Breaking
The Insightful Investing
Author

admin

Browsing
Sport

Watch: Ludacris performs ‘Welcome to Atlanta’ at All-Star Game

Sport 1 Min Read

ATLANTA — Ludacris and Jermaine Dupri performed their legendary anthem ‘Welcome to Atlanta’ on the field before the 2025 MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park, an all-time moment in Atlanta sports history.

After the game’s reserves and pitchers were introduced and ushered onto a stage behind second base, Dupri — who was the master of ceremonies — brought Ludacris out to join him for their seminal 2001 banger.

The duo continued to perform as the All-Star Game starters were announced and the Clark Atlanta Mighty Marching Panthers and Essence Dance Line eventually joined the performers and players around the stage.

Kane Brown performs ‘Georgia On My Mind’ pregame

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

Keep Reading
Sport

Home Run Derby champion left stranded on deck in All-Star tiebreaker

Sport 5 Mins Read

ATLANTA — It would have been easy for New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso to tell All-Star officials, “thanks, but no thanks,’ like so many of his peers.

He could say he was simply fatigued, needed to focus on the second half, or come up with an excuse just like the 16 others who backed out of playing in the game.

Who would blame him? Alonso has already been to four previous All-Star Games, and it’s not like he would be warmly welcomed in Atlanta. The Mets are the enemy down South, as he was coldly reminded during pre-game introductions when he was vigorously booed, and jeered when he replaced Freddie Freeman, the former hometown hero.

Sorry, Alonso isn’t built that way.

This time, he wanted to conserve his energy, keeping fresh for the Mets’ pennant race, but never once considered backing out of the game.

“It’s an honor for me,’ Alonso said. “Certain guys, if they’re banged up, it’s situational. But I’m healthy and I’m appreciative. It’s a great event.

“For me, it’s a no-brainer to come.’

If the fans want him, and his peers voted for him, he believed it was a privilege to come, opting instead to decline an invitation to the Home Run Derby, which he has competed in five times, winning twice.

So, the way Alonso figured it, as long as he was in town, he might as well put on a show.

He nearly brought home a souvenir too, and was the leading candidate to earn the All-Star MVP award after hitting a three-run, sixth-inning homer, only for game to be decided in a historic swing-off. The hero of the tiebreaker, Kyle Schwarber, was named MVP of what was officially a 7-6 National League win in front of a sellout crowd of 41,702 at Truist Park.

Alonso agreed be part of the tiebreaking home run derby, and was the third batter scheduled for the NL in the swing-off. But he was left stranded on deck when Tampa Bay Rays infielder Jonathan Aranda failed to homer, clinching the NL a 4-3 victory.

“Honestly, I felt like a closer going into a game,’ Alonso said, “and then it’s like, ‘Wait, the guy on the field got a double play. You’re not going in. The team wins.’’

So, what was better, winning the home-run derby or winning a swing-off in an All-Star Game?

“For me, I think that beats any Derby win,’ Alonso says. “Like, that’s really special for me. So, I’m stoked. … I mean, to win the All-Star game’s a big deal. It’s obviously a big competitive and pride thing.’

Besides, hitting a homer in an All-Star Game can be forever cherished.

Hitting a few in the Home Run Derby would be forgotten by the trade deadline.

“The Derby and stuff like that environment is just practice at the end of the day,’ Alonso says. “For me to do it in a competitive environment, where they’re trying to get me out and not groove meatballs in there, it’s really special to do that.’

And it still is an honor for Alonso to represent the National League.

“It’s a great way to honor family and friends,’ Alonso said, “because it’s not just, ‘I’m an All-Star.’ They do a great job showing appreciation for family, friends, because every guy out there has a great support system, a village behind them.’

And the Midsummer Classic dropouts certainly didn’t diminish the game in Alonso’s eyes.

“Some guys choose to take breaks,’’ Alonso said, “but you’ve got the best talent on both sides here, whether American League or National League. Full of talent. The best talent, the best players in the big leagues. It’s a really special group on both sides.’

Alonso’s sentiments were echoed by Dodgers 11-time All Star Clayton Kershaw in his pre-game speech to the NL team, letting them know being an All-Star should be an honor, and never, ever be taken for granted.

“The All-Star Game, it can be hard at times for the players,’ Kershaw said. “It’s a lot of travel. It’s a lot of stress, chaos, family, all the stuff. But it’s meaningful. It’s impactful for the game. It’s important for the game.

“We have the best All-Star Game of any sport. We do have the best product. So, to be here, to realize your responsibility in the sport is important. We have Shohei [Ohtani] here. We have Aaron Judge here. We have all these guys that represent the game really, really well, so we get to showcase that and be part of that is important.

“I was super honored to be a part of it.’

Alonso had a blast picking up where he left off in the first half with 21 homers, 77 RBIs and a .908 OPS, leading the Mets to a 55-42 record, one-half game behind the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East.

“I’m really pleased with my performance so far,” Alonso said. “There’s a really special feeling around the team.  I want to finish out the season strong and help this team do incredible things. I want this to be a very historic year for the franchise.”

