Author: Matthew Collom

  • IntelliAM AI Posts Strong First-Half Momentum as ARR Climbs and Strategic Partnerships Deepen

    IntelliAM AI Posts Strong First-Half Momentum as ARR Climbs and Strategic Partnerships Deepen

    IntelliAM AI (AQSE:INT) has released a confident first half trading update, signalling continued progress toward scale and profitability in its mission to bring AI-driven optimisation to global industrial operations. Speaking on The Watchlist, Chief Operating Officer Keith Smith walked through the company’s expanding annual recurring revenue (ARR), strengthening customer relationships, and growing roster of strategic partners, all which position IntelliAM for accelerated growth through FY27.

    ARR Growth Driven by Both New Wins and Customer Expansions

    ARR has risen to approximately £1.18 million, a milestone Smith describes as both “diverse and sustainable.” According to him, 20% of the uplift came from new customer wins, reflecting the successful conversion of proofs-of-value into long-term contracts. However, the bulk of the momentum, around 80%, has been generated from within the existing customer base through product upsells, contract transitions to more digital solutions, and usage expansion across factories and production lines.

    Smith emphasised that IntelliAM’s customers are “very sticky,” with most sitting at Stage Three of the company’s six-stage AI adoption journey. Meaningful value remains ahead as these organisations expand their use of the platform deeper into operations. As investment increases in sales and marketing, Smith expects the balance of growth to shift further toward new customer acquisition.

    Cash Position, Discipline, and the Road to Profitability

    With £778,000 in gross cash, IntelliAM continues to prioritise disciplined, responsible growth. The company expects to hit cash flow break-even during FY27, becoming cash flow positive by the end of that fiscal year. Smith added one caveat: planned international expansion, particularly into the U.S. market, will likely prompt a fundraising round. However, he stressed that IntelliAM aims to raise capital “from a position of strength,” not before achieving operational self-sufficiency.

    Strategic Partnerships Set the Stage for Scalable Revenue

    A central theme of IntelliAM’s update is the strengthening of partnerships across industrial and FMCG markets:

    SKF: Embedding AI Into Global Industrial Products

    IntelliAM’s work with SKF, a major global industrial company and one of the world’s largest bearing manufacturers, stands out as a particularly high-potential channel. By embedding IntelliAM’s AI into SKF’s products, the company gains access to 17,000 distributors worldwide, significantly expanding its reach without additional sales or marketing spend.

    CTC: A Gateway Into the U.S. Sensor Market

    The newly announced partnership with American sensor manufacturer CTC allows IntelliAM to sell American-made sensors in the U.S., unlocking what Smith identifies as a key strategic market. In addition to product alignment, CTC’s distributor network provides an immediate commercial infrastructure for growth.

    FMCG and Beyond: Repeatable Value at Scale

    IntelliAM is also deepening relationships with major food and beverage companies—an FMCG segment where repeatable production processes make ROI both measurable and scalable. The company is developing case studies and templates that can be replicated not only across FMCG players but also in adjacent sectors. Additionally, IntelliAM has begun expanding into the building supply market, opening yet another avenue for multi-sector commercial traction.

    Across all these partnership categories, Smith expects significant expansion over the next 12 to 24 months.

    A Clearer Path Toward a Global Industrial AI Platform

    IntelliAM’s latest trading update offers investors and industry observers a clearer picture of a company moving steadily toward scale. With a growing ARR base, sticky customer relationships, a disciplined financial approach, and powerful distribution partnerships, IntelliAM appears well positioned to accelerate its trajectory through FY27.

    As Smith closed the interview: “We’re investing in the right areas, and we’re doing it from a strong base. The foundations are in place for real, scalable growth.”

