In aviation, careers are built one flight at a time. For Robert McRath, that journey started long before he ever sat in a cockpit.

Today, McRath is a Captain at Endeavor Air, a subsidiary of Delta Air Lines. He leads with calm focus, strong discipline, and a deep respect for the responsibility that comes with flying passengers every day.

His story is not about overnight success. It is about steady progress, early curiosity, and a lifelong commitment to learning and service.

“I’ve been interested in aviation since I was in middle school,” McRath says. “Once that spark hit, it never really went away.”

Early Life in St. Louis and a Passion for Aviation

Robert McRath grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. Like many pilots, he developed a love for flight at a young age.

In middle school, aviation caught his attention. While other students were still figuring out what they wanted to do, McRath was already looking up.

“I remember being fascinated by how planes worked,” he says. “It felt like the sky was this open path.”

That early interest gave him direction. It also gave him motivation to work toward something bigger.

At the same time, McRath was active in the Boy Scouts from an early age. That experience shaped his character.

He eventually earned the rank of Eagle Scout, one of the highest achievements in scouting.

“Scouting taught me leadership before I ever thought about being a captain,” he says. “You learn responsibility early.”

Education at Saint Louis University and Flight Team Leadership

McRath took his passion for aviation to Saint Louis University. He studied aviation science and graduated in 2019, Cum Laude.

His time at SLU was not only about classes. It was about building real-world experience.

He became involved with the Flying Billikens Flight Team, one of the university’s standout aviation programs.

“The flight team was where aviation became real for me,” McRath says. “It pushed me to improve every day.”

The Flying Billikens helped him develop technical skills, teamwork, and confidence under pressure.

He also earned recognition for his academic work. McRath received an aviation science research project award, showing his ability to think beyond the basics.

“I liked digging deeper into aviation,” he says. “There’s always more to learn about safety, systems, and how we operate.”

That mindset is one of the reasons he has become a leader in his field.

Career Path to Endeavor Air Captain

After college, McRath entered the aviation industry. Like many pilots, he worked step by step toward larger roles.

Over time, his dedication and skill led him to Endeavor Air.

Endeavor is a subsidiary of Delta Air Lines and plays a key role in regional flight operations across the United States.

McRath now serves as a Captain, a position that requires sharp decision-making and steady leadership.

“As a captain, you’re responsible for more than flying,” he explains. “You’re responsible for the whole operation and the people around you.”

In the cockpit, leadership is not loud. It is calm, prepared, and focused.

“You have to stay grounded,” he says. “Passengers trust you without ever meeting you.”

That trust is what drives his professionalism every day.

What Makes a Leader in the Aviation Industry

Aviation is an industry built on precision. Leaders in this space are defined by consistency, training, and responsibility.

McRath’s leadership style reflects his background.

From Eagle Scout lessons to flight team discipline, he has always worked with structure and purpose.

“I’ve always believed in showing up prepared,” he says. “That’s how you earn trust.”

As a captain, he supports his crew, communicates clearly, and stays focused on safety.

In many ways, his role is not just technical. It is human.

“You’re working with a team,” McRath says. “Everyone has to be on the same page.”

That ability to lead quietly but effectively is what sets strong aviation professionals apart.

Giving Back to the Flying Billikens Community

Even with a demanding career, McRath stays connected to where it all started.

He continues to share his time and knowledge with the Flying Billikens Flight Team at Saint Louis University.

This is an important part of his story.

“I wouldn’t be where I am without that team,” he says. “So I want to help others coming up behind me.”

Mentorship is a form of leadership that often goes unseen. But it matters deeply in aviation.

New pilots learn best from those who have walked the path before them.

McRath’s willingness to give back shows that leadership is not only about rank. It is about service.

Lessons from Robert McRath’s Aviation Journey

Robert McRath’s career offers a clear message: success in aviation comes from discipline, learning, and steady growth.

His journey started with curiosity in middle school. It grew through scouting, education, and teamwork. And it continues today at the captain level.

“Flying is still something I respect every single day,” he says. “You never stop learning in this industry.”

From St. Louis to the skies, McRath represents the kind of grounded leadership aviation depends on.

His story is not flashy. It is focused. And that is exactly what makes it worth reading.

In a world that moves fast, aviation demands calm professionals who lead with purpose.

Robert McRath is one of them.

Copyright ©2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8

Copyright ©2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8

Q4: 2026-02-26 Earnings Summary

EPS of $0.57 misses by $0.33

 | Revenue of $196.87M (5.14% Y/Y) misses by $5.06M

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The smartphone rivalry between Samsung and Apple reached new heights in early 2026 with the February release of the Galaxy S26 Ultra and the lingering dominance of Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro Max, launched in September 2025. As consumers weigh upgrades or switches between ecosystems, the two devices stand as premier options for power users, creators and photographers seeking cutting-edge performance.

