Shares of AXT Inc. (NASDAQ: AXTI) soared more than 17% in recent trading, reaching levels near $45 as investor enthusiasm builds around the company’s role in supplying critical materials for artificial intelligence infrastructure and high-speed optical connectivity.

The Fremont-based semiconductor substrate manufacturer closed at approximately $45.37 on heavy volume, marking a significant rally from earlier levels in the $30 range. The stock has shown extreme volatility in recent months, trading within a 52-week range from $1.13 to $47.03, reflecting both challenges and growing optimism tied to AI data center expansion.

AXT specializes in compound semiconductor substrates, including indium phosphide (InP) wafers, which are essential for high-performance lasers and detectors used in data communications, particularly for AI-driven optical networks. Demand for these materials has intensified as hyperscale data centers require faster, more efficient interconnects to handle massive AI workloads.

In its latest earnings report released Feb. 19, 2026, AXT reported fourth-quarter 2025 revenue of $23.0 million, down from prior expectations and reflecting headwinds from export permit delays out of China. For the full fiscal year 2025, revenue totaled $88.3 million, a decline from $99 million in 2024. The company posted a GAAP net loss of $21.3 million, or $0.49 per share, widening from the previous year’s loss.

Despite the miss, management highlighted improving conditions in early 2026. “We are pleased to report that we have received some permits to date in 2026 and believe we are in a strong position to achieve sequential revenue growth in Q1, driven primarily by growth in indium phosphide for the AI infrastructure build-out,” AXT executives stated in the earnings release.

The company cited delays in export permits from China’s Ministry of Commerce as a key factor limiting fourth-quarter shipments of indium phosphide products. In January 2026, AXT had updated guidance to $22.5 million to $23.5 million for the quarter, lower than an earlier $27 million to $30 million outlook, due to fewer permits issued in December.

However, the backlog for indium phosphide has grown substantially, reaching record levels amid surging customer demand from the AI sector. AXT plans to use proceeds from a December 2025 public offering to expand capacity significantly. The offering raised funds through the sale of common stock, with underwriters exercising their full option to purchase additional shares.

Executives indicated that capacity for indium phosphide production is targeted to more than double in the second half of 2026, positioning the company to capitalize on expected growth in optical connectivity for AI data centers.

Options trading activity has reflected bullish sentiment. On recent sessions, call option volume surged significantly above average, with traders positioning for further upside. Analysts and market observers have noted the stock’s rally as tied to broader enthusiasm for AI-related supply chain plays, even as the company navigates geopolitical and regulatory hurdles.

Insider activity has been mixed. Recent filings show directors selling shares, including notable transactions by Director David C. Chang and others, amid the stock’s run-up. In one instance, a director sold shares at prices around $38 to $45, reducing positions modestly. Insiders own about 8.8% of the company.

The stock’s performance comes against a backdrop of challenges in the semiconductor materials sector, including supply chain constraints and export controls affecting sales to certain markets. AXT’s products also include gallium arsenide and germanium substrates used in 5G, industrial sensing and other applications, but indium phosphide has emerged as the primary growth driver.

Market watchers point to AXT’s strategic focus on AI as a catalyst. High-speed optical transceivers reliant on InP substrates are critical for data center interconnects supporting large language models and generative AI applications. As major tech companies ramp up infrastructure investments, suppliers like AXT stand to benefit if permit issues resolve and capacity comes online as planned.

Volatility remains a factor. The stock experienced sharp swings following the earnings release, with some profit-taking after an initial post-earnings pop. Earlier in the year, shares languished at low levels before the AI narrative gained traction.

Looking ahead, AXT anticipates sequential improvement in the current quarter, assuming continued progress on permits. The company has emphasized strong underlying demand despite short-term obstacles.

Investors continue monitoring developments in U.S.-China trade relations, as export controls on advanced materials could impact future shipments. AXT’s ability to scale production and secure orders will be key to sustaining momentum.