  • B Hodl CEO Freddie New on Building a Bitcoin Treasury and Generating Secure Yield Through the Lightning Network

    B Hodl CEO Freddie New on Building a Bitcoin Treasury and Generating Secure Yield Through the Lightning Network

    In a rapidly evolving digital-asset landscape, institutional Bitcoin strategies are increasingly under the spotlight. One company gaining attention is (AQSE:HODL) B Hodl, which recently expanded its holdings to 155 Bitcoin as it pushes toward becoming one of the largest Bitcoin treasuries on the Aquis exchange. But as the company grows its position, investors are asking an important question: How does B Hodl generate yield while managing risk in such a volatile market?

    On The Watch List, CEO Freddie New sat down with host Ricky Lee to unpack the company’s approach to yield generation, treasury security, and long-term sustainability.


    A Self-Custodial Approach to Bitcoin Yield

    With yield strategies across the crypto industry often tied to lending, leverage, or third-party platforms, each carrying its own risks, Freddie New was quick to emphasize that B Hodl chooses a different path.

    “The way that we generate revenue from our Bitcoin is via the Lightning Network, and we do it in an entirely self-custodial and secure way,” he explained.

    The Lightning Network, Bitcoin’s second-layer payment system, facilitates fast, low-cost transactions by routing payments through liquidity channels. To keep those channels functioning efficiently, liquidity must be locked into them, this is where B Hodl steps in.

    Their business model is straightforward:

    1. Raise equity
    2. Buy Bitcoin
    3. Deploy that Bitcoin into Lightning Network channels
    4. Earn routing fees, similar to how Visa and Mastercard earn interchange fees

    Crucially, this setup avoids the typical counterparty risks associated with lending or staking.

    “If anything goes wrong and the channel is closed, the Bitcoin comes directly back to us,” New emphasized. “We’re not lending it to anyone.”


    Best-in-Class Safeguards and Risk Management

    Risk management is a major focus for B Hodl, and according to New, the team was intentionally built around deep experience surviving crypto bear markets.

    The company’s core safeguards include:

    Ultra-lean operations

    B Hodl maintains very low operating expenses. Following its IPO, the company reports four years of cash runway, giving the team breathing room to continue building during market downturns.

    Multi-signature, multi-jurisdiction cold storage

    All Bitcoin held by the company is protected through a multi-sig, multi-device, multi-jurisdiction security protocol, the same one used by well-established UK exchange CoinCorner.

    No counterparty exposure in yield generation

    Because Lightning Network channels are non-custodial, capital always returns to B Hodl’s wallet when channels close.


    Targeting Consistent, Predictable Bitcoin Yield

    When asked about the future contribution of Lightning yield to operating cash flow, New revealed early results that exceeded expectations.

    “Our initial results have been throwing off about 6% annualized yield,” he said. “We were initially modeling slightly lower than that.”

    Maintaining a consistent yield through different market environments is a priority, and B Hodl is already preparing multiple complementary strategies on the Lightning Network. Only the first of these strategies has been publicly announced so far, with additional details coming soon.


    Looking Ahead

    As institutional interest in Bitcoin infrastructure deepens, B Hodl is positioning itself as a disciplined treasury manager focused on security, sustainability, and real utility on the Lightning Network.

    The combination of self-custody, low operating risk, and Lightning-based revenue could set a new benchmark for publicly listed Bitcoin treasury businesses.

    For updates and deeper insights into the company’s growth, visit https://bhodl.com/.

  • Yellow Cake PLC Strengthens Uranium Position with $175 Million Raise Amid Surging Investor Demand

    Yellow Cake PLC Strengthens Uranium Position with $175 Million Raise Amid Surging Investor Demand

    Yellow Cake PLC (LSE:YCA), a leading uranium investment company, has announced the successful completion of a $175 million capital raise, surpassing its initial target of $125 million. The move reinforces the company’s strategic foothold in the uranium market as global investor interest in nuclear energy continues to rise.

    In an interview with Ricky Lee on The Watchlist, CEO Andre Liebenberg discussed the company’s recent fundraising success, future uranium purchases, and the evolving dynamics of the uranium spot market.