Both phones command premium pricing: the Galaxy S26 Ultra starts at $1,299 for 256GB, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max begins at $1,199 for the same storage tier. Despite the slight edge in starting cost for Apple, real-world value depends on priorities like ecosystem integration, camera versatility, battery endurance and unique features.

Design and Build
The Galaxy S26 Ultra measures 163.6 x 78.1 x 7.9mm and weighs 214g, making it thinner and lighter than the iPhone 17 Pro Max at roughly 8.75mm thick and heavier build. Samsung refined the Armor Aluminum frame with rounded ergonomic corners for better one-handed comfort, addressing past complaints about sharp edges. It retains IP68 resistance and includes the built-in S Pen stylus for note-taking, drawing and productivity.

Apple opted for a bold unibody aluminum chassis that wraps around the back, ditching the previous titanium-glass sandwich for a more integrated, aggressive look with a prominent camera plateau. The iPhone feels sturdy and protective, though its extra thickness and weight make it less pocket-friendly for some users. Both offer high durability with advanced glass protection — Gorilla Armor 2 on Samsung and Apple’s latest Ceramic Shield equivalent.

Display
Screen real estate is identical at 6.9 inches. The Galaxy S26 Ultra uses a QHD+ Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X panel (3120 x 1440 resolution) with 1-120Hz adaptive refresh, HDR10+ support and peak brightness around 2,600 nits. Anti-reflective coating minimizes glare, though some early feedback notes it falls short of predecessors in certain lighting.

The iPhone 17 Pro Max features a 6.9-inch LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED (2868 x 1320) with ProMotion 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10 and up to 3,000 nits peak brightness. Apple’s display excels in color accuracy, outdoor visibility and consistency, often edging out competitors in calibrated tests.

Performance and AI
Under the hood, the Galaxy S26 Ultra runs Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 customized for Galaxy on a 3nm process, delivering claimed 19% faster CPU, 24% better GPU and 39% improved NPU for AI tasks. It pairs with 12GB or 16GB RAM options.

The iPhone 17 Pro Max uses Apple’s A19 Pro chip (also 3nm), optimized for efficiency and thermal management with a vapor chamber cooling system. Benchmarks show tight competition, with Samsung pulling ahead in raw multi-core and gaming scenarios, while Apple’s silicon shines in sustained performance and optimized app ecosystems.

Both emphasize on-device AI: Galaxy AI offers advanced generative tools, real-time editing and Bixby enhancements on One UI 8.5 (Android 16 base), while Apple Intelligence powers Siri upgrades, photo tools and contextual features in iOS 19 or later.

Camera Systems
Photography remains a battleground. The Galaxy S26 Ultra boasts a 200MP main (f/1.4 for superior low-light), 50MP ultrawide (f/1.9), 10MP 3x telephoto and 50MP 5x periscope, plus 12MP front camera. Upgrades include brighter apertures, enhanced Nightography and steadier video with APV codec support.

The iPhone 17 Pro Max counters with three 48MP sensors: main Fusion with second-gen sensor-shift OIS, ultrawide and a new telephoto with tetraprism design offering up to 8x optical-quality zoom (longest ever on iPhone) and 200mm equivalent focal length. An 18MP front camera improves selfies. Early side-by-side tests show Samsung leading in zoom versatility and detail at high resolutions, while Apple often wins in natural color science, video stabilization and consistency.

Battery and Charging
Battery life favors Apple. The iPhone 17 Pro Max delivers up to 39 hours of video playback thanks to a larger capacity (around 5,088mAh or more via internal redesign) and efficient chip. Real-world tests confirm exceptional endurance.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra’s 5,000mAh cell offers solid all-day use (up to 31 hours video), but shines in charging: 60W wired (full charge in under an hour) versus Apple’s 25-30W wired and 25W wireless. Reverse wireless charging adds utility.

Software and Ecosystem
iOS on the iPhone provides seamless integration with Mac, iPad, Apple Watch and services like iMessage, FaceTime and AirDrop. Long-term support stretches years with consistent updates.

Android on Samsung offers customization, multitasking, DeX desktop mode and broader app sideloading. Seven years of OS and security updates match Apple’s commitment. Ecosystem loyalty often decides: Android users gain more flexibility, while iOS users benefit from polished continuity.

Pricing and Availability
Galaxy S26 Ultra launched February 25, 2026, with availability from March 11. iPhone 17 Pro Max has been on sale since September 2025, giving it a head start in real-world reviews.

