Core Insights - Flex Ltd. is set to report its first-quarter fiscal 2026 results on July 24, with revenue estimates at $6.25 billion, reflecting a 1% decline year-over-year, while earnings per share are expected to rise by 23.5% to 63 cents [1][2] Financial Performance - For the fiscal first quarter, Flex anticipates revenues between $6 billion and $6.5 billion, with adjusted earnings projected at 58-66 cents per share, excluding certain expenses [2] - The company has consistently beaten earnings estimates over the past four quarters, with an average surprise of 16.2%, and its shares have increased by 80.7% in the past year, contrasting with a 7.1% decline in the Zacks Electronics - Miscellaneous Products industry [3] Market Dynamics - Positive momentum for Flex is attributed to its expanding IP portfolio, recent design wins, acquisitions, and strong demand in data center, networking, and automotive power electronics markets [4] - Flex's strategic initiatives in cloud, power, and automotive segments have contributed to revenue growth in the previous quarter and are expected to continue supporting performance [4] Strategic Initiatives - At its recent Investor Day, Flex introduced the next phase of its EMS + Products + Services strategy, enhancing its manufacturing capabilities with proprietary products and value-added services [5] - The company’s power products position it uniquely as a comprehensive provider of data center solutions, which is expected to enhance customer value and support margin growth [5] Growth Projections - For fiscal 2026, Flex projects data center revenue growth of approximately mid-30%, with power growth slightly exceeding that, while cloud growth may be lower due to challenging year-over-year comparisons [7][10] - The Reliability Solutions business is expected to see flat to high-single-digit declines in sales due to automotive sector weaknesses, while Agility Solutions anticipates low-single-digit revenue changes [8][11] Operational Developments - Flex has a global footprint of over 48 million square feet across 110+ sites, which supports efficient manufacturing and reflects strong growth in the Americas [6] - Recent collaborations, such as with MIT on the Initiative for New Manufacturing, aim to enhance U.S. manufacturing through advanced technologies [13] - The introduction of the SmartPlate System by Flex's subsidiary JetCool offers significant efficiency improvements in data centers, achieving an average of 15% IT power savings [14] Challenges - The company faces challenges from an uncertain macro environment and changing trade policies, particularly tariff-related costs impacting margins and cash flow timing [12]

ISELIN, N.J., July 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Provident Bank, a leading New Jersey-based financial institution, has announced the appointment of Maheshkumar Kandasamy as SVP, Enterprise Architecture Director. Mr. Kandasamy will provide technical leadership, oversee the bank's enterprise and business solutions architecture function, and play a key role in developing technology strategies. He will report to Satish Harikrishnan, SVP, Technology Services Director. In this role, Mr. Kandasamy will be instrumen ...

Core Insights - Fortinet announced the passing of William H. "Bill" Neukom, a board member since 2013, who provided significant leadership and guidance during the company's growth [1][2] - The Fortinet Board expressed deep sadness over Neukom's passing, highlighting his immeasurable contributions to the company and the technology industry [2] - Neukom's legacy includes his role as Microsoft's first general counsel and founder of the World Justice Project, emphasizing corporate responsibility and technology's societal role [2] Company Overview - Fortinet is a leader in cybersecurity, focusing on the convergence of networking and security, with a mission to secure people, devices, and data globally [3] - The company offers an extensive portfolio of over 50 enterprise-grade cybersecurity products, trusted by more than half a million customers [3] - Fortinet's commitment to enhancing global cyber resilience includes collaboration with public and private sectors and a robust training program through the Fortinet Training Institute [3]

