Blockonomi

Quick Summary
Intel delivered better-than-anticipated earnings results, strengthening investor faith in its recovery strategy
Tesla stock continued its downward trajectory following disappointing quarterly numbers and profit margin worries
Alphabet encountered investor skepticism over ambitious AI infrastructure investment plans despite solid performance
Crude oil prices retreated beneath the $100 threshold, though geopolitical uncertainty persists
SpaceX postponed its Starship test launch for the second consecutive time this week
A surprising earnings victory from Intel dominated Friday’s trading session on Wall Street, even as Tesla and Alphabet wrestled with ongoing investor disappointment following their recent quarterly announcements. Meanwhile, crude oil prices moderated somewhat, and SpaceX encountered another setback in its Starship testing schedule.
Intel Delivers Unexpected Quarterly Success
Intel revealed quarterly financial results that exceeded analyst projections. The chipmaker benefited from increased demand within its data centre division and heightened enthusiasm for its artificial intelligence chip offerings.
Management highlighted meaningful advancement in its foundry operations, a critical component of the company’s strategy to rival competitors such as TSMC. These results provided investors with renewed optimism that Intel’s transformation efforts are beginning to yield tangible results.
Despite facing intense competition from industry leaders Nvidia and AMD, this quarter allowed Intel to reclaim some investor trust. The performance marked a welcome development for a company that has endured considerable challenges recently.
Shares surged, making Intel among the day’s top performers and providing a much-needed positive signal during an otherwise turbulent stretch for the semiconductor giant.
Tesla Stock Extends Post-Earnings Slide
Tesla saw its shares continue to tumble as investor wariness persisted following the company’s quarterly report. Declining profit margins on vehicles and softening demand for electric cars remained primary concerns driving the selloff.
The automaker is simultaneously pouring significant capital into artificial intelligence initiatives, robotics development, and self-driving technology. A growing segment of investors is expressing frustration over the timeline for these investments to generate meaningful returns.
Chief Executive Elon Musk has repeatedly emphasized that AI and autonomous capabilities represent the foundation of Tesla’s long-term value proposition. However, the market’s current focus remains firmly fixed on immediate financial performance and profitability metrics.
The persistent share price weakness underscores how rapidly investor sentiment can deteriorate when quarterly results fail to meet heightened expectations.
Alphabet’s Aggressive AI Investment Strategy Divides Market
Alphabet reported quarterly earnings that surpassed Wall Street estimates, driven by solid performance across both Google Cloud services and digital advertising segments. Despite these positive results, shares retreated after management outlined plans for substantially increased spending on AI infrastructure.
The investment community remains divided on the strategy. One camp views the capital allocation as necessary to maintain competitive positioning in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. Another faction demands more concrete evidence of return on investment before endorsing additional spending commitments.
Crude Prices Retreat as Volatility Continues
Oil prices slipped back beneath the $100-per-barrel threshold after temporarily crossing above that psychological level earlier this week. The pullback provided modest encouragement to equity investors concerned about energy costs.
Nevertheless, ongoing geopolitical instability in the Middle East continues to inject uncertainty into energy markets. Any fresh supply chain disruptions or shipping complications could rapidly drive prices higher once again.
Inflationary pressures connected to energy expenses remain a persistent concern, ensuring that oil price movements will continue to be a critical variable for market participants in the coming months.
SpaceX Encounters Second Consecutive Starship Setback
SpaceX revealed an additional postponement of its Starship test flight, marking the second delay within a seven-day period. The setback represents a notable interruption in the company’s ambitious aerospace development timeline.
While delays are commonplace in complex spacecraft development programmes, the consecutive postponements have attracted increased scrutiny. Market observers and industry analysts are awaiting a revised launch timeline and assessing potential implications for subsequent mission planning.
SpaceX remains among the most closely monitored private aerospace enterprises, with substantial expectations surrounding both its satellite deployment initiatives and deep-space exploration ambitions.
The post Market Movers: Intel (INTC) Surprises While Tesla (TSLA) and Alphabet (GOOGL) Face Investor Doubts appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Highlights
BlackRock is bringing $12.3 billion in investment-grade bonds to market to finance Meta’s data center facility in El Paso, Texas
The debt offering is structured through Sopaipilla Investor, a BlackRock-linked holding company, featuring notes with a 2048 maturity date
Initial pricing guidance indicates a spread of approximately 2.875 percentage points above U.S. Treasury yields
The Texas facility is designed to provide up to 1 gigawatt of AI-focused computing power
BlackRock entities control 80% of the project ownership, with Meta holding the remaining 20% interest
In what stands as one of 2025’s most significant infrastructure debt offerings, BlackRock has initiated the marketing of $12.3 billion in investment-grade bonds designed to finance a Meta data center development in El Paso, Texas.
The bond issuance is being executed through Sopaipilla Investor, a holding entity connected to BlackRock. The structure involves a single note series with a 2048 maturity, currently showing price guidance of approximately 2.875 percentage points above comparable Treasury securities.
On the trading day, BLK stock climbed approximately 0.88%, while META saw a modest gain of about 0.27%.
The transaction is being managed by JPMorgan Chase and Morgan Stanley, with pricing anticipated to occur in the coming week.
Major Infrastructure Investment
The planned El Paso facility aims to provide up to 1 gigawatt of computing resources — a significant capacity allocation focused exclusively on artificial intelligence applications.
BlackRock entities Global Infrastructure Management and HPS Investment Partners collectively own an 80% position in the development. Meta maintains ownership of the remaining 20% share.
The investment-grade rating on the bonds generally indicates reduced risk for purchasers and enables more competitive borrowing terms.
Market Sentiment Under Scrutiny
Market observers are paying particular attention to the timing of this offering. It arrives amid increasing scrutiny regarding the volume of capital being allocated to AI infrastructure throughout the technology sector.
Just days ago, Alphabet’s announcement of a $205 billion capital expenditure plan created investor anxiety and pressured its share price downward. Against this context, this Meta-related financing serves as an immediate gauge of ongoing institutional demand for substantial AI infrastructure debt.
BlackRock’s choice to pursue such a sizable offering at this juncture indicates belief that institutional investor demand continues to be robust, particularly for investment-grade securities.
Utilizing a holding company framework — in this case, Sopaipilla Investor — represents standard practice in infrastructure finance, isolating the debt from primary corporate balance sheets while maintaining connection to the physical assets.
Meta’s minority ownership position in the development allows the company to secure data center resources without shouldering the complete capital requirements on its financial statements.
The El Paso region has emerged as an attractive hub for data center construction, offering advantages including land availability, electrical infrastructure, and supportive regulatory conditions.
With the debt instrument extending through 2048, purchasers are committing to an exceptionally long-term perspective on AI infrastructure requirements — securing exposure spanning more than twenty years.
The investment-grade credit designation should facilitate interest from pension systems, insurance providers, and other substantial institutional purchasers that mandate investment-grade securities.
JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley, both among Wall Street’s premier debt capital markets firms, are managing the syndication, lending additional credibility to the transaction’s structure.
Final pricing is scheduled for next week, with ultimate terms dependent on investor feedback collected throughout the marketing period.
The post BlackRock (BLK) Markets $12.3B in Bonds for Meta’s Texas AI Data Facility appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Highlights
Major US indices wobbled Friday following Thursday’s brutal session that erased roughly $800 billion in value from the Magnificent Seven tech giants
Surging artificial intelligence expenditures at Alphabet and Tesla sparked the technology sector retreat
New Section 301 tariffs from President Trump, spanning 10% to 12.5%, became active during overnight hours
Crude retreated Friday but Brent remained positioned for weekly gains after briefly surpassing the $100 threshold
Verizon and American Express delivered profit wins yet disappointed on sales; Intel rallied on stronger-than-expected results
American equities struggled to find stable footing Friday morning following one of 2024’s most punishing technology sector routs. Market participants grappled with a complex mix of fresh trade barriers, ballooning AI infrastructure costs, and elevated energy prices.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average managed a modest 0.3% advance, while the S&P 500 treaded water near breakeven. The Nasdaq Composite declined 0.4% as technology names maintained their downward pressure.
E-Mini S&P 500 Sep 26 (ES=F)
All three benchmark indices were tracking toward negative weekly performance. The elite Magnificent Seven cohort of mega-cap technology companies saw approximately $800 billion in combined market capitalization evaporate during Thursday’s session alone.
The sharp decline followed quarterly reports from Alphabet and Tesla, which disclosed dramatically escalating capital expenditures tied to artificial intelligence infrastructure. Market participants responded negatively to the mounting expense levels.
Intel provided a rare positive development. The semiconductor manufacturer’s shares climbed in morning action after exceeding analyst profit forecasts in its Thursday evening release.