    Strong Demand Drives Oversubscribed Raise

    Liebenberg explained that the original goal was to raise $125 million, enough to fund Yellow Cake’s 2025 purchase option with Kazatomprom, Kazakhstan’s state-owned uranium producer, along with additional working capital.
    However, strong investor appetite prompted the company to increase the offering to $175 million, reflecting growing confidence in uranium as a long-term energy commodity.

    “The deal we have with Kazatomprom allows us to buy up to $100 million worth of uranium per year,” Liebenberg said. “Because we had very strong demand, we upsized the issue to $175 million.”

    While the excess funds cannot be directly applied to the existing 2025 option, Liebenberg noted that the company could deploy capital opportunistically in the spot market or allocate funds toward its 2026 option, which opens on January 1, 2026.

    Exposure Without Leverage

    Discussing risk management, Liebenberg emphasized that Yellow Cake provides investors with pure exposure to uranium prices, without the complexity or leverage associated with mining operations.

    “We don’t trade the market,” he explained. “If the commodity goes up, we go up. If it goes down, we go down. We offer one-to-one exposure to the uranium price.”

    Unlike uranium producers, which face operational and permitting risks, Yellow Cake’s model is physically backed by uranium holdings, providing intrinsic value tied directly to the commodity itself.

    “We can’t go to zero because the uranium price can’t go to zero,” Liebenberg added.

    Liquidity and Investor Flexibility

    Addressing investor liquidity, Liebenberg highlighted that Yellow Cake shares are actively traded, offering a straightforward exit mechanism.

    “We trade over a million shares a day.about $7 million in daily liquidity,” he said. “So investors have an easy means of entering or exiting.”

    While the company has conducted share buybacks in the past, Liebenberg indicated that current market conditions make such actions unnecessary.

    “At the moment, we’re trading at a pretty tight discount, so it wouldn’t make sense to pursue buybacks right now,” he said.

    Looking Ahead

    With the uranium market experiencing heightened volatility and renewed attention from clean-energy investors, Yellow Cake PLC is strategically positioned to capitalize on future opportunities.

    For more information on the company’s capital deployment strategy and uranium investment outlook, visit yellowcakeplc.com.

    Disclaimer:

    This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Some portions of this content may have been generated or assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) tools and been reviewed for accuracy and quality by our editorial team.


    About The Watchlist

    The Watchlist features in-depth interviews with leaders across global markets, exploring key investment themes, emerging trends, and corporate strategies shaping the financial landscape.

    To book a Watchlist interview on ADVFN contact – [email protected]

  • Accsys Technologies Reports Strong Growth in Accoya Sales and Expanding U.S. Presence

    Accsys Technologies Reports Strong Growth in Accoya Sales and Expanding U.S. Presence

    Accsys Technologies (LSE:AXS) has released its latest trading update, highlighting continued growth in Accoya® sales, accelerating distribution in North America, and a strategic commitment to premium positioning despite challenging global market conditions.

    In a recent interview on The WatchList with Ricki Lee, Dr Jelena Arsic van Os, CEO of Accsys Technologies, outlined the company’s medium-term outlook and focus areas for expansion.


    Shifting Sales Balance Toward the U.S.

    Currently, around two-thirds of Accoya capacity is supplied from Europe, with one-third coming from North America. According to Dr Jelena Arsic van Os, that balance is expected to shift more heavily toward the U.S. in the long term, reflecting the scale and profitability of the American building materials market.


    Expanding Distribution Network

    North American sales of Accoya grew 55% year-on-year in the first five months of the trading year, with the majority of sales coming through existing distribution channels. During the same period, Accsys added three new distributors, significantly strengthening its regional footprint.

    “These new partners are crucial in building momentum for Accoya in the world’s largest and most profitable wood market,” said Dr Jelena Arsic van Os.