Certainly, it’s about to be historic for Alonso, too. He has 247 career homers, just five home runs shy of Darryl Strawberry’s franchise record for homers. Just in time to hit free agency again when he’s expected to opt out of the final year of his two-year, $54 million contract.

“I’m just worried about the team winning,’’ Alonso says. “The rest, will take care of itself.’

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

Keep Reading
Sport

‘Institutionalized collusion’: MLB’s next labor war is coming in hot

Sport 8 Mins Read

ATLANTA — Tony Clark, executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, believes that MLB owners already are preparing for a lockout after the 2026 season if they don’t get a salary cap in the next collective bargaining agreement – but insists that a cap would be detrimental to the entire sport.

“Institutionalized collusion, that’s what a salary cap is …’ Clark told the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. “A cap is not about a partnership. A cap isn’t about growing the game. A cap is about franchise values and profits. …

“A salary cap historically has limited contract guarantees associated with it, literally pits one player against another and is often what we share with players as the definitive non-competitive system. It doesn’t reward excellence. It undermines it from an organizational standpoint. That’s why this is not about competitive balance. It’s not about fair versus not fair. …

“The history is more lockouts, more work stoppages as a result of that system being in place.’

Baseball has had nine work stoppages, with the last lockout lasting 99 days in 2021-2022. The two sides reached an agreement on a five-year deal on March 10, 2022 which expires on Dec. 1, 2026.

Clark is concerned that another lockout is nearly inevitable simply based on the threats he already is hearing from MLB and the ownership ranks. The union is withholding all of their licensing checks for a potential work stoppage fund.

“It begs the question as to whether or not we’re going to have a good faith negotiation,’’ Clark said. “That remains to be seen when somebody tells you they’re going to lock you out a year and a half out, rather than sit down at the table and see if we can figure our way through that.’

MLB has pushed for a salary cap for years, saying it’s necessary for competitive balance, with the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets having nearly five times the $69 million payroll of the Miami Marlins. There has been no repeat World Series winner since the New York Yankees from 1998-2000, but the last small-market team to win the World Series was the Kansas City Royals in 2015.

Manfred has informed players in his meetings with teams that a salary cap could be advantageous economically, saying that 10% of the players earn 72% of the wages, and that a cap would greatly enhance competive balance.

“When I talk to the players, I don’t try to convince them that a salary cap system would be a good thing,” Manfred said, hours before the All-Star Game. “I identify a problem in the media business and explain to them that owners need to change to address that problem. I then identify a second problem that we need to work together and that is that there are fans in a lot of our markets who feel like we have a competitive balance problem’

Clark strongly disagrees that a salary cap will increase competitive balance in the game, saying plenty of teams have money, based on the financial information they receive, but choose not to be competitive.

“We believe there are ways to incentivize and provide support to those who are in a different market than in LA or New York,’ Clark said. “There’s an opportunity to do that, and do so to the benefit of the group that doesn’t require a restriction on player salaries to do so.’

MLB proposed a salary floor in the last CBA, forcing small market teams to spend at least $100 million, but Clark says that with a floor, there is always a catch.

“Let me clear on this, we’ve never been opposed to a floor,’ Clark said. “We’re opposed with what comes with it, or at least historically has.’

Will MLB stars play in 2028 LA Olympics?

Manfred and Clark spoke for about 45 minutes apiece, covering a wide-ranging array of topics highlighted by the possibility of MLB considering permitting its major-league players to play in the 2028 Olympics if certain conditions are met. MLB would want Olympic games to be played during an extended All-Star break.

“They put out a schedule, they tell you it’s not going to move,’ Manfred said, “we’ll see whether there’s any movement on that. It is possible to take it, to play the All-Star Game in its normal spot, have a single break that would be longer obviously, but still play 162 games without bleeding into the middle of November.

“That is possible, OK? It would require significant accommodations, but it’s possible.’

Los Angeles Olympic organizers met in Atlanta separately with MLB officials and the union, and see a glimmer of hope that MLB players could be in the Olympics, although major obstacles remain.

“In the event that MLB players are going to play, what does that mean and what does that look like?” Clark said. “And perhaps just as importantly, what does it mean for those players who aren’t participating? What type of scheduling adjustments need to be made? What type travel considerations and support need to considered? What does that means in regards to insurance? …

“There’s a lot of work that still needs to be done. We do know players are interested in playing, whether it’s for Team USA or any number of other teams around the world. There’s just a lot of conversation that needs to be had sooner rather than later to see how viable this is, but we’re hopeful that we can figure our way through it for the benefit of the game.”

Says Manfred: ‘I think it is a opportunity to market the game on a really global stage. Obviously, the clubs are going to have to endorse this. I mean, this it’s a big deal.”

Rays stadium status for postseason

MLB said the Tampa Bay Rays will play all of their potential postseason games at George M. Steinbrenner Field, and that Tropicana Field will be ready for their return in 2026.