Fresh Trade Barriers Activated
During overnight hours, President Trump’s latest round of comprehensive tariffs became operational. The Section 301 levies encompass virtually all American imports, imposing rates ranging from 10% to 12.5% on the nation’s primary trade partners.
Administration officials indicated the revised tariff framework was engineered to withstand potential legal challenges more effectively than earlier iterations.
Certain energy commodities received exemptions from the tariff schedule. Officials justified this decision as oil markets were already experiencing upward price pressure that could undermine inflation reduction efforts.
Brent crude futures declined 2.8% Friday, trading beneath $98 per barrel. Nevertheless, the global benchmark remained positioned for a positive weekly performance after momentarily breaching the $100 level earlier in the trading week.
Corporate Results Show Divergence
Verizon Communications and American Express each exceeded profit projections but came up short on top-line growth. Both stocks retreated despite the earnings victories.
NextEra Energy surpassed per-share earnings estimates while similarly missing revenue targets. Unlike Verizon and American Express, its shares advanced.
Intel’s robust quarterly performance emerged as an exceptional bright spot for the technology sector during an otherwise challenging week.
Market Breadth Tells Different Story
The equal-weight S&P 500 ETF, which assigns identical importance to each constituent, climbed 0.5% Friday. This performance indicated the broader market remained resilient — with weakness concentrated in a select group of large-cap technology names.
The iShares Semiconductor ETF plunged 4.3%, creating significant headwinds for broader index recovery. Technology and consumer discretionary stood as the sole major sectors posting losses.
Scheduled economic releases included S&P Global’s July purchasing managers index data for both services and manufacturing sectors, alongside fresh residential sales statistics.
The post Wall Street Stumbles as Trump Tariffs Launch and Oil Flirts with $100 Milestone appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Takeaways
Shares of BAH climbed approximately 14.9% on Friday following a fiscal first-quarter adjusted EPS of $1.81 that significantly exceeded the $1.48 analyst consensus
Reported net income declined to $198M ($1.63 per share) compared to $271M ($2.16 per share) in the year-ago quarter; revenue decreased 4.2% to $2.8B
Adjusted EBITDA increased 7.4% on a year-over-year basis to $334M; margins expanded to 11.9% from the prior year’s 10.6%
Company backlog climbed to $39.48B at quarter-end June 30, representing a 3.2% increase year-over-year
Management maintained full-year projections: adjusted EPS of $6.00–$6.35 and revenue between $11.2B and $11.7B
Shares of Booz Allen Hamilton (BAH) experienced a dramatic rally of approximately 14.9% during early Friday trading sessions following the defense contractor’s release of fiscal first-quarter financial results that significantly exceeded profit expectations despite softer revenue performance.
The company delivered adjusted earnings per share of $1.81 for the quarter, substantially surpassing the FactSet analyst consensus of $1.48. However, reported net income decreased to $198 million ($1.63 per diluted share) from $271 million ($2.16 per diluted share) recorded in the comparable quarter of the previous fiscal year.
Quarterly revenue declined 4.2% on a year-over-year basis to $2.8 billion, marginally below Wall Street’s projection of $2.81 billion.
BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON $BAH Q1'27 EARNINGS HIGHLIGHTS
Revenue: $2.8B (Est. $2.8B)
Adj. EPS: $1.81 (Est. $1.49)
FY27 Guidance:
Revenue: $11.2B-$11.7B (Est. $11.41B)
Adj. EPS: $6.00-$6.35 (Est. $6.29)
— Wall St Engine (@wallstengine) July 24, 2026
Adjusted EBITDA demonstrated growth of 7.4%, reaching $334 million for the period. The company’s adjusted EBITDA margin expanded to 11.9%, representing an improvement from the 10.6% margin achieved in the prior-year quarter.
The firm’s civil government business segment continues to present challenges for overall financial performance. Booz Allen implemented workforce reductions affecting thousands of employees during the previous year following significant contract cutbacks within this division.
The current administration has intensified scrutiny on federal consulting organizations, demanding justification for their services and proposals for meaningful cost reductions. Booz Allen has experienced the impact of this heightened oversight.
During October, management announced a restructuring initiative targeting $150 million in cost savings. The workforce reductions implemented are a direct consequence of this strategic realignment.
Total employee headcount was approximately 30,900 at the conclusion of June, representing a 7.5% decrease compared to the same point in the previous year.
National Security Portfolio Showing Momentum
The company’s national security operations present a contrasting narrative. Booz Allen reported that customer demand is accelerating throughout this business segment.
Management is strategically reallocating resources toward sophisticated cybersecurity capabilities, defense technology solutions, and AI-driven products. This strategic reorientation appears to be resonating positively with the investment community.
The total contract backlog reached $39.48 billion at June 30, reflecting a 3.2% year-over-year increase. This metric indicates a robust project pipeline despite ongoing challenges in the civil government segment.
Booz Allen derives approximately 98% of its roughly $12 billion in annual revenue from government-affiliated contracts. The balance between national security projects and civil government work has become an increasingly critical metric for investors to monitor.
Annual Outlook Remains Unchanged
Chief Executive Officer Horacio Rozanski indicated the organization remains positioned to achieve its full-year financial targets.
Booz Allen maintained its guidance projecting adjusted EPS in the range of $6.00–$6.35, adjusted EBITDA between $1.24B and $1.29B, and revenue spanning $11.2B to $11.7B.
Current FactSet analyst consensus estimates call for adjusted EPS of $6.26, EBITDA of $1.26B, and revenue of $11.42B — all comfortably within management’s guidance ranges.
The substantial earnings outperformance combined with management’s confidence in maintaining full-year guidance proved sufficient to drive significant stock appreciation despite the revenue shortfall and year-over-year decline in reported profitability.
The post Booz Allen Hamilton (BAH) Stock Soars 15% on Strong Q1 Earnings Beat appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR
Major memory chip supply agreements between Samsung, SK Hynix and US technology firms will be revealed during South Korea’s presidential San Francisco trip
President Lee Jae Myung is holding meetings with prominent US tech leaders, including Jensen Huang of Nvidia and Sam Altman of OpenAI
Anticipated agreements encompass extended supply contracts, strategic collaborations, and formal memorandums of understanding
The two South Korean manufacturers command approximately 80% of the worldwide HBM chip marketplace
American technology corporations are also planning to reveal strategic capital commitments toward AI data infrastructure
South Korea’s leading semiconductor manufacturers are preparing to finalize substantial supply agreements with US technology corporations. These revelations are anticipated during President Lee Jae Myung’s San Francisco trip scheduled for this weekend.
Presidential policy adviser Kim Yong-beom informed journalists that these agreements will encompass extended memory chip supply arrangements with international technology collaborators. He indicated that “exceptionally substantial and significant numbers” are projected to be disclosed.
The diplomatic visit is being positioned as an initiative to reinforce technological and economic cooperation between the United States and South Korea.
Key Participants in the Discussions
During his San Francisco stay, President Lee has arranged meetings with Nvidia Chief Executive Jensen Huang and OpenAI’s Chief Executive Sam Altman. He will also participate in an artificial intelligence summit accompanied by prominent South Korean industry executives.
The South Korean delegation features Samsung Electronics Chairman Jay Y. Lee, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, and Hyundai Motor Executive Chair Euisun Chung. From the American contingent, attendees include Broadcom’s Hock Tan, Anthropic’s Dario Amodei, and Naver Corporation’s Lee Hae-jin.
This summit convenes leading figures from both AI hardware manufacturing and software development sectors.
High-Bandwidth Memory’s Central Role
High-bandwidth memory chips, commonly known as HBM, form the cornerstone of these pending agreements. These specialized semiconductors are essential components within graphics processing units that drive AI data facilities and advanced language processing systems.
Samsung and SK Hynix collectively dominate approximately 80% of the worldwide HBM chip sector. This commanding market position provides South Korea with considerable negotiating power in AI supply chain discussions with American enterprises.
According to the Korea Economic Institute of America, discussions will primarily concentrate on South Korea’s contribution to American AI infrastructure development and the provision of advanced HBM semiconductor technology.
Anticipated arrangements encompass strategic collaborative frameworks, formal understanding documents, and extended supply commitments. American technology enterprises are simultaneously preparing to unveil strategic capital allocations toward AI data center development, although precise specifications remain undisclosed.
President Lee’s San Francisco stopover represents part of a broader diplomatic journey to South America, where he is scheduled to participate in summits with regional leadership.
Should these semiconductor agreements materialize, they would represent a significant strengthening of commercial relationships between South Korean chip producers and America’s technology sector during a period of rapidly accelerating demand for AI computing infrastructure.
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Key Takeaways
Berkshire Hathaway completed its all-cash purchase of Taylor Morrison (TMHC) at $72.50 per share, representing an $8.5 billion enterprise value when debt is included.
