Federal Reserve Meeting and Economic Data - The Federal Reserve's meeting on September 17-18 is expected to result in a 25-basis-point cut, with minimal chance of a 50-basis-point reduction, amidst mixed economic data showing employment weakness and persistent inflation [1][2] - The upcoming retail sales report on Tuesday is crucial for assessing consumer spending resilience, which could influence the Fed's policy decisions [2][3] - The Fed's updated economic projections will provide insights into expectations for growth, unemployment, and inflation through 2026, with any deviation from market expectations potentially causing significant volatility [1][2] Meta's Annual Connect Conference - Meta's annual Connect developer conference coincides with the Fed meeting, where the company is expected to announce new virtual and augmented reality initiatives that could impact the metaverse investment landscape [4] - The conference will provide updated metrics on user adoption and revenue potential from non-advertising businesses, which could influence investor perception of Meta's long-term profitability [4] Earnings Reports from Key Companies - Earnings reports from FedEx, Lennar, and Darden on Thursday will offer diverse insights into economic health across transportation, housing, and consumer spending sectors [5][6] - FedEx's results will shed light on global shipping volumes and e-commerce trends, while Lennar's earnings will provide insights into housing market conditions amid high mortgage rates [5][6] - Darden's results will reflect trends in the restaurant industry and consumer discretionary spending, with the potential for significant market reactions based on the collective earnings outcomes [6] Manufacturing and Employment Data - The Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index and initial jobless claims released on Thursday will provide context on business conditions and labor market trends following the Fed's decision [7] - These data points will help investors assess whether recent economic softness is temporary or indicative of deeper issues, influencing market interpretations of the Fed's policy stance [7]

Core Insights - Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) is identified as one of the best stocks to invest in for the next five years, with a "Buy" rating maintained by Morgan Stanley and a price target of $850.00 [1][2] - A significant $600 billion investment in the US by 2028 is expected to support Meta's growth potential and has been incorporated into financial models [1][2] - The company's ongoing advancements in GPU-enabled machine learning are anticipated to enhance user engagement and revenue, with improvements in models and recommendation tools being key growth drivers [2] Financial Performance - Meta reported strong revenue and earnings growth in Q2 2025, attributed to increases in ad impressions and price per ad [3] - The company continues to invest heavily in AI while developing its core advertising businesses, indicating a focus on profitability and efficiency [3] Investment Perspective - While Meta is recognized for its potential, some analysts suggest that certain AI stocks may offer greater upside potential with less downside risk [3]

Core Points - The Facebook privacy settlement amounts to $725 million, with eligible users receiving between $4.89 and $38.36 based on account activity from May 2007 to December 2022, averaging $29.43 per claimant [15][14][2] - Nearly 28 million valid claims were filed, marking it as one of the largest class action lawsuits in U.S. history [3][15] - The settlement stems from allegations of mishandling user privacy, particularly related to the Cambridge Analytica scandal, which involved unauthorized data sharing affecting approximately 87 million users [5][6][13] Financial Context for Meta - Despite the settlement, Meta's financial performance remains strong, with second-quarter revenues of $47.52 billion, surpassing expectations of $44.58 billion [8] - For the third quarter, Meta projects revenues between $47.5 billion and $50.5 billion, with full-year 2025 expenses forecasted between $114 billion and $118 billion [9][8] - Recent stock market trends show a decline, with shares down nearly 4.95% over the past month, although investor focus remains on Meta's AI and metaverse initiatives [10][8] Settlement Distribution - The distribution of payments is managed by Angeion, the court-appointed administrator, and is expected to take about 10 weeks [15][11] - Payments will be made through various methods, including direct deposit, Venmo, PayPal, prepaid gift cards, and paper checks [11][15] - The minimum payout of $4.89 was intentionally set to ensure all claimants receive a tangible share of the settlement [3][15] Implications for Users - While the payout amounts may seem modest, the settlement emphasizes corporate accountability and the importance of user privacy in the digital age [12][15] - The ruling highlights the power of collective legal action against large tech companies, reinforcing user rights [12][15]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses three high-profile companies that are potential candidates for forward stock splits, highlighting the trend's popularity among investors and its historical performance in relation to the S&P 500. Group 1: Stock Split Overview - A stock split is a method for publicly traded companies to adjust their share price and outstanding share count without affecting market capitalization or operating performance [2] - Forward splits are generally favored by investors as they indicate a company's strong performance, while reverse splits are often viewed negatively as they are associated with struggling businesses [4][5] Group 2: Potential Candidates for Forward Splits - Meta Platforms is identified as a prime candidate for a forward split, with approximately 28% of its shares held by retail investors and a current share price in the mid-$700s [9] - Meta's revenue is heavily reliant on advertising, with 98% coming from its social media platforms, and it boasts a significant user base of 3.48 billion daily users [10] - Goldman Sachs is another potential candidate, with nearly 31% of its shares held by non-institutional investors and a recent all-time high share price of almost $764 [15] - The company’s strong position in investment banking and M&A, along with its resilience to market fluctuations, supports the likelihood of a future split [17][18] - Netflix, having completed two forward splits in the past, has over 20% of its shares held by retail investors and a share price that recently topped $1,300 [19][20] - The introduction of an ad-supported subscription tier has significantly boosted Netflix's user base, making it a strong candidate for a forward split [22]

The #Metaverse is evolving! Which blockchain will power the virtual world? ...