Verdict
No clear “better” phone exists — it hinges on preference. The Galaxy S26 Ultra appeals to those wanting stylus support, faster charging, higher-resolution zoom and privacy features like the built-in Privacy Display that blacks out side views. Its refinements make it feel more complete for Android loyalists.

The iPhone 17 Pro Max excels in battery life, video prowess, thermal efficiency and ecosystem polish, making it ideal for users invested in Apple or prioritizing longevity per charge.

Both represent pinnacles of 2026 smartphone tech. Potential buyers should consider test drives, ecosystem fit and priorities like photography style or daily endurance before choosing.

Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE: DELL) shares soared more than 20% on February 27, 2026, after the company reported record fourth-quarter and full-year fiscal 2026 results, fueled by explosive demand for AI-optimized servers. The performance capped a transformative year for the technology giant, with executives highlighting surging enterprise and cloud provider orders as evidence of Dell’s leadership in the artificial intelligence infrastructure market.

Dell closed the trading day up approximately 21.9% at around $148, with intraday highs reaching $148.25, marking one of the stock’s strongest single-day gains in recent history. Volume exceeded 18 million shares, more than double the average. The rally followed the February 26 after-hours release of fiscal fourth-quarter results ended January 30, 2026, which significantly exceeded Wall Street expectations.

For the quarter, Dell posted revenue of $33.38 billion, a 39.5% increase from the prior year and well above the consensus estimate of about $31.6 billion to $31.9 billion. Adjusted earnings per share came in at $3.89, topping analyst forecasts of $3.53 and representing a 45% year-over-year jump. Net income rose to $2.25 billion, or $3.37 per share, from $1.53 billion, or $2.15 per share, a year earlier.

The Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG), which includes servers and storage, led the charge with revenue of $19.6 billion, up 73% year over year. Within that segment, AI-optimized server revenue hit a record $9 billion for the quarter — a staggering 342% increase — while traditional servers and networking grew 27% to $5.9 billion. Executives noted that the company booked $34.1 billion in AI orders during the period and shipped more than $9.5 billion in AI servers, entering fiscal 2027 with a record $43 billion backlog. Full-year fiscal 2026 AI-optimized server revenue reached about $24.7 billion, with cumulative orders surpassing $64 billion.

For the full fiscal year 2026, Dell achieved record revenue of $113.5 billion, up 19% from the previous year, and non-GAAP diluted EPS of $10.30, a 27% increase. The company generated record cash flow from operations, returning $7.5 billion to shareholders through buybacks and dividends, and ended the year with $13.3 billion in cash and investments.

Looking ahead, Dell provided aggressive guidance that further fueled investor enthusiasm. For fiscal 2027, the company projects revenue between $138 billion and $142 billion — far exceeding analyst expectations around $124.7 billion — and expects AI server revenue to approximately double to $50 billion, representing 103% growth. First-quarter fiscal 2027 revenue is guided to between $34.7 billion and $35.7 billion, with adjusted EPS around $2.90.

CEO Michael Dell and COO Jeff Clarke emphasized the AI opportunity as a defining force. “FY26 was a defining year in our company’s history,” Clarke said in the earnings release. “We delivered record full-year revenue and EPS… The AI opportunity is transforming our company.” Management highlighted differentiated engineering, broad-based demand from enterprises and Tier 2 cloud providers, and disciplined execution amid supply constraints, including a noted memory shortage impacting the industry.

Analysts responded swiftly with upward revisions. Mizuho raised its price target to $180 from $175 with an “outperform” rating, implying significant upside. J.P. Morgan increased its target to $165, forecasting at least 36% potential rally from prior levels, while Barclays lifted to $168 and Piper Sandler adjusted to $167, both maintaining overweight or equivalent ratings. Morgan Stanley, however, hiked its target modestly to $110 while keeping an “underweight” stance, citing valuation concerns despite the strong results.

The surge comes amid broader market dynamics in AI infrastructure. Dell benefits from partnerships with Nvidia and others, positioning it to capture share in data center expansions. Challenges persist, including rising memory costs and supply tightness for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) used in AI systems, but executives expressed confidence in navigating these through strategic sourcing and backlog management.

Dell also announced shareholder-friendly moves: a 20% dividend increase and an additional $10 billion share repurchase authorization, signaling strong conviction in sustained cash generation and growth.

The stock’s performance reflects a shift from earlier 2025 volatility, when shares traded as low as $66.25, to new momentum driven by AI tailwinds. Year-to-date in calendar 2026, DELL has shown resilience, with the post-earnings pop pushing it toward recent highs around $168.

Investors and analysts will watch upcoming quarters for confirmation that AI server margins remain healthy and shipments track toward the ambitious $50 billion target. Dell’s next earnings are expected in late May or early June for the first quarter of fiscal 2027.

