Key Highlights

• Arm shares climbed 13% during Wednesday’s session, reaching an intraday peak of $345.60
• Mizuho Securities upgraded its price forecast from $290 to $360 while keeping its Outperform designation
• The revised target suggests approximately 19% potential appreciation from Arm’s prior close of $302.71
• Achieving $360 would establish a fresh record high for the semiconductor designer
• The upgrade reflects expectations for sustained DRAM demand extending to 2027 and expansion in the high bandwidth memory sector

Arm Holdings (ARM) experienced a significant 13% rally on Wednesday following Mizuho Securities’ decision to elevate its price objective to $360 from the previous $290, accompanied by a reaffirmed Outperform rating. The stock touched $345.60 during intraday trading and has posted gains exceeding 210% since early 2026.

Arm Holdings plc American Depositary Shares, ARM

Mizuho’s updated $360 price objective indicates potential upside of approximately 19% compared to Arm’s latest settlement price of $302.71. Should the stock reach this level, it would set a new peak in the company’s trading history.

The analyst firm’s bullish revision stems from two fundamental convictions. Mizuho anticipates that DRAM demand will maintain momentum through 2027. Additionally, the firm projects continued expansion in the addressable market for high bandwidth memory—both trends expected to benefit Arm’s semiconductor operations.

The evolving AI narrative provides additional support. Arm has increasingly emphasized emerging opportunities within agentic AI, a theme that market participants are viewing as a significant long-term catalyst.

The semiconductor designer’s gross margin currently registers at 94.08%, while its market capitalization has expanded to approximately $322 billion following Wednesday’s advance.

Potential Headwinds Under Scrutiny

Despite the enthusiasm, the rally comes with certain considerations. Arm has recently identified new operational risks associated with demand forecasting as it transitions into production silicon.

The organization cautioned that closer collaboration with chip foundries may present complications related to supply chain management, manufacturing yields, and inventory optimization. These challenges represent legitimate concerns for an enterprise scaling its hardware manufacturing footprint.

Nevertheless, Mizuho’s choice to increase rather than moderate its outlook indicates the firm believes the company’s growth trajectory overshadows these operational considerations in the near term.

Current Market Position

ARM’s 52-week trading band extends from $100.02 to $349.11. Wednesday’s intraday peak of $345.60 positions the stock near the upper boundary of this range.

Typical daily trading volume hovers around 9.2 million shares. On Wednesday, activity measured 403,900 shares—substantially below the average—indicating this price movement reflects a sentiment adjustment rather than aggressive institutional accumulation.

The stock’s performance since the beginning of the year now exceeds 176%, representing one of the semiconductor sector’s standout performers in 2026.

Mizuho’s revised $360 price forecast represents the most current analyst assessment available as of Wednesday’s close.

Key Highlights

• Major indices approached all-time highs fueled by robust corporate results and artificial intelligence enthusiasm
• Snowflake (SNOW) skyrocketed more than 35% following stellar quarterly results and a massive $6 billion Amazon Web Services partnership
• Unusual Machines soared up to 67% amid speculation about Pentagon funding for domestic drone production
• Crude oil prices experienced dramatic volatility, with Brent briefly hitting $93 before retreating on diplomatic developments between Washington and Tehran
• Semiconductor leaders like Marvell and AMD remained in focus as the AI infrastructure buildout continued

Equity markets extended their advance Thursday as impressive quarterly earnings and renewed artificial intelligence optimism bolstered investor sentiment. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite both flirted with record territory throughout trading.

Oil emerged as the session’s most volatile asset. Brent crude temporarily spiked to $93 per barrel following escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East involving Iran. However, prices reversed course after media reports indicated potential diplomatic progress between the United States and Iran.

Energy markets remain under close scrutiny by market participants. A sustained climb in petroleum prices could reignite inflationary pressures and potentially alter the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy trajectory.

Snowflake (SNOW) Rockets 35% Following Stellar Earnings and Major AWS Partnership

Thursday’s standout performer was undoubtedly Snowflake. The cloud-based data platform provider exploded higher by more than 35% after delivering quarterly earnings that substantially exceeded analyst projections and upgrading its full-year revenue guidance.

Snowflake simultaneously unveiled a five-year AI infrastructure collaboration with Amazon Web Services valued at approximately $6 billion.