MLB All-Star Game roster concerns

MLB is concerned with the number of players dropping out of the All-Star game, with 16 alternate players chosen, and not counting at least 10 others who rejected offers to participate. Clark says they have proposed different ideas, and believes that the rigorous travel schedule – with every team now playing each other – has caused a number of players to prefer staying home.

“The requirements for players, the travel and the logistics of their family and support, the day-to-day of a 162-game season,’ Clark said, “is more complex and more challenging than it’s ever been. …We’ve gotten feedback from some of the guys already in regards to things we may want to be thinking about when we talk to the league, whether that’s a longer period of time, or whether that’s different requirements, or different scheduling, or different timing.’’

Said Manfred: “I think what we have to do is continue to work with our very best players to make sure that they’re here and showcasing themselves in front of a fan base. That’s really, really important to us over the long haul.’’

Pitching injuries pile up

Clark remains concerned with the rash of pitching injuries, particularly Tommy John surgeries, which has completely decimated several pitching staffs this season.

“To say that it keeps me up at night is an understatement,’ Clark said. “The game has changed. How pitchers are being used has changed dramatically. And what it is that teams are interested in pitchers doing has changed dramatically. … I think there are a number of factors that are leading to what we are seeing in our game. …

“Pitching injuries and their effects on those players, both in the near term and the long term, let alone their teams, let alone the fans that come to the ballpark, is a personal issue for me.’’

When will ABS system be implemented?

There remains a strong opposition from players towards the automatic-ball strike challenge system that is being used in the All-Star Game, with MLB hoping it implement it for the 2026 season.

No betting on baseball – obviously

Players are continually reminded that gambling in baseball is prohibited, Clark said, no matter if it’s a small parlay or winter-league games – and still worries about the gambling element affecting players.

“We want to make sure that players are protected, their families are protected,’ Clark said. “We found some players in some tough spots as a result of the new climate that we are in. We found family members in tough spots as a result of the climate that we are in. The game is hard enough, let alone having to deal with those types of outside influences.’

Follow Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

Keep Reading
Stock

From Hammer to Harami: Using StockCharts to Crack the Candlestick Code

Stock 1 Min Read

Join Dave as he reviews three common candle patterns traders can use to identify potential turning points. From bullish engulfing patterns to evening star patterns, Dave gives insights on how to leverage these powerful candle signals to anticipate market shifts. He also shows combining candle patterns with conventional technical analysis tools can help improve success rates.

This video originally premiered on July 14, 2025. Watch on StockCharts’ dedicated David Keller page!

Previously recorded videos from Dave are available at this link.

Keep Reading
Stock

Bitcoin Just Smashed $112K—Is a Surge to 124K Next?

Stock 5 Mins Read

Bitcoin ($BTCUSD) is riding a wave of surging optimism, smashing past $112k as retail and institutional capital pour into the cryptocurrency. Some say the market has grown euphoric, and that a sharp pullback may be lurking around the corner. Others believe this is just the beginning of another leg higher.

A few key questions to guide your analysis: What does $BTCUSD’s history tell us about breakouts above major resistance after a prolonged period of sideways movement? If it’s the start of another move higher, how can you project an upside target? And, if it reverses, where could support levels come into play?

What $BTCUSD’s History Reveals About Breakouts and Big Rallies

Let’s begin by taking a look at a 3-year weekly chart.

FIGURE 1. WEEKLY CHART OF $BTCUSD. Note the crypto’s impressive rallies after clearing resistance following a prolonged period of sideways trading.

In 2023, $BTCUSD traded sideways for six months, repeatedly failing to break above resistance around $31k. But once it did, the crypto soared more than 126% before a major pullback.

A similar pattern unfolded in 2024: seven months in a wide range, unable to clear resistance between $71k and $73k. When $BTCUSD finally broke out in November, it staged a parabolic move, rallying nearly 47% before pulling back again, setting another key resistance zone that brings it to overhead resistance range between $110k–$112k.

So this answers the question posed about $BTCUSD’s historical tendencies after breaking above a prolonged range. Historically, the crypto tends to stage an outsized run once it clears critical resistance. But will it happen this time around? If so, how can you estimate a potential upside target? And if the breakout fails, where might $BTCUSD find support?

Seasonality Trends: $BTCUSD’s Strongest Months

Before looking at a daily chart, let’s look at $BTCUSD’s seasonality chart going back 10 years. If you’re curious as to how the crypto has performed during the summer months, maybe this can help.

FIGURE 2. 10-YEAR SEASONALITY CHART OF $BTCUSD. Most months on average have been quite strong for the asset, but October’s performance has been strong, with an average seasonal return of 21%.

According to its seasonality performance, July is arguably strong with a favorable positive close rate (70%) and return (9.6%). However, October is the crypto’s strongest month, with an 89% positive close rate and an average return of 21%. Over the last 10 years, $BTCUSD’s performance has been volatile, which accounts for the outsize returns on this chart. While seasonal tendencies don’t guarantee a repeat, knowing the general bullish/bearish seasonality context can help inform your analysis and trading decisions.