The transaction offered shareholders a 24% premium over Taylor Morrison’s May 29 closing price.
Sheryl Palmer continues as CEO to oversee the merged homebuilding operations.
The integration with Clayton Properties Group establishes the nation’s fourth-largest residential construction company.
The acquisition marks Greg Abel’s inaugural significant transaction as Berkshire’s chief executive following Warren Buffett’s transition.
On July 24, Berkshire Hathaway finalized its cash purchase of Taylor Morrison, delivering $72.50 per share to shareholders. The transaction assigned an equity valuation of $6.8 billion to the homebuilder, rising to $8.5 billion when accounting for assumed liabilities.
Berkshire Hathaway $BRK.B has now invested $16.8B billion in the last 2 days under new CEO Greg Abel
– $10B in Google $GOOGL
– $6.8 billion in Taylor Morrison Home $TMHC pic.twitter.com/dmxKtxBXs8
— Evan (@StockMKTNewz) June 2, 2026
Shareholders received compensation 24% above TMHC’s May 29 market close. The homebuilder’s shares, which formerly traded as “TMHC” on the NYSE, have now been delisted following deal completion.
The transaction represents Greg Abel’s inaugural significant acquisition since assuming Berkshire’s top position from Warren Buffett in early 2026. Given Berkshire’s substantial cash reserves approaching $400 billion, market observers have characterized the deal as moderately sized relative to the company’s financial capacity.
Sheryl Palmer retains her position as chief executive of Taylor Morrison. Palmer will direct the consolidation of Taylor Morrison’s portfolio—encompassing Esplanade, Yardly, and Taylor Morrison Home Funding—with Berkshire’s current homebuilding infrastructure.
Expanding Berkshire’s Housing Footprint
The acquired homebuilder joins Berkshire Hathaway’s site-built construction division through integration with Clayton Properties Group. Clayton Properties represents a portfolio of 15 localized and regional homebuilding entities.
The unified organization completed approximately 23,000 site-built residential units throughout 2025. Operations now span 21 states, encompass 52 metropolitan markets, and manage over 700 residential communities.
This operational magnitude positions the merged entity as America’s fourth-largest homebuilding company. The organization addresses diverse market segments, from rental properties and first-time purchasers to upgrading homeowners and resort-style retirement communities.
Prior to this transaction, Berkshire maintained substantial housing sector investments. The conglomerate controls Clayton Homes, operates Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices—among America’s premier residential brokerage networks—and owns multiple construction materials manufacturers.
The investment portfolio also includes equity positions in additional homebuilders such as NVR.
Taylor Morrison’s Pre-Acquisition Metrics
Prior to deal closure, Taylor Morrison achieved a GF Score of 85 from a possible 100, featuring a profitability ranking of 9/10 alongside a financial strength assessment of 7/10. The company’s Altman Z-Score registered 3.86, indicating robust fiscal health.
Annual revenue reached $7.61 billion, while market capitalization approximated $6.67 billion before transaction finalization. The price-to-earnings multiple stood at 10.81, aligned with its five-year historical median.
Throughout the trailing twelve months preceding acquisition completion, TMHC shares appreciated 19.32%.
Company insiders executed eight divestiture transactions aggregating roughly $5.46 million during the previous year, with zero insider purchase activity documented throughout that timeframe.
Berkshire Hathaway’s BRK.B shares have advanced 4% across the most recent 12-week period.
The post Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) Finalizes $6.8B Taylor Morrison Takeover appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Highlights
Samsung Electronics revealed stablecoin integration plans for Samsung Wallet during the Galaxy Unpacked 2026 event held on July 22.
Implementation timeline, compatible stablecoins, and technical partnerships remain unannounced.
The company showcased a USDC demonstration, indicating potential inclusion among initially supported digital currencies.
Samsung Knox security infrastructure with comprehensive encryption will safeguard wallet transactions.
Shares of Samsung Electronics declined 7.6% to ₩249,500 during Friday trading.
Samsung Electronics has revealed intentions to integrate native stablecoin capabilities into Samsung Wallet, disclosed during the Galaxy Unpacked 2026 presentation on July 22.
The tech giant’s stock experienced a 7.6% decline, closing at ₩249,500 on Friday following the revelation.
Lee Dinham, product manager at Samsung, indicated the wallet application will evolve beyond traditional cash management and savings accounts to incorporate stablecoin transactions. The strategy aims to unify payment processing, loyalty rewards, and digital currency management within a single mobile platform.
Samsung positions itself to become among the earliest major smartphone manufacturers delivering built-in stablecoin capabilities, enabling users to transmit digital currency directly through their mobile devices.
The electronics manufacturer has yet to specify which digital currencies will receive support, the rollout schedule, or the blockchain infrastructures that will be utilized. Geographic deployment plans also remain undisclosed.
Nevertheless, Samsung presented a USDC demonstration interface during the presentation, displaying transfer, receipt, and funding capabilities. This indication points toward the USD-pegged stablecoin potentially being among the initial supported currencies upon feature activation.
Samsung confirmed that all monetary functions within the wallet will operate under Samsung Knox security architecture with comprehensive encryption protocols.
Expanding Upon Current Cryptocurrency Infrastructure
Samsung’s venture into digital currency territory is not unprecedented. In October 2025, the company strengthened its collaboration with Coinbase, enabling Galaxy device owners throughout the United States to purchase cryptocurrency directly via Samsung Wallet. This deployment initially reached over 75 million Galaxy users.
Shan Aggarwal, Chief Business Officer at Coinbase, remarked during the announcement that the partnership merged Samsung’s international presence with Coinbase’s infrastructure to simplify digital asset accessibility. First-time users received complimentary three-month Coinbase One memberships during the introduction.
Samsung Wallet currently accommodates payment instruments, digital identification documents, loyalty program credentials, and additional verification tools. The stablecoin functionality would represent an additional dimension to this established framework.
Samsung’s Comprehensive Blockchain Strategy
Beyond its consumer-facing wallet services, Samsung has been establishing positions throughout South Korea’s digital currency industry.
During May 2026, Samsung Securities, Samsung SDS, and Samsung Card collectively acquired a 4% ownership position in Dunamu, which operates Upbit, South Korea’s predominant cryptocurrency trading platform. The three affiliated entities invested 612.8 billion won, approximately $408 million, for the ownership stake.
Samsung Securities announced plans to collaborate with Dunamu on tokenized financial instruments, while Samsung Card identified opportunities for cooperation regarding digital asset transactions and potential Korean won-denominated stablecoins via its Monimo infrastructure.
Maintaining Independence from Third-Party Initiatives
Samsung has demonstrated discretion regarding public endorsement of external stablecoin ventures.
Earlier during July, Samsung clarified its position regarding Open Standard’s proposed OUSD stablecoin consortium after being identified among more than 140 founding collaborators. A Samsung representative stated the organization had not conducted formal discussions with Open Standard and remained uninformed about its anticipated participation.
Additional listed collaborators including Dunamu, Shinhan Bank, and K-Bank similarly indicated ongoing evaluation of the proposal without formal commitment.
Samsung’s current announcement emphasizes development within its proprietary ecosystem instead of participation in external governance frameworks.
Samsung Electronics shares concluded Friday trading down 7.6% at ₩249,500.
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Key Highlights
Payment processor Stripe is negotiating an acquisition of OpenRouter for approximately $10 billion
OpenRouter provides developers with a platform to access and toggle between various AI models including those from OpenAI and Anthropic
The company received a $1.3 billion valuation during its most recent funding round in May 2026
Concurrently, Stripe is exploring another major transaction involving PayPal, with an estimated value of $53 billion
Several major technology firms had previously shown interest in OpenRouter before Stripe took the lead position
The financial technology powerhouse Stripe, currently commanding a $159 billion valuation, has entered negotiations to acquire OpenRouter, a New York-headquartered company specializing in AI model accessibility for developers. Sources with knowledge of the discussions indicate the transaction could price OpenRouter at approximately $10 billion.
STRIPE WEIGHS $10B DEAL FOR OPENROUTER
Stripe is in talks to acquire OpenRouter in a deal that could value the AI-model marketplace at roughly $10 billion, according to The WSJ.
An agreement could be announced soon, although the talks may still fall apart or attract another… pic.twitter.com/s2Ecdvw6iz
— Wall St Engine (@wallstengine) July 23, 2026
Established in 2023, OpenRouter has built a comprehensive platform featuring hundreds of large language models. The service enables users to evaluate and transition seamlessly between different AI offerings, including proprietary models from OpenAI and Anthropic, as well as freely available open-weight options. Its revenue model involves applying a percentage-based markup over the base pricing of each model—an approach that mirrors traditional payment processing business structures.