    Premium Positioning as a Differentiator

    Despite macroeconomic pressures, Accsys continues to maintain pricing power by focusing on the premium, high-performance, and sustainable segment of the wood products industry.

    “Accsys is the world’s leading supplier of premium, sustainable wood building materials,” Dr Jelena Arsic van Os commented. “We’ve always played in the premium space, and our strategy is to remain there. Growth of 28% year-on-year in the first five months demonstrates the resilience of this approach.”


    Outlook

    With sales growth across Europe and strong momentum in the U.S., Accsys Technologies is positioning itself to capture a greater share of the global sustainable building materials market. The combination of expanding distribution, premium differentiation, and increasing production capacity is expected to drive further progress in the medium to long term.

    For more details on the company’s trading update and growth strategy, visit accsysplc.com.

    This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

  • Red Rock Resources Shares Gain on £1m Royalty Sale

    Red Rock Resources Shares Gain on £1m Royalty Sale

    Red Rock Resources PLC (LSE:RRR) saw its shares climb on Friday after announcing the sale of its royalty over gold production from the El Limon mine in Colombia to Soma Gold Corp, in a deal valued at £1 million in cash.

    Alongside the cash consideration, Red Rock will receive 200,000 share subscription rights in Soma, exercisable at C$2.00 over a 36-month period.

    The royalty — held since 2015 but dormant in recent years — was expected to resume payments this year. It comprised a 3% net smelter return royalty, capped at US$2 million, and an additional 0.5% royalty capped at US$1 million.

    “The sale of the royalty back to the mine owner provides Red Rock with funds to reduce liabilities and strengthen working capital,” said chair Andrew Bell.

    In London, Red Rock shares were trading 15% higher at 0.035p.

    This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

  • ATOME PLC Secures 10-Year Offtake Deal with Yara for Paraguay Fertiliser Project

    ATOME PLC Secures 10-Year Offtake Deal with Yara for Paraguay Fertiliser Project

    ATOME PLC (LSE:ATOM) announced it has signed a definitive 10-year offtake agreement with Yara International covering the entire annual output — 260,000 tonnes — from its Villeta low-carbon fertiliser project in Paraguay.

    The company said the deal marks the final commercial milestone before a final investment decision, expected later this year. Construction of the US$630 million facility is scheduled to start in the fourth quarter of 2025.

    Building on preliminary terms disclosed in July, the agreement also includes an option to extend beyond the initial decade.

    “This partnership with Yara, now confirmed in its final form, is a landmark step in delivering our Villeta Project,” said ATOME chief executive Olivier Mussat. “We’re proud to be part of what is the world’s largest low-carbon fertiliser supply agreement. Alongside Villeta, we continue to work with leading partners and offtakers to distribute our green molecules, disrupt traditional commodity markets, and support a cleaner, more sustainable future.”

    Chrystel Monthean, Yara’s executive vice president for the Americas, added: “Yara’s ambition is to help grow a nature-positive food future, profitably. By securing locally produced fertiliser made with renewable energy, we’ll strengthen our portfolio and, combined with our agronomic expertise, respond competitively to market demand. We look forward to developing this long-term strategic relationship with ATOME.”

    This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

  • U.S. Stocks Tick Higher as Palantir Surges, Trade Gap Narrows

    U.S. Stocks Tick Higher as Palantir Surges, Trade Gap Narrows

    U.S. stock index futures moved modestly higher on Tuesday, pausing after recent volatility as earnings season presses on.

    As of 09:35 ET, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 60 points (0.1%), while the S&P 500 and NASDAQ Composite each rose 0.1%.

    Markets rebounded on Monday from last week’s sharp declines, which had been triggered by fresh tariff threats and weaker-than-expected U.S. jobs data.

    Rate Cut Optimism Supports Markets

    Investor sentiment has improved amid rising expectations for a Federal Reserve rate cut in September. The odds of a rate reduction next month have climbed to roughly 90%, up from 63% a week ago, according to CME FedWatch data.