Now, let’s look at a daily chart to find entry points or estimate an upside target while identifying support, should its breakout fail to follow through.

$BTCUSD Breaks Critical $112K Resistance

FIGURE 3. DAILY CHART OF $BTCUSD. The asset just broke above critical resistance. If you have a position, now’s the time to estimate potential price targets.

$BTCUSD just broke the critical resistance level of $112k. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is indicating strong momentum, easing into an overbought reading. While there’s no way to fundamentally determine the crypto’s upside target, one technical method is to use a measured move by taking the height of the prior range and adding it to the top of the range (or the breakout level; this varies by trader).

Calculating an Upside Target Using a Measured Move Approach

Measuring the range from the support area around $98k up to $110–112k (we’ll settle for $110k), you can project that distance of $12k above the top level of the breakout range, which implies a potential target near $124k, more or less.

$110k breakout + $12k range height = $122k–$124k target, depending on entry.

However, note that some traders don’t wait for a 100% measured move before taking profits. Some will exit positions as soon as a 60% move has occurred, but that really depends on the trader.

Key Support Levels to Watch if the Breakout Fails

Now, if $BTCUSD fails to follow through and reverses, you can reasonably expect support at roughly these three levels:

  • The breakout level near $112k.
  • A strong historical support level at around $110k.
  • Another support level within the previous trading range (shaded red) near $100k, which coincides with concentrated levels of trading activity, according to the Volume-by-Price (the horizontal volume bars on the left side of the chart).

If $BTCUSD falls below the previous trading range, that is, below $98k, then the current rally is likely over.

What to Do Now

Ideally, a trader’s entry point would have been at $112k. Considering that some platforms allow fractional lots of $BTCUSD, some people may choose to enter smaller positions, as a fractional position would minimize risk and reward.

If you already have a position in $BTCUSD, put it in your ChartLists, and set a price alert at $124k or any measured move percentage below that 100% target level (like 60% of the measured move would be at $119k).

If the breakout fails, expect a near-term bounce between $110k and $112k. However, a move lower toward $100k or $98k would likely signal an end to the bullish thesis. Traders might even consider placing a stop a few points below $98k to avoid the likelihood of further downside.

At the Close

$BTCUSD has a history of explosive moves after clearing major resistance, but it can just as easily blindside you with a sudden reversal. That’s why it’s crucial to keep upside and downside levels in mind. Seasonality also favors the bulls, with most months delivering favorable returns. Add the crypto to your ChartLists and set price alerts to track whether your upside target is hit, or whether downside levels signal either an early bounce or a failed rally.

Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The ideas and strategies should never be used without first assessing your own personal and financial situation, or without consulting a financial professional.

Keep Reading
Stock

The Best Five Sectors, #27

Stock 4 Mins Read

After a relatively quiet week for the S&P 500, we’re seeing some interesting shifts in sector dynamics. Let’s dive into the latest rankings, RRG analysis, and what it means for our portfolio strategy.

Sector Shifts and RRG Insights: Materials on the Move

The big news this week is the ascent of the Materials sector, which has muscled its way into the top five at the expense of the Utilities sector.

The rest of the top five remained steady, but we’re seeing some movement in the lower ranks as well. Consumer Discretionary made a notable jump from #9 to #7, pushing Consumer Staples and Real Estate down a notch each. Energy and Health Care continue to bring up the rear at #10 and #11, respectively.

  1. (1) Technology – (XLK)
  2. (2) Industrials – (XLI)
  3. (3) Communication Services – (XLC)
  4. (4) Financials – (XLF)
  5. (6) Materials – (XLB)*
  6. (5) Utilities – (XLU)*
  7. (9) Consumer Discretionary – (XLY)*
  8. (7) Consumer Staples – (XLP)*
  9. (8) Real-Estate – (XLRE)*
  10. (10) Energy – (XLE)
  11. (11) Healthcare – (XLV)

Weekly RRG

The weekly Relative Rotation Graph (RRG) gives us a broader perspective on sector trends. Technology continues to dominate, firmly entrenched in the leading quadrant, no surprises there. Industrials is showing stability with a short tail in the leading quadrant, indicating a consistent relative uptrend.

Communication Services, however, is raising some eyebrows. It’s lurking in the weakening quadrant with a short tail, suggesting a stable relative uptrend but with negative momentum. Financials are teetering on the edge of the lagging quadrant, a move that demands attention. Materials, despite its rise in the rankings, is actually in the lagging quadrant on the weekly RRG. You will see why it made its way into the top 5 on the daily RRG.

Daily RRG

On the daily RRG, we get a more nuanced picture of short-term sector movements:

  • Materials (XLB) is the star of the show, crossing into the leading quadrant and standing alone in that coveted space.
  • Financials (XLF) is showing weakness, rolling over and heading back towards the lagging quadrant — confirming what we saw on the weekly chart.
  • Communication Services is on the verge of crossing into the lagging quadrant, a sign that is not great for its current #3 ranking.
  • Industrials is flexing its muscles, approaching the leading quadrant with a positive heading.
  • Technology, while rotating into the weakening quadrant, still has ample room to bounce back into leading territory.

