A new survey forecasts historic Valentine's Day spending in 2026, driven by broader gifting circles and resilient consumer sentiment, with candy remaining the most popular present.
A New York Fed analysis of consumer spending from 2023-2025 shows a stark and growing divide between college graduates and non-graduates, providing fresh evidence of a 'K-shaped' economic recovery where the educated continue to outpace others.
A sharp selloff in technology shares moderated by Wednesday's close, though the sector remained under pressure as concerns over AI's disruptive potential mounted. Capital rotated decisively toward value-oriented and small-cap stocks, highlighting a significant shift in market sentiment.
While Nordson Corporation may not be chasing explosive growth, its consistent 14% return on capital employed and disciplined reinvestment strategy have delivered solid, long-term value for shareholders. We analyze the stability behind the industrial technology leader's performance.
Fortive Corporation (NYSE: FTV) capped off its first year as a refocused industrial technology leader with robust fourth-quarter results, exceeding guidance and launching an aggressive share repurchase program. CEO Olumide Soroye detailed the early success of the 'Fortive Accelerator' strategy, projecting confidence in sustained organic growth and disciplined capital allocation for the year ahead.
Following its transformative $4.1 billion acquisition of BlueHalo, AeroVironment (AVAV) is emerging as a key player in the next generation of defense technology. With soaring contract values and a strategic pivot to integrated multi-domain systems, the company stands to benefit from rising global defense budgets focused on drones and electronic warfare.
Twilio is providing the communications backbone for Genspark's new AI-powered phone agent, enabling multilingual, automated call handling for complex workflows. The partnership signals Twilio's strategic push to embed its technology deeper into enterprise AI and automation.
Analysts at Jefferies have downgraded consumer health giant Kenvue to Hold, slashing their price target to $18. The move follows overwhelming shareholder approval for its acquisition by Kimberly-Clark and reflects concerns over limited upside and ongoing litigation risks.
In a move timed for the big game, PepsiCo is rolling back prices by up to 15% on its popular snack portfolio, including Lay's and Doritos, citing consumer pressure and a commitment to affordability.
Cocoa futures tumbled this week, with prices hitting multi-year lows, as forecasts of robust global supplies collide with persistent consumer resistance to high chocolate prices. Analysts point to a significant market surplus ahead.
Yum! Brands Inc. (NYSE: YUM) edged past Wall Street forecasts for its fourth quarter, fueled by robust same-store sales at Taco Bell and record KFC expansion. While revenue climbed 6% to $2.51 billion, the market reaction was muted as investors weigh the fast-food giant's growth trajectory against a challenging consumer environment.
Shares of industrial technology conglomerate Fortive surged nearly 10% Thursday after the company delivered better-than-expected fourth-quarter results and issued a robust financial forecast for 2026, signaling renewed confidence in its core operations.
As AutoZone's fair value estimate adjusts to around $4,210, a nuanced tug-of-war emerges on Wall Street. Analysts are fine-tuning models, balancing long-term operational confidence against near-term consumer spending concerns, reshaping the investment narrative for the auto parts retailer.
While Oklo's advanced nuclear reactor technology has attracted major tech backers like Meta, analysts caution that its path to profitability—and potential dividends—remains a long-term prospect, making it a speculative growth story rather than an immediate income stock.
The latest American Customer Satisfaction Index report for 2026 crowns Trader Joe's as the nation's highest-rated grocer, ending a tie with Publix. The win highlights shifting consumer preferences and regional divides in the competitive supermarket landscape.
Silicon Motion Technology (SIMO) reported robust Q4 2025 results, surpassing revenue and margin targets, as executives outlined a bullish outlook fueled by AI infrastructure needs, PCIe Gen5 adoption, and strategic market share gains. The company forecasts continued sequential growth through 2026, targeting record annual revenue despite industry-wide memory supply constraints.
Financial technology provider Jack Henry & Associates reported robust second-quarter results, driven by solid revenue growth and margin expansion. The company raised its full-year guidance for a second consecutive quarter, citing sustained demand from banks and credit unions and a healthy sales pipeline.
Johnson & Johnson gains FDA approval for a new frontline multiple myeloma therapy and unveils a pioneering cardiac imaging catheter, reinforcing its strategic focus on high-growth oncology and medical technology segments.
PepsiCo has announced significant wholesale price cuts of up to 15% on its flagship snack brands like Doritos and Cheetos. While the move is framed as a response to consumer pressure, the final savings for shoppers hinge on individual retailers' pricing decisions.
Boston fintech startup EnFi has closed a $15 million funding round led by Fintop to expand its AI-powered credit decisioning agents. The technology aims to address a critical staffing shortage at regional banks, enabling them to process more loan applications efficiently and compete with larger institutions.
