Progress Software Corporation (PRGS) delivered an impressive first-quarter performance, sending its stock up over 10% following the earnings announcement. The company's revenue surged 28.9% year-over-year to $238 million, surpassing the high end of its own guidance. Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.31 also exceeded expectations, reinforcing investor confidence in the company’s growth trajectory. A key driver behind Progress Software’s success is its recent $875 million acquisition of ShareFile. The cloud-based file-sharing platform contributed significantly to the company’s annualized recurring revenue, which climbed 48% year-over-year. The integration of ShareFile has been faster than expected, boosting profitability and strengthening the company’s SaaS-based revenue stream, which now makes up more than 85% of total revenue. Why Investors Are Paying Attention Progress Software’s strong Q1 showing comes at a critical time, as software firms navigate an evolving digital lands...

Lucid Motors ( LCID ) is gaining momentum as more former Tesla ( TSLA ) owners trade in their vehicles for Lucid’s luxury electric models. The California-based EV maker has officially launched its second product, the Gravity SUV, with deliveries set to begin in April. The Gravity is expected to attract a broader range of customers compared to Lucid’s niche Air sedan, which has struggled to achieve mass-market appeal. Interim CEO Marc Winterhoff confirmed an increasing number of Tesla owners are shifting to Lucid, citing recent changes in Tesla’s brand perception and customer preferences. “Tesla buyers were always a key source of our sales because they were already used to electric drivetrains and were looking for something better,” Winterhoff said. “Since the beginning of the year, we’ve seen a clear uptick of interest in Lucid from Tesla buyers.” The Gravity SUV, priced at $79,900, enters a competitive luxury EV space dominated by Tesla’s Model X, Cadillac’s Escalade IQ, and premium o...

Newsmax Inc. (NMAX) made a dramatic entrance into the public markets, with its stock surging 735% on its first day of trading. The conservative cable news network priced its initial public offering (IPO) at $10 per share, raising $75 million. By the end of its debut session, shares had soared to $83.51, with multiple trading halts due to volatility. The IPO success has significantly boosted the fortune of Newsmax founder and CEO Christopher Ruddy, whose 39.2 million Class A shares are now valued at approximately $3.3 billion. Ruddy retains firm control over the company, holding 81% of the voting power through shares that carry 10 votes each. A Media Powerhouse on the Rise Newsmax’s rise has placed it firmly in the competitive media landscape, with Ruddy declaring the network as the fourth most-watched cable news channel in the U.S., trailing behind CNN. The company has benefited from the shifting political climate, particularly in an era where conservative-leaning media outlets continu...

Advanced Micro Devices ( AMD ) remains steadfast in its bullish outlook on artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, even as concerns mount over slowing demand.  CEO Lisa Su reaffirmed her confidence, underscoring the company’s commitment to AI-driven growth. "The need for compute continues to be immense," Su said. "We see that throughout all of our customers globally, and we're going to continue to invest strongly in this area because I think this is the single most important technology of the last 50 years." Backing these words with action, AMD completed its $4.9 billion acquisition of ZT Systems, a major provider of AI and general-purpose compute infrastructure for hyperscale customers. The acquisition enhances AMD’s ability to deliver end-to-end AI solutions, combining its CPUs, GPUs, networking silicon, and open-source ROCm software. Expanding Partnerships and Innovation AMD also announced the deployment of its 5th Gen EPYC processors on Oracle ( ORCL ) ...

President Donald Trump issued a sharp warning to Russia, threatening secondary tariffs on countries that continue buying Russian oil. The move aims to pressure President Vladimir Putin into agreeing to a ceasefire in Ukraine. Trump's comments come amid escalating tensions following Putin's remarks questioning the legitimacy of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. While speaking to the press, Trump expressed frustration, stating that if Russia is deemed responsible for the lack of progress in peace talks, secondary tariffs would follow. These tariffs would target nations that purchase Russian oil, adding significant economic pressure on Moscow’s energy exports. Oil markets reacted with initial volatility before stabilizing as skepticism grew over the feasibility and enforcement of such measures. Global Implications and Market Skepticism Russia remains one of the world’s top oil producers, supplying key buyers like China, India, and Turkey. Analysts warn that secondary tariff...

Elon Musk's artificial intelligence company, xAI, has officially acquired X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, in a $33 billion all-stock deal. The announcement, made by Musk on Friday, places a combined valuation of $80 billion for xAI and $33 billion for X, factoring in $12 billion in debt. "xAI and X's futures are intertwined," Musk wrote in a post on X. "This combination will unlock immense potential by blending xAI's advanced AI capability and expertise with X's massive reach." The move marks a significant step in Musk's vision to integrate AI more deeply into the digital landscape. X, which Musk acquired for $44 billion in 2022, has undergone dramatic changes under his leadership, from mass layoffs to a complete rebranding. The Strategic Integration of AI and Social Media xAI, founded by Musk in 2023, has rapidly become a leading AI lab with a focus on developing artificial intelligence to accelerate human scientific disc...

Gold futures surged to an all-time high on Friday as escalating trade tensions rattled financial markets. The Trump administration’s announcement of 25% tariffs on foreign autos sparked fears of a global trade war, pushing investors toward the safety of the precious metal. Gold futures climbed to $3,115.30 per ounce, reflecting a 0.79% increase. Spot gold similarly reached a record $3,086.70 per ounce, marking its eighteenth record high of the year. The precious metal has gained over 17% in the last quarter, positioning itself for its strongest year-to-date performance in nearly four decades. A weakening US dollar has further bolstered gold’s appeal, with the Dollar Index (DXY) down 2.8% this year. Wall Street Analysts Boost Gold Forecasts Financial institutions are increasingly bullish on gold’s outlook. Bank of America ( BAC ) recently raised its price target to $3,500 per ounce over the next 18 months, citing increased buying from China, central banks, and investors in gold-back...