. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.14% to 51,597.18.

Headline CPI increased 0.6% month over month in September, matching expectations but accelerating from 0.4% in August. On a year-over-year basis, inflation rose to 3.7%, above the 3.6% consensus estimate and up from 3.4% previously.

More importantly for the Federal Reserve outlook, core inflation also came in hotter than expected. Core CPI rose 0.3% month over month versus the 0.2% forecast, while the annual core rate accelerated to 2.6% from 2.4%, also exceeding the 2.5% consensus estimate.

The combination of higher headline inflation and an upside surprise in core prices suggests underlying inflation pressures remain persistent. That could reduce expectations for near-term monetary easing or reinforce the case for keeping interest rates elevated for longer.

The Nasdaq’s larger decline is consistent with renewed rate concerns weighing more heavily on growth and technology stocks, while the relatively smaller move in the Dow suggests a more defensive market response.

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Global Finance News 10-14-26

09-03-26WS News

09-02-26WS News

08-26-26The Investor

08-17-26WS News

08-04-26European Investor

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