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Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of AGNC, NLY either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

The death toll from a gas explosion at a coal mine in northern China’s Shanxi province has jumped to 90, state media CCTV reported on Saturday.

The gas explosion occurred late on Friday at the Liushenyu coal mine in ‌Qinyuan county, ⁠with ⁠247 workers on duty underground, state media Xinhua reported earlier in the day.

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for authorities to “spare no effort” in treating the injured and conducting search and rescue operations, while ordering a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident and ⁠strict accountability ‌in accordance with the law, according to Xinhua.

Premier Li Qiang echoed the instructions, calling ⁠for timely and accurate release of information and rigorous accountability.

Rescue operations were ongoing and the cause of the accident was under investigation, according to the local emergency management authority in Qinyuan.

China has significantly reduced coal mine fatalities – often caused by gas explosions or flooding – since the early 2000s ‌through more stringent regulations and safer practices. The Liushenyu incident, though, was one of the deadliest reported in ⁠China in the past decade.
Executives of the company responsible for the mine have been detained, Xinhua reported.Earlier Xinhua had reported only eight dead, with more than 200 people brought safely to the surface. It did not explain the jump in the death toll.

Market expert Sunil Subramaniam has advised investors to remain cautious in the near term amid rising geopolitical uncertainty, input cost pressures and the evolving impact of the ongoing global conflict on corporate earnings. While he remains constructive on select domestic themes such as consumer durables, premium consumption and capital goods, he believes the market could witness heightened volatility in the coming months, especially as the impact of rising crude and raw material costs begins to reflect in Q1 earnings.

Speaking to ET Now, Subramaniam said the recent rally in pharma stocks was partly aided by rupee depreciation, which boosted export-oriented companies. However, he warned against extrapolating recent quarterly earnings into the future as the current numbers do not fully capture the impact of higher input costs, especially for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), freight and global supply disruptions caused by geopolitical tensions.

“The previous quarter is not reflective of the current situation,” he said, adding that investors should avoid reading too much into recent earnings announcements. According to him, the full impact of the global conflict will likely become visible only in the June quarter earnings season. As a result, he is not particularly bullish or bearish on the pharma sector at the moment and prefers a wait-and-watch approach.

Consumer Durables to do well, FMCG under margin pressure

On the consumption theme, Subramaniam expects consumer durables to outperform FMCG companies in the near term. He believes a strong summer season and robust demand for products such as air conditioners, refrigerators and premium automobiles could help consumer durable companies offset rising input costs through volume growth.

He explained that companies in this segment typically enjoy high operating leverage, meaning strong topline growth can cushion the impact of higher raw material prices. Rising crude prices, however, are expected to increase costs for inputs such as tyres, paints, steel and packaging materials.
For FMCG companies, he expects margin pressures to intensify in the current quarter due to rising prices of palm oil, fertilisers and other crude-linked raw materials. He pointed out that the previous quarter’s earnings were relatively protected because companies used lower-cost inventory accumulated earlier in the year.
Subramaniam said many FMCG firms are already responding by cutting advertising expenses and focusing more on premium products where margins are higher. However, he cautioned that companies may struggle to pass on higher costs to mass-market consumers, particularly if rural demand weakens due to an uneven monsoon.
He also expressed optimism about high-end retail and digital-first platform companies benefiting from India’s ongoing premiumisation trend. While he does not track individual stocks in the segment, he believes rising aspirations and stronger discretionary spending among affluent consumers could continue to drive growth in premium retail businesses.

Among sectors he currently favours, Subramaniam highlighted consumer durables and capital goods as his top investment themes. According to him, capital goods companies are relatively insulated from immediate geopolitical shocks and stand to benefit from continued government and private sector capital expenditure.

He said the government is unlikely to sharply reduce infrastructure spending despite fiscal pressures, while private capex is also gradually improving. He further noted that reconstruction demand in the Gulf region after the conflict could create additional opportunities for Indian capital goods exporters.

Why public banks may beat private ones

On banking, Subramaniam remains more positive on public sector banks (PSBs) than private lenders. He argued that the recent rally in private banks was largely driven by short covering rather than genuine buying conviction from foreign institutional investors (FIIs).

According to him, FIIs continue to remain cautious on India and their flows play a major role in determining the performance of large private banks. He added that with the Reserve Bank of India unlikely to cut rates in the near term — and discussions even emerging around possible rate hikes — the environment may not be favourable for private banks.

PSBs, on the other hand, are better positioned due to their stronger CASA deposits, improving asset quality and greater alignment with the capital expenditure cycle, he said.

Mid, smallcap rally driven by earnings

Subramaniam also shared his views on the broader market rally in midcap and smallcap stocks. He said the surge has been driven by a combination of strong earnings growth, abundant domestic liquidity and retail investor optimism following the sharp correction seen during the geopolitical selloff earlier this year.

He noted that many midcap and smallcap companies reported earnings growth of 30-40% in the previous quarter, helped partly by the fact that raw material cost increases had not yet fully impacted margins.

At the same time, strong mutual fund inflows and growing retail participation have continued to support valuations in the broader market. However, he warned that this momentum could come under pressure if geopolitical tensions worsen or if the RBI adopts a hawkish stance in its upcoming policy meeting.

June quarter earnings to shape market direction

According to Subramaniam, the June quarter earnings season beginning in July will be critical in determining the market’s next direction. If the war continues and higher costs start hurting margins significantly, broader markets could face pressure. However, if the geopolitical situation stabilises by then, investors may overlook weak quarterly earnings and focus instead on future recovery prospects.

Given this uncertainty, he advised moderate investors to maintain balanced portfolios with roughly equal exposure to largecaps and mid/smallcaps. More aggressive investors with a longer investment horizon can increase exposure to midcaps and smallcaps but should be prepared for elevated volatility.

He also identified sectors to avoid in the current environment. Energy stocks, according to him, are “too hot to handle” due to extreme volatility linked to crude price movements and geopolitical developments. He also remains cautious on information technology stocks because of persistent concerns around the impact of artificial intelligence on the sector’s long-term growth outlook.

On automobiles, Subramaniam maintained a positive long-term view but believes much of the good news is already priced into stocks after the recent rally. He advised investors to hold existing positions but monitor monthly sales trends, particularly rural demand, two-wheeler sales and entry-level car demand, before adding fresh exposure.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times)

LOS ANGELES — A source close to Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie has claimed that Jolie conducted a campaign of alienation that has successfully turned their six children against Pitt.

The source told the Daily Mail: “There has been a campaign of alienation [by Jolie] which has been successful. The antagonism is huge. He has been alienated from the kids completely. It is devastating to him.”

Pitt and Jolie, who were married for two years and together for more than a decade, have been locked in a contentious divorce and custody battle since their separation in 2016. The couple shares six children: Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, and twins Knox and Vivienne.

Graduation Absence

Pitt did not attend the recent college graduation of his daughter Zahara from Spelman College. A source told TMZ that nothing prevented him from attending the event. The source added: “Zahara’s mum and siblings, who have been involved over the four very special years, were present and cheering her and her Spelman sisters on.”

The source continued: “Nothing prevented him from showing up for her. Or ever visiting her. The day was about all she accomplished. Not whether he was willing to attend.”

Name Changes

Maddox Jolie-Pitt, the couple’s eldest son, dropped “Pitt” from his name in the credits of a recent film project. Shiloh Jolie also removed “Pitt” from her name in legal documents filed in 2023.

Ongoing Legal Battles

Jolie and Pitt continue to litigate several matters, including the ownership of Château Miraval, the French winery they purchased together in 2008. Jolie scored a legal win in that case in May 2026 when a Los Angeles court ruled in her favor on certain aspects of the dispute.

The former couple’s divorce proceedings have stretched for years. Pitt has visitation rights included in their divorce agreement, but sources close to the situation say contact with the children has been minimal in recent years.

Pitt’s Public Stance

Pitt has rarely spoken publicly about the estrangement. In previous interviews, he has expressed a desire to rebuild relationships with his children while acknowledging the difficulties following the high-profile split.

The actor continues to work in Hollywood, producing and starring in films through his Plan B Entertainment company. He has maintained a relatively low public profile regarding personal matters in 2026.

Jolie’s Activities

Angelina Jolie has focused on directing, acting and humanitarian work. She has appeared in several films and continues to advocate for children’s rights and refugee issues through her work with the United Nations and other organizations. She has also been involved in wine production at Miraval following the legal developments.

Background on the Relationship

Pitt and Jolie began their relationship in 2005 after meeting on the set of “Mr. & Mrs. Smith.” They announced their engagement in 2012 and married in 2014 in a private ceremony in France. Jolie filed for divorce in September 2016, citing irreconcilable differences.

The divorce has involved multiple court hearings, custody evaluations and property disputes. Both parties have been represented by high-profile legal teams throughout the process.

Children’s Current Status

The six children range in age from 14 to 24 as of May 2026. Several have pursued creative and academic interests. Zahara recently graduated from Spelman College. Maddox has worked in film production. Shiloh has shown interest in dance and modeling. The younger children, Knox and Vivienne, have appeared in some of Jolie’s film projects.

Public Interest

The Pitt-Jolie family situation