Technology

The tech train continues to roll, breaking through resistance around 240 and maintaining its upward trajectory in both price and relative strength. The RS line is pushing higher after a clean breakout from its falling trend, a bullish sign for the sector leader.

Industrials

XLI is following through nicely on both price and relative strength charts. The raw RS line has established a new higher low, dragging the RS ratio higher. In my opinion, this sector looks rock-solid.

Communication Services

Here’s where things get dicey. XLC is clinging to its breakout above 105, but last week’s decline is testing that former resistance as new support. The raw RS line breaking below rising support is a warning sign that this sector could be in for a bumpy ride.

Financials

Similar to Communications Services, Financials has retreated to test old resistance as support. The raw RS line looks even worse here, having broken out of its rising channel weeks ago. Both RRG lines are flirting with the 100 level; a further push into the lagging quadrant seems likely.

Materials

XLB is showing some muscle, breaking out of its falling channel and taking out recent highs. The raw RS line is pushing against falling resistance — if it can break through, we could see a significant turnaround in the RRG lines, confirming the sector’s newfound strength.

Portfolio Performance

Now, for the part that might sting a bit, the portfolio drawdown is ongoing. It’s something trend followers need to learn to live with. Currently, the portfolio is down about 2% for the year, while the S&P 500 is up over 6%. That puts us roughly 8% behind the benchmark YTD.

It’s not a comfortable position, but it’s part of the game. Trend-following strategies often lag in choppy or rapidly changing markets. The key is to stay disciplined and trust in the long-term efficacy of our approach.

#StayAlert and have a great week, Julius

Keep Reading
Investing

AI Market Update: Q2 2025 in Review

Investing 7 Mins Read

Q2 confirmed that the artificial intelligence (AI) boom is entering a new phase in the physical world.

As the industry evolves, attention is being directed to strengthening underlying infrastructure while advancing areas like embodied AI, a subsector that MarketsandMarkets projects will grow at a CAGR of 39 percent globally by 2030.

Also during Q2, a geopolitical tech rivalry exacerbated shifting macroeconomic conditions.

While the race for compute, energy, hardware and supply chain dominance intensified, talk of tariff policies reigniting inflation or contributing to stagflation created brief periods of contraction.

Concerns also grew around AI-driven job displacement, amplified by Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei’s ominous warning that AI could eliminate up to half of all entry-level white-collar jobs within the next five years.

On a more positive note, the S&P 500 (INDEXSP:.INX) and Nasdaq Composite (INDEXNASDAQ:.IXIC) both ended Q2 up by 0.5 percent, closing the first half of 2025 at all-time highs with gains of 5.5 percent.

That said, investor enthusiasm for AI is showing early signs of recalibration.

Big Tech delivered generally robust Q2 earnings despite initial volatility in April, but posted only modest year-to-date gains, suggesting near-term caution around richly valued growth names. Meanwhile, quantum computing, which NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA) CEO Jensen Huang said was decades away just six months ago, made measurable progress in Q2, drawing attention from both deep-tech investors and national governments.

McKinsey’s annual Quantum Technology Monitor projects that quantum computing, communication and sensing could generate up to US$97 billion in global revenue by 2035, with quantum computing leading the way.

Not surprisingly, AI companies performed well. Thirty-eight AI stocks chosen by Morningstar — including Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ:PLTR), Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ:PANW), Synopsys (NASDAQ:SNPS) and Micron Technology (NASDAQ:MU) — closed 27.3 percent higher, outpacing the Morningstar US Technology Index, which gained 22 percent.

Ultimately, the quarter underscored a strategic pivot for major tech players, prioritizing vast infrastructure investments alongside aggressive AI monetization efforts to capitalize on this transformative era.

AI results impact major tech players

In public markets, AI-related equities continued to attract attention.

NVIDIA posted another blockbuster quarter, with its market cap on the cusp of $US4 trillion at the end of June. Its performance was driven largely by demand for Blackwell architecture.

Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL), facing a possible Chrome divestiture, reported an increase in AI-related ad revenue and highlighted growing adoption of its Gemini model suite. Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) reported a 23 percent annual increase in net sales from its Amazon Web Services segment, beating earnings estimates by 17.78 percent.

Meta Platforms’ (NASDAQ:META) Reality Labs division reported a $US4.2 billion operating loss; however, interest in embodied AI applications for the metaverse and augmented reality continue to be the company’s long-term play, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg poaching the industry’s top talent to assemble the Meta Superintelligence Lab. On July 7, Reuters reported that the company had added Apple’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) Ruoming Pang as its latest recruit.

Microsoft’s (NASDAQ:MSFT) OpenAI partnership faced issues after OpenAI bought Windsurf, an AI coding firm. Disputes arose over Microsoft’s access to WindSurf’s IP and its stake in a restructured OpenAI.

