Core Viewpoint - The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is investigating Instacart due to concerns over its AI-driven pricing tool, Eversight, which has been criticized for offering different prices to different shoppers for the same groceries [1][2]. Group 1: Investigation Details - The FTC has issued a civil investigative demand to Instacart, seeking information regarding the Eversight pricing tool [1]. - The agency has expressed concern over the alleged pricing practices of Instacart, reflecting a broader unease among consumers [2]. Group 2: Eversight Pricing Tool - Instacart's Eversight pricing tool enables retailers to experiment with various pricing strategies using artificial intelligence [3]. - A recent study highlighted that shoppers on Instacart received varying prices for identical grocery items, raising ethical questions about the pricing model [2].

Core Viewpoint - Alaska Air Group's stock performance has been volatile, with a recent decline of 2.25% while still showing a significant gain of 34.24% over the past month, outperforming both the Transportation sector and the S&P 500 [1][2] Financial Performance - The upcoming earnings report for Alaska Air Group is expected to show earnings of $0.19 per share, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 80.41% [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate projects full-year earnings of $2.22 per share, a decrease of 54.41% from the previous year, alongside a revenue forecast of $14.26 billion, which is an increase of 21.51% [3] Analyst Estimates - Recent adjustments to analyst estimates for Alaska Air Group indicate changing business trends, with positive revisions suggesting a favorable outlook [3][4] - The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has decreased by 7.84% over the past month, and Alaska Air Group currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [5] Valuation Metrics - Alaska Air Group has a Forward P/E ratio of 23.61, which is higher than the industry average of 12.15 [6] - The company has a PEG ratio of 1.16, compared to the Transportation - Airline industry's average PEG ratio of 0.85 [7] Industry Context - The Transportation - Airline industry is currently ranked 143 out of over 250 industries, placing it in the bottom 43% of the Zacks Industry Rank [8]

Company Performance - Boston Scientific (BSX) closed at $94.48, reflecting a +1.65% increase from the previous day, outperforming the S&P 500's daily loss of 1.16% [1] - Prior to this trading session, BSX shares had decreased by 6.32%, underperforming the Medical sector's gain of 1.68% and the S&P 500's gain of 1.03% [1] Earnings Projections - The upcoming EPS for Boston Scientific is projected at $0.78, indicating an 11.43% increase compared to the same quarter last year [2] - Revenue is expected to reach $5.27 billion, representing a 15.44% increase year-over-year [2] Full-Year Estimates - Full-year Zacks Consensus Estimates predict earnings of $3.04 per share and revenue of $20.06 billion, reflecting year-over-year changes of +21.12% and +19.76%, respectively [3] - Recent changes in analyst estimates suggest optimism regarding the company's business and profitability [3] Valuation Metrics - Boston Scientific has a Forward P/E ratio of 30.62, which is higher than the industry average Forward P/E of 19.24 [6] - The company holds a PEG ratio of 1.87, compared to the Medical - Products industry's average PEG ratio of 1.93 [6] Industry Context - The Medical - Products industry, part of the Medical sector, has a Zacks Industry Rank of 170, placing it in the bottom 32% of over 250 industries [7] - Research indicates that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1 [7]

Core Insights - Snap's stock price increased by 1.76% to $7.50, outperforming the S&P 500's decline of 1.16% on the same day [1] - Over the past month, Snap's shares have decreased by 10.67%, underperforming the Computer and Technology sector and the S&P 500 [1] Earnings Expectations - Snap is expected to report an EPS of $0.15, reflecting a decrease of 6.25% year-over-year [2] - Revenue is projected to be $1.7 billion, indicating a year-over-year increase of 9.12% [2] Fiscal Year Projections - For the fiscal year, earnings are estimated at $0.32 per share and revenue at $5.91 billion, representing increases of 10.34% and 10.31% respectively from the previous year [3] - Recent analyst estimate revisions suggest optimism regarding Snap's business and profitability [3] Zacks Rank and Valuation - The Zacks Rank for Snap is currently 2 (Buy), with an upward shift of 8.03% in the consensus EPS estimate over the past month [5] - Snap's Forward P/E ratio is 23.03, which is lower than the industry average of 28.79 [5] PEG Ratio - Snap has a PEG ratio of 1.06, compared to the Internet - Software industry's average PEG ratio of 1.88 [6] Industry Context - The Internet - Software industry is ranked 55 in the Zacks Industry Rank, placing it in the top 23% of over 250 industries [7] - Strong industry rankings correlate with better performance, with the top 50% rated industries outperforming the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1 [7]

