More data centers to power artificial intelligence are coming to the U.S. as part of the government's half-trillion-dollar Stargate AI infrastructure plan announced in January. ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the implications of President Trump's proposed $100,000 application fee for new H-1B visas, which has sparked varied reactions from technology executives, including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman [2][5][10]. Visa Program Changes - The H-1B visa program allows companies to bring skilled workers to the U.S., with a current cap of 65,000 visas per year, plus an additional 20,000 for those with master's degrees or higher [3][11]. - Previously, employers paid a $215 fee to enter applicants into the visa lottery, which will now be replaced by the proposed $100,000 fee for new applicants [3][5]. Industry Reactions - Jensen Huang emphasized the importance of attracting the brightest minds to the U.S. and described immigration as foundational to the American Dream [2]. - Other tech leaders, like Reed Hastings, suggested that the new fee could reduce applications, potentially leading to a more predictable process for international workers [4][12]. - CoreWeave CEO Michael Intrator criticized the fee as a hindrance to accessing talent, calling it "sand in the gears" [6]. Concerns from the Tech Sector - Many startups in Silicon Valley fear that the new fee will disadvantage them compared to larger tech companies, which may afford the fee more easily [12]. - The Pew Research Center reported that approximately 65% of approved H-1B workers in 2023 were employed in computer-related jobs, highlighting the program's significance to the tech industry [11]. Broader Implications - The Trump administration's rationale for the fee includes concerns about the H-1B program being exploited to replace American workers with lower-paid labor, particularly in tech [10]. - Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan Chase expressed surprise at the announcement and anticipated pushback from businesses, indicating a potential backlash against the changes [8].

Core Insights - Nike's stock has shown significant recovery, closing just under $71 after dropping below $54 in April, although it remains over a third below its 2023 closing price [1][5] - Analysts are optimistic about Nike's turnaround, with some projecting the stock could reach triple-digit prices for the first time since March 2024 [1][5] Group 1: Stock Performance - Nike's shares finished 2024 above $75, indicating a strong recovery from earlier lows [1] - The stock is still significantly below its 2023 close, but has nearly reached break-even for 2025 as investor confidence grows [5] - Wall Street analysts have raised their mean price target to above $80, reflecting improved sentiment [3][6] Group 2: Analyst Outlook - Baird analysts have labeled Nike a "fresh pick," suggesting potential for guidance-beating results in upcoming earnings [3][6] - Bank of America has a price target of $84, while Baird sees potential for the stock to exceed $100 within 18-24 months [6][7] - Some analysts remain cautious, with Morgan Stanley raising its target only to $70, indicating mixed outlooks among analysts [7] Group 3: Company Strategy - Nike has been actively working on its turnaround strategy, focusing on inventory management, sales quality, and product innovation as key indicators of progress [6] - The company is preparing for a quarterly update, which is anticipated to reflect improvements in performance [3]

Core Insights - Costco is set to report its fourth-quarter earnings, following signs of decelerating sales growth earlier this year [3][9] - Analysts remain generally optimistic about Costco's ability to deliver sustainable results despite anticipated volatility in the stock [2][4][9] Financial Performance - For the fourth quarter, Costco's sales reached $84.4 billion, reflecting an 8% increase year-over-year [10] - Comparable store sales increased by 5.7% year-over-year, with analysts projecting a profit of $2.6 million, up from $2.4 million the previous year [10] Stock Performance and Market Sentiment - Costco shares have risen 2.6% this year and approximately 170% over the past five years, with a consensus target price of $1,080 from analysts [11] - The stock has experienced fluctuations, particularly between March and June, and analysts suggest that further volatility may present buying opportunities for investors [5][9]

Core Insights - Micron Technology (MU) shares experienced a rise in extended trading following the announcement of record quarterly sales, driven by increased demand for AI hardware [1] Company Summary - Micron Technology reported record quarterly sales, indicating strong performance in the memory chip sector [1] - The surge in sales is attributed to heightened demand for hardware related to artificial intelligence [1] Industry Summary - The memory chip industry is witnessing a significant boost due to the growing requirements for AI technology, suggesting a positive trend for companies involved in this sector [1]

Core Viewpoint - Shares of a recently-hot utility company experienced a significant decline as an analyst raised concerns regarding their valuation [1] - In contrast, oilfield services stocks saw an increase due to rising crude oil futures prices [1] Company Summary - The utility company's stock price fell sharply, indicating potential overvaluation issues as highlighted by an analyst [1] - The specific reasons for the analyst's concerns regarding the utility company's valuation were not detailed in the article [1] Industry Summary - The oilfield services sector benefited from an uptick in crude oil futures prices, suggesting a positive market sentiment towards oil-related stocks [1] - The rise in crude oil prices may indicate a strengthening demand for oilfield services, which could lead to increased revenues for companies in this sector [1]

Core Insights - Everyday investors now have easier access to IPOs due to the efforts of online brokerages like Robinhood and SoFi [1] Group 1 - Online brokerages have lowered the barriers to entry for investing in IPOs [1] - Investors only need an investment account and a bit of luck to purchase shares of companies going public [1]

Kenvue stock is rebounding. It may be a largely a case of things-could've-been- worse. ...

Core Viewpoint - Major U.S. equities indexes experienced a decline following comments from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell regarding a "challenging situation" for the central bank ahead [1] Group 1: Market Performance - The Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all pulled back in response to the Fed's outlook [1]

Core Insights - Boeing has secured its largest single order to date, involving the sale of up to 22 787 Dreamliners to Uzbekistan Airways [1] - The deal is reported to be valued at over $8 billion, as stated by President Donald Trump [1] Company Summary - The order represents a significant milestone for Boeing, highlighting the demand for its 787 Dreamliner model [1] - This transaction may enhance Boeing's market position and revenue stream in the commercial aviation sector [1] Industry Summary - The deal reflects ongoing growth in the aviation industry, particularly in emerging markets like Uzbekistan [1] - It underscores the competitive landscape in the aircraft manufacturing sector, where large orders can significantly impact financial performance [1]