CARLSBAD, Calif., Feb. 04, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aptera Motors Corp. (NASDAQ: SEV), a solar mobility company focused on advancing the future of efficient transportation, today announced that its Carlsbad, California assembly facility received Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) designation. The FTZ program, administered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, is designed to support U.S.-based assembly by allowing qualified companies to defer, reduce, or eliminate certain customs duties on imported materials used in ...

Darden Restaurants (DRI) - Darden Restaurants announced the permanent closure of 14 out of 28 Bahama Breeze locations, with plans to convert the remaining sites into other concepts within its portfolio [3][4] - The closures are not expected to materially impact the company's overall financial results, with affected restaurants remaining operational until early April and conversions rolling out over the next 12 to 18 months [4] Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) - AMD reported an adjusted earnings of $1.53 per share for Q4, with revenue increasing 34% year-over-year to $10.27 billion, surpassing analyst expectations [6] - Data Center revenue rose 39% year-over-year to $5.4 billion, exceeding the anticipated $4.97 billion [6] - Despite strong results, AMD's stock fell 7.3% in premarket trading, attributed to decelerating revenue growth and market conditions in the semiconductor sector [6] Walmart (WMT) - Walmart achieved a market value of $1 trillion, with shares up 12% year-to-date, outperforming Amazon's 6% gain [7][8] - The company has focused on competing with Amazon by embracing artificial intelligence, expanding delivery capabilities, and investing in its pharmacy business, resulting in a 12% year-over-year growth in memberships [8] - Walmart reported its most profitable quarter in Q2 this year, with a 26.5% year-over-year rise in stock value compared to a 14% increase for the S&P 500 [7][8]

Darden Restaurants (DRI) - Darden Restaurants announced the permanent closure of 14 out of 28 Bahama Breeze locations, with plans to convert the remaining 14 into other concepts within its portfolio [3][4] - The closures are not expected to materially impact the company's overall financial results, with affected restaurants remaining open until early April and conversions rolling out over the next 12 to 18 months [4] Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) - AMD reported an adjusted earnings of $1.53 per share for Q4, with revenue increasing by 34% year-over-year to $10.27 billion, surpassing analyst expectations [6] - Data Center revenue rose 39% year-over-year to $5.4 billion, exceeding the anticipated $4.97 billion [6] - Despite strong results, AMD's stock fell 7.3% in premarket trading, attributed to decelerating revenue growth and market conditions in the semiconductor sector [6] Walmart (WMT) - Walmart achieved a market value of $1 trillion, with shares up 12% year-to-date, outperforming Amazon's 6% gain [7][8] - The company has embraced artificial intelligence and expanded delivery capabilities, resulting in a 12% year-over-year growth in memberships and its most profitable quarter in Q2 [8]

Group 1 - Copart Inc. is recognized as one of the best used-car stocks to buy, according to hedge funds [1] - The company entered into a new $1.25 billion unsecured senior revolving credit agreement to replace a previous credit facility [1][3] - The new credit facility has interest rates based on a fixed rate plus a margin of 0.75% to 1.125% or a daily rate plus a margin of 0% to 0.125% [3] Group 2 - Copart's first-quarter fiscal 2026 results showed revenue of $1.16 billion, a 0.7% increase year over year, and a gross profit of $537 million [4] - Net income increased by 11.5% to $403.7 million, resulting in diluted earnings per share of $0.41, up from $0.37 a year earlier [4] - The company specializes in online vehicle auctions and remarketing services, connecting sellers with buyers through its proprietary VB3 digital auction platform [5]

Market Overview - Indian benchmark indices turned negative, with the Sensex down 50.28 points or 0.06% and the Nifty up 27 points or 0.10% [2][7] - The decline in Indian IT stocks was significant, reflecting a broader selloff in global technology shares [1][4] IT Sector Performance - Major IT stocks experienced substantial losses, with Infosys falling 8.05% to ₹1,522.70, TCS down 6.77% to ₹3,006.90, and Tech Mahindra declining 6.16% to ₹1,610.70 [3] - The overall market value of software stocks decreased by approximately $300 billion due to rising concerns ahead of earnings reports from major US tech firms [4] Supporting Sectors - Energy and infrastructure stocks showed positive performance, with Eicher Motors up 4.54% to ₹292.50 and ONGC climbing 4.18% to ₹267.75 [5] - The Nifty Midcap 100 and Nifty Smallcap 100 indices also reported gains, indicating some resilience in the broader market [6] Market Sentiment - Despite the selloff in IT stocks, market breadth remained positive with 2,445 advancing stocks against 1,534 declining stocks on the BSE [6] - Analysts expressed concerns that the recent market rally, driven by optimism around the India-US trade deal, may face challenges due to high valuations and ongoing weakness in global tech [7]

