What's the hottest stock in the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) right now? That's easy: It's Palantir Technologies (PLTR -0.33%). Shares of the artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics software maker have skyrocketed nearly 90% year to date.Should you jump on the Palantir bandwagon? I don't think so. Here are three AI stocks that are hands-down better picks than Palantir right now, in my opinion. 1. AlphabetGoogle parent Alphabet (GOOG 1.47%) (GOOGL 1.46%) looks like an absolute steal compared to Palantir. ...

Core Insights - The technology sector is highly profitable, with many companies generating reliable recurring revenues through subscriptions and strong demand for products [1] Company Summaries Apple - Apple generated $167 billion in sales from its products and $53 billion from subscription services in the first half of the year [3] - The company produced $24 billion in operating cash flow in Q2 and returned $29 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases [4] - Apple has over $132 billion in cash and equivalents, recently increasing its dividend by 4% and launching a $100 billion share repurchase program [4] Alphabet - Alphabet generated over $90 billion in revenue in Q1 from online advertising, subscriptions, and cloud services [5] - The company produced nearly $19 billion in free cash flow in Q1 and $75 billion over the last 12 months, returning $1.2 billion in dividends and repurchasing over $15 billion in stock [6] - Alphabet's cash and equivalents rose to nearly $134 billion, with a recent 5% dividend increase and a $70 billion share repurchase program [6] Microsoft - Microsoft reported over $70 billion in revenue in Q3 of fiscal 2025 from various services including Azure and AI [8] - The company generated nearly $94 billion in net cash from operations in the first nine months of fiscal 2025, returning about $18 billion in dividends and $14 billion in stock repurchases [9] - Microsoft ended the period with almost $80 billion in cash and equivalents, having increased its dividend by 10% and approved a $60 billion share repurchase program [9] Meta Platforms - Meta generated over $41 billion in advertising revenue in Q1, along with additional revenue from its apps and Reality Labs [10] - The company produced more than $10 billion in free cash flow and returned almost $15 billion to shareholders through stock repurchases and dividends [11] - Meta's cash balance stood at $70 billion, indicating strong financial health [11] Nvidia - Nvidia generated $44.1 billion in revenue in Q1, a 69% increase year-over-year, driven by a 73% surge in sales to data center customers [12] - The company produced over $27 billion in cash flow from operations, a 79% increase from the previous year, returning $14.3 billion to shareholders [13] - Nvidia's cash balance increased to $53.7 billion, with a 150% dividend hike last year and a $50 billion increase in its stock repurchase program [13] Industry Overview - Large technology companies are generating substantial recurring revenues from subscriptions and advertising, allowing them to return significant cash to shareholders through growing dividends and share repurchase programs [14]

Core Viewpoint - A lawsuit has been filed against Reddit, Inc. and its senior executives for potential violations of federal securities laws, specifically related to misrepresentation of user growth impacted by Google's AI technology [1][2][3]. Group 1: Lawsuit Details - The lawsuit is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, titled Tamraz, Jr. v. Reddit, Inc., et al., No. 25-cv-05144 [2]. - Investors have until August 18, 2025, to request to be appointed to lead the case [2]. Group 2: Allegations Against Reddit - The complaint alleges that Reddit misrepresented the impact of Google's AI technology on its user growth, suggesting that it downplayed the negative effects [3][4]. - Google's AI technology has reportedly reduced the need for users to visit Reddit for answers, leading to a decline in user engagement [4]. Group 3: Stock Performance - Following a report on May 1, 2025, indicating a slowdown in daily active user growth, Reddit's stock price fell by $4.96, or over 4%, from $118.79 to $113.83 per share [5]. - On May 21, 2025, an analyst from Baird lowered the stock price target for Reddit, resulting in a further decline of $9.79, or over 9%, from $105.64 to $95.85 per share [6].

Core Viewpoint - Meta Platforms is experiencing strong operating performance driven by investments in AI, leading to stock trading near record highs and expectations for a robust second-quarter financial report [2][8]. Group 1: AI Impact on Business - Meta has become a leading platform for advertisers, reaching over 3.4 billion daily users across its social media platforms, which enhances its advertising revenue [4]. - The company has developed an AI algorithm that personalizes content for users, resulting in a 6% increase in time spent on Instagram and a 7% increase on Facebook over six months [5]. - Meta AI, launched in 2023, has nearly 1 billion monthly active users, showcasing its rapid adoption and effectiveness [6]. Group 2: Financial Performance - In Q1 2025, Meta reported total revenue of $42.3 billion, a 16% increase year-over-year, and earnings per share (EPS) of $6.43, up 37% [8]. - Management guidance suggests Q2 revenue will be between $42.5 billion and $45.5 billion, indicating continued growth [8]. - Wall Street estimates predict an EPS of around $5.84 for Q2, reflecting a more modest increase of approximately 13% due to significant AI investments [9]. Group 3: Capital Expenditures and Future Outlook - Meta plans to spend between $64 billion and $72 billion on AI infrastructure and chips in 2025, an increase from previous estimates [10]. - This capital expenditure may impact short-term earnings but is expected to drive long-term growth as AI investments mature [11]. - An increase in the capex forecast could signal management's confidence in AI's transformative potential for the business [11]. Group 4: Investment Considerations - Meta's current price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is 28.3, making it cheaper than the Nasdaq-100 index at 32.3, positioning it as an attractive investment [12]. - The stock is considered a good buy ahead of the upcoming financial report, especially for long-term investors [14].