PitchBook data shows the startup commanded a $1.3 billion valuation during its May 2026 funding round. The company’s investor roster features Menlo Ventures alongside CapitalG, the investment division of Alphabet, Google’s holding company.
While an announcement could materialize in the near term, sources caution that negotiations remain ongoing and could potentially collapse. Prior to Stripe’s emergence as the frontrunner, multiple prominent technology corporations had evaluated potential bids for the AI routing platform.
Strategic Expansion Beyond Traditional Payments
The acquisition pursuit represents Stripe’s continued diversification strategy beyond its traditional payment processing operations. The company announced initiatives earlier this year focused on developing infrastructure supporting both artificial intelligence applications and cryptocurrency-based transactions.
“As tokens become increasingly fungible with money, streaming payments in real time is an important part of Stripe’s economic infrastructure for AI,” Stripe said in a statement earlier this year.
The two companies already maintain a commercial relationship, with OpenRouter utilizing Stripe’s platform to handle customer payment processing.
OpenRouter CEO Alex Atallah has drawn parallels between his company’s operational framework and Stripe’s business approach. Both enterprises function as intermediaries—Stripe facilitates monetary transactions while OpenRouter manages access to AI computational resources.
Growing Demand for AI Model Flexibility
Organizations are progressively adopting multi-model AI strategies to manage expenses and reduce reliance on individual providers. This trend has elevated the strategic importance of platforms that facilitate AI model routing.
The competitive landscape continues expanding rapidly. Developer tool Cursor introduced its own routing solution just days ago. Financial management platform Ramp, currently valued at $44 billion, is developing comparable functionality. Data analytics firm Databricks has also deployed similar technological capabilities.
In parallel to the OpenRouter discussions, Stripe is collaborating with private equity firm Advent International on a potential PayPal acquisition. The partnership submitted an unsolicited proposal valuing PayPal at approximately $53 billion, though PayPal’s leadership deemed the offer inadequate. Stripe and Advent continue deliberating their approach.
Should the OpenRouter transaction reach completion, it would represent one of the most significant AI infrastructure acquisitions recorded this year.
The post Stripe Eyes $10B Acquisition of AI Model Marketplace OpenRouter appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Highlights
Tenet Healthcare shares skyrocketed 23% following a blockbuster Q2 report showing adjusted EPS of $6.12 versus the $4.26 consensus forecast
The company boosted its annual EPS forecast to $20.30–$21.69 from the previous $16.38–$18.68 range
HCA Healthcare climbed a modest 3.7% after confirming previously disclosed Q2 figures
HCA reduced its annual EPS projection to $28.70–$30.50 from $29.10–$31.50
Investment firm Barclays increased its Tenet target price to $271 from $240 while keeping its Overweight stance
Tenet Healthcare (THC) shares exploded 23% higher during Friday’s trading session, marking what could be the stock’s most significant one-day rally since February. The dramatic move followed the company’s release of second-quarter earnings that significantly exceeded Wall Street projections while substantially upgrading its annual forecast.
The healthcare provider delivered second-quarter adjusted profits of $6.12 per share, substantially surpassing the analyst consensus of $4.26. Total operating revenue climbed 6.8% year-over-year to reach $5.63 billion, exceeding the anticipated $5.43 billion.
Management substantially increased its annual adjusted EPS forecast to between $20.30 and $21.69, representing a significant jump from the earlier projection of $16.38 to $18.68. The company’s full-year net operating revenue guidance was similarly elevated to $21.9 billion–$22.5 billion from the prior $21.5 billion–$22.3 billion range.
$THC Q2 2026 earnings: Massive Margin Expansion and Buybacks Eclipse Volume Softness
Tenet Healthcare delivered a dramatic Q2 beat, fueled by exceptional hospital margin expansion and pricing power in its ambulatory segment. While net operating revenues grew a respectable 6.8%… pic.twitter.com/pxCFX3irFc
— Finsee (@Finsee_main) July 24, 2026
The midpoint of these revised forecasts substantially exceeds analyst projections, which had been calling for earnings of $17.94 per share and revenue of $21.97 billion.
HCA Healthcare Presents Contrasting Results
HCA Healthcare released its quarterly results on the same day, though investor response proved considerably more subdued. HCA shares advanced 3.7%, a fraction of Tenet’s explosive move.
The divergence largely stems from earlier disclosure. HCA had already announced its second-quarter performance on July 14, meaning Friday’s formal release contained minimal new information for market participants.
HCA reported second-quarter adjusted earnings of $7.59 per share, marginally beating the $7.56 estimate. Revenue increased 9% to $20.23 billion, surpassing the $19.76 billion consensus projection.
Yet a substantial $400 million net gain from Medicaid supplemental payments significantly boosted these figures. When accounting for this benefit, the underlying performance appeared less robust.
HCA highlighted an increase in uninsured patient volumes, partially attributed to expanded loss of exchange-based insurance coverage throughout the quarter. Management estimated this trend reduced pre-tax income by approximately $400 million.
HCA Reduces Annual Projections
HCA trimmed its full-year EPS forecast to $28.70–$30.50 from the earlier $29.10–$31.50 range. The company also narrowed its revenue guidance to $77 billion–$79.5 billion versus the previous $76.5 billion–$80 billion projection.
The S&P 500 declined modestly on Friday, making Tenet’s 23% surge even more remarkable against the wider market environment.
Barclays raised its price objective on Tenet to $271 from $240 while maintaining its Overweight recommendation. The firm noted that Tenet’s second-quarter results “stand out and reinforce the case for a premium valuation,” especially considering guidance reductions from competing hospital operators.
Tenet’s extensive ambulatory surgery center platform has emerged as a crucial competitive advantage. While both organizations operate hospitals and outpatient centers nationwide, Tenet maintains greater exposure to its surgery center operations, which have consistently delivered strong margin performance.
Barclays’ revised $271 price objective suggests additional upside potential even after Friday’s substantial post-earnings appreciation.
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Key Takeaways
Shares of SpaceX declined approximately 2.5% to $115.26 on Friday following yet another postponement of its Starship test mission
HSBC launched coverage with a Hold recommendation and $115 price objective, diverging from the prevailing optimism on Wall Street
The 13th Starship mission has faced two consecutive delays — initially due to propulsion system complications, followed by adverse meteorological conditions
Investors betting against the company have accumulated roughly $15.5 billion in unrealized gains following the June public offering
The company’s inaugural quarterly earnings announcement is scheduled for August 4, with analysts focusing heavily on Starlink subscriber expansion
Shares of SpaceX tumbled 2.5% to reach $115.26 during Friday’s morning session, pressured by consecutive Starship mission postponements and an unexpected Hold recommendation from HSBC’s Nicolas Cote-Colisson, who established a $115 price objective for the aerospace company.
The shares have plummeted approximately 50% from their peak of $225.64 and currently trade 12% beneath the $135 IPO price established in June.
The company’s 13th Starship orbital test has been postponed on two separate occasions. The initial launch window on July 17 was terminated when multiple Raptor propulsion units on the Super Heavy rocket booster encountered ignition failures. The subsequent July 23 attempt was canceled because weather patterns compromised visual monitoring of the vehicle’s thermal protection system.
SpaceX has subsequently swapped out several Raptor engines and performed supplementary ground verification procedures. Another launch window was established for Friday evening, with coverage available through spacex.com and on X.
During this mission, the booster’s primary goals include a successful liftoff, stage separation maneuver, boostback burn sequence, and controlled descent to a designated location offshore in the Gulf of America. The spacecraft’s upper stage will endeavor to release 20 Starlink V3 satellites into orbit and validate an orbital engine restart capability before executing a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean.
HSBC Charts Different Course From Wall Street Consensus
HSBC’s Hold recommendation stands in stark contrast to prevailing sentiment. As of Friday morning, 28 out of 37 analysts covering the stock — approximately 76% — maintained Buy recommendations. The consensus price objective hovers around $237 per share. For context, typical Buy-rating ratios across S&P 500 components range from 55% to 60%.
Cote-Colisson recognized SpaceX‘s achievements but advised investors to exercise caution. He highlighted potential downward pressure on shares as early backers’ lockup restrictions lapse in the months following the June public debut.
The upcoming August 4 earnings disclosure represents the next critical milestone. The analyst emphasized that SpaceX must demonstrate robust expansion in its Starlink division to support upward momentum in the share price.
Bears Dominate Trading Activity Following IPO
Bearish investors have maintained aggressive positions. Roughly $15.5 billion in mark-to-market gains have been generated since the public offering, with approximately 360 million SpaceX shares — representing about 56% of the freely available float — currently borrowed by short sellers.
Following two consecutive surges exceeding 19% in the sessions immediately after the IPO, SpaceX stock has declined in 17 of the last 26 trading days. This includes a punishing seven-session decline that concluded Tuesday, immediately followed by a 6.7% plunge on Wednesday.