Company Developments - Cuprina Holdings (CUPR) has seen its price rise to $1.50, marking a 114.39% increase, attributed to the appointment of Dr. Ronald A. Sherman and FDA approval for its medical maggot license [1][6] - Everbright Digital Holding Limited (EDHL) has experienced a price increase to $1.26, reflecting a 191.60% change, linked to its focus on metaverse stimulation and virtual reality design [2][6] - Wearable Devices Ltd. (WLDS) has experienced a price rise to $6.83, a 573.01% increase, driven by the development of a non-invasive neural input interface [4] Market Trends - Recent market trends indicate that product innovation and strategic corporate actions are driving notable price changes across various companies [1][5] - The significant price movements in these companies highlight the impact of innovation and strategic developments on company valuations [5]

Core Insights - Meta is transitioning from a social media company to a leader in artificial intelligence, aiming to achieve "superintelligence" [1][6] - The company has made significant investments in AI infrastructure and recruited numerous AI experts [2] Financial Performance - Meta reported Q2 revenue of $47.52 billion, a 22% increase year-over-year [3][7] - Total costs and expenses reached $27.07 billion, up 12% YoY [7] - Cash flow from operating activities was $25.56 billion, with free cash flow at $8.55 billion [7] AI Developments - Mark Zuckerberg noted that AI has enhanced content engagement, leading to a 5% increase in time spent on Facebook and a 6% increase on Instagram in Q2 [4] - The company is observing gradual improvements in its AI systems, with the goal of developing superintelligence now considered achievable [6] Product Launches - Meta has sold over 2 million units of second-generation Ray-Ban smart glasses since their launch [3] - The upcoming Connect developer conference on September 17 will feature a stronger campaign for smart glasses and the launch of consumer-ready glasses with a display [8] - The new glasses, referred to as Hypernova, are expected to be priced around $800, along with a wristband for gesture control [9]

Core Insights - EPWK has launched its international site, marking a significant step in its globalisation strategy as a technology-powered marketplace for creative services [1][13] - The platform aims to connect creative talent with business demand globally, positioning itself as a "router for global creative resources" [2] Company Overview - Founded by Huang Guohua, EPWK focuses on becoming a global hub for creative services, enabling efficient sourcing of qualified professionals through its digital infrastructure [2] - The company operates in over 300 service categories, emphasizing service outsourcing and remote collaboration for SMEs [3] Technology and Infrastructure - EPWK utilizes an AI-powered task matching engine to connect enterprises with freelancers, enhancing transaction accuracy and success rates [4] - The platform employs behavioural data analytics to refine recommendation algorithms and dynamic pricing tools, ensuring transaction trust and safety through various safeguards [5] Global Strategy - The launch of EPWK International aims to assist Chinese creative professionals in accessing global markets while bringing international standards into China [6] - Following its Nasdaq IPO in February 2025, the platform targets the U.S., Europe, and Southeast Asia, with plans for multilingual support and global localisation [7] Ecosystem Development - EPWK is building a full-cycle creative services ecosystem that includes business incubation, IP protection, and tax advisory services, while expanding into high-value verticals [8] - The company is also developing generative AI tools and exploring blockchain for copyright verification, aiming to create next-generation digital infrastructure for creative collaboration [9] Industry Impact - EPWK initiated China's first group standard for skill-sharing platforms to formalize quality and improve reliability, achieving a GMV of $350 million in 2023 with over 25.6 million registered users [10] - The company is working towards a unified system for creative services that standardizes and scales the discovery, delivery, and monetization of creative work across borders [11]

Core Insights - BIGG Digital Assets Inc. has launched the BIGG Interview Series in partnership with Blockchain North, featuring over 15 leaders in the crypto and blockchain sectors [1][2][3] Group 1: Company Overview - BIGG Digital Assets Inc. is a prominent player in the digital assets space, owning Netcoins, Blockchain Intelligence Group, and TerraZero [1][6] - The company aims to bridge regulated financial markets with the emerging blockchain economy [3] Group 2: Interview Series Details - The BIGG Interview Series will be hosted by Netcoins CEO Fraser Matthews and will provide insights into Bitcoin, stablecoins, crypto treasuries, and blockchain infrastructure [2][3] - The series will be distributed across various platforms including YouTube, LinkedIn, and X (Twitter), with new episodes released weekly [3][4] Group 3: Strategic Partnerships - Blockchain North, a Canadian crypto group, is collaborating with BIGG and Netcoins to support the industry's global ambitions [4]

Company Overview - Robot Consulting Co, Ltd is a platform service provider focusing on human resource solutions, with plans to expand into legal technology and the metaverse[8] - The company's major product is Labor Robot, a cloud-based human resource management system launched in September 2022, with 536 users as of FY2025[9] - Robot Lawyer, a product under development, is expected to launch in November 2025, enabling users to pose legal questions, search legal precedents, and access lawyer matching services[9, 10] - The company's revenue in FY2025 was $4.5 million[9] Business Model - The company generates revenue through sales of its Labor Robot software, with prices ranging from JPY3,000 thousand to JPY5,000 thousand (excluding tax)[14, 15] - Consulting and support services are provided to small and medium-sized businesses, including software installation services (~JPY409 thousand per student) and e-learning services (~JPY2,900 thousand excluding tax per set for one year)[14, 15] Investment Highlights - The company has experienced growth in its Labor Robot user base, from 0 in September 2022 to 536 in FY2025[34] - The company has a network of 259 distribution agents to help identify and attract potential small and medium-sized business customers[37] Financial Overview - The company's revenue was $4.507 million in FY2025, compared to $4.584 million in FY2024[57] - In FY2025, 77.7% of revenue came from software and 22.3% from consulting and support services[57] - The company's gross profit was $4.481 million in FY2025, compared to $4.453 million in FY2024[60] - The company's net loss was $(3.566) million in FY2025, compared to $(4.376) million in FY2024[60]