With a market capitalization approaching $2.5 billion at recent prices, AXT has transformed from a niche player into a name drawing attention in the AI supply chain conversation. Whether the rally holds depends on execution amid ongoing challenges and the pace of AI infrastructure deployment worldwide.

Veteran wide receiver and return specialist Kalif Raymond has agreed to a one-year contract with the Chicago Bears, leaving the Detroit Lions and crossing the NFC North rivalry divide to join his former offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson, now the Bears’ head coach.

The deal, worth $5.1 million according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo and confirmed by multiple sources including ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, adds a proven slot receiver and punt return threat to Chicago’s roster as the team builds around quarterback Caleb Williams in his second season. Raymond, 31, becomes an unrestricted free agent after his contract with Detroit expired following the 2025 campaign.

“Source: WR Kalif Raymond reaches 1-year deal with Bears,” Fowler reported Tuesday, March 10, 2026. “Reuniting the wide receiver with Ben Johnson.” Johnson served as Detroit’s offensive coordinator from 2022 through 2024 before taking the Bears’ top job last offseason, helping orchestrate one of the league’s most explosive attacks during his time in Detroit.

Raymond spent the past five seasons with the Lions after signing as a free agent in March 2021. He quickly became a reliable contributor, earning second-team All-Pro honors as a punt returner in 2022 after setting a franchise record with 1,485 career punt return yards through 2025. His versatility made him a staple in special teams and as a slot option, where he posted career highs in receptions and yards during Detroit’s resurgence.

In 2025, Raymond appeared in 15 games, starting three, and recorded 24 receptions for 289 yards and one touchdown. He also handled punt returns, averaging 9.5 yards on 10 attempts with no fumbles. Over his Lions tenure, he totaled more than 1,700 receiving yards and nine touchdowns while contributing significantly on returns.

The move comes as the Bears seek depth at wide receiver following a busy offseason. Chicago traded star wideout DJ Moore earlier in the cycle and lost Olamide Zaccheaus in free agency, creating openings for veteran additions. Raymond’s experience in Johnson’s scheme—emphasizing quick routes, motion and explosive plays—positions him as an immediate fit alongside young talents like Rome Odunze and Keenan Allen, if the latter remains on the roster.

“Raymond will add veteran depth to a young receiving group,” one NFL analyst noted in reaction to the signing. The Bears’ offense under Johnson has shown promise, but injuries and inconsistencies in 2025 highlighted the need for reliable secondary options who can win in the slot and contribute on special teams.

For Detroit, the departure stings as a division rival poaches a key contributor. The Lions, who defeated Chicago convincingly 52-21 in Week 2 of 2025 with Raymond active and contributing, now face the task of replacing his return prowess. Recent pre-draft visits suggested the team might look to younger options, but losing an All-Pro caliber returner to the Bears adds intrigue to the NFC North race.

Raymond’s career path reflects resilience. Undrafted out of Holy Cross in 2016, he bounced between practice squads with Denver, before stints in Tennessee and elsewhere. His breakthrough came in Detroit, where he developed into a trusted piece under coaches Dan Campbell and Johnson.

Against the Bears historically, Raymond performed well, totaling 20 catches for 235 yards and two touchdowns in nine career games, including a memorable two-touchdown performance in a 2021 loss.

The signing drew quick reactions across the league. “Ben Johnson raids Lions’ roster as Bears agree to terms with Kalif Raymond,” one headline read, underscoring the coach’s familiarity with the player. Others praised the low-risk, high-upside addition for Chicago. “He’s gonna be a 32-year-old WR4/punt returner,” a fan forum post noted. “Not sure what there would be to be upset about.”

Raymond’s skill set aligns with Johnson’s philosophy of utilizing speed and savvy in space. At 5-foot-8 and 180 pounds, he excels in quick-release routes and as a chain-mover, while his return background provides special teams value in an era where field position matters.