Alphabet revealed a substantial SpaceX investment this week, reporting holdings valued at approximately $94.1 billion as of the conclusion of June — although the subsequent depreciation in SpaceX’s stock price has diminished the present market value of that investment.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 operations have maintained more consistent execution. The company successfully deployed 24 Starlink satellites from its California facility on July 21, just one day following an uncommon last-moment launch termination.
The post SpaceX (SPCX) Shares Sink Amid Starship Setbacks and Bearish Analyst Call appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR
Burry draws parallels between current market conditions and the closing stages of the 1999-2000 tech bubble
The investor notes traders are disregarding economic indicators while chasing AI-related equities
Oil approaching $100, 30-year Treasury yields exceeding 5%, and AI infrastructure debt create converging risk factors
Private equity and credit sectors face potential stress as borrowing costs remain elevated
While acknowledging previous incorrect predictions, Burry highlights successful calls in 2000, 2007, and 2021
Michael Burry, renowned for forecasting the 2008 subprime mortgage crisis, believes current market dynamics closely resemble those during the final stages of the late-90s technology bubble.
Through commentary shared on Substack and X, Burry observed that market participants have abandoned traditional analysis of employment figures, consumer confidence metrics, and geopolitical developments. Their attention has shifted entirely to a single narrative: artificial intelligence.
“Absolutely non-stop AI. Nobody is talking about anything else all day,” he remarked following a lengthy car journey spent monitoring financial broadcasting.
According to Burry, equity prices are advancing not due to underlying business strength, but simply because upward momentum has persisted. He characterized this as a “two letter thesis that everyone thinks they understand.”
The investor also noted that the AI euphoria is causing market participants to bypass fundamentally sound businesses with robust financials. He revealed he has been “patiently acquiring” these neglected positions, employing a strategy similar to his approach following the dot-com collapse.
Bond Yields and Oil Add to the Pressure
In a July 23 post on X, Burry highlighted a constellation of risks extending beyond elevated stock multiples.
He drew attention to climbing long-duration Treasury yields, noting the 30-year rate has traded above 5% for 27 consecutive days in 2026. Such a sustained period at these levels hasn’t occurred since 2007, preceding the worldwide financial meltdown.
Tech giants are undertaking massive borrowing campaigns to finance data center construction and AI computing capabilities. This corporate debt issuance is competing with substantial Treasury supply, driving long-term financing costs upward.
Oil prices are also nearing the $100 per barrel threshold. This development intensifies inflationary concerns and constrains the Federal Reserve’s flexibility to lower interest rates.
$100 oil is back.
Brent crude oil prices are now officially trading above $100/barrel up +42% in 20 days.
Inflation expectations and interest rates are rising sharply again. pic.twitter.com/2b6UqAyF7N
— The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) July 23, 2026
Burry stated: “Not sure how much longer PE and PC can hold their breath,” alluding to private equity and private credit industries. These segments flourished during the low-rate environment and may encounter difficulties if yields persist at current levels.
He additionally highlighted the Treasury basis trade, a leveraged approach that can trigger accelerated liquidations during volatility spikes, potentially amplifying Treasury market dislocations.
Burry Has Been Wrong Before
Burry candidly recognized his forecasting record includes notable misses. He drew comparisons between bitcoin and the housing sector in 2021. He similarly predicted a significant market collapse that same year. Both predictions failed to materialize.
“I am now a meme for the number of times I have called a crash,” he acknowledged.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes accurate predictions during 2000, 2007, 2019, the 2021 meme stock collapse, and the 2023 banking sector turmoil.
Burry’s perspective isn’t isolated. Billionaire trader Paul Tudor Jones told CNBC in May that current market sentiment mirrors 1999. Jones suggested the advance could persist for another one to two years, though he cautioned about “breathtaking corrections” should valuations continue expanding.
The Buffett Indicator, which compares aggregate market capitalization to gross domestic product, continues hovering at historically elevated territory.
The post Michael Burry Draws Parallels Between AI Boom and 1999 Dot-Com Crash appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Highlights
Verizon has secured a contract with Google exceeding $1 billion in value for dark fiber infrastructure connecting data centers.
The agreement advances Verizon’s strategy to develop a dedicated connectivity division serving large enterprise clients.
Additional contracts totaling multiple billions in revenue across several years are anticipated before 2026 concludes.
The telecommunications provider maintains its trajectory toward achieving a minimum of $9 billion in combined operational and capital expenditure reductions.
The consumer-focused value offering introduced in mid-June has exceeded initial performance projections.
During its second-quarter financial results presentation on Friday, Verizon (VZ) disclosed a significant partnership with Google (GOOGL) valued at more than $1 billion.
$GOOGL SIGNS $1 BILLION+ DATA CENTER FIBER DEAL WITH VERIZON
Verizon $VZ has secured a deal worth more than $1 billion to provide dark fiber connectivity for Google data centers.
Dark fiber gives Google dedicated network capacity that it can operate with its own equipment.… pic.twitter.com/gqYfnh9YGN
— Wall St Engine (@wallstengine) July 24, 2026
Under the terms of this partnership, Google will leverage Verizon’s dark fiber infrastructure to establish connectivity between its data center facilities. Chief Executive Officer Dan Schulman validated the transaction during the company’s post-earnings conference call.
Dark fiber represents idle fiber optic cable networks that organizations can lease for high-bandwidth data transfer requirements.
According to Schulman, the company has a robust pipeline of similar opportunities. “We anticipate announcing additional agreements before the conclusion of this year that collectively represent multiple billions of dollars in revenue spanning the next several years,” he stated.
This partnership with Google aligns with Verizon’s comprehensive initiative to establish an independent connectivity services division. The strategic emphasis targets large international corporations requiring dependable, high-bandwidth network solutions.
Additional Partnerships in Pipeline
Verizon has positioned itself as a critical infrastructure provider for major technology enterprises. Company executives indicated that further partnership announcements are expected prior to the conclusion of 2026.
When combined with the Google agreement, these forthcoming contracts are projected to generate multiple billions of dollars in revenue throughout the next several years.
This development demonstrates Verizon’s successful conversion of its fiber network holdings into a profitable enterprise extending beyond conventional telecommunications services.
Financial Efficiency Targets Maintained
From a financial perspective, Verizon reported that restructuring efforts initiated in the previous quarter are delivering measurable outcomes. The organization continues to meet its objective of achieving at least $9 billion in aggregate operating expense and capital investment reductions.
Customer-related financial metrics also showed continued enhancement throughout the quarter. Verizon projected that expenses associated with acquiring and retaining customers will maintain their positive trajectory.
The telecommunications provider’s consumer value strategy, rolled out during mid-June, has already surpassed internal forecasts — representing a positive indicator as the company enters the latter half of the year.
Beyond the $1 billion-plus valuation confirmed by Schulman during the earnings discussion, Verizon did not reveal detailed contract specifications for the Google arrangement.
The post Verizon (VZ) Lands Massive Google Dark Fiber Contract Worth Over $1 Billion appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR
North Korean authorities reportedly arrested elite hackers on July 12.
The group allegedly stole funds from two state-controlled banks.
Investigators traced suspicious crypto transfers to a Pyongyang safe house.
Former cyber warfare operatives reportedly led the hacking ring.
The group allegedly recruited graduates from leading technical universities.
North Korean authorities have reportedly arrested a group of North Korean hackers accused of stealing and laundering cryptocurrency taken from state financial institutions. Daily NK reported that the arrests followed an internal investigation into suspicious crypto transfers linked to the Chosun Central Bank and the Foreign Trade Bank. The suspects were detained on July 12 after investigators traced the transactions to a safe house in Pyongyang. The report cited an anonymous source inside North Korea.
North Korean Hackers Linked to State Bank Theft
The group reportedly included former members of a cyber warfare unit under the Reconnaissance and Intelligence General Bureau. The North Korean hackers allegedly recruited graduates from Kim Chaek University of Technology and Pyongyang University of Science. They reportedly used encrypted communication systems and Chinese wireless equipment during the operation.
Investigators believe the stolen cryptocurrency was moved through brokers based in China. The brokers allegedly converted the digital assets into cash before contacts near North Korea’s border exchanged the funds into fiat currencies. The investigation reportedly connected these transactions to the arrested North Korean hackers.
International Focus on North Korean Hackers
The United Nations, the United States, South Korea, and Japan have repeatedly accused North Korean hackers of stealing billions of dollars in cryptocurrency. Authorities have linked North Korean cyber groups, including Lazarus Group, to attacks targeting Ronin Bridge, Harmony Horizon Bridge, Atomic Wallet, Alphapo, CoinEx, DMM Bitcoin, and WazirX.
