Core Insights - Rippling, an HR software startup, raised $450 million in Series G funding, achieving a valuation of $16.8 billion, focusing on global revenue growth over immediate profitability [1][4][5] Funding and Valuation - The funding round included participation from notable investors such as Y Combinator, Elad Gil, Sands Capital, GIC, and Goldman Sachs Growth [2] - The new valuation of $16.8 billion marks an increase from the previous valuation of $13.5 billion in early 2024 [4] Employee Equity and IPO Plans - Rippling plans to repurchase up to $200 million of equity from current and former employees through a tender offer, which may become an annual event [2][3] - The CEO stated that the company does not have immediate plans for an IPO, emphasizing the need for profitability before considering going public [4][6] Business Performance and Strategy - Rippling has surpassed $100 million in annual recurring revenue and serves over 20,000 customers with a suite of more than 20 products [5] - The company is prioritizing growth over profitability, indicating a strategic choice to expand rapidly rather than slow down for immediate profit [6] Legal Challenges - Rippling is involved in ongoing legal disputes with competitor Deel, including allegations of corporate espionage, which have raised questions about competitive practices in the tech industry [7][8]

BofA Securities upgraded Shake Shack (NYSE: SHAK) to Neutral from Underperform and raised its price target to $101 from $88, with shares rising more than 3% in pre-market trading Tuesday. The firm said recent menu innovation—including offerings such as the Dubai Shake and Korean-inspired items—developed through the company’s structured stagegate process, which evaluates culinary, operational, and financial standards, has contributed to stabilizing same-store traffic following prior declines. Additionally, v ...

TD Cowen downgraded Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE: CL) to Hold from Buy and lowered its price target to $85 from $96, with shares declining around 1% in pre-market trading Tuesday. The firm reduced its earnings estimates to reflect increased inflationary pressures expected between the third quarter of 2026 and the second quarter of 2027. These pressures are primarily driven by higher costs for oil-based inputs such as resins, as well as rising tallow prices, which have increased approximately 40% year ove ...

Evercore ISI reiterated its Outperform rating and $750 price target on AppLovin Corp (NASDAQ: APP), citing strong fundamentals despite recent share price weakness. The firm said the stock’s recent negative momentum appears disconnected from underlying business performance and feedback from industry checks. AppLovin is currently trading at approximately 14.6x estimated 2027 EV/EBITDA, near levels seen following prior short reports, which Evercore views as an attractive entry point ahead of first-quarter earn ...

Baird reiterated its Outperform rating and $145 price target on Airbnb Inc. (NASDAQ: ABNB), noting that the stock remains appealing despite near-term volatility. The firm said shares may continue to experience fluctuations due to geopolitical developments in the Middle East and broader travel-related headwinds. However, third-party data indicated that demand trends remained largely in line with expectations through the first quarter. Baird also noted that demand appears to be holding up for the summer trave ...

BofA Securities reinstated coverage of DocuSign Inc. (NASDAQ: DOCU) with an Underperform rating and a $52 price target, citing uncertainty around its growth trajectory. The firm noted that while DocuSign has historically dominated the eSignature market, the segment is now approaching maturity and becoming increasingly commoditized. As a result, the company’s revenue growth has plateaued in the high single-digit range over the past ten quarters. Against this backdrop, DocuSign is shifting its focus toward be ...

Truist Securities initiated coverage of Cisco Systems (NASDAQ: CSCO) with a Buy rating and a $94 price target, citing multiple growth drivers across its business. The firm’s positive outlook is based on three key factors. First, Cisco’s core networking segment is benefiting from a cyclical upturn driven by increased investment in AI infrastructure and a multi-year refresh of campus networking products. Truist expects mid-teens product growth in the current fiscal year, with momentum extending into fiscal 20 ...

Agnico Eagle Mines has committed to an investment of C$5.02m ($3.6m) in Cascadia Minerals and is planning to purchase 19.31 million units at C$0.26 ($0.18) per unit through a non-brokered private placement. Each unit consists of one common share and one-half of a common share purchase warrant, with each whole warrant allowing the acquisition of an additional common share at C$0.32 within two years. In a separate transaction, Agnico Eagle intends to buy 10 million units from several sellers participating ...

The latest figures from the Financial Conduct Authority should serve as a wakeup call for the banking industry. In the first half of 2025, UK financial services firms received 1.85 million complaints and paid out £283m in redress, a 20% increase on the previous six months. These numbers are not an anomaly. Complaint volumes have remained consistently high for several years, and there is little to suggest that trend will reverse in the near term. What is changing is the pressure this volume is placing on b ...

Finnish food and beverage group Paulig has sold its Risenta brand to Swedish consumer goods company Midsona for Skr45m ($4.7m). In a statement today (31 March), Paulig said the sale is part of its “strategy to sharpen focus” on world foods and Tex Mex. Lenita Ingelin, the SVP of Paulig's branded business area, said: “Paulig’s growth and results are primarily driven by world foods and Tex Mex and this is where our ambition lies going forward.” The disposal covers Risenta’s brand, intellectual property, ...