    President Donald Trump renewed trade tensions on Monday by threatening higher tariffs on Indian goods due to its purchases of Russian oil. Yet, the market shrugged this off, instead focusing on the potential for Fed stimulus following soft economic data.

    On the economic front, attention turns Tuesday to the ISM non-manufacturing PMI, forecast to edge up to 51.5 in July from 50.8 in June. A reading above 50 signals expansion in the crucial services sector, which makes up more than two-thirds of the U.S. economy.

    Meanwhile, the U.S. trade deficit shrank more than expected in June, narrowing by 16% to $60.2 billion from $71.7 billion in May. The drop, driven by a pullback in imports, outperformed economist forecasts of $62.6 billion.

    Palantir Headlines Corporate Earnings

    Earnings have generally come in strong, with upbeat guidance and relatively muted concerns over tariffs helping support equities.

    Palantir Technologies (PLTR) surged after reporting its highest quarterly revenue since going public, fueled by increased demand for its AI-driven software from both governments and businesses. The company has benefited from the White House’s AI initiatives and the Pentagon’s interest in working with non-traditional tech vendors.

    Other corporate highlights:

    • Pfizer (PFE) gained after beating Q2 earnings and revenue estimates, and raising its full-year profit outlook.
    • Marriott International (MAR) also climbed on better-than-expected Q2 earnings, despite trimming its full-year forecast due to reduced federal spending and softer business travel.
    • Caterpillar (CAT), however, fell after reporting Q2 earnings that missed forecasts, even as revenue topped expectations.

    Oil Prices Extend Declines

    Crude prices slipped again Tuesday, extending losses following OPEC+‘s decision to boost output despite an uncertain demand backdrop.

    As of 09:35 ET, Brent crude was down 1% at $68.10 per barrel, while WTI dropped 1.1% to $65.57. Both benchmarks posted their fourth straight session of losses on Monday, settling at their lowest levels in a week.

    OPEC+ announced on Sunday it would increase production by 547,000 barrels per day in September, fully reversing previous cuts totaling 2.5 million bpd, or roughly 2.4% of global demand.

    This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

  • Market Recap: S&P 500 Jumps on Rising Rate-Cut Bets, Tech Stocks Lead the Charge

    Market Recap: S&P 500 Jumps on Rising Rate-Cut Bets, Tech Stocks Lead the Charge

    U.S. stocks surged Monday, reversing Friday’s losses, as optimism grew around the possibility of an earlier-than-expected interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve. Strong earnings from major tech companies also helped lift investor sentiment.

    By the close of trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average had added 575 points (up 1.3%), the S&P 500 climbed 1.5%, and the NASDAQ Composite advanced by 2%.

    Friday’s sharp drop in the markets came after President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing steep tariffs on imports from nearly 70 countries — a move that rattled investors and sent the S&P 500 to its worst daily performance in over two months.

    Adding to the pressure was a disappointing jobs report that revealed significant downward revisions to previous data. Tensions escalated further when Trump dismissed the head of the U.S. statistics agency, alleging — without proof — that the labor figures were manipulated. Analysts warned the firing could cast doubt on the credibility of official U.S. economic reports.


    Weak Employment Data Fuels Rate Cut Hopes

    Monday’s focus turned to U.S. factory orders for June, as investors continued to digest Friday’s lackluster nonfarm payrolls report. The Labor Department revealed that only 73,000 jobs were added in July — well below the forecast of 110,000. In addition, the job totals for May and June were revised downward by a combined 258,000 positions.

    This slowdown in job creation strengthened the case for monetary easing, with market pricing now assigning over an 80% chance of a Fed rate cut in September.

    Despite the recent volatility, Morgan Stanley strategist Mike Wilson reiterated his bullish stance on U.S. equities in a client note. He encouraged investors to take advantage of any market dips, citing continued strength in corporate earnings revisions as a reason for optimism.