North Korea has consistently rejected those allegations, describing them as politically motivated. If the Daily NK report is accurate, the latest case involves North Korean hackers targeting institutions inside their own country.
Officials have not released the identities of the suspects or announced possible penalties. Daily NK said investigators uncovered the operation after reviewing cryptocurrency transactions connected to state banks. The reported arrests place North Korean hackers at the center of another investigation involving digital assets, while North Korean hackers remain under international scrutiny and North Korean hackers continue to attract global attention.
The post Elite North Korean Hackers Busted in Internal Crypto Theft appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR:
Ethereum price retreated toward $1,880 after sellers blocked its recovery below the psychological $2,000 resistance level.
The $1,850 support zone now protects Ethereum’s ascending channel and could determine whether the recent rebound stays intact.
Spot Ethereum ETFs recorded $26.3 million in daily inflows, extending their positive flow streak to five trading sessions.
Rising open interest and negative funding rates increase liquidation risks as traders build leveraged positions near key price levels.
Ethereum price fell toward $1,880 on July 24 after failing to break the psychological $2,000 resistance level. The decline erased part of the recovery that started near $1,560 in late June.
Ether traded near $1,882 at press time, down about 3% over 24 hours. Sellers emerged after ETH reached the $1,935 to $1,950 region earlier this week.
The broader technology-stock sell-off also weakened risk appetite. Major U.S. technology companies lost nearly $797 billion in market value during Thursday’s session.
Bitcoin declined less than 1% and traded near $65,400. Ether’s sharper drop showed that investors continued reducing exposure to higher-risk altcoins.
Ethereum Price Faces Pressure From Leverage and Tech Losses
The Ethereum price weakened as Wall Street investors questioned growing artificial-intelligence spending. Alphabet raised its 2026 capital expenditure forecast to as much as $205 billion.
Weaker Tesla earnings also added pressure to technology stocks. The Nasdaq 100 dropped 1.9%, while the S&P 500 declined 1.2%.
Crypto derivatives showed that traders increased exposure before the rejection. Ethereum open interest rose by 600,000 ETH within two days.
Total open interest reached 14.6 million ETH, its highest level since June 7. Rising leverage increased the risk of forced liquidations during sharp price moves.
Funding rates briefly turned negative on Thursday for the first time since June 29. Around $41.55 million in leveraged positions faced liquidation over 24 hours.
Long traders accounted for about $34.4 million of that total. The figures showed that bullish positions absorbed most of the damage during the pullback.
Spot Ethereum ETFs still recorded $26.3 million in net inflows on July 23. The result extended their positive streak to five consecutive trading sessions.
Fidelity’s FETH received $14.9 million, while BlackRock’s ETHA attracted $8.5 million. Grayscale’s mini-Ether fund added another $2.9 million.
The daily total fell from earlier weekly inflows of $38 million, $37.5 million, and $72.7 million. ETF demand therefore failed to offset selling across spot markets.
Ethereum Price Must Hold $1,850 to Protect Recovery
Ethereum technical analysis places ETH near the lower boundary of an ascending channel. That structure has guided the recovery since early July.
Ethereum $ETH has rebounded after testing the lower boundary of its channel.
As long as this support at $1,850 continues to hold, I'm watching for a move back toward the upper boundary near $2,060. pic.twitter.com/3H29SDOprG
— Ali Charts (@alicharts) July 24, 2026
Immediate ETH support sits between $1,850 and $1,880. Holding this area could allow buyers to target $1,910 before challenging the $1,950 supply zone.
Crypto analyst Ali Martinez says the channel remains valid while Ethereum holds $1,850. The upper boundary could reach approximately $2,060 during another rebound.
Momentum indicators still favour, sellers in the short term. The four-hour relative strength index dropped to 44.06, below its moving average of 52.62.
The MACD line also fell below its signal line. Its negative histogram showed that bearish momentum continued during the latest session.
The Ethereum price remains above the forward Ichimoku cloud boundary near $1,816 on the daily chart. Chaikin Money Flow stayed positive at 0.07, suggesting capital has not fully left the market.
Liquidation data shows significant leveraged positions near $1,900 and $1,910. Another large liquidity cluster sits between $1,955 and $1,965.
A break above those levels could force short liquidations and reopen the route toward $2,000. Buyers must first reclaim $1,910 with stronger spot volume.
Source: Coinglass
Downside liquidity has formed between $1,840 and $1,850, followed by another cluster near $1,820. A four-hour close below $1,850 could expose $1,816.
Further selling could then push ETH toward the $1,750 to $1,730 region. Continued equity weakness or higher bond yields could increase pressure around those lower levels.

The post Ethereum Price Tests $1,850 Support After $2,000 Rejection appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Takeaways
Schlumberger shares climbed 7.2% to $50.60 Friday following a strong Q2 earnings report
The company delivered adjusted earnings of 55 cents per share, surpassing Wall Street’s 51-cent projection
Quarterly revenue increased 5% year-over-year to $8.97 billion, exceeding the $8.67 billion consensus
Strong offshore performance across Latin America, Europe, Africa, and Asia helped balance Middle Eastern headwinds
The company’s data-center division is projected to surpass $1 billion in annualized revenue by the end of 2026
Shares of SLB rocketed 7.2% higher to $50.60 during Friday’s trading session, positioning the oilfield services giant among the S&P 500’s top performers after delivering second-quarter financial results that exceeded analyst projections.
Prior to Friday’s rally, the shares had already accumulated a 23% gain for the year.
The company reported adjusted earnings of 55 cents per share, outpacing the Street’s 51-cent forecast. On a GAAP basis, earnings reached 52 cents per share, translating to $786 million in net income — representing a decline from 74 cents per share and $1.01 billion posted during the comparable period last year.
Quarterly revenue advanced 5% from the prior year to $8.97 billion, comfortably exceeding the analyst consensus estimate of $8.67 billion.
$SLB Q2’26 EARNINGS HIGHLIGHTS
Revenue: $8.97B (Est. $8.67B) ; +5% YoY
Adj. EPS: $0.55 (Est. $0.51) ; -26% YoY
Net Income: $786M; -22% YoY
Affirms FY26 Guide:
Capital Investment: ~$2.5B; unchanged
Segment Net Revenue:
Digital: $697M; +18% YoY
Reservoir…
— Wall St Engine (@wallstengine) July 24, 2026
The North American segment delivered particularly impressive results. Regional revenue surged nearly 36% to $2.24 billion, fueled by renewed activity in U.S. unconventional plays and increased appetite for production enhancement and recovery technologies.
Meanwhile, international operations generated $6.67 billion, representing a 2.6% decline attributed to continued operational challenges in the Middle East stemming from escalating U.S.-Iran tensions.
Offshore Markets Compensate for Regional Weakness
Chief Executive Officer Olivier Le Peuch emphasized that robust offshore drilling activity spanning Latin America, Europe, Africa, and Asia provided a critical counterbalance to the Middle East softness.
“When you exclude the Middle East from the equation, we saw sequential revenue expansion across all business divisions, underpinned by strengthening offshore operations, renewed momentum in U.S. unconventional basins, and robust appetite for production and recovery technologies,” Le Peuch explained.
The company’s geographically diversified international operations demonstrated resilience, posting sequential revenue gains in nearly all markets outside the Middle Eastern theater.
SLB had closed Thursday’s session down nearly 1% before Friday’s dramatic reversal.
Expanding Data-Center Operations Create New Growth Avenue
Beyond its core oilfield services operations, SLB’s emerging data-center solutions segment is gaining increasing strategic importance.
Le Peuch highlighted that this division maintained its rapid expansion trajectory, propelled by escalating customer requirements and geographic expansion. Management projects the business will cross the $1 billion threshold in annualized revenue run rate before 2026 concludes.
The company continues to expand the division’s capabilities, recently incorporating engineering and design consulting services alongside its existing product portfolio.
SLB has strategically developed this segment as energy sector participants face mounting infrastructure requirements to accommodate artificial intelligence and data-intensive computing demands — a market opportunity the company appears to be capturing successfully.
By late morning Friday, SLB shares were trading approximately 8.7% higher, maintaining the bulk of their session gains.
The post SLB (SLB) Stock Surges 7% as Offshore Operations Fuel Strong Q2 Beat appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Highlights
ARK Invest acquired 160,151 shares of Tesla distributed among four ETFs, totaling approximately $59.9 million following Tesla’s nearly 15% stock decline
Tesla’s second-quarter operating profit reached approximately $400 million, falling short of Wall Street projections by $1.3 billion
ARK divested 976,368 Figma shares through two ETFs, generating roughly $21 million
ARK acquired 130,136 shares in Circle Internet Group valued at approximately $8.6 million
Additional portfolio reductions included Robinhood, Deere, Twist Bioscience, and 10X Genomics
On Thursday, July 23, Cathie Wood’s ARK Invest executed a substantial acquisition of Tesla shares amid a steep price decline triggered by disappointing earnings results. Simultaneously, the investment firm liquidated a significant portion of its Figma holdings and expanded its Circle Internet position.
