BUSINESS

SYDNEY — The S&P/ASX 200 has shown resilience in the first nine trading days of May 2026, climbing roughly 2.8% despite global volatility, with a handful of standout performers driving much of the gains. As artificial intelligence infrastructure demand, lithium market recovery and technology innovation continue to shape investor sentiment, five companies have emerged as the clear leaders in percentage terms on the benchmark index so far this month.

SYDNEY — Australia's real estate market in 2026 is displaying a stark "two-speed" dynamic, with booming price growth in Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide contrasting sharply with slower or declining values in Sydney and Melbourne, even as national dwelling prices continue to rise modestly amid persistent supply shortages and population-driven demand.

NEW YORK — Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE: PLTR) stands out as one of the strongest buy recommendations in the artificial intelligence sector in 2026, with Wall Street analysts maintaining a solid "Moderate Buy" to "Strong Buy" consensus as the company's AI-powered data analytics platforms gain rapid traction in both government and commercial markets.

NEW YORK — As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries and drive record capital spending in 2026, investors are looking for the strongest ways to participate in what many analysts call the defining technological megatrend of the decade.

Queensland gained 35,000 net interstate migrants in 2025, the largest of any state. Inside the moving industry, the rules have already shifted. R2G's Caio Russo Campos explains.

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) is a compelling buy for conservative, long-term investors in 2026, with analysts maintaining a consensus "Moderate Buy" rating as the healthcare giant delivers steady earnings growth, robust cash flow and one of the longest dividend increase streaks in corporate America.

NEW YORK — Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) remains one of the highest-conviction buys in the financial services sector in 2026, with Wall Street analysts issuing near-unanimous "Strong Buy" ratings as the payments giant continues to benefit from the unstoppable shift toward digital and contactless transactions worldwide. Despite elevated valuations, Visa's durable business model, expanding network effects and consistent earnings growth make it an attractive long-term holding for both growth and income investors.

NEW YORK — The S&P 500 climbed 54.39 points, or 0.74%, to close at 7,391.50 on Thursday, extending its recent winning streak as strong corporate earnings and unrelenting enthusiasm for artificial intelligence continued to propel major indices higher on Wall Street.

NEW YORK — The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 115.01 points, or 0.23%, to close at 49,711.98 on Thursday, extending its recent winning streak as robust corporate earnings and sustained enthusiasm for artificial intelligence continued to support investor sentiment on Wall Street. The blue-chip index has now advanced for four consecutive sessions, reclaiming ground lost during earlier volatility tied to geopolitical developments and interest rate uncertainty.

NEW YORK — Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM) stands as a compelling buy for long-term, income-focused investors in 2026, with Wall Street analysts issuing a consensus "Moderate Buy" rating amid resilient cash flows, a robust dividend and disciplined capital allocation despite volatile oil prices and the energy transition.

NEW YORK — Micron Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MU) remains one of the strongest buy recommendations in the semiconductor sector in 2026, with Wall Street analysts maintaining a consensus "Strong Buy" rating as explosive demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and other AI-related chips continues to fuel record-breaking revenue and profit growth.

NEW YORK — Eli Lilly & Co. (NYSE: LLY) stands out as one of the strongest buy opportunities in the pharmaceutical sector in 2026, with Wall Street analysts maintaining overwhelmingly bullish ratings as blockbuster weight-loss and diabetes drugs Mounjaro and Zepbound continue driving explosive revenue growth and margin expansion.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) remains a standout buy recommendation for investors in 2026, with Wall Street analysts issuing a near-unanimous "Strong Buy" consensus amid robust e-commerce growth, consistent market share gains and resilient consumer spending at the nation's largest retailer. The stock's defensive qualities, expanding high-margin businesses and steady execution under CEO Doug McMillon make it attractive even as broader markets grapple with economic uncertainty.

OMAHA, Neb. — Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE: BRK.B) stands out as a compelling buy for patient, long-term investors in 2026, even as the conglomerate navigates the transition to new CEO Greg Abel and faces questions about deploying its massive cash reserves amid elevated market valuations. With a fortress balance sheet, diversified operating businesses and a proven ability to compound capital over decades, Berkshire continues to appeal to value-oriented investors seeking stability in an uncertain economic environment.