    Wilson pointed to April’s rebound as a turning point, calling it both a “Capitulation Day” and “Liberation Day” that marked the end of the 2024 bear market and the beginning of a new bull run — now four months in.

    While the weak jobs data and the Fed’s cautious stance could lead to short-term consolidation, Wilson remains upbeat: “We’re buyers on dips and positive on the 12-month outlook.”


    AI Momentum Keeps Tech Stocks in the Lead

    Tech continued to outperform, buoyed by enthusiasm around artificial intelligence. NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA), Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), and Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) were among the top gainers, with Microsoft and Meta extending their rally after blockbuster earnings last week.


    Eyes on Corporate Earnings: Big Week Ahead

    Investors are gearing up for a busy earnings week, with more than 150 companies across sectors expected to report. The solid start to the earnings season has helped reinforce the long-term bullish narrative tied to AI advancements.

    On Tuesday, all eyes will be on Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and Caterpillar, as their results may offer insight into semiconductor demand and global industrial health. Wednesday brings earnings from Disney, McDonald’s, and Uber.

    Meanwhile, shares of Berkshire Hathaway slipped after the firm reported a $3.76 billion write-down tied to its stake in Kraft Heinz.

    Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) shares rose, following news that the board had approved a 96 million share restricted stock grant for CEO Elon Musk, based on a recommendation from a special committee of independent directors.

    This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

  • UK Markets – Coming Up Next Week: Key Company Earnings to Watch

    UK Markets – Coming Up Next Week: Key Company Earnings to Watch

    Here’s what investors should keep an eye on from the FTSE 100, FTSE 250, and a few standout global names reporting their results during the week starting 4 August 2025.

    Scheduled Earnings Releases

    4 August

    • Clarkson – Half-year results
    • Palantir Technologies – Q2 results
    • Senior – Half-year results

    5 August

    • Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) – Q2 results
    • BP – Q2 results
    • Diageo – Full-year results
    • Domino’s Pizza – Half-year results
    • Fresnillo – Half-year results
    • International Workplace Group – Half-year results
    • Keller Group – Half-year results
    • Rotork – Half-year results
    • Smith & Nephew – Half-year results
    • Spirent – Half-year results
    • Travis Perkins – Half-year results

    6 August

    • 4imprint – Half-year results
    • Coca-Cola HBC – Half-year results
    • Coca-Cola Europacific Partners – Half-year results
    • Glencore – Half-year results
    • Hiscox – Half-year results
    • Ibstock – Half-year results
    • Lancashire Holdings – Half-year results
    • Legal & General – Half-year results
    • Novo Nordisk – Q2 results
    • Quilter – Half-year results
    • Shopify – Q2 results
    • TP ICAP Group – Half-year results
    • Tritax Big Box – Half-year results
    • Vesuvius – Half-year results
    • Walt Disney Co – Q3 results

    7 August

    • Deliveroo – Half-year results
    • Dowlais Group – Half-year results
    • Eli Lilly – Q2 results
    • Harbour Energy – Half-year results
    • Hikma Pharmaceuticals – Half-year results
    • InterContinental Hotels Group – Half-year results
    • Just Group – Half-year results
    • Morgan Advanced Materials – Half-year results
    • Serco Group – Half-year results
    • Spectris – Half-year results
    • WPP – Half-year results

    8 August

    • Renewables Infrastructure Group – Half-year results
    • TBC Bank Group – Q2 results
    • TSMC – Corporate sales release

    BP: Eyes on Production and Share Buybacks

    BP will report its second-quarter results amid weaker oil and gas prices, but higher production volumes should help offset some of the revenue pressure. Refining margins are also expected to climb by $300–500 million, while oil trading performance looks robust, giving analysts confidence that net income may have risen from $1.5 billion in Q1 to roughly $1.8 billion.

    The company is guiding for net debt to tick down from the $27 billion reported last quarter, supported by the sale of its U.S. onshore wind business. Investors will be eager for updates on potential share buyback increases after BP slashed its buybacks to $0.75 billion last quarter.