Q2 was also marked by a shift to AI in hardware, robotics and edge applications.

Chipmakers Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ:AMD) and Google introduced specialized AI accelerators, a potential challenge to NVIDIA’s nearly three year run as the dominant provider.

Notable developments in robotics included Google Cloud and Samsung Electronics’ (KRX:005930) partnership, integrating Google Cloud’s advanced generative AI technology into Samsung’s new home AI companion robot, Ballie.

Data center operators like Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud also increased their infrastructure investments in the US as part of an effort to reduce reliance on foreign markets and secure long-term AI compute capacity.

Companies began testing or rolling out new AI agent capabilities, empowered by the Model Context Protocol from Anthropic. Major tech players, along with payment giants Visa (NYSE:V), Mastercard (NYSE:MA), Stripe, Block (NYSE:SQ) and PayPal (NASDAQ:PYPL), began adopting the Model Context Protocol to integrate seamless payment functionality directly into AI chatbots, moving beyond simple browse to full commerce.

Microsoft enhanced its GitHub Copilot offering with new coding agents capable of autonomous actions, while a handful of companies, including Dataiku, Databricks and Atlassian (NASDAQ:TEAM), introduced tools designed to build, deploy and manage autonomous systems for real-world enterprise applications.

On the quantum computing side, a paper published by researcher Craig Gidney for Google’s Quantum AI division suggests that a quantum computer could break a highly secure 2048 bit encryption, like the kind used for online banking, much faster than previously thought, requiring fewer than a million qubits.

Quantum computing firms later saw their shares spike following bullish comments from NVIDIA’s Huang at his company’s Paris GTC conference. Before Huang’s comments, IBM (NYSE:IBM) announced its development of the world’s first large-scale, error-free quantum computer, set to launch by 2029.

AI trends to watch in Q3

Q2 confirmed the AI cycle is evolving beyond text-based chatbots to hardware, embodiment and commercial uses.

While the Magnificent Seven still largely drove returns in Q2, there’s an expectation that earnings growth will broaden out to other sectors. Picton Investments’ 2025 mid-year update suggests that foundational model growth is encountering headwinds, with competition challenging the need for extensive capital expenditure.

Graph indicating that investor enthusiasm for AI stocks has recently ‘lost altitude.’

Graph via Picton Investments.

However, the firm also suggests that this shift is redirecting the spotlight to real-world AI applications, leading to an expected acceleration of industrial adoption and the creation of new companies.

At this year’s Web Summit conference in May, panelists emphasized the critical role of strategic early stage investments when it comes to navigating the evolving AI landscape and identifying new opportunities.

“Our take is (that) AI is going to upend a lot of technology businesses. In the specific sense, I am of increasingly high conviction that authoring software is going to be more or less free, and that’s going to shake up the topology of the software business market (in terms of) what makes sense and what’s investable,” said Brett Gibson, managing partner at Initialized Capital, during a panel discussion on where AI investment is headed next.

He added that customizable software will ultimately allow for tailored solutions for virtually any need.

In H2, quantum computing could continue its shift from pure research into early stage commercialization.

Updates may come from firms like IonQ (NYSE:IONQ), which recently raised US$1 billion to expand quantum networking, as well as Quantinuum and PsiQuantum, which may reach technical milestones.

Meanwhile, D-Wave (NYSE:QBTS) is pivoting toward hybrid commercial models, which may offer continued proof of revenue from quantum optimization-as-a-service.

However, the outcome of ongoing trade negotiations between the US and the rest of the world could impact chip capacity and rare earths supply chains, constraining the growth of AI hardware stocks.

The Trump administration’s imposition of 25 percent tariffs on Japan and South Korea may pose a threat to semiconductor capacity and rare earths equipment imports critical for AI hardware.

“Both countries have been close partners on economic security matters and have a lot to offer the United States on priority matters like shipbuilding, semiconductors, critical minerals and energy cooperation,” Asia Society Policy Institute vice president Wendy Cutler said in response to the hikes.

Investor takeaway

The second quarter of the year confirmed an evolution in the AI landscape as the industry moves beyond theoretical discussions to real-world applications and critical infrastructure development.

While geopolitical tensions and concerns about job displacement may continue to present challenges, this pivot could set the stage for continued innovation and adaptation as the industry navigates both opportunities and complexities.

Securities Disclosure: I, Meagen Seatter, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Keep Reading
Investing

Sranan Gold Announces Investor Webinar on Exploration Activities at the Tapanahony Project in Suriname

Investing 4 Mins Read

Sranan Gold Corp. (CSE: SRAN) (FSE: P84) (Tradegate: P84) (‘Sranan’ or the ‘Company’) invites investors to attend the Company’s upcoming live webinar presentation and audience Q&A.

CEO Oscar Louzada will provide an overview of the Company’s 29,000-hectare Tapanahony Project in Suriname, where historical drilling and artisanal mining underscore the project’s resource potential, and a sufficiently funded drilling campaign is set to commence imminently.