The impressive performance eased investor anxieties that artificial intelligence advancements might undermine established software enterprises. Company executives emphasized that customer appetite for AI-powered solutions is intensifying rather than diminishing.

The positive momentum rippled through the broader software sector. Oracle, MongoDB, and ServiceNow all registered gains in Snowflake’s wake.

Numerous software companies had faced headwinds throughout 2026 amid concerns that generative AI applications could cannibalize traditional revenue streams. Snowflake’s quarterly performance suggested the contrary, demonstrating that AI is functioning as a growth catalyst rather than a disruptive threat.

Defense Drone Stocks Skyrocket on Government Funding Speculation

Military and drone-related stocks posted explosive gains Thursday. Market chatter intensified around potential increased federal funding earmarked for American-based drone manufacturers.

Unusual Machines surged as much as 67% intraday. The dramatic price movement followed reports suggesting the company could be positioned to benefit from anticipated Pentagon procurement initiatives.

The buying frenzy extended throughout the defense technology space. AeroVironment and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions also attracted strong investor demand as traders positioned for companies likely to capture expanded military and intelligence surveillance budgets.

Heightened Middle Eastern geopolitical instability has amplified investor attention toward defense technology equities. Market observers note the unmanned aerial vehicle sector has emerged as one of the equity market’s most dynamic investment themes as nations worldwide expand defense appropriations.

Semiconductor Stocks Maintain Strength Amid Persistent AI Demand

Semiconductor equities remained prominently featured throughout the trading session. Marvell Technology advanced after posting quarterly results that exceeded Street estimates.

Advanced Micro Devices climbed as capital continued flowing into AI infrastructure-focused investments.

Thursday’s trading action underscored a marketplace still predominantly oriented toward artificial intelligence expansion and earnings strength. Crude oil volatility and Middle Eastern geopolitical developments represent ongoing risks commanding investor attention.

For the present, solid corporate profitability continues underpinning the market’s upward trajectory.

Sequans Communications, the French semiconductor company that pivoted to bitcoin (BTC) treasury operations 11 months ago to escape a New York Stock Exchange delisting warning, is winding down its experiment. 

The chipmaker confirmed today that it fully redeemed its convertible debt by selling BTC. 

It also plans to quietly “monetize” its remaining 658 BTC. At its peak, the company held 3,234 BTC.

Sequans once vowed to accumulate over 3,000 BTC as a “long-term reserve.” Long-term apparently meant less than a year.

Sequans’ SQNS common stock opened for trading today down 77% over the past year and 97% over the past five years.

Its brief existence as a BTC treasury company, coinciding with heavy promotions by Swan Bitcoin and its CEO Cory Klippsten, began on June 23, 2025. That was 18 days after NYSE warned Sequans that its market capitalization and shareholders’ equity had both fallen below the exchange’s $50 million minimum.

“Sequans is poised to lead among bitcoin treasury companies,” Klippsten said with SQNS trading at $23.40 per share. Those same shares opened for trading today at $3.98.

Key Highlights

• Seven Grand Managers LLC acquired 3 million shares of ACHR valued at approximately $22.56 million during Q4
• Shares opened Thursday at $6.53, representing a gain of roughly 6.56%
• Q1 results showed an EPS loss of -$0.28 against a consensus estimate of -$0.25; revenue totaled $1.60M compared to expectations of $1.66M
• Advancements in FAA certification and participation in UAE’s air taxi program are improving market sentiment
• Wall Street analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus with an average target price of $11.83

Shares of Archer Aviation (ACHR) soared 6.56% during Thursday’s trading session, beginning the day at $6.53, following the revelation that Seven Grand Managers LLC established a significant new position in the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) manufacturer valued at around $22.56 million.

Archer Aviation Inc., ACHR

The investment comprises approximately 0.46% of Archer’s total shares and ranks as the 17th largest position within Seven Grand Managers’ portfolio. This holding represents about 1.7% of the fund’s complete investment allocation.

This institutional commitment arrives on the heels of a challenging Q1 financial report released on May 11. The company recorded an earnings per share loss of $0.28, exceeding the anticipated loss of $0.25. Top-line results reached $1.60 million, falling marginally short of the $1.66 million analyst forecast.

The quarterly loss deepened compared to the prior year period, when Archer reported an EPS of -$0.17. Wall Street projections indicate a full-year EPS loss of -$1.51 for the ongoing fiscal year.

