Shares of Mobileye ( MBLY ) soared over 10% in early trading on Tuesday following the announcement of a strategic collaboration with Volkswagen Group and Valeo. The partnership aims to enhance advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) in Volkswagen’s upcoming MQB-based vehicles. Under the agreement, Mobileye’s Surround ADAS platform will be integrated with Valeo’s sensor technology, streamlining procurement and reducing system complexity. This centralized solution promises to improve vehicle safety and driving comfort, offering features such as hands-free driving on approved highways, traffic jam assist, hazard detection, parking assist, and 360-degree emergency assist. Volkswagen’s Push Toward Enhanced Automation Volkswagen Group’s partnership with Mobileye and Valeo marks a significant step in its push for automated driving technology. The company plans to introduce Level 2+ driving systems across its upcoming vehicle lineup, enhancing driver assistance capabilities. Unlike tradition...

The U.S. economy has shown signs of slowing, leading to a reassessment of expectations on Wall Street. While economic growth is moderating, fears of an outright recession remain tempered. Investors and policymakers are now navigating a landscape of softer growth, heightened uncertainty, and wavering consumer confidence. Economic Growth Moderates Recent data suggest that the economy's expansion is losing momentum. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell described the economy as "moderating a bit" while maintaining a "solid pace." The Fed’s updated Gross Domestic Product (GDP) forecast for 2025 now stands at 1.7%, down from the previously projected 2.1%. Wall Street analysts have followed suit, with Goldman Sachs lowering its forecast to 1.7% from 2.4%, while Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan have revised theirs to 1.5% and 1.6%, respectively. The adjustment stems in part from the anticipated impact of President Donald Trump's tariff policies, which are expected to damp...

Intuitive Machines ( LUNR ) saw its shares surge nearly 20% on Monday after reporting a 79% increase in fourth-quarter revenue, reaching $54.7 million. The space technology company also announced a record backlog of $328.3 million, a 22% jump fueled by expanded contracts with NASA and other clients. Despite recent challenges, including a failed lunar landing, the company’s strong financial performance and future outlook reassured investors. Expanding Customer Base and Strategic Growth CEO Steve Altemus highlighted the company’s progress, emphasizing advancements beyond NASA contracts. Intuitive Machines has secured significant agreements for its direct-to-earth services, providing essential communication and navigation support for spacecraft. These services are crucial for NASA’s Artemis program and other lunar missions, positioning the company to tap into a potential $4.8 billion market. The company’s near-space network contract with NASA, valued at up to $4.82 billion, further bolste...

Tesla ( TSLA ) shares soared on Monday, continuing Friday’s momentum after CEO Elon Musk's encouraging remarks to employees. At an all-hands meeting, Musk advised staff to "hang on" to their stock, emphasizing the company's untapped potential in autonomous driving technology and robotics. His assertions that Wall Street undervalues Tesla's true worth resonated with investors, sending shares up over 10% to $275. Tesla's recent struggles have been well-documented, with shares plunging nearly 50% from their December highs. The dip was fueled by declining sales, negative sentiment tied to Musk's political stances, and concerns over the impact of proposed tariffs. However, Musk's bullish outlook on Tesla's Full Self-Driving software and the upcoming Optimus robot project has reignited optimism. Tariff Uncertainty Eases for the Magnificent Seven The rest of the Magnificent Seven, including Nvidia ( NVDA ), Meta ( META ), and AMD ( AMD ), also saw gains a...

Twenty-five years ago, the dot-com bubble burst, wiping out trillions in market value and leaving a lasting imprint on Wall Street.  After a five-year rally fueled by the rise of the internet, the S&P 500 peaked in March 2000, marking a key milestone in the dot-com bubble. The Nasdaq 100 followed suit three days later, emphasizing the dominance of tech stocks during that era. Over the next two years, the Nasdaq’s value plummeted by more than 80%, and the S&P 500 was effectively halved. The era was defined by exuberant investments in internet companies with flimsy business models. Firms without profits—or even revenue—became market darlings, driven by promises of digital transformation. It was not uncommon for startups to add ".com" to their names, triggering massive investor interest despite lacking viable paths to profitability. AI Boom: Hype or Lasting Innovation? Fast forward to today, and echoes of that speculative frenzy are emerging around artificial intelligenc...

Micron Technology Inc. ( MU ) shares fell 8% on Friday after the semiconductor company issued a weaker-than-expected margin forecast. While demand for its high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips used in artificial intelligence (AI) applications remains robust, lower consumer memory chip prices have impacted profitability. The company reported a second-quarter adjusted gross margin of 37.9%, missing the 38.4% estimate from analysts. For the current quarter, Micron projects a margin of about 36.5%, below Wall Street's expectations of 36.9%. "There has been a challenging industry environment in NAND," said Sumit Sadana, Micron’s chief business officer. The oversupply of NAND flash memory chips, commonly used in consumer electronics, has been a significant drag on margins. AI Sales Surge Provides a Silver Lining Despite the margin concerns, Micron's overall sales outlook remains strong. The company expects third-quarter revenue to reach approximately $8.8 billion, surpassing th...