NEW YORK, July 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Reddit, Inc. (NYSE: RDDT) between October 29, 2024 and May 20, 2025, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”), of the important August 18, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline. SO WHAT: If you purchased Reddit securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. WHAT TO DO ...

Core Insights - K Wave Media Inc. (NASDAQ: KWM) has announced a convertible bond agreement with Anson Funds, providing up to $500 million in financing, with at least 80% of net proceeds allocated for Bitcoin (BTC) purchases [1][4] - The company has completed its first purchase of 88 Bitcoins, symbolizing wealth and success in Asian culture, demonstrating its commitment to Bitcoin as a long-term investment [2] - K Wave Media aims to build a reserve of 10,000 Bitcoins while leveraging its existing Korean cultural content business to engage global fans through Bitcoin [2][7] Financing Details - The initial transaction involves the issuance of $15 million in senior secured convertible notes and warrants to Anson Investments Master Fund LP and Anson East Master Fund LP [1][4] - The total financing amount from this issuance can reach up to $500 million, contingent upon meeting additional closing conditions [4] - The notes will mature on July 3, 2027, and will not accrue interest under normal circumstances, but will incur a 12% annual interest rate in case of default [5] Conversion and Warrants - Holders of the notes can convert their principal and accrued interest into common stock at an initial conversion price of $4.40 per share [6] - The warrants grant holders the right to purchase up to 143,739,293 shares of common stock at an initial exercise price of $3.6616 per share, valid for five years from the issuance date [6] Company Overview - K Wave Media is pioneering a Bitcoin-based corporate treasury management model while expanding its business through the global influence of Korean entertainment [7] - The company is focused on strategic allocation of Bitcoin, original content, and consumer brand assets to redefine the value paradigm of culture-driven, investor-aligned public companies [7] Partner Overview - Anson Funds is a private alternative investment firm with experience in supporting transformative digital asset platforms and is an active institutional investor in the Bitcoin ecosystem [8]

Meta Platforms(META.O)跌幅扩大至2.1%，报道称公司将不会进一步调整"支付或同意"模式，尽管面临 欧盟罚款的风险。 ...

消息人士：Meta Platforms(META.O)可能因其商业模式而在《数字市场法》下再次面临欧盟的新指控。 Meta不太可能向欧盟提供关于"支付或同意"模式的额外变更。欧盟可能在未来几周内提出新的指控，随 后可能会处以每日罚款。 ...

NEW YORK, July 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Levi & Korsinsky, LLP notifies investors in Reddit, Inc. ("Reddit, Inc." or the "Company") (NYSE: RDDT) of a class action securities lawsuit.CLASS DEFINITION: The lawsuit seeks to recover losses on behalf of Reddit, Inc. investors who were adversely affected by alleged securities fraud between October 29, 2024 and May 20, 2025. Follow the link below to get more information and be contacted by a member of our team:https://zlk.com/pslra-1/reddit-inc-lawsuit-submission-f ...

Market Overview - U.S. stock markets began July with strong performance, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite reaching all-time highs, while the Dow lagged behind [2] - Year-to-date performance for major indexes shows the Dow up 4.9%, S&P 500 up 6.7%, and Nasdaq Composite up 6.9% [3] Visa Inc. - Visa's market position is supported by volume-driven growth, acquisitions, and technological leadership in digital payments [7] - The company benefits from increased digital transactions and cross-border volumes, with significant profit growth driven by ongoing investments in technology [8] - Visa has an expected revenue growth rate of 10.2% and earnings growth rate of 12.9% for the current year [11] The Walt Disney Co. - Disney reported steady second-quarter fiscal 2025 results with year-over-year increases in revenues and earnings [12] - The company expects double-digit operating income growth in fiscal 2025, with ESPN showing significant viewership growth [13] - Disney has transformed its streaming business into a profitable growth engine, achieving $336 million in DTC operating income in the second quarter [14] - Expected revenue growth rate for Disney is 4.1% and earnings growth rate is 16.3% for the current year [15] Microsoft Corp. - Microsoft is leveraging AI momentum and Copilot adoption, with strong demand for Azure and Office 365 driving revenue growth [16] - The company anticipates a 13.7% increase in net sales for fiscal 2025 compared to fiscal 2024 [17] - Expected revenue growth rate for Microsoft is 12.4% and earnings growth rate is 12% for the current year [18] The Coca-Cola Co. - Coca-Cola achieved strong first-quarter 2025 results, marking its ninth consecutive quarter of exceeding expectations [19] - The company's all-weather strategy, which combines marketing, innovation, and revenue growth management, is expected to drive revenue growth in 2025 [20] - Expected revenue growth rate for Coca-Cola is 2.6% and earnings growth rate is 3.1% for the current year [21] International Business Machines Corp. - IBM is positioned to benefit from demand for hybrid cloud and AI, focusing on its watsonx platform for AI capabilities [22][24] - The company is expected to see growth in its Software and Consulting segments due to a better business mix and productivity gains [23] - Expected revenue growth rate for IBM is 5.5% and earnings growth rate is 6% for the current year [25]