Nevertheless, market participants seem to be prioritizing regulatory developments over near-term financial performance.

Regulatory Milestones Fueling Optimism

Archer continues to advance through the FAA certification process and has recently been accepted into the UAE’s air taxi regulatory approval framework. These achievements represent tangible progress toward launching commercial flight operations.

Such regulatory victories are providing momentum for bullish investors, despite the company’s ongoing negative cash flows and profitability challenges.

Institutional investors collectively control 59.34% of Archer’s outstanding shares. Additional funds have expanded their positions recently — Bank of Jackson Hole Trust increased its holdings by 45.9% in Q3, while Center for Financial Planning boosted its stake by 138.8% during the identical quarter.

Executive Share Sales Continue

Contrasting with institutional buying activity, company insiders have been divesting shares. Over the previous 90 days, insiders have sold 502,739 shares totaling approximately $3.12 million.

Chief Accounting Officer Harsh Rungta disposed of 22,826 shares at $6.46 per share on March 5, decreasing his holdings by 25.86%. Eric Lentell, another company insider, sold 48,169 shares at $5.95 each on May 18, similarly reducing his stake by approximately 25%. Both transactions were associated with tax obligations related to vesting equity compensation.

Corporate insiders maintain ownership of 7.65% of the company’s shares.

Regarding analyst coverage, opinions remain varied. Canaccord Genuity reduced its price objective from $13 to $12 on May 12 while preserving a “buy” recommendation. Needham lowered its target from $10 to $9 on March 3, also retaining a “buy” stance. Weiss Ratings has issued a “sell” rating on the shares.

The overall analyst consensus stands at “Moderate Buy” with a mean price target of $11.83 — significantly above current market levels.

ACHR trades within a 52-week range of $4.80 to $14.62. The stock’s 50-day moving average stands at $5.87, while the 200-day moving average sits at $7.05. With a beta of 3.13, the equity exhibits substantial volatility.

Financially, Archer maintains a current ratio of 18.06 and carries a minimal debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06, indicating conservative leverage.

For the year-to-date period, ACHR shares have declined approximately 12.90%, making Thursday’s advance one of the stronger single-session performances in recent trading activity.

The company’s market capitalization currently stands at roughly $4.94 billion.

Asset management giant Grayscale is the latest crypto firm to delay its plans to go public due to market conditions, according to a person with knowledge of the matter.

The Stamford-based investment firm has paused its IPO preparations, and is unlikely to restart the process until the fourth quarter at the earliest, the person said, who spoke on condition of anonymity as the matter is private.

DCG subsidiary Grayscale, one of the world’s largest crypto asset managers and the firm behind the Bitcoin Trust ETF (GBTC), filed confidentially for a U.S. IPO in November last year.

“Due to the SEC-mandated quiet period, we are unable to comment at this time,” a Grayscale spokesperson said in emailed comments.

Grayscale is a leading digital asset investment platform that provides investors with secure and regulated exposure to the cryptocurrency market. Through its suite of single-asset, diversified, and thematic investment products, the firm enables institutional and retail investors to access digital assets without the operational complexities of directly buying, storing, or managing crypto. Since its founding in 2013, the firm has played a central role in bridging traditional finance and the evolving digital asset ecosystem.

Crypto firms entered 2026 anticipating a breakout year for IPOs after successful public listings from companies such as Circle (CRCL) and Bullish (BLSH), the parent company of CoinDesk, helped revive investor interest in digital-asset businesses last year. Since then, however, worsening market conditions, softer trading activity and underwhelming post-listing performance from newly public firms, including BitGo (BTGO), have tempered enthusiasm for additional digital asset IPOs.

As a result, several major crypto firms, including Payward, the parent company of Kraken; Ethereum software developer Consensys; and hardware wallet manufacturer Ledger, have delayed their IPO plans as they wait for market conditions to stabilize.

Still, some firms are moving ahead with their listing plans. Blockchain.com said last week that it had confidentially filed for a U.S. IPO with the SEC.

Grayscale’s Ethereum Staking Mini exchange-traded fund (ETF) ranked as the top-performing U.S. ETP for Ethereum in the first quarter of 2026, drawing $337 million in inflows as of March 31, according to Bloomberg data. Despite a broader downturn in crypto markets, the firm has moved to convert or uplist 10 digital asset investment products into exchange-traded products since the fall of 2025.