The Bears enter the 2026 offseason with optimism after drafting Williams No. 1 overall in 2025 and showing flashes of competitiveness. Adding Raymond bolsters depth without significant cap commitment—a one-year pact allows flexibility if the young core progresses.

For Raymond, the move offers a fresh chapter in a familiar system. “Adding an intriguing weapon in Chicago,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport described the acquisition. The veteran enters his 10th NFL season with a chance to contribute meaningfully on a team aiming to contend in the division.

As free agency continues, the Bears’ activity signals intent to surround Williams with experienced playmakers. Raymond’s arrival, while not headline-grabbing like a blockbuster trade, represents a savvy, low-cost move leveraging coaching continuity.

Detroit fans expressed disappointment on social media, with some lamenting the loss of a player who embodied the team’s gritty turnaround. The Lions now prioritize replacing his special teams impact, potentially through the draft or remaining free agents.

The NFC North remains one of the league’s most competitive divisions, with all four teams showing potential. Raymond’s switch to Chicago adds another layer of rivalry drama when the teams meet twice in 2026.

For now, the versatile veteran prepares to don navy and orange, bringing his track record of production and professionalism to a Bears squad hungry for consistency.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats said a strategy needs to support heavy industry and manufacturing that makes up 15% of the Welsh economy

The Liberal Democrats have called for the next Welsh Government to implement its own industrial strategy as part of a long-term plan to strengthen the economy’s manufacturing base.

Ahead of publishing its Senedd Election manifesto later this month the Welsh Liberal Democrats said a dedicated Welsh industrial strategy should work alongside the UK-wide strategy – ensuring Welsh industries receive the targeted support they need while avoiding duplication. Last year the Westminster government published its ten year industrial strategy around eight key pillars, ranging from manufacturing to fintech.

Last week, in its Senedd manifesto, CBI Wales also called for a distinct Welsh industrial strategy, although with alignment to the UK one.

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The Welsh Liberal Democrats proposal was highlighted during a visit by David Chadwick MP to the 7 Steel facility in Cardiff, where he met with workers and industry representatives to discuss the challenges facing Welsh heavy industry and manufacturing.

The party says Wales requires a clear and coordinated strategy to support its industrial sectors, recognising the outsized role they play in the Welsh economy. Heavy industry and manufacturing account for around 15% of the Welsh economy, compared with around 9% across the rest of the UK.

The party argues that Wales still has a strong industrial base and the potential to lead in areas such as advanced manufacturing, engineering and green energy supply chains, but that this will require deliberate and sustained action from government.

It highlighted that businesses in Wales consistently raise concerns about high energy costs, poor transport infrastructure and growing skills shortages, which they warn are holding back investment and growth. It added that any serious industrial strategy must also focus on strengthening apprenticeships and technical training to ensure Welsh businesses have access to the skilled workforce they need.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have previously called for the Welsh Government to reverse recent cuts to the apprenticeship budget, expand higher and degree apprenticeships in sectors such as engineering, manufacturing and construction, and establish regional engineering and technical skills hubs aligned with local employer demand.

Mr Chadwick, who is PM for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe, said: “Wales has a proud industrial heritage and the skills, expertise and workforce to build a strong manufacturing future. But after decades of deindustrialisation and years of economic drift from the Welsh Labour Government, far too many communities feel their industries have simply been left behind.

“Manufacturing and heavy industry still make up a far larger share of the Welsh economy than they do elsewhere in the UK. That is a strength we should be building on, not something we allow to decline through neglect.

“That’s why the Welsh Liberal Democrats are calling for a dedicated Industrial Strategy for Wales, one that recognises the importance of our industrial sectors, supports innovation and investment, and ensures Welsh businesses can compete and grow.

“After 27 years in power, Welsh Labour has never even attempted to set out a clear strategy to close the wage gap between Wales and England or improve productivity across the Welsh economy.