    Palantir: High Expectations, Can the Company Keep Up?

    Palantir heads into its Q2 earnings with strong share price momentum, but equally strong pressure to deliver. Markets are expecting earnings per share to surge by 53%, but anything less could spark a pullback. Sustained growth in government contracts, particularly outside the U.S., will be closely watched to see if Palantir can turn its international ambitions into reality.

    Investors are also looking for updates on corporate adoption rates, especially from its AI-focused bootcamps. Palantir is well-placed in the booming AI data analytics space, but it must keep growth at a high level to justify its lofty valuation.


    Diageo: Navigating Tariffs and Leadership Changes

    Diageo’s full-year results follow a strong third quarter, with sales up nearly 6% to $4.4 billion, thanks in part to pre-tariff stockpiling by customers. But attention now turns to how well Diageo is handling the roughly $150 million in expected annual costs from new tariffs. Half of these costs should be absorbed by efficiency gains, but price increases may be needed to cover the rest.

    Investors will also seek clarity on leadership plans after former CEO Debra Crew’s abrupt departure in July, capping a period of muted performance. For now, underlying operating profits for the year are forecast to dip slightly to around £5.7 billion, before expected growth resumes in the new financial year.

    This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

  • US Market Preview: August Begins with Earnings From Caterpillar, Palantir—and Black Hat Cybersecurity Conference

    US Market Preview: August Begins with Earnings From Caterpillar, Palantir—and Black Hat Cybersecurity Conference

    The U.S. stock market stumbled into August, with the Nasdaq and S&P 500 recording their sharpest weekly declines since May, and the Dow seeing its worst weekly drop since early April. For both the Nasdaq and S&P 500, it was their first dip below the 21-day exponential moving average since spring—a potential signal of weakening momentum. As the summer trading lull begins, this week’s earnings and events could help determine whether the broader rally can regain steam.

    A wide range of companies will report this week, including Caterpillar (CAT), Palantir Technologies (PLTR), Axon Enterprise (AXON), and Eli Lilly (LLY). On the event side, all eyes in cybersecurity will turn to Las Vegas, where the annual Black Hat conference runs through August 7.


    Resilient Stocks: Mild Pullbacks, Key Support Holds

    While major indexes took a hit last week—particularly on Friday—several individual names held up relatively well and remain close to potential breakout levels. These include Elbit Systems (ESLT), a defense company based in Israel; Rollins (ROL), a pest control firm; tech giant Alphabet (GOOGL); gold producer Agnico Eagle Mines (AEM); and asset management firm Blackstone (BX).

    Elbit ended the week on a strong note, just under a buy point, while the others saw modest dips. Encouragingly, all of them maintained levels above their 21-day exponential moving averages, a sign that institutional support may still be intact.


    Economic Outlook: Jobs, Trade, and Productivity in Focus

    The upcoming week features key economic data that may clarify the labor market outlook. The ISM services index, due Tuesday, is projected to climb to 52.2 from June’s 50.8—an indication of slightly faster growth. Also on Tuesday, the Bureau of Economic Analysis will update the June trade balance, adding service-sector data to the preliminary $86 billion goods deficit.

    Sluggish hiring in Q2 could translate into a sharp increase in worker productivity, which the Bureau of Labor Statistics will report Thursday. Analysts are also watching for how recent tariff shifts might have artificially boosted GDP via trade and inventory distortions.


    Semiconductors: All Eyes on AMD’s 27% Revenue Growth

    Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) will report its fiscal Q2 results after Tuesday’s close. Analysts expect sales to jump 27% year over year to $7.42 billion, even as earnings per share are projected to decline 30% to $0.48.