Company Overview - Unbiased Alpha is a Swiss Fintech startup that provides consulting services to institutional investors globally, focusing on Quantitative Trading and Systematic Strategies [2] - The company develops software solutions, cloud services, and API-based data science algorithms, emphasizing investing and trading [2] - Unbiased Alpha has experience managing over $1 billion in assets under management (AuM) in small teams, specializing in statistical arbitrage and innovative machine learning algorithms [2] Research Focus - The research conducted by Unbiased Alpha spans various asset classes and instruments, with a primary focus on stocks, ETFs, foreign exchange (FX), commodities, and cryptocurrencies [2] - The company also monitors hedge funds and utilizes machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI), and quantitative research in its strategies [2]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company's market capitalization as of June 30 is over $1,500,000,000, representing nearly 50% growth since June 2024 [8] - Net interest income continues to trend upwards as new investments with attractive yields are added to the portfolio [10] - The portfolio has grown to $14,000,000,000, which is 25% larger since the end of the first quarter and over 50% larger than the same time last year [12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company raised $560,000,000 of new capital this year, allowing it to continue raising capital at a premium to book value [11] - The portfolio's liquidity at quarter end was $891,000,000, or 55% of total equity, indicating a strong liquidity position [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS) continue to offer attractive returns, with ROEs on newly acquired positions ranging from the mid-teens to low 20% [19] - Mortgages remain extremely cheap relative to corporate bonds, with a mixed technical picture in the medium term affecting spread tightening [20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on raising capital, deploying it into historically cheap investments, and managing its portfolio carefully through volatile periods [7] - A strategic increase in leverage from 7.4% to 8.3% was executed as the policy environment became more supportive [17] - The company is building a world-class operating platform by bringing several functions in-house to achieve scale and retain institutional knowledge [13] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management highlighted the importance of a proactive approach to navigating market volatility and uncertainty [16] - The current environment is viewed as highly favorable for long-term capital deployment, with wide agency MBS spreads allowing for historic returns [23] - Management expressed confidence in the company's positioning to capitalize on market dynamics and generate strong risk-adjusted returns [23] Other Important Information - The company has appointed Michael Angelo as the chief legal officer and corporate secretary, bringing relevant experience from various financial institutions [5] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you talk about the leverage range you're targeting? - Management indicated that leverage has been flexed down when the risk environment does not warrant incremental risk, and they are currently at a level that reflects a return to normal [29][30] Question: What are the conditions that might require other investors to be more active in the mortgage-backed space? - Management noted that banks would likely return when they see actual Fed rate cuts, while money managers have been overweight mortgages relative to corporates [40][41] Question: What are your thoughts on swap spreads and their future? - Management stated that current swap spreads are attractive, providing a large margin of safety, and they expect to continue generating strong returns despite potential fluctuations [46][48] Question: How do you view the coupon allocation between pools versus TBAs? - Management explained that they are working into a larger pool position, which offers more certainty in cash flows and is expected to be as attractive as thirty-year RMBS [62][63] Question: Can you provide an overview of the returns on Agency CMBS relative to RMBS? - Management highlighted that Agency CMBS offers a stable economic return profile and is being considered for its compelling return potential in the current market [60][62]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company's market capitalization as of June 30 is over $1.5 billion, representing nearly 50% growth since June 2024 [8] - Net interest income continues to trend upwards as new investments with attractive yields are added to the portfolio [10] - The portfolio has grown to $14 billion, a 25% increase since the end of the first quarter and over 50% larger than the same time last year [12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company raised $560 million of new capital this year, allowing it to continue raising capital at a premium to book value [11] - The investment portfolio grew by over $3 billion in the quarter, reflecting a strategic increase in leverage from 7.4% to 8.3% [16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS) continue to offer attractive liquidity, credit quality, and return potential, with ROEs on newly acquired positions ranging from the mid-teens to low 20% [18] - Mortgage spreads remain wide, and the net supply of Agency RMBS is low by historical standards, creating a medium-term headwind for spread tightening [19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on raising capital, deploying it into historically cheap investments, and managing its portfolio through volatile periods [7] - A long-term strategy to build a world-class operating platform includes bringing several functions in-house to enhance scale and organizational resilience [13] - The company aims to be the manager of choice for the agency mortgage market, leveraging its position as a significant player in the mortgage REIT community [42] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledges the current environment as highly favorable for long-term capital deployment, with wide agency MBS spreads supported by a technical backdrop [22] - The company is well-prepared to capitalize on market dynamics and generate strong risk-adjusted returns despite potential volatility [22] Other Important Information - The company has appointed Michael Angelo as the chief legal officer and corporate secretary, bringing relevant experience from various financial institutions [5] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you talk about the leverage range you're targeting? - Management indicated that leverage has been flexed down when the risk environment does not warrant incremental risk, and they are currently at a level that reflects a return to normal [29][30] Question: What conditions might require other investors to be more active in the mortgage-backed space? - Management noted that banks would likely return when they see actual Fed rate cuts, while money managers have been active due to attractive mortgage valuations relative to corporates [38][40] Question: What is the current thinking behind the coupon allocation between pools versus TBAs? - Management explained that they are favoring a larger pool position due to the stable economic return profile and the ability to hedge effectively with interest rate swaps [56][62] Question: Any thoughts on adding longer duration as you go down in coupon on the hedge side? - Management confirmed that their hedges remain focused on the longer part of the curve, targeting a duration that is generally flat with the overall portfolio [72][74] Question: Any one-time items in the G&A expense line item? - Management indicated that the first half of the year tends to be higher due to annual meetings and compensation increases, but they expect expenses to trend down in the latter half of the year [76]