“The Welsh Liberal Democrats believe economic growth should be at the heart of tackling poverty and creating opportunity. A serious industrial strategy for Wales would be a vital step towards achieving that.”

The party is also calling for rail to be devolved to Wales with a fair block grant adjustment recognising years of underinvestment in Wales’ rail infrastructure. Devolution of rail would uncouple Wales from rail projects in England, such as high speed two, being deemed as Wales and England schemes.

This would see the comparability factor, which sets the rate of a Barnett consequential from an overall increase in DfT spending, rising for Wales from the current 33% in line with nearly 96% for Scotland and Northern Ireland.

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Just days before its nationwide theatrical debut, Amazon MGM Studios’ Project Hail Mary is generating widespread acclaim from critics, boasting a 95% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from over 65 reviews as of March 10, 2026. The score edges out the 92% earned by Ridley Scott’s The Martian (2015), marking the Ryan Gosling-led space epic as one of the century’s most favorably reviewed sci-fi films.

Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller—the Oscar-winning duo behind The LEGO Movie and the Spider-Verse franchise—this marks their first live-action directorial feature since 2014’s 22 Jump Street. Screenwriter Drew Goddard, who previously adapted Weir’s The Martian for the screen, delivers a faithful yet cinematic take on the 2021 novel. The film follows Ryland Grace (Gosling), a junior high science teacher who awakens alone aboard a spaceship far from Earth, grappling with amnesia while confronting a mission to reverse a solar dimming threat that could doom humanity.

Critics have praised the film’s blend of hard science, humor, emotional depth, and visual spectacle. Many highlight the central relationship between Grace and “Rocky,” an alien companion rendered through groundbreaking practical effects and puppeteering by Neal Scanlan and James Ortiz. Reviews describe Rocky as a “breakout star” whose design and performance evoke genuine warmth and wonder, turning the story into a heartfelt interspecies buddy adventure.

The Hollywood Reporter called it a “winner” for Amazon MGM, noting the film’s ability to balance intellectual rigor with crowd-pleasing entertainment. Deadline reported strong early buzz, projecting a $50 million-plus domestic opening weekend against a production budget estimated at over $150 million. IndieWire described Gosling’s performance as channeling the “Everyman” spirit of Matt Damon’s Mark Watney in The Martian, but with added layers of vulnerability and charm. USA Today awarded it four out of four stars, hailing it as “2026’s first great movie” and an “epic space adventure that checks all the sci-fi boxes.”

Empire magazine deemed it an “old-school crowdpleaser,” while Gizmodo emphasized that even viewers familiar with the book’s plot remain captivated by the execution. Nerdist went further, stating the film “made me romantic about movies” again, crediting its faithful adaptation, stellar soundtrack, and the lifelike portrayal of Rocky—achieved through a seamless mix of puppets, animatronics, and subtle CGI.

The film’s Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer stands at 95% “Certified Fresh,” with descriptors highlighting its intelligence, optimism, and visual innovation. On Metacritic, it holds a 79/100 from early reviews, indicating “generally favorable” reception. While audience scores are not yet fully available ahead of the March 20 release, social media reactions from preview screenings have echoed the enthusiasm, with many calling it a potential “masterpiece” rivaling Interstellar or The Martian.

Project Hail Mary premiered in London on March 9, 2026, with early IMAX and premium format screenings already underway in select markets. It opens wide in theaters—including IMAX and IMAX 70mm—on March 20, distributed by Amazon MGM Studios domestically and Sony Pictures internationally. The production was filmed with IMAX cameras to capture the vastness of space and intricate scientific sequences.

Weir’s novel, a follow-up to his debut The Martian, became a bestseller for its accessible explanations of astrophysics, xenobiology, and problem-solving. The film retains this spirit, emphasizing cooperation over conflict—both between humans and with extraterrestrial life. Gosling, an Academy Award nominee, also serves as a producer, bringing his signature wit to the reluctant hero role.