    Wall Street will be focused on AMD’s data center division, which includes Epyc server processors and Instinct AI chips. Meanwhile, PC chip demand could get a lift from accelerated orders tied to tariffs, as well as market share gains at Intel’s expense. Other chipmakers reporting include Astera Labs (ALAB), Macom Technology Solutions (MTSI), and SiTime (SITM).


    Blue Chip Earnings: Caterpillar Heads Key Dow Reports

    Only a handful of Dow stocks have yet to report, and this week features four more: Caterpillar, Amgen (AMGN), Disney (DIS), and McDonald’s (MCD). Caterpillar is trading close to all-time highs, while Disney saw technical damage last week, falling below its 10-week support line. Among the group, only McDonald’s is forecast to post growth in both revenue and profits. Nvidia (NVDA) won’t report until later this month on August 27.


    AI Standout: Palantir Eyes New Growth Channels

    Palantir Technologies is set to report Monday after the close, and expectations are sky-high. With the stock up around 110% this year, it’s 2025’s top performer on the S&P 500—continuing its leadership streak from 2024. Analysts are looking for 54% earnings growth and a 38% increase in revenue.

    Investors will also be listening for updates on U.S. government spending, including the “Golden Dome” space defense initiative. Palantir is positioning itself to expand into new industries—especially health care and financial services—through its use of generative AI.


    Pharma Earnings: All Eyes on Eli Lilly

    Several major pharmaceutical companies and biotechs are scheduled to release earnings this week. Tuesday features Pfizer (PFE), Amgen, and Bayer (BAYRY), while Thursday brings reports from Eli Lilly, Gilead Sciences (GILD), and Ligand Pharmaceuticals (LGND).

    Of the group, the biotechs are showing stronger technical setups. Ligand recently broke out, and Gilead is hovering near a key buy point. But Eli Lilly remains the standout: analysts expect the company to post a 43% rise in earnings and a 30% boost in revenue—some of the strongest growth among large-cap pharma names.


    Cybersecurity Watch: Black Hat Conference Kicks Off

    Cybersecurity will take center stage this week thanks to the Black Hat conference in Las Vegas. Fresh off Palo Alto Networks’ (PANW) $25 billion acquisition of CyberArk (CYBR), investors are watching to see whether industry consolidation continues—and how it affects smaller players.

    Earnings are also on tap for key names in the sector. Qualys (QLYS) is expected to post a slight earnings dip of 2% to $1.48 per share, with an 8% gain in revenue to $161.3 million. Fortinet (FTNT) reports Wednesday, with analysts projecting 4% earnings growth to $0.59 per share and a 13% revenue increase to $1.625 billion.


    More Key Earnings to Watch

    • Axon Enterprise (AXON): The law enforcement tech company will report Monday evening. Analysts anticipate slower growth, though interest is rising in the firm’s drone and surveillance offerings. Shares are currently building a bullish base-on-base pattern.
    • MercadoLibre (MELI): Also reporting Monday, the Latin American e-commerce powerhouse is expected to post a 14% earnings increase to $11.93 per share, with revenue up 32% to $6.68 billion. Shares are up 40% year to date.
    • Wayfair (W): Despite a 50% stock gain this year, the online furniture retailer is expected to report a 30% decline in Q2 earnings. Revenue is projected to be flat year over year.
    • Arista Networks (ANET): The networking company, a beneficiary of cloud and AI infrastructure spending, reports Tuesday. Analysts expect Q2 EPS to rise 24%, with sales increasing 25%. The stock has rebounded over the past six weeks.
    • Shopify (SHOP): The e-commerce software firm reports Wednesday. Analysts forecast EPS of $0.29, up 11% from a year ago, on revenue of $2.546 billion (up 25%). Gross merchandise volume is expected to climb 21% to $81.4 billion.
    • Occidental Petroleum (OXY): Also due Wednesday, Occidental is expected to post a 72% decline in profit and a 9.4% drop in revenue. Analysts will pay close attention to production guidance in the Permian Basin after CEO Vicki Hollub warned of a possible plateau in output earlier this year.

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