Time now for Options Corner. Joining us to take a deeper look at this chart is Rick Dukat, lead market technician here on Schwab Network. All right, Rick, what trends you notice when you look at the chart for AAT.>> Yes, you know, semiconductor sector has been such a prominent focus lately here. We can see that AAT though broadly in uh line with the the tech sector overall, the XLK ETF, both up about 26%. So underperforming the SMH uh semiconductor ETF here, which is up about 43.5%.When we look at the the s ...

Core Viewpoint - Western Digital (WDC) is gaining investor attention due to a price target increase by Loop Capital, reflecting a positive outlook on HDD demand and pricing [1][2]. Company Overview - Western Digital, founded in 1970, is a leading producer of hard disk drives (HDDs), SSDs, and NAND flash memory, focusing on consumer electronics, enterprises, and cloud platforms [4]. - The company has a market capitalization of $58 billion and aims to develop scalable storage technology for hyperscalers and cloud providers, with an emphasis on innovations for AI-driven data workloads [5]. Market Performance - WDC shares have experienced significant growth on Wall Street, driven by rising demand for HDDs due to the expansion of cloud computing and AI workloads [6]. - The stock climbed nearly 7% on November 10 after Loop Capital raised its price target from $190 to $250, indicating strong investor confidence [1]. Demand and Pricing Trends - Loop Capital's analysis suggests at least a 10% increase in HDD capacity demand compared to previous estimates for 2026, which is expected to benefit Western Digital [1]. - The firm anticipates higher average selling prices for larger-capacity drives, describing this trend as "materially accretive" to the company's financials [2].

REIT, Inc. (NYSE:APLE) is included among the 15 Extreme Dividend Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. BofA Downgrades Apple Hospitality REIT (APLE) to Neutral, Lowers Price Target to $11.50 Photo by NeONBRAND on Unsplash On November 4‌, BofA‌ do⁠wng​raded Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. (NYSE:APLE) f⁠rom Buy to Neutral, low‌erin⁠g its pri‌c‌e target to $11.50 from $15, as reported by The Fly. The analyst cited concerns over low-end softness and the g‍overnment shutdown affecting certain serv‍ice brands, ...

What does SoftBank's move say about the artificial intelligence (AI) market?Nvidia (NVDA +0.15%) stock has been flying high over the past few years -- rising about 1,000% over the latest three -- thanks to the company's key role in the artificial intelligence (AI) market, one predicted to reach into the trillions of dollars over the next few years. The tech giant designs the chips used for critical AI tasks, so in many investors' minds, it's a bet that Nvidia is the best way to benefit from the AI boom.And ...

Group 1: Transformation of EPC Relationships - The relationship between utilities and EPC firms is evolving from traditional fixed-price contracts to integrated, risk-transparent partnerships driven by real-time data and collaborative planning [1][2] - Power projects in the 2020s require simultaneous optimization across design, procurement, construction, and operations due to supply chain disruptions and increasing demand, particularly from data centers [1][2] - EPC leadership is acknowledging a shift away from fixed-price delivery towards collaborative cost-sharing models, as traditional risk allocation is becoming less viable in the current market [1][2] Group 2: Early Engagement and Demand Certainty - Utilities are increasingly engaging EPC partners early in the project cycle, with binding customer agreements shaping project economics, as seen with American Electric Power's (AEP) 28 GW incremental load growth [2][3] - Entergy's "Superpower Mississippi" initiative demonstrates how early agreements with large customers can lower customer rates and provide financial stability for utilities [2][3] - Dominion's staged contracting approach ensures cost recovery and predictable resource mobilization, with 47 GW of data center demand in various stages of contracting [3] Group 3: Speed and Flexibility in EPC Landscape - The competitive landscape for EPCs is shifting, with smaller and specialized firms gaining market share due to the demand for rapid mobilization and flexibility [4][5] - Companies like Fagen Inc. and USP&E Global are focusing on quick deployment solutions for gas turbine power plants, catering to immediate data center needs [5][6] - Modular natural gas units and on-site battery systems are being deployed to support data center growth, highlighting the trend towards fast-track energy solutions [7][8] Group 4: Digital Tools and Real-Time Analytics - The integration of digital platforms and AI into project delivery is enhancing procurement and scheduling visibility, allowing for proactive risk management [8][9] - Companies like Kiewit are developing AI tools to automate design processes, significantly reducing project timelines and improving competitiveness [9][10] - The use of augmented reality and collaborative robotics in construction is optimizing workflows and enhancing productivity, leading to better cost control and fewer surprises [9][10] Group 5: Data-Driven Collaboration - The shift towards transparent, collaborative contracting is enabling EPCs to share risks and costs more effectively, moving away from adversarial fixed-price models [10] - Close partnerships between clients and EPCs are essential for meeting accelerated project timelines, as demonstrated by a project that transitioned from an open-book contract to a firm-lump-sum agreement [10]

Summary of Mistras Group Conference Call Company Overview - **Company Name**: Mistras Group - **Industry**: Asset integrity and testing services - **Founded**: Approximately 50 years ago in Princeton, New Jersey - **Current Revenue**: Approximately $730 million with an EBITDA margin of roughly 11% [5][13][14] - **Employee Count**: Nearly 5,000 employees, primarily in field and lab services [5] Key Business Segments - **Revenue Mix**: - Field Inspections: 75% - Lab Services: 15% - Data Analytical Solutions: 10% [5][6] - **End Markets**: - Oil and Gas: 57% - Aerospace and Defense - Industrial Power - Infrastructure [6] Strategic Focus and Transformation - **Leadership Changes**: Transformation initiated by Manny Stamatakis, with Natalia Shuman joining as CEO in January [4][3] - **Innovation and Technology**: Emphasis on new technologies such as Arc Crawlers and Onstream TriStream for pipeline inspections [7][8] - **Data Analytical Solutions**: Introduction of PCMS software for plant condition management, enabling risk-based inspections and significant cost savings for clients [9][10] - **Market Diversification**: Plans to expand into aerospace, defense, and infrastructure to mitigate cyclical risks associated with oil and gas [12][51] Financial Performance and Outlook - **Recent Performance**: Modest revenue growth with significant EBITDA improvement due to cost focus and efficiency gains [13][14] - **2024 Guidance**: Revenue expected to be flat, with EBITDA projected between $86 million and $88 million, indicating a margin of over 12% [14][15] - **Future Growth Strategy**: Focus on profitable growth and reinvestment in technology and services, particularly in digital tools and lab capabilities [42][34] Investment and Capital Needs - **Capital Investments**: Need for investments in digital tools, lab capabilities, and sales force to enhance commercial capabilities [38][34] - **Revenue Streams from Data**: Three revenue streams identified for data services: licensing fees, implementation, and analytics consulting [32] Competitive Positioning - **Market Differentiation**: Unique position as both a service provider and manufacturer, with a strong data analytical platform enhanced by AI capabilities [21][24] - **Margin Expansion Potential**: Opportunities to improve margins by diversifying into higher-margin sectors like aerospace and defense [52][51] Conclusion - Mistras Group is positioned for growth through strategic diversification, technological innovation, and a focus on data analytics, with a strong emphasis on improving operational efficiency and profitability in the coming years [42][54]

So let's talk about, of course, this datacentre power project, because I have to imagine this decision wasn't taken lightly to enter the energy or the power business That is so. Walk us through the decision tree there. Sure.Well, first of all, we had an Investor Day today, our first one in almost three years with congratulations. Thank you. We had a chance to talk about Chevron being bigger, stronger and better than ever with growing free cash flow and earnings over the next five years, free cash flow growi ...

Market Performance - The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 328 points, closing above 48,000 for the first time, marking its 17th record high of the year as investors anticipated the end of the longest government shutdown in history [1] - The Dow's back-to-back record close was driven by gains in UnitedHealth and Goldman Sachs, contributing to a 13% gain for the year, although it still lags behind the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, which have risen 16% and 21% respectively [3] ETF Industry - U.S.-listed ETFs saw a significant inflow of $171 billion in October, bringing the total for 2025 to over $1 trillion, indicating a strong interest in exchange-traded funds [4] Sector Performance - In the broader market, healthcare and financial sectors led modest gains for the S&P 500, positively impacting ETFs such as the SPDR Financial Index and the healthcare select sector ETF [5] - AMD's stock surged by 9% after the company set ambitious targets during its investor day, reflecting strong investor confidence in the tech sector [5][6] Economic Outlook - The CEO of AMD projected that the overall AI market could exceed $1 trillion by 2030, highlighting significant demand for AI technologies [6] - Despite the government shutdown affecting the release of critical economic data, investors remained optimistic about the market's fundamentals [6][9]

Core Insights - Kneat.com, inc. reported a significant increase in SaaS revenue, achieving a growth rate of 33% year over year, indicating strong demand for its digital validation platform [6][7] - The company is optimistic about its future, with a robust pipeline of new customers and a focus on reaching breakeven in 2026 [2][10] Financial Performance - Total revenue for Q3 2025 reached CAD 16.1 million, a 26% increase from CAD 12.8 million in Q3 2024 [6][7] - SaaS revenue for Q3 2025 was CAD 15.2 million, up 33% from CAD 11.5 million in Q3 2024, and grew 8% compared to Q2 2025 [6][7] - Gross profit for Q3 2025 was CAD 12.2 million, reflecting a 25% increase from CAD 9.8 million in Q3 2024, with a gross margin of 76% [6][7] - Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) as of September 30, 2025, grew 37% year over year to CAD 68.6 million, compared to CAD 49.9 million in 2024 [6][7] Year-to-Date Highlights - Year-to-date total revenues increased by 31% to CAD 46.3 million, compared to CAD 35.2 million for the same period in 2024 [7] - Year-to-date SaaS revenue grew 35% to CAD 43.2 million, up from CAD 32.0 million in the comparable period in 2024 [7] - Year-to-date gross profit was CAD 34.8 million, a 32% increase from CAD 26.4 million in the same period of 2024 [7] Business Developments - The company secured three new Master Services Agreements with global medical technology and equipment manufacturers, enhancing its customer base [13] - Kneat's engineering team is advancing its AI strategy to improve usability and compliance, which is expected to drive future growth [9] Management Commentary - The CEO highlighted the company's competitive advantages and the positive trajectory towards a record year for new customer acquisitions [2] - The CFO expressed excitement about the company's financial future, driven by new signings and expansions with existing customers [10]

Core Insights - Nvidia is set to report quarterly results next Wednesday, which is anticipated to be a pivotal moment for the bull market, with heightened anxiety about AI on Wall Street leading up to the report [1][2] - The recent sale of Nvidia shares by SoftBank, intended to fund other AI investments, has contributed to market jitters, despite clarifications from SoftBank executives [2][3] - Concerns are growing among investors about a potential AI bubble, driven by excessive investments and circular business deals, with notable figures like Michael Burry shorting Nvidia and Palantir stocks [3][5] Company Performance - Nvidia has experienced significant sales and earnings growth over the past three years, largely due to the massive spending by major tech companies on AI infrastructure [4] - Analysts from BCA Research have suggested shorting stocks of hyperscalers, indicating that the rapid pace of AI investments may negatively impact their returns on equity and stock valuations [6] Market Dynamics - JPMorgan estimates that tech companies would need approximately $650 billion in annual revenue indefinitely to achieve a 10% return on their AI investments through 2030, equating to nearly six basis points of global GDP [7] - OpenAI's recent revenue run rate of $20 billion and its agreements to pay Nvidia, AMD, and Broadcom between $1.2 trillion and $1.5 trillion for data center capacity over the next five years highlight the growing importance of AI in the market [8] Investor Sentiment - Despite skepticism regarding the sustainability of AI investments, many investors remain bullish, arguing that current tech valuations are below their Dotcom peaks and that major companies investing in AI are among the most profitable [9] - The potential for a Federal Reserve rate-cutting cycle could stimulate data center construction and increase liquidity in financial markets, positively impacting stock prices [10] Industry Outlook - AMD has projected that the AI chip market could reach $1 trillion by 2030, aiming to capture a double-digit market share, which has positively influenced its stock price [11]