Core Viewpoint - NextNRG, Inc. has completed a financial restructuring that significantly reduces its monthly cash burn by approximately $1 million, enhancing its cash flow position and supporting its growth strategy [1][3]. Financial Restructuring Details - The restructuring includes a debt conversion agreement that converts existing debt into equity at a premium to market, and a refinancing of high-cost short-term debt with an 8-month $2 million note [2]. - On July 11, 2025, NextNRG issued 1,081,395 shares of restricted common stock at $2.15 per share to an existing lender, eliminating its obligations to that lender [2]. - The newly issued shares cannot be sold for a minimum of six months, and the overall result of these transactions is a nearly $1 million reduction in the company's monthly cash burn [2]. Strategic Implications - The restructuring is viewed as a transformative moment for NextNRG, providing the financial stability necessary to execute its growth strategy and focus on scaling its AI-driven energy platform [3]. - The company aims to convert a lender into a long-term investor, which is expected to further support its expansion across multiple energy sectors and geographic markets [3]. Company Overview - NextNRG, Inc. is focused on integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) into renewable energy and next-generation energy infrastructure, including battery storage and wireless electric vehicle (EV) charging [4]. - The company's strategy revolves around its Next Utility Operating System®, which enhances energy management efficiency and supports the deployment of smart microgrids [5].

With the Federal Reserve eyeing inflation and pausing cuts, interest rate-sensitive sectors have faced challenges. Real estate's 1.57% gain in 2025 has been the fourth-worst year-to-date performance of the S&P 500's 11 sectors, trailing only energy (0.55%), consumer discretionary (-2.18%), and healthcare (-2.41%). Much of that's a consequence of the Fed's aforementioned rate policy, but on a granular level, there are headwinds impacting subsets of the real estate sector. Housing starts are at a five-year lo ...

Group 1 - Block, owner of Square and Cash App, is set to join the S&P 500, replacing Hess starting July 23, marking a significant milestone for the company and the mainstream acceptance of digital payments and cryptocurrency [2][3] - The company has evolved from a payments processing entity to a comprehensive FinTech, offering services such as peer-to-peer transfers, merchant services, and consumer lending, with recent approval from the FDIC to provide consumer loans through Cash App Borrow [3][4] - Block is integrating bitcoin payment capabilities into its Square terminals, reflecting CEO Jack Dorsey's advocacy for cryptocurrency, which aims to empower small businesses by allowing them to accept bitcoin and receive payments faster [4][5] Group 2 - The news of Block's inclusion in the S&P 500 coincided with the cryptocurrency market reaching an all-time high, surpassing $4 trillion, following the passage of three crypto-related bills by Congress [5] - The company is leveraging machine learning for fraud detection, developing internal models to identify potentially scam payments in real-time, enhancing security without disrupting the payment process [6][7]

That's a wrap!If you found it insightful, reshare it with your network.Find me → @_avichawlaEvery day, I share tutorials and insights on DS, ML, LLMs, and RAGs.Avi Chawla (@_avichawla):I have been training neural networks for 9 years now.Here are 16 ways I actively use to optimize model training: ...