BUSINESS

The ASX 200 index rose 1.37% on Friday, driven by easing Middle East tensions and stronger commodity prices, boosting Australian equities across mining, energy, and financial sectors.

Netflix shares fell slightly despite strong subscriber growth and ad-tier momentum, as investors weigh premium valuation and competitive pressures in the streaming market.

NVIDIA's stock rose slightly amid market caution, driven by its AI infrastructure dominance and strong partnerships. Despite valuation concerns, analysts remain bullish on its long-term growth potential.

Intel's stock declined amid valuation concerns and competitive pressures, despite strong 2026 performance driven by strategic partnerships and government support. Analysts remain divided on its long-term prospects.

Agilent Technologies' shares rose 14% after exceeding Q2 expectations and raising its full-year guidance, driven by strong demand in AI-related applications and growth in life sciences and diagnostics.

Dollar Tree's shares rose 16% following a strong first-quarter earnings report, surpassing expectations and raising profit guidance, driven by improved consumer trends and successful merchandising strategies.

Braiin Limited's shares rose 32% after announcing a partnership with Switchcraft to integrate utility and telecom solutions into its AI platform, targeting the £25 billion UK residential market.

Snowflake Inc. shares soared over 35% following strong earnings and a major AWS partnership, driven by AI demand. Analysts view this as a pivotal moment for the company's growth trajectory.

GameStop shares rose slightly as retail investors maintained interest despite market challenges. The company faces ongoing industry shifts and strategic uncertainties, with analysts divided on its future prospects.

The Dow Jones fell 241.85 points due to U.S.-Iran tensions and inflation concerns, with energy stocks rising and financials declining. Analysts expect continued volatility amid geopolitical and economic uncertainties.

US mortgage rates have reached a nine-month high, driven by inflation concerns linked to US-Iran tensions, impacting housing affordability and market dynamics.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company is a top investment choice for 2026, driven by strong AI demand and robust financial performance, with analysts recommending buying shares amid geopolitical and competitive challenges.

Samsung Electronics is poised for growth in 2026, driven by AI demand and memory chip advancements, despite semiconductor sector volatility. Analysts recommend buying, citing strong fundamentals and potential upside.

Crude oil prices surged as US-Iran tensions near the Strait of Hormuz reignited fears of supply disruptions, impacting global energy markets and economic stability.

Wingstop's stock has declined due to weaker domestic sales, but analysts see potential in its international growth and expansion. The stock is viewed as a long-term investment opportunity.

The FTSE 100 Index fell 0.95% due to geopolitical tensions and commodity-linked stock weakness, reflecting broader market declines amid Middle East uncertainty and fluctuating commodity prices.

SpaceX has developed a custom AI training system using 220,000 Nvidia GPUs, aiming for significant performance improvements over existing frameworks, enhancing its AI capabilities for future projects.

Learn how to maintain aluminium outdoor furniture during winter, including when to use covers, proper positioning, and cleaning tips to ensure longevity and appearance.

Starbucks' stock has risen over 20% in 2026, driven by strategic initiatives under CEO Brian Niccol. Analysts are divided on its valuation amidst economic challenges and competitive pressures.

Modern businesses are moving beyond traditional polo shirts, opting for creative attire like branded hoodies and custom blazers to reflect diverse and dynamic work cultures.

The ASX 200 index fell 1.43% amid global energy market concerns and domestic pressures, with financial and material stocks leading the decline. Geopolitical tensions and inflation data influenced market sentiment.

Amazon's 2026 stock surge, fueled by cloud and AI investments, raises questions about its valuation and growth potential amid strong AWS performance and retail resilience.

NEW YORK — SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ: SNDK) has delivered extraordinary returns in 2026, with shares surging over 500 percent year-to-date amid booming demand for NAND flash memory driven by artificial intelligence data centers, leaving investors debating whether the rally has further room to run or if current valuations warrant caution.

Oracle's stock has surged in 2026 due to its cloud and AI services, raising questions about its valuation amidst competition and high expectations.

Meta's AI and advertising growth drive strong returns, but Reality Labs losses and valuation concerns challenge investors. Analysts highlight AI integration and advertising resilience amid economic uncertainties.

Erasca Inc. shares rose nearly 9% as investors responded positively to promising clinical data for its cancer therapy, ERAS-0015, and strategic collaborations aimed at advancing its oncology pipeline.

NEW YORK — AppLovin Corporation shares surged more than 12 percent on Wednesday, climbing $62.17 to $576.41 in midday trading after the mobile technology company reported robust first-quarter results and raised its full-year guidance, highlighting continued strength in its AI-powered advertising platform and gaming business.

Apple's iPhone 18 Pro Max is set for a September 2026 release, featuring a 2nm A20 Pro chip, variable aperture camera, and new colour options, marking significant advancements in AI and photography.

Investors face a choice between Intel, NVIDIA, and TSMC as they navigate the semiconductor sector's AI-driven growth, balancing risk and reward amid geopolitical and market challenges.