Supporting performances include Sandra Hüller, Lionel Boyce, Ken Leung, and Milana Vayntrub, adding depth to flashbacks and mission elements. The score and sound design have drawn particular praise for enhancing the sense of isolation and discovery.

As anticipation builds, Project Hail Mary arrives at a time when sci-fi blockbusters continue to draw audiences seeking smart, hopeful escapism. Its early critical success suggests it could follow The Martian‘s path—not only commercially, with that film grossing over $630 million worldwide—but also as a cultural touchstone for hard science fiction on screen.

Industry observers note the film’s timing could position it as an awards contender, particularly for Gosling’s lead performance, the visual effects, and adapted screenplay. With review embargoes lifted and word-of-mouth spreading rapidly, Project Hail Mary appears poised to soar beyond expectations, proving that thoughtful science fiction remains a powerful draw in modern cinema.

High oil prices due to the Iran war are pushing gasoline prices higher and that could lead to grocery bills rising for American consumers.

Oil prices surged in recent weeks after the outbreak of the Iran war, rising from the $60 to $70 a barrel range for most of February to more than $100 a barrel on Monday before gradually easing to about $85 a barrel during Tuesday’s trading session.

Higher oil prices, in turn, push gasoline and diesel prices higher, with the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline rising from $2.92 a month ago to $3.54 and diesel increasing from $3.66 to $4.78 in that period, according to AAA data.

The increase in oil, gas and diesel prices raises the transportation costs faced by businesses, including grocery stores, which may face pressure to raise the price of food and other items to account for the cost increases if the situation continues.

WILL TAPPING OIL RESERVES CURB SOARING GAS PRICES?

The war with Iran has affected the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz, a key choke point for the global energy market. (Giuseppe Cacace/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)

“Every time something moves in the economy it will cost more,” said Derek Reisfield, co-founder of MarketWatch and a former McKinsey consultant. “Someone, usually the end consumer, will have to pay for that.”

Gregory Daco, chief economist at EY-Parthenon, told FOX Business, “For U.S. consumers, what this means is that while there is currently a price shock at the pump being felt directly by consumers, there’s still uncertainty as to how long this shock will last.”

“The effect on consumer spending activity is still somewhat fluid because we don’t know the duration of the shock to crude oil prices and in turn to gas prices,” he added, noting that gas prices will moderate if crude oil prices trend down toward their pre-war levels.

FED OFFICIALS CLOSELY MONITOR IRAN CONFLICT FOR POTENTIAL INFLATION IMPACT

Grocery prices could be affected by a protracted energy price shock because elevated oil and gas prices increase businesses’ transportation costs and could be passed on to consumers. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Daco noted that businesses find themselves in “a very delicate pricing environment” because tariffs have raised input costs, which have been challenging to pass on to inflation-weary consumers. 

“Pricing sensitivity over the course of the last couple of years has increased dramatically, and increasingly consumers are constrained by affordability issues,” Daco said. 

Talent costs are also elevated with wages rising, and now transportation costs are increasing due to the oil and gas shock. And with consumers facing their own financial limitations, businesses are “really struggling in terms of your ability to find a relief valve on the pricing side.”

AMID IRAN WAR, PRESIDENT TRUMP SUGGESTS SHORT-TERM OIL PRICE SPIKE IS ‘SMALL PRICE TO PAY’ FOR PEACE

Gas prices jumped after the outbreak of the Iran war. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

Daco said businesses may opt to address those headwinds through some combination of margin compression and selective pricing behavior to “stave off some of these shocks at least in the short run” as they try to protect market share while waiting to see whether the energy price shock will be short-lived or longer-lasting.

Ben Fulton, CEO of WEBs Investments, said the oil shock “will have a butterfly effect if prices stay above $70 for very long. The cost to transport, hedging costs for manufacturing and cushioning by producers to protect from possible pending inflation will be noticeable to retail.”

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