As AI adoption accelerates globally, Dell’s results underscore its pivot from traditional PC and enterprise hardware to a high-growth AI infrastructure player, potentially reshaping its valuation trajectory in the years ahead.

Copyright ©2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8

GameStop Corp. (NYSE: GME) shares traded in a narrow range around $24 in late February 2026, reflecting cautious investor sentiment following a period of volatility driven by CEO Ryan Cohen’s aggressive push toward strategic acquisitions and the company’s robust cash reserves.

As of February 27, 2026, GME closed at $24.03, down 0.29% on moderate volume of about 1.2 million shares. The stock opened at $23.79, reached a high of $24.22 and dipped to a low of $23.70 during the session. This stability comes after a slight pullback from recent peaks near $25 earlier in the month, with the shares up roughly 20% year-to-date in calendar 2026 but still well below the meme-stock frenzy highs of prior years.

GameStop’s market capitalization hovers around $10.7 billion, supported by a cash pile exceeding $8.8 billion as reported in the most recent filings. The company’s balance sheet strength stems from disciplined cost-cutting, reduced store footprint and opportunistic capital raises during past surges. Analysts note that this liquidity positions GameStop uniquely among traditional retailers, enabling potential transformative moves under Cohen’s leadership.

Cohen, who became chairman in 2021 and assumed the CEO role in September 2023, has emphasized turning GameStop into a more agile, value-oriented entity. In January 2026, the board approved a long-term performance award granting Cohen options to purchase over 171.5 million shares at $20.66 each. The package ties significant compensation to ambitious market capitalization milestones: 7.1% for reaching $80 billion, scaling up to 15% at $100 billion. Cohen recused himself from the board’s deliberations on the award, which requires shareholder approval.

The incentive aligns Cohen’s interests with massive upside potential, though it has drawn scrutiny for its scale and lack of base salary. Cohen has publicly criticized “risk-free insiders” and bureaucratic boardrooms, signaling a preference for bold, entrepreneurial strategies over incremental retail tweaks.

Recent months have seen heightened speculation about a “very big” consumer megadeal. In late January 2026 interviews and statements, Cohen hinted at pursuing a transformative acquisition that could “increase the company’s value tenfold.” Reports suggest interest in consumer-facing assets or technology plays to pivot beyond legacy video game retail. While no deal has materialized, the rhetoric has fueled periodic rallies, including an 8.25% jump on February 2 amid acquisition rumors.

GameStop’s most recent financials, from the third quarter ended November 1, 2025 (fiscal Q3 2025), showed net sales of $821 million, down 4.6% year over year from $860.3 million. However, operating income swung to $41.3 million from a $33.4 million loss, driven by lower selling, general and administrative expenses ($221.4 million versus $282 million). Adjusted operating income reached $52.1 million. Net income climbed to $77.1 million, bolstered by interest income and other factors.

The company also disclosed Bitcoin holdings valued at $519.4 million, adding an unconventional asset to its treasury strategy. Cash, equivalents and marketable securities totaled $8.8 billion, up substantially from the prior year.

Investors await the fiscal fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results, expected around March 24, 2026. Consensus estimates project modest EPS, though variability remains high due to the stock’s meme-driven nature.

Broader industry context includes cautious optimism for video games. Circana forecasts U.S. industry spending to rise 3% to $62.8 billion in 2026, but GameStop faces structural headwinds from digital downloads, streaming and competition from Amazon, Best Buy and direct publisher sales.

Retail investor interest persists on platforms like Reddit’s WallStreetBets, where GME remains a focal point. Options activity has been elevated at times, contributing to short squeezes in the past, though short interest has moderated compared to 2021 peaks.

Analyst coverage remains limited and polarized. Some see the cash hoard and Cohen’s track record (from Chewy) as undervalued catalysts, with outlier fair-value estimates reaching $220 in discounted cash flow models under optimistic growth assumptions. Others point to declining core sales, high valuation multiples (forward P/E around 27 based on trailing EPS of $0.88) and execution risks in pivoting the business.

The stock’s 52-week range spans $19.93 to $35.81, with the latter hit in May 2025 during a brief resurgence. Year-to-date performance in 2026 shows resilience, up about 20% from January levels around $20.

As GameStop navigates its next chapter, attention centers on whether Cohen can deliver on acquisition ambitions without diluting shareholder value. With substantial dry powder and a motivated leader, the company could either evolve into a diversified holding entity or face challenges proving sustainable profitability in a shrinking physical retail segment.

Traders and long-term holders alike monitor for catalysts like deal announcements or earnings surprises. For now, GME trades in a consolidation phase, balancing speculative hope against fundamental retail realities in an evolving gaming landscape.