The electric vehicle manufacturer posted second-quarter operating profit figures hovering around $400 million. This result came in approximately $1.3 billion short of analyst expectations. Tesla’s stock tumbled nearly 15% during Thursday’s trading session. ARK capitalized on the price drop.
The investment firm accumulated 160,151 shares of Tesla distributed across four separate funds: ARK Innovation ETF, ARK Space & Defense Innovation ETF, ARK Next Generation Internet ETF, and ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF. The combined transaction reached an estimated value of $59.9 million.
Tesla represents the top holding within ARK Innovation ETF, comprising nearly 10% of total fund assets. ARK has maintained unwavering support for Tesla despite the stock’s underwhelming performance throughout the current year.
Heading into Friday’s session, Tesla showed a 29% decline year to date and a 3% decrease over the trailing twelve months. The stock experienced an additional 0.6% pullback during early Friday activity, trading near $317.86.
Tesla’s Core Metrics Show Weakness
Tesla’s second-quarter deliveries reached approximately 480,000 vehicles, representing a 25% year-over-year increase. Despite this volume expansion, reduced pricing power and elevated operating costs undermined profitability metrics.
The company currently trades at more than 150 times forward earnings estimates. By comparison, other Magnificent Seven stocks maintain an average valuation around 24 times forward earnings. This substantial valuation premium has generated investor concern.
Tesla introduced a robotaxi service in Austin, Texas during June 2025. While the program has extended to several additional cities, adoption rates have remained modest.
Figma Divestment and Broader Portfolio Trimming
Among ARK’s selling activity, the firm liquidated 976,368 Figma shares through its ARKK and ARKW ETFs, generating approximately $20.96 million. This transaction extends ARK’s recent trend of scaling back Figma exposure.
Additional divestments included 45,713 shares of Twist Bioscience and 152,597 shares of 10X Genomics. Both transactions occurred within the ARKK ETF and signal a retreat from biotechnology holdings.
Robinhood experienced another reduction as ARK sold 40,553 shares via its ARKW fund. The sustained selling pattern across multiple sessions indicates a strategic withdrawal from the digital brokerage platform.
The firm reduced its Deere position by 15,177 shares spread across three ETFs, valued at approximately $9.2 million.
Circle Internet Expansion and Minor Acquisitions
ARK purchased 130,136 shares of Circle Internet Group distributed among ARKK, ARKW, and ARKF ETFs, totaling roughly $8.6 million. Circle Internet specializes in digital finance and blockchain infrastructure, sectors where ARK has been building larger positions.
Additional minor acquisitions included 31,016 shares of Compass Pathways valued at $370,020 and 48,377 shares of Securitize Corp worth $371,051.
These transactions reflect ARK’s ongoing portfolio realignment—reducing biotechnology and brokerage exposure while reinforcing its Tesla conviction and expanding into cryptocurrency-related companies like Circle Internet.
The post ARK Invest Scoops Up Tesla (TSLA) Shares While Offloading Figma Stake appeared first on Blockonomi.

TLDR
DADDY meme coin fell around 40% after Andrew Tate and his brother were arrested in Miami on July 19.
UK prosecutors filed 38 new criminal charges against Andrew and Tristan Tate, including rape, human trafficking, and actual bodily harm.
Andrew Tate denied the allegations and claimed he was being held in a Special Housing Unit with limited outside contact.
His social media posts from custody sparked debate, with users questioning how he was able to post while claiming to be isolated.
DADDY’s market capitalization dropped from roughly $8 million to below $5 million following the sell-off.
The token surged during its 2024 launch after Tate publicly backed it as a rival to Iggy Azalea’s MOTHER meme coin.
The DADDY meme coin dropped around 40% after Andrew Tate and his brother, Tristan Tate, were detained in Miami on July 19. The decline followed renewed legal action from British authorities, adding fresh pressure to a token that has often reacted to Tate’s public profile. The DADDY meme coin traded near $0.0092 after the sell-off, according to CoinGecko, while its market capitalization fell from about $8 million to under $5 million.
DADDY Meme Coin Falls After Arrest
The latest drop came after UK prosecutors announced 38 additional criminal charges against Andrew and Tristan Tate. The allegations include rape, human trafficking, actual bodily harm, and offenses related to indecent images of a child. Andrew Tate has denied the accusations and is expected to face trial in Britain later this year.
The DADDY meme coin lost momentum within days of the arrest as traders reduced exposure. Price swings have followed several major developments involving Tate since the token launched, making news events a key driver of market activity.
Andrew Tate later claimed on X that he had been placed inside a Special Housing Unit with strict security measures. He said he had no outside contact, no visitors, and described the conditions inside the facility.
I am being held in SHU, the highest level of security which exists.
No commissary.
No visits.
No contact with the outside world.
My neighbor is a cannibal who screams throughout the night.
— Andrew Tate (@Cobratate) July 23, 2026
The posts attracted attention because some users questioned how he was able to publish updates while claiming to be isolated. Even with those discussions online, the DADDY meme coin continued to decline as selling pressure increased across the market.
DADDY Meme Coin Rose on Social Media Hype
The DADDY meme coin launched during the 2024 meme coin boom and quickly gained attention after Tate publicly supported it. The project positioned itself against the MOTHER token linked to Australian model Iggy Azalea, while Tate promoted it using messages about “the patriarchy.”
Strong social media activity pushed the DADDY meme coin close to $0.30 at its peak, with its market value approaching $100 million. The rally faded as interest slowed and insider trading accusations involving Tate added fresh uncertainty around the token.
The DADDY meme coin remains heavily influenced by social media activity rather than product development or utility. Market movements have repeatedly followed headlines involving Andrew Tate instead of project updates. With the latest legal case drawing global attention, the DADDY meme coin again experienced sharp volatility.
The post Andrew Tate’s DADDY Meme Coin Collapses After Sudden Miami Arrest appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Highlights
NextEra surpassed Q2 adjusted earnings per share projections with $1.15 versus analyst expectations of $1.11
The Florida Power & Light division achieved net income growth of 10.2%, reaching $1.41 billion during the quarter
NextEra Energy Resources segment saw net income surge 66.2% to $1.63 billion
The renewable energy portfolio expanded by 3.6 GW in new projects, pushing total backlog to 35.1 GW
Management projects 8%+ compound annual growth in adjusted EPS extending through 2032
NextEra Energy (NEE) delivered quarterly results that exceeded Wall Street’s expectations on Friday, propelled by robust power consumption from the rapidly expanding data center sector.
NEXTERA ENERGY $NEE Q2’26 EARNINGS HIGHLIGHTS
Revenue: $7.53B (Est. $8.06B)
Adj. EPS: $1.15 (Est. $1.11) ; +9.5%
FY26 Guidance:
Adj. EPS: $3.92-$4.02 (Est. $4.02)
Long-term outlook unchanged, with 8%+ annual EPS growth expected through 2032
Business…
— Wall St Engine (@wallstengine) July 24, 2026
For the three months ending June 30, the utility giant reported adjusted earnings of $1.15 per share. This figure topped the Street consensus of $1.11 per share compiled by LSEG. However, quarterly revenue of $7.53 billion fell short of the $8.15 billion analysts had anticipated.
In his remarks, CEO John Ketchum highlighted the impressive performance, noting that adjusted earnings per share climbed 9.5% compared to the same period last year, demonstrating solid execution across the company’s two primary business segments.
The Florida Power & Light segment, which operates as NextEra’s regulated utility division, delivered quarterly net income of $1.41 billion, marking a 10.2% gain year-over-year. The division’s regulatory capital employed expanded approximately 9.3% during the period.
Florida Power & Light is experiencing substantial interest from hyperscale computing operators and major industrial power consumers. Management disclosed that the utility is currently tracking roughly 21 gigawatts of potential large-scale load opportunities, with 12 GW already in substantive negotiations.
Company executives indicated they anticipate finalizing at least one major contract under their large-load tariff structure before year-end.
Renewable Division Posts Exceptional Results
NextEra Energy Resources, the division focused on renewable power generation, recorded quarterly net income of $1.63 billion, representing a substantial 66.2% increase.
During the second quarter, this business unit secured contracts for 3.6 GW of new wind, solar, and energy storage installations. This expansion brings the company’s total project development pipeline to approximately 35.1 GW.
Electric utilities across the United States are investing aggressively to enhance generation capacity and transmission infrastructure. Technology firms are competing intensely to secure reliable electricity supplies for their expanding data center operations, while the broader trend toward electrification continues amplifying overall demand.