Core Insights - Elon Musk's SpaceX has acquired xAI, aiming to leverage solar power for AI applications and accelerate humanity's future, with a combined valuation of $1.25 trillion [2][7] - The anticipated IPO from Musk could rival the largest tech companies in the U.S., potentially boosting Tesla's valuation as it holds stakes in xAI [3][6] Group 1 - The merger of SpaceX and xAI is positioned to create a mega company focused on space-based resources for AI development [2] - The deal has sparked speculation about a possible merger between Tesla and SpaceX/xAI, with analysts suggesting a growing likelihood of such an event [5][6] - Prediction markets indicate a 24% probability of a Tesla-SpaceX merger announcement before June 30, up from previous lower estimates [7] Group 2 - The financial implications of the SpaceX-xAI deal include expectations for the largest IPO by market cap this year, with traders placing an 88% probability on this outcome [7] - The news has revitalized interest in space-based data centers and the potential integration of Tesla into Musk's broader vision [2][4]

Imagine Portacott and the Niger Delta region in the year 2035. Would you hear the loud sound of generators or the horn of electric vehicle going quietly. Would you breathe in suits and carbon from the environment or enjoying fresh breath from the mangroves. Would the children be coughing in the traffic or riding and cycling to their various schools.Dark future, hopeful future. Nigeria is urbanizing at a breathtaking speed. And according to the United Nation Economic Commission for Africa report of July 2024 ...

Core Insights - Michelin is acquiring Flexitallic to enhance its position in the sealing segment and accelerate growth in Polymer Composite Solutions [2][6] - The acquisition aligns with Michelin's "Michelin in Motion 2030" strategy, focusing on high value-added markets and innovation [2][6] Company Overview - Flexitallic, based in Houston, Texas, is a global leader in sealing solutions, providing high-performance gaskets primarily for the energy and chemical sectors [3] - The company operates 17 facilities worldwide and employs approximately 1,200 people, generating sales of around 220 million USD in 2025 [4] Strategic Fit - The acquisition is expected to broaden Michelin's sealing portfolio and market reach, particularly in the aftermarket segment [4] - Both companies share a commitment to innovation and high-quality products, creating potential synergies for future growth [2][4] Financial Details - The transaction will be financed through available cash, with the amount undisclosed, and is expected to close in the first half of 2026, pending customary adjustments and merger control clearance [4][6]

Core Insights - Gentherm has submitted a 510(k) Class II premarket notification to the FDA for its ThermAffyx™ Patient Safety System, which is designed to enhance patient safety during robotic surgeries by maintaining temperature and preventing movement [1][4] Group 1: Product Innovation - The ThermAffyx™ System is the first of its kind to combine air-free patient warming with securement technology, addressing critical patient safety concerns such as hypothermia and unintended movement during surgeries [2][3] - The development of this system was initiated after identifying a significant clinical gap in the market, showcasing Gentherm's commitment to innovation in medical technology [3] Group 2: Market Impact - The introduction of the ThermAffyx™ System is expected to set a new standard of care in operating rooms, potentially improving patient outcomes significantly [3][4] - Gentherm's approach leverages technology from its automotive division, indicating a strategic expansion into the medical device market [3] Group 3: Company Overview - Gentherm is a global leader in thermal management and pneumatic comfort technologies, with a diverse product portfolio that includes both automotive and medical applications [5] - In 2024, Gentherm reported annual sales of approximately $1.5 billion and secured $2.4 billion in new business awards within the automotive sector, highlighting its strong market position [5]

Core Insights - MiddleGround Capital has acquired Pi Innovo from Dana Incorporated, integrating it into its portfolio company New Eagle, which specializes in electronic control systems and software for various industries [1][4]. Company Overview - Pi Innovo, founded in 2011 and based near Detroit, Michigan, designs embedded software solutions and electronic control units for electrification, clean fuel, and specialty mobility applications [2]. - New Eagle, acquired by MiddleGround in November 2021, focuses on engineering solutions for automotive, commercial vehicle, off-highway, aerospace, and defense industries, providing electronic systems and control software [3][8]. - Dana Incorporated is a leader in designing and manufacturing propulsion and energy-management solutions, reporting preliminary sales of $7.5 billion in 2025 and employing 28,000 people globally [9][10]. Strategic Implications - The acquisition of Pi Innovo allows MiddleGround to pursue growth initiatives and enhance its offerings in flexible, secure, open functional-safety solutions, reinforcing its commitment to innovative technology in the mobility sector [4]. - Pi Innovo's expertise in open platform, configurable ECU solutions with integrated functional safety and cybersecurity capabilities will complement New Eagle's Raptor software toolchain, broadening the range of solutions available for electric vehicle charging and hybrid applications [4][7].