The webinar will be a live, interactive online event where attendees can ask the presenter questions. A recording will be available for those who cannot join the live event.

Event: Presentation and Q&A with Sranan Gold Corp. hosted by Radius Research
Presentation Date & Time: Thursday, July 17, 2025 at 12:00PM Eastern Time / 9:00AM Pacific Time
Webcast Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/5217520835419/WN_k-jVtrbsRY2cRugxL6RHSg 

This webinar is hosted by Radius Research, part of Market Radius Capital, Inc. and hosted by Martin Gagel, a former top-ranked sell-side technology and special situations analyst.

About Sranan Gold

Sranan Gold Corp. is engaged in the business of mineral exploration and the acquisition of mineral property assets in Suriname. The highly prospective Tapanahony Project is located in the heart of Suriname’s modern-day gold rush. Tapanahony covers 29,000 hectares in one of the oldest and largest small-scale mining areas in Suriname. There is significant production from saprolite by local miners along a 4.5-kilometre trend, where several areas of mining have been opened.

Sranan Gold is also exploring its Aida Property consisting of five mineral claims covering an area of 2,335.42 hectares on the Shuswap Highland within the Kamloops Mining Division. For more information, visit sranangold.com.

Information contact
Oscar Louzada, CEO
+31 6 25438975

THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE HAS NOT APPROVED NOR DISAPPROVED THE CONTENT OF THIS PRESS RELEASE.

Forward-looking statements

Certain statements in this release constitute ‘forward-looking statements’ or ‘forward-looking information’ within the meaning of applicable securities laws including, without limitation, the timing, nature, scope and details regarding the Company’s exploration plans and results at its projects. Such statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, its projects, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as ‘may’, ‘would’, ‘could’, ‘will’, ‘intend’, ‘expect’, ‘believe’, ‘plan’, ‘anticipate’, ‘estimate’, ‘scheduled’, ‘forecast’, ‘predict’ and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events or results ‘may’, ‘could’, ‘would’, ‘might’ or ‘will’ be taken, occur or be achieved. These statements reflect the company’s current expectations regarding future events, performance and results and speak only as of the date of this release. Further details about the risks applicable to the Company are contained in the Company’s public filings available on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca), under the Company’s profile.

Forward-looking statements and information contained herein are based on certain factors and assumptions regarding, among other things, the estimation of mineral resources and reserves, the realization of resource and reserve estimates, metal prices, taxation, the estimation, timing and amount of future exploration and development, capital and operating costs, the availability of financing, the receipt of regulatory approvals, environmental risks, title disputes and other matters. While the Company considers its assumptions to be reasonable as of the date hereof, forward-looking statements and information are not guarantees of future performance and readers should not place undue importance on such statements as actual events and results may differ materially from those described herein. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements or information except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/258809

News Provided by Newsfile via QuoteMedia

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Keep Reading
Investing

WESTERN COPPER AND GOLD PROVIDES UPDATE ON ESE SUBMISSION

Investing 5 Mins Read

 

 

western copper and gold corporation (‘Western’ or the ‘Company’) (TSX: WRN) (NYSE American: WRN) is pleased to provide an update on its Environmental and Socio-economic Effects Statement (‘ESE Statement’) submission for the Casino Project (the ‘Project’).

 

 

   

 

 

The ESE Statement incorporates extensive technical work, including environmental and socio-economic baselines studies and assessments. Western is pleased with the progress to date and the level of consultation achieved thus far with First Nations and communities. The feedback from this engagement is making the Project stronger, and we look forward to continuing and intensifying these efforts during the assessment process. The Company expects to deliver its ESE Statement to the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board (‘YESAB’) before the end of October.

 

‘The Western team and our external consultants have been working diligently on the Project ESE Statement’ said Sandeep Singh , President & CEO. ‘There is an incredible amount of work that has already gone into the Project. We are now in the final stages of compiling and refining this body of work into our submission.

 

The Company is the first to undertake a Panel Review in the Yukon , the highest level of rigor of any project assessed in the territory. We welcome that oversight and believe, more than ever, that the Project can be advanced sustainably and for the benefit of all Yukoners.

 

As one of Canada’s largest and most advanced critical minerals projects, we are uniquely positioned to benefit from Yukon and Federal priorities around resource security, Arctic sovereignty, and nation-strengthening infrastructure.’

 

  ABOUT western copper and gold corporation  

 

 western copper and gold corporation is developing the Casino Project, Canada’s premier copper-gold mine in the Yukon Territory and one of the most economic greenfield copper-gold mining projects in the world.

 

The Company is committed to working collaboratively with our First Nations and local communities to progress the Casino Project, using internationally recognized responsible mining technologies and practices.

 

For more information, visit www.westerncopperandgold.com .

