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...

Lululemon Athletica ( LULU ) delivered a stronger-than-expected fourth-quarter performance, reporting earnings of $6.14 per share, surpassing Wall Street’s estimate of $5.85 per share. Revenue grew 13% year-over-year to $3.6 billion, in line with projections. However, the stock plunged over 15% as investors reacted to the company’s disappointing fiscal 2025 outlook. The retailer’s management forecasted revenue growth of 5% to 7% for the year, below analyst expectations of 7.5%. Earnings per share are anticipated to range between $14.95 and $15.15, falling short of the consensus estimate of $15.46. First-quarter guidance also missed projections, further dampening investor confidence. Challenges in the U.S. Market While Lululemon continues to perform well internationally, its North American business remains under pressure. North America accounts for approximately 75% of the company’s total sales, but growth in the region is expected to remain sluggish. Comparable sales were flat in the A...

The Federal Reserve's preferred inflation measure, the core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index, rose sharply in February, surpassing expectations and casting uncertainty on the central bank's next steps. Core PCE, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, increased by 0.4% from the previous month and 2.8% year over year. This accelerated pace of inflation suggests ongoing price pressures, despite the Fed's efforts to rein in inflation through a series of interest rate hikes. The latest data, which exceeded economists' expectations of a 0.3% monthly rise, adds pressure on the Fed to maintain a cautious stance on interest rates. Chair Jerome Powell and other officials have indicated a preference for patience, emphasizing the need for more evidence that inflation is sustainably moving toward the Fed's 2% target. Market Reactions and Economic Implications Financial markets responded negatively to the report, with major indices sliding as investors diges...

President Donald Trump's decision to impose 25% tariffs on all cars imported into the U.S. has sent shockwaves through the automotive industry. This sweeping policy, which also includes key auto parts, is poised to reshape production strategies, influence consumer prices, and generate fierce reactions from trade partners. While the move is a clear push to stimulate domestic manufacturing, it brings with it significant risks to global supply chains and corporate profitability. The tariffs, effective April 2, were broader than anticipated, encompassing imports from Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Asia. Companies with substantial international manufacturing footprints are now facing a major financial squeeze. Automakers reliant on foreign plants will likely bear the brunt, while those with localized production may find themselves with a competitive edge. Winners: Tesla and Domestic Producers Among the most notable beneficiaries of the tariffs is Tesla ( TSLA ). The electric vehicle maker ...

Nvidia ( NVDA ) shares continued to slide, reflecting growing anxiety over U.S. trade policies and geopolitical uncertainty.  President Donald Trump's recent announcement of a 25% tariff on automotive imports has reignited fears that semiconductors could face similar levies. While Nvidia’s most advanced chips are produced in Taiwan, the prospect of retaliatory tariffs looms large, threatening supply chains and profit margins. Adding to the pressure, the U.S. government expanded its trade blacklist, targeting dozens of Chinese companies, including key Nvidia customers like Inspur, China’s leading server maker. These measures could limit Nvidia’s access to the Chinese market, which accounts for a significant portion of its revenue. The company’s stock fell 5.7% on Wednesday and another 1.9% on Thursday, underperforming the broader market. AI Dominance Remains Nvidia’s Saving Grace Despite the market turbulence, Nvidia remains a dominant force in artificial intelligence (AI). Major te...

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. ( BABA ) and BMW AG have announced a strategic partnership to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) technology into BMW vehicles for the Chinese market. The collaboration will see BMW adopt AI cockpit technology from Banma, an Alibaba-backed platform, with the goal of enhancing the in-car user experience. Banma’s AI assistant, powered by Alibaba’s Qwen model, will introduce advanced voice recognition, intelligent trip planning, and personalized recommendations. The in-car AI will provide real-time traffic updates, parking suggestions, and nearby restaurant recommendations, addressing the evolving expectations of Chinese consumers who are increasingly accustomed to seamless digital experiences. BMW’s decision comes as traditional automakers struggle to compete with Chinese electric vehicle (EV) makers like BYD Co., which have rapidly gained market share by integrating sophisticated software and AI features into their models. Alibaba's AI Ambitions Take Ce...

GameStop Corp. ( GME ), the video-game retailer that captured headlines during the meme stock mania of 2021, announced that its board has approved a policy to add Bitcoin as a treasury reserve asset. The decision, revealed alongside the company’s fourth-quarter earnings report, triggered a 14% surge in GameStop shares on Wednesday. While GameStop’s financial results showed ongoing challenges, including a 28% drop in revenue year-over-year to $1.28 billion, the company’s leadership is turning to Bitcoin in a bid to diversify its financial strategy. Adjusted earnings per share came in at $0.30, beating analyst expectations by $0.22, though sales still lagged estimates. Following the MicroStrategy Model The decision to adopt Bitcoin echoes the playbook of MicroStrategy Inc. ( MSTR ), which made headlines for accumulating over $40 billion in Bitcoin. CEO Ryan Cohen had teased the move last month by posting a photo with MicroStrategy Executive Chairman Michael Saylor, a vocal Bitcoin ad...

Dollar Tree ( DLTR ) announced a pivotal move on Wednesday, finalizing a deal to sell its Family Dollar business to Brigade Capital Management and Macellum Capital Management for $1.007 billion. The transaction, expected to close in the second quarter of 2025, will yield approximately $804 million in net proceeds. The decision to divest comes after years of challenges for Family Dollar. Acquired for $9 billion in 2015, the brand struggled with operational inefficiencies and lagging sales. Last year, Dollar Tree announced the closure of nearly 1,000 Family Dollar stores and initiated a strategic review to explore divestiture options. By shedding the struggling unit, Dollar Tree aims to streamline operations and refocus on its core brand. Strong Earnings and Market Response The announcement coincided with the company’s fourth-quarter earnings report, which exceeded Wall Street expectations. Dollar Tree reported adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $2.29, surpassing analysts' estimate...