According to projections from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, electricity consumption — which established new records in both 2024 and 2025 — is expected to maintain its upward trajectory through 2026 and 2027.
Proposed Dominion Energy Merger Under Review
In early July, NextEra submitted regulatory applications to state and federal authorities seeking approval for its planned $66.8 billion takeover of Dominion Energy (D).
The transaction, which was unveiled in May, would forge one of the globe’s largest electric utility companies. The proposal has encountered resistance from U.S. Senator Angus King, who contends that the consolidation would create excessive market concentration within a single corporate entity.
Under the terms of the agreement, Dominion’s customer base would receive $2.25 billion in bill credits funded by shareholders.
NextEra projects that the merged entity would generate approximately 11% annual growth in regulatory capital employed through 2032, along with adjusted EPS growth exceeding 9% through both 2032 and 2035, calculated from a 2025 baseline.
Management reaffirmed its standalone guidance calling for 8%+ compound annual growth in adjusted earnings per share through 2032, now extending this identical target through 2035.
Following this quarter’s project additions, NextEra’s renewable energy development pipeline currently totals 35.1 GW.
The post NextEra Energy (NEE) Stock Surges Past Q2 Expectations on Data Center Boom appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Highlights
RBC Capital maintained its Sector Perform rating with a $540 price target following AMD’s Advancing AI event
A transformative partnership with Anthropic was unveiled, encompassing up to 2 gigawatts of MI450-series GPU infrastructure and a proposed $5 billion equity stake
The Anthropic collaboration is projected to drive between $10 billion and $20 billion in additional revenue, with the first 1GW phase anticipated primarily throughout 2027
Several Wall Street firms elevated their price targets post-event, including Baird to $1,250, Melius to $660, UBS to $730, Jefferies to $640, and Cantor Fitzgerald to $700
The company’s latest quarterly performance delivered earnings per share of $1.37 and revenue of $10.25 billion, surpassing expectations with a 37.8% year-over-year revenue increase
Advanced Micro Devices began Friday’s trading session at $539.69, establishing a market capitalization of $880 billion. The equity currently carries a price-to-earnings multiple of approximately 177, with its 52-week trading band spanning from $149.22 to $584.73.
The headline development this week centers on the strategic alliance with Anthropic. The semiconductor giant will provision up to 2 gigawatts of its Instinct MI450-series graphics processing units for Anthropic’s operations, complemented by an equity commitment reaching $5 billion. This agreement represents a significant milestone in the AI infrastructure landscape.
Company executives indicated that the opening 1 gigawatt phase of this infrastructure rollout will predominantly materialize during 2027. Revenue associated exclusively with this opening stage could span $10 billion to $20 billion.
The announcement coincided with AMD’s Advancing AI 2026 showcase, during which the chipmaker introduced its Helios rack-scale AI architecture and revised upward its total addressable market projections for both GPU and CPU segments.
Additionally, AMD revealed a collaborative effort with Cerebras aimed at developing an ultra-low-latency AI inference solution. This integrated platform is scheduled to become available through Cerebras Cloud during the latter half of 2026.
Wall Street Response
The Anthropic announcement catalyzed substantial analyst commentary. Baird demonstrated the most bullish stance, elevating its price objective to $1,250 while forecasting $147 billion in AI GPU revenue for AMD by decade’s end.
Melius increased its target to $660, attributing the Anthropic agreement with potentially delivering up to $17 billion in revenue by 2027. UBS advanced to $730, emphasizing AMD’s server CPU trajectory and anticipating earnings per share nearing $30 by 2028.
Jefferies boosted its target to $640, underscoring AMD’s server market dominance and broadening AI client roster. Cantor Fitzgerald maintained its Overweight stance while establishing a $700 objective, suggesting approximately 30% appreciation potential from the previous closing price.
RBC Capital preserved its Sector Perform rating alongside a $540 target. The firm incorporated the Anthropic agreement into its financial models but expressed a preference for observing tangible evidence of Helios production scaling before adopting a more optimistic outlook. The firm identified component availability, rack-scale implementation capabilities, and competitive pressures as primary risk factors.
Financial Performance and Insider Transactions
AMD’s most recent quarterly disclosure, published May 5, recorded earnings per share of $1.37, exceeding the $1.29 consensus projection. Revenue totaled $10.25 billion, surpassing the $9.90 billion estimate and representing a 37.8% year-over-year expansion. Current analyst consensus projects full-year EPS of $6.25.
Regarding insider transactions, Chief Executive Officer Lisa Su divested 125,000 shares at an average execution price of $460.69 on June 10, pursuant to a pre-established 10b5-1 trading arrangement. Executive Vice President Paul Darren Grasby sold 24,376 shares during May at an average of $444.39.
Company insiders have collectively sold 310,310 shares valued at approximately $141 million throughout the previous three-month period. Institutional investors maintain ownership of 71.34% of outstanding shares.
AMD’s 50-day moving average is positioned at $510.65, while its 200-day moving average stands at $339.41.
The post AMD (AMD) Stock Surges on $5B Anthropic Partnership and Analyst Price Target Hikes appeared first on Blockonomi.

Key Takeaways
CHTR shares plunged up to 13% in premarket before recovering to close down approximately 1.6%
Second quarter revenue declined 1.7% to $13.53 billion, the fourth consecutive quarterly revenue drop
Earnings per share of $10.66 surpassed analyst expectations of $10.00, though subscriber declines stole the spotlight
Broadband customers decreased by 172,000 to 29.4 million; video subscribers fell 21,000 to 12.5 million
Wireless service provided a silver lining — 406,000 new lines added, pushing mobile base up 15.5% annually
Charter Communications delivered mixed second quarter results on Friday, surpassing earnings expectations while missing on revenue as the cable giant continued to hemorrhage broadband and video customers.
CHARTER $CHTR Q2’26 EARNINGS HIGHLIGHTS
Revenue: $13.5B (Est. $13.52B) ; -1.7% YoY
EPS: $10.66 (Est. $9.96)
Adjusted EBITDA: $5.4B; -4.3% YoY
Free Cash Flow: $969M
FY26 Guide:
Capital Expenditures: ~$11.4B
Segment Revenue:
Internet: $5.8B; -3.2% YoY
…
— Wall St Engine (@wallstengine) July 24, 2026
Shares of CHTR plummeted as much as 13% during early premarket hours before staging a partial recovery. By the opening bell, the stock had stabilized somewhat, trading down about 1.6%.
The company reported quarterly revenue of $13.53 billion, representing a 1.7% year-over-year decrease and roughly matching analyst projections. This marked Charter’s fourth consecutive quarter of shrinking revenue.
Adjusted earnings per share reached $10.66, topping Wall Street’s consensus forecast of $10.00. The company posted net income of $1.29 billion for the period.
The earnings beat couldn’t mask the challenging subscriber trends. Charter shed 172,000 internet customers throughout the quarter, reducing its total broadband subscriber count to 29.4 million. Internet revenue declined 3.2% compared to the prior year, totaling $5.8 billion.
The company’s traditional broadband business continues facing headwinds from fixed wireless and fiber competitors. Charter has reported broadband subscriber losses across multiple consecutive quarters.
The video segment saw a decline of 21,000 subscribers to roughly 12.5 million. However, this represents progress when compared to the 80,000 video customer loss recorded during Q2 2025.
Wireless Division Delivers Bright Spot
The mobile business emerged as the quarter’s highlight. Charter brought on 406,000 new mobile lines during the period, expanding its Spectrum Mobile customer base to 12.5 million — representing a 15.5% jump from the previous year.
Mobile service revenue surged 18.9% year-over-year to $1.1 billion. This segment has evolved into a significant revenue driver as Charter intensifies its wireless expansion efforts.
CEO Chris Winfrey outlined a clear approach: “Deliver the best products, at the best overall value, with the best service.”
Adjusted EBITDA dropped 4.3% versus the prior year to $5.4 billion. When stripping out transition expenses related to the pending Cox acquisition, the decrease would have measured 3.2%.
The company generated free cash flow of $969 million, down $77 million compared to the same quarter last year, primarily driven by shifts in accrued capital expenditure expenses.
Cox Acquisition on Track for August Completion
During the quarter, Charter bought back 4.0 million shares for $838 million.
The company maintained its full-year 2026 capital expenditure forecast of roughly $11.4 billion, not including impacts from the Cox transaction.
Charter’s $21.9 billion acquisition of Cox Communications remains on schedule for completion in mid-to-late August.
Winfrey informed analysts he anticipates the combination will “drive better internet customer performance and unit growth, acceleration with very underpenetrated mobile and video.”
Charter indicated that capital expenditures should follow a “meaningful downward trajectory” following 2026.
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