Applied Materials reported strong Q2 results with revenue of $7.91 billion, up 11% year-over-year, and a record operating margin of 31.9%. The company raised its semiconductor equipment growth outlook for 2026 to over 30%, driven by improved revenue visibility, a strategic acquisition, and strengthened partnerships. The stock has rallied 45% since the last coverage and remains a "Strong Buy" with a fair price-to-earnings ratio raised to 45x–55x, trading currently at the lower end of this range. Despite geopolitical risks, the company’s competitive position and growth prospects support further upside potential.
Chip stocks rallied strongly following robust earnings reports from Microsoft and Lam Research, with Lam Research shares jumping 20% and Microsoft rising 15%. The surge was driven by increased demand for AI-related infrastructure, as companies invest...
The Alger Concentrated Equity ETF (CNEQ) and the Mango Growth ETF (GARY) offer different U.S. growth exposures despite both being tech-heavy and actively managed. GARY focuses heavily on semiconductor and AI infrastructure stocks, capturing the AI ca...
The FTSE 100 reached a new intraday high above 10,945, driven by strong earnings from companies like Standard Chartered, Reckitt Benckiser, and Rio Tinto, which also announced increased dividends and share buybacks. Rising oil prices, fueled by renew...
The Silvant Large Cap Growth SMA achieved a quarterly return of 14.61% (gross) and 13.79% (net), underperforming the Russell 1000 Growth Index, which returned 16.74%. Key contributors to the fund's relative performance included ARM Holdings and Appli...