NEW YORK — Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ: AVGO) remains a compelling buy for investors in 2026, with Wall Street analysts issuing overwhelmingly bullish ratings amid explosive growth in its artificial intelligence semiconductor business and strong execution across its diversified portfolio.

NEW YORK — Amazon.com Inc. shares are drawing strong buy recommendations from Wall Street analysts in mid-2026, with the consensus pointing to significant upside as the company's cloud computing arm delivers its fastest growth in 15 quarters and artificial intelligence investments begin showing returns amid robust e-commerce performance.

ARLINGTON, Va. — Fluence Energy Inc. shares skyrocketed nearly 40% on Thursday, closing at $18.97 after surging as high as $20.29 intraday, as investors cheered the energy storage company's record order backlog and new deals with hyperscale data center operators even after a significant revenue miss in its fiscal second-quarter results.

SYDNEY — The S&P/ASX 200 tumbled 154.2 points, or 1.74%, to close at 8,723.9 on Thursday, snapping a recent rebound and underscoring persistent investor caution amid renewed Middle East tensions, higher-for-longer interest rates and a wave of disappointing corporate updates from major resource and financial names.

NEW YORK — GameStop Corp. shares fell more than 3% in morning trading Thursday, trading around $24.41 after closing at $25.17 the previous session, as investors continued to digest skepticism surrounding the video game retailer's ambitious $56 billion unsolicited takeover proposal for eBay.

TULSA, Okla. — AAON Inc. shares skyrocketed more than 50% in morning trading Thursday after the commercial HVAC manufacturer delivered blockbuster first-quarter results fueled by explosive demand for data center cooling solutions, shattering revenue forecasts and prompting a sharply higher full-year outlook.

NEW YORK — The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped modestly Thursday, closing at 49,828.33, down 82.26 points or 0.16%, as Wall Street took a breather after surging to fresh records the previous session on hopes for a U.S.-Iran peace agreement.

NEW YORK — Apple Inc. shares have delivered solid gains in 2026, trading near $287-$290 in early May after a blockbuster fiscal second-quarter earnings beat that showcased robust iPhone demand and record Services growth, prompting most Wall Street analysts to maintain a Buy rating and view the stock as a core long-term holding despite valuation concerns.

NEW YORK — Advanced Micro Devices Inc. shares have surged dramatically in 2026, trading near $400 after a blockbuster first-quarter earnings beat that sent the stock up more than 15% in a single session, prompting fresh debate on whether investors should buy, hold or consider taking profits amid the ongoing AI boom.

Picture this: you're walking through a beautifully restored 1920s craftsman home, admiring the original hardwood floors and decorative cornices, when suddenly you notice the lights dimming automatically as the sun sets. The heating kicks in without anyone touching a thermostat. Your phone buzzes with a notification that the smart security system has detected movement in the garden.

The company focuses on helping improve workforce productivity by examining the psychosocial factors that influence how work is designed and experienced.

An Australian health innovator who learned to speak English watching home shopping channels as a child is now set to feature on one of America's largest networks, in a full-circle moment that is capturing global attention.

NEW YORK — Bitcoin's trajectory in 2026 remains a hotly debated topic on trading floors and among retail investors, but the prevailing Wall Street view leans heavily toward buying the leading cryptocurrency at current levels near $80,000.

NEW YORK — Gold prices tumbled more than 2% on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, with spot gold hitting $4,527.26 per ounce, down $102.63 or 2.22% from the previous close, extending a broader correction from record highs set earlier this year amid shifting macroeconomic forces and profit-taking.

NEW YORK — Axsome Therapeutics Inc. shares jumped more than 13.8 percent to $231.93 in early trading Monday, May 4, 2026, extending gains after the company received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for expanded use of its drug AUVELITY to treat agitation associated with Alzheimer's disease and reported solid first-quarter financial results.