Core Viewpoint - Gold prices have shown an upward trend in early Asian trading, driven by supportive market conditions [1] Group 1 - The increase in gold prices is attributed to favorable tailwinds in the market [1]

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 17, 2025) - Corton Capital Inc. ("Corton") today announces cash distributions for the Class ETF Units of the Corton Enhanced Income Fund for the month of December. The cash distributions will be paid on or about January 8, 2026 to unitholders of record on December 31, 2025.Details regarding the per unit cash distribution amount are as follows: Corton ETF TSX Ticker Cash Distribution Corton Enhanced Income Fund RAAA $0.06 per unit For further information, includi ...

Core Insights - Old Dominion University has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first institution to receive dual validation from the NSA for its innovative cyber and artificial intelligence programs, setting a new national benchmark in cybersecurity education [1][6] - The university's cybersecurity programs are validated through 2030, demonstrating a long-term commitment to excellence in the field [2][6] - Old Dominion University is the only institution in Virginia and one of ten nationwide to earn all three of NSA's Centers of Academic Excellence designations, highlighting its leadership in preparing students for the intersection of artificial intelligence and cyber defense [3][6] Program Details - The Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity with a Major in Artificial Intelligence for Cybersecurity received AICyber validation, while the Master of Science in Cybersecurity with a concentration in AI Security was validated for the SecureAI program [2] - The School of Cybersecurity has grown significantly since its inception in 2015, enrolling approximately 1,700 students this fall and graduating over 1,500 alumni [4] Partnerships and Opportunities - Old Dominion University has developed partnerships with national agencies and companies, including local military bases, the NSA, and Amazon, to provide students with internship, research, and certification opportunities [5] - This commitment to innovation ensures that graduates are well-equipped to lead in the cybersecurity industry [5]

Company-Specific Developments - Linkhome Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: LHAI) experienced a significant price drop of 52.81%, falling to $6.04, despite launching an AI-driven advertising platform aimed at boosting revenue [2][8] - Jyong Biotech Ltd. (NASDAQ: MENS) saw its stock price fall by 74.91% to $3.86, potentially due to the end of its lock-up period following its IPO, where it raised $20 million at $7.50 per share [3][8] - The BNY Mellon Mid Cap Multi-Strategy Fund Class Investor (NASDAQ: MIMSX) plummeted by 88.33% to $1.75, indicating possible underperformance in its asset allocation within the mid-cap sector [4][8] - Vision Marine Technologies Inc. (VMAR) experienced a 49.71% decrease in its price to $0.49, following a dilutive offering filed with the SEC, despite a prior surge of 157% [5] - VistaGen Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: VTGN) saw its price decrease by 79.67% to $0.88, following disappointing results from a pivotal late-stage study of its social anxiety disorder drug [6] Market Trends and Volatility - The significant price movements of these companies highlight the inherent risks and volatility in sectors such as biotechnology, real estate technology, and emerging technologies like electric marine vehicles [7] - Factors such as clinical trial results, regulatory approvals, market competition, and broader economic conditions can dramatically affect company valuations [7]

About Cognizant: Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) engineers' modern businesses. We help our clients modernize technology, reimagine processes and transform experiences so they can stay ahead in our fast-changing world. Together, we're improving everyday life. See how at http://www.cognizant.com or @cognizant. HONG KONG, Dec. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) today announced a strategic collaboration with Bupa Hong Kong, a leading health insurance specialist in Hong Kong, to deliver Cognizant's first ...

US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters after stepping off Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews on Dec. 17, 2025. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds | AFP | Getty ImagesAsia-Pacific markets tumbled Thursday as investors on Wall Street continued to rotate out of tech and markets look toward an address by U.S. President Donald Trump.The speech is slated to be delivered Thursday at 10 a.m. Singapore time (Wednesday stateside 9 p.m. ET). Trump is expected to speak about his accomplishments in his first 11 months in ...