What are you using. 150 million for DA. Hey, Caroline, great to see you.Thanks for having me. An imprint. Our bear has been the same since we started the company five years ago.We want to be the modern co-branded credit card and loyalty platform for the world's great brands. And we've raised this capital to allow us to double down on that strategy. Our bet was relatively simple.We started a company that the world's biggest banks weren't building good enough experience for great brands to launch co-branded c ...

Key Takeaways Retail trading momentum and digital innovation drove strong 2025 gains for HOOD, IBKR and SCHW.Robinhood saw explosive growth from crypto, prediction markets, and higher equities and options volumes.Interactive Brokers and Schwab benefited from rising trades, new accounts and expanding global access.The brokerage industry has experienced strong momentum this year, largely driven by technological advancements and market participation trends. As brokerage firms invested heavily in digital tradin ...

It’s been a while since I’ve written on one of my favorite plays on electrification, automation, and industrial digitalization – Schneider Electric S.E. ( SBGSF ) ( SBGSY ) ( SCHN:CA ). Since my last article , the ADRs have risenAnalyst’s Disclosure:I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of ABBNY either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I ha ...

Robotics stocks have put their silent flight into tangible commerce. Businesses are fighting over a way to automate delivery, logistics, and the last mile. Most of the companies continue to make assurances without much evidence. Investors tend to reward companies for their ability to expand real technology, other than testing projects.               One name, Serve Robotics (SERV), recently passed that standard. The firm claimed that it achieved its 2025 objective of deploying over 2,000 autonomous deli ...

Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL) is included among the 15 Best Blue-Chip Stocks with Growing Dividends. Margin Headwinds Prompt Argus to Downgrade Colgate (CL) Shares On December 11, Argus analyst Taylor Conrad downgraded Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL) to Hold from Buy, citing mounting pressures on the company’s profitability. According to the firm, rising raw material costs and ongoing tariff headwinds have eroded margins, making the risk-reward less compelling at current levels. Argus that it w ...

Key Takeaways LMND uses AI bots like Maya and Jim to automate nearly all policy sales and streamline claims in seconds.Technology reduces LMND's operating and loss adjustment costs, improving profitability as the company scales.LMND's loss adjustment expense ratio improved by 600 bps in 3 years, underscoring tech's impact on efficiency.Lemonade Inc. (LMND) is a technology-driven insurer that relies heavily on data, artificial intelligence and automation to deliver operational efficiency and build a scalable ...

Core Insights - Expectations of stable economic growth and improving financial conditions are influencing investor strategies as they approach 2026 [1] - Blue-chip retail stocks like Walmart, Costco, and Lowe's are gaining attention due to their operational resilience and steady earnings performance [1] Economic Context - The economic growth in 2025 moderated as the transition from post-pandemic momentum to sustainable expansion occurred, with business investment softening and global trade remaining uneven [2] - Ongoing policy uncertainties regarding taxation and tariffs led many firms to delay major capital expenditures [2] - Inflation remained above the Federal Reserve's long-term target, prompting cautious interest rate cuts to ease financial conditions [3] Market Performance - Equity markets showed positive sentiment with the Dow Jones Industrial Average gaining approximately 14%, the S&P 500 advancing about 16%, and the Nasdaq Composite rising 19% year-to-date [4] Blue-Chip Retail Stocks - Blue-chip retail stocks are characterized by financial strength and a history of reliable returns, making them less volatile and dependable for investors [5] - These retailers possess strong market positions, brand recognition, and loyal customer bases, providing a competitive edge and growth opportunities [6] Company-Specific Insights Walmart - Walmart is enhancing its omnichannel retail position through technology, e-commerce, and high-margin profit streams [10] - The company has a market capitalization of $931.1 billion and pays a quarterly dividend of about $0.24 per share, with a payout ratio of 37% and a five-year dividend growth rate of 4.9% [11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate suggests growth of 4.5% in sales and 4.8% in EPS for the current financial year [11] Costco - Costco's membership-driven model is driving strong traffic and brand loyalty, supported by digital capabilities and operational technology [12] - The company has a market cap of $382 billion and pays a quarterly dividend of $1.30 per share, with a payout ratio of 28% and a five-year dividend growth rate of 13.7% [13] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates growth of 7.5% in sales and 11.3% in EPS for the current financial year [13] Lowe's - Lowe's is implementing a Total Home Strategy to enhance its competitive position through improved Pro capabilities and online experience [14] - The company has a market cap of $139.6 billion and pays a quarterly dividend of $1.20 per share, with a payout ratio of 39% and a five-year dividend growth rate of 15.6% [15] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate suggests growth of 2.9% in sales and 2.2% in EPS for the current financial year [15]

A lot of times we've made humans follow such rigid instructions in the contact center that they've basically become bots themselves >> because they're reading scripts. >> They have to, right. Especially in these like financial services, healthcare, utilities, they have to follow these rules at which point they're no better than technology and at that point you might as well automate.>> Um, help me square the circle on the on the jobs question because you said you can now your agents are now taking the place ...

Leaders are moving past one-off automations and using AI to take over routine work. Here's how: https://t.co/YShCIHcTyT ...

UPS will invest $120 million in 400 robots used to unload trucks, according to sources, revealing new details on the logistics giant’s $9 billion automation plan https://t.co/vzqgDl7hjN ...