Tesla ( TSLA ) is facing a critical juncture, with its stock plummeting nearly 50% since December. Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives, a long-time Tesla bull, has issued a stark warning: Elon Musk must refocus on the automaker to steer it out of its current crisis. Musk’s dual role as CEO of Tesla and head of the White House Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has drawn sharp criticism, with many arguing that his political involvement is tarnishing the Tesla brand. While Musk’s leadership has always been a polarizing topic, the recent downturn has intensified scrutiny. Ives emphasized that Musk must formally announce a balanced commitment between DOGE and Tesla. Investors are seeking reassurance that the CEO remains dedicated to Tesla’s future, particularly as the company battles declining sales and mounting competition. Roadmap for Affordable EVs: A Critical Demand Beyond Musk’s political entanglements, Tesla faces mounting pressure to deliver on its promise of affordable elec...

The Federal Reserve maintained its benchmark interest rate for the second consecutive meeting, keeping it within the 4.25%-4.5% range. Despite holding rates steady, the central bank reinforced its prediction of two rate cuts later this year. However, mounting uncertainty from President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff policies led to adjustments in the Fed’s economic projections. Fed Chair Jerome Powell acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the impact of these tariffs on inflation and growth. Core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE), the Fed’s preferred inflation measure, is now expected to reach 2.8% by the end of the year, up from the previous 2.5% estimate. Concurrently, the economic growth forecast has been revised down to 1.7% from 2.1%, and the unemployment rate is projected to rise slightly to 4.4%. Tariffs Drive Inflation Concerns Trump’s trade policies, which include heightened tariffs on China, Canada, and Mexico, have complicated the Fed’s path to its 2% inflation tar...

Boeing Co. ( BA ) shares saw their most significant single-day surge in over seven weeks, climbing over 6% on Wednesday. The boost followed Chief Financial Officer Brian West’s comments at the Bank of America Global Industrials Conference, suggesting the company’s cash outflows could be significantly smaller than previously anticipated. West highlighted that cash burn in the first quarter could be reduced by “hundreds of millions” of dollars due to stabilized factory operations and progress in clearing inventory. Production rates of Boeing’s cash-generating 737 Max are on track, with the company targeting 38 planes per month. Additionally, production of the 787 Dreamliner has reached a consistent five units per month, with further increases expected. Recovery Amid Challenges Boeing has faced a challenging period marked by regulatory scrutiny, production delays, and safety concerns. Following a near-catastrophic incident in early 2024, regulators imposed strict production limits on the ...

Intel ( INTC ) is experiencing a market resurgence following the appointment of Lip-Bu Tan as CEO.  The stock surged 7.85% on renewed investor confidence, adding to an impressive 21% gain over the past week. With Tan at the helm, Intel is expected to undergo significant restructuring, particularly within its foundry business and AI strategy. Intel’s foundry division, once a cornerstone of its manufacturing dominance, has struggled under the previous leadership of Pat Gelsinger. Execution delays, missed deadlines, and underwhelming manufacturing yields have plagued the company’s efforts to compete with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company ( TSM ). Tan, a former Intel board member and seasoned chip industry executive, aims to rectify these issues with a leaner, more agile strategy. A New Vision for Manufacturing and AI Tan’s primary focus is revitalizing Intel’s foundry business, which shifted from an in-house production model to an external client-focused approach under Gelsin...

The health of the U.S. consumer will be under the microscope as February’s retail sales report is set to be released on Monday. This key economic indicator will either reaffirm consumer resilience or heighten concerns about a potential slowdown in the broader economy. January’s retail sales figures were unexpectedly weak, leaving economists and investors on edge. Forecasts suggest a 0.7% rebound in February, according to FactSet estimates, but expectations remain tempered. Retailers have pointed to several factors that may have suppressed consumer spending, including cold weather, delayed tax refunds, and growing uncertainty over economic policies. Consumer sentiment has been on a steady decline for three consecutive months, reflecting broader concerns about the impact of shifting policies on tariffs, job cuts in the federal government, and inflation. While spending and sentiment have not always moved in lockstep in recent years, recent data indicates a closer correlation in 2025. Econ...

Semtech Corporation ( SMTC ) delivered a standout fourth-quarter performance, sending its stock up more than 18% in Friday trading.  The semiconductor maker posted better-than-expected earnings and net sales, marking a significant turnaround from the prior year. Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) came in at $0.40, crushing analysts’ estimates of $0.31 and swinging from a loss of $0.06 per share a year earlier. Net sales surged 30% year-over-year to $251 million, also surpassing forecasts. The company’s operating cash flow skyrocketed 141% to $33.5 million, reinforcing a strong financial position. CEO Hong Hou emphasized Semtech’s continued momentum, highlighting sequential improvements in net sales, gross margin, operating margin, and EPS. The company’s gross margin expanded to 53.2%, an 80-basis-point increase from the prior quarter and a 430-basis-point jump from the previous year. AI Data Center Growth and NVIDIA Partnership in Focus Semtech’s record-breaking $50 million in data ...