Category: Top Story
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Reddit leads major social media platforms in revenue growth per user
Reddit (NYSE:RDDT) delivered the strongest year-on-year growth in average revenue per user among major social media platforms during the second quarter of 2026, according to analysis published by Bank of America on Monday. In the U.S., Reddit’s ARPU increased 50% from a year earlier to $11.30, putting the platform ahead of its peers in terms…
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Rothschild upgrades Apple to Buy as foldable iPhone and AI strategy drive optimism
Rothschild & Co Redburn has upgraded Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) from Neutral to Buy and lifted its price target sharply to $400 from $260, citing the company’s expected entry into foldable smartphones alongside the potential evolution of its artificial intelligence strategy. Analysts led by Timm Schulze-Melander said Apple’s AI offering, Apple Intelligence, has so far fallen short…
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S&P 500 nears record as weak retail data and Iran tensions shape critical week
The S&P 500 enters a pivotal week for earnings and economic data within touching distance of a record close, after finishing Friday, August 14, just 13 points below its all-time closing high of 7,798.99. The benchmark slipped 0.17% to 7,785.76 in the previous session, with Applied Materials (NASDAQ:AMAT) contributing to the decline after its shares…
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Fed rate hike bets retreat as markets await retail earnings and fresh economic signals: Dow Jones, S&P, Nasdaq, Wall Street Futures
U.S. stock futures were mixed on Monday as investors further reduced expectations for an interest rate increase from the Federal Reserve in September following a run of softer economic data. Attention is also turning towards a busy week of retail earnings, including results from Walmart (NYSE:WMT), Home Depot (NYSE:HD) and Lowe’s (NYSE:LOW). Elsewhere, Anthropic’s (NASDAQ:ANTP)…
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Morgan Stanley Favours Quality, AI Adopters and Financials as Earnings Growth Broadens
Morgan Stanley sees U.S. corporate earnings momentum spreading well beyond the largest technology companies, creating opportunities in quality stocks, artificial intelligence adopters, large-cap financials and consumer discretionary goods. Strategists led by Michael Wilson argue that investors are also becoming more selective, increasingly rewarding businesses that combine earnings growth with strong free cash flow and operating…
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JPMorgan Raises S&P 500 Target to 8,000 as Earnings and AI Growth Strengthen Outlook
JPMorgan has increased its 2026 S&P 500 price target to 8,000 from 7,800, pointing to an exceptionally strong second-quarter earnings season and growing evidence that massive artificial intelligence investments are translating into stronger business performance. The bank also raised its earnings forecasts for both 2026 and 2027, although elevated interest rates, geopolitical risks and heavy…
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Citi Sees U.S. Industrial Growth Accelerating to 6.9% as Data Centre Demand Expands
Citi sees improving momentum across the industrial sector after organic growth reached 6.9% in the second quarter of 2026, substantially exceeding the bank’s 4.0% forecast. Strong data centre investment remains an important source of demand, while signs of a broader short-cycle recovery suggest growth is beginning to extend into more areas of the industrial economy.…
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Goldman Sachs Sees $1.4 Trillion Buyback Wave Outpacing U.S. Equity Supply in 2026
Goldman Sachs expects corporate share repurchases to remain a powerful source of demand for U.S. equities in 2026, outweighing the increase in new shares coming to market. Although follow-on offerings and broader equity issuance have accelerated, the bank argues that issuance conditions remain orderly, while an estimated $1.4 trillion of buybacks should provide substantial support…
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Citi Sees Growing Short-Squeeze Risk as U.S. Market Positioning Improves
Short sellers in U.S. equities are becoming increasingly exposed to further market gains, according to Citi, as investors rebuild risk positions across major developed markets. Recent flows have primarily reflected fresh buying rather than investors simply closing bearish bets, suggesting confidence is gradually returning to U.S. and European equities. Investors add new long positions in…
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Wall Street Slips From Record as Weak Consumer Data Cools the Rally
US stocks pulled back modestly on Friday, retreating from record territory after a batch of soft consumer data gave investors a reason to take some money off the table. A surprise drop in retail sales and a slide in consumer sentiment reminded traders that the American shopper may be growing more cautious, tempering the enthusiasm…