 

On behalf of the board,

 

  ‘Sandeep Singh’  

 

  Sandeep Singh  
President and CEO
western copper and gold corporation 

 

   Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements   

 

  This news release includes certain ‘forward-looking information’ and ‘forward-looking statements’ (collectively ‘forward-looking statements’) within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as ‘expects’, ‘anticipates’, ‘believes’, ‘plans’, ‘projects’, ‘intends’, ‘estimates’, ‘envisages’, ‘potential’, ‘possible’, ‘strategy’, ‘goals’, ‘opportunities’, ‘objectives’, or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results ‘may’, ‘could’, ‘would’, ‘might’ or ‘will’ be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements herein include statements regarding the timing of the ESE Statement submission and expectations about the assessment process.  

 

  Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual events to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Such factors include but are not limited to the risk of unforeseen challenges in advancing the Casino project, potential impacts on operational continuity, changes in general market conditions that could affect the Company’s performance; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company’s annual information form and Form 40-F for the most recently completed financial year and its other publicly filed disclosure documents.  

 

  Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, such assumptions and factors as set out herein, and in the Company’s annual information form and Form 40-F for the most recently completed financial year and its other publicly filed disclosure document.  

 

  Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, other factors may cause results to be materially different from those anticipated, described, estimated, assessed or intended. These forward-looking statements represent the Company’s views as of the date of this news release. There can be no assurance that any forward-looking statements will be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend to and does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements other than as required by applicable law.  

 

  View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/western-copper-and-gold-provides-update-on-ese-submission-302504836.html  

 

SOURCE western copper and gold corporation 

 

 

 

  View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/July2025/15/c9794.html  

 

 

 

News Provided by Canada Newswire via QuoteMedia

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Keep Reading
Investing

Global Outcry Mounts Over Trump’s Tariff Blitz Ahead of Deadline

Investing 4 Mins Read

President Donald Trump’s surprise announcement of 30 percent tariffs on imports from the EU and Mexico has triggered immediate backlash from various stakeholders, with less than three weeks to go before the tariffs take effect on August 1.

The tariffs—part of a broader series of trade penalties that include duties on copper and new levies on Canada, Japan, South Korea, and Brazil—have drawn sharp criticism from some of the country’s closest allies and trading partners.

In Canada, Prime Minister Mark Carney responded forcefully to the 35 percent tariff on Canadian goods, defending his country’s record and accusing Trump of undermining years of bilateral cooperation.

 

“Throughout the current trade negotiations with the United States, the Canadian government has steadfastly defended our workers and businesses,” Carney wrote on X. “We are building Canada strong.”

Canada’s United Steelworkers union condemned the copper tariffs, which they say threaten thousands of Canadian jobs.

“This is yet another escalation in Trump’s trade war that puts Canadian jobs and entire industries at risk,” said USW National Director Marty Warren in a July 10 release.

“Canadian workers didn’t start this trade war, but they’re the ones paying the price,” Warren added.

The union also urged Ottawa to protect its domestic industry: “More than 3,000 of our union’s members work in Canada’s copper industry alone. We need immediate and decisive action to protect these workers.”

Across the Atlantic, the EU has not yet issued a formal response, but analysts say the move could derail the bloc’s ongoing negotiations with Washington.

“Trump’s strategy is to make outrageous demands, then bring them down, then make another push to win some last-minute concessions,” Mathieu Savary, Chief Strategist at BCA Research, told Reuters.

He also predicted that Europe may eventually settle for a 10 percent tariff—’something that the EU can actually handle.’

The US move has also rattled Asia. South Korea’s Ministry of Trade said it would accelerate negotiations with the US following Trump’s threat of a 25 percent tariff.

The ministry said its goal is to “produce mutually beneficial results” and address trade imbalances.

Meanwhile, Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba convened a national task force, saying he “deeply regrets” the tariffs and that Tokyo would continue to protect its national interests.

In Africa, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa blasted Trump’s 30 percent tariff on South African exports, calling it unjustified.

“This reciprocal tariff is not based on an accurate representation of trade data,” Ramaphosa said, maintaining that 77 percent of US exports to South Africa are already duty-free while urging the state to respond to a proposed trade framework submitted in May.

In Latin America, Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva took aim at Trump’s broader protectionist tone.

At the recent BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Lula said: “The world has changed. We don’t want an emperor.”

Lula was responding to Trump’s threat to slap 10 percent tariffs on BRICS nations if they pursued ‘anti-American’ policies. The Brazilian president reiterated calls for a diversified global trade system, including reducing reliance on the US dollar.

Underlying the current showdown is America’s long-standing import dependence.

According to the recent US Geological Survey (USGS), in 2024, the United States was over 50 percent import reliant for 46 nonfuel mineral commodities — and fully import dependent for 12, including many critical minerals used in manufacturing, defense, and energy sectors.

Despite the mounting backlash, President Trump remains firm, repeatedly portraying the tariffs as necessary to protect American industries and secure better trade terms.

Whether this approach yields results or triggers prolonged trade wars remains uncertain. With less than three weeks before the tariffs take effect, stakeholder groups and nations remain varied in their approach and response to the impending sanctions.

But with little indication from the White House of a willingness to retreat, the global economic community is bracing for a turbulent second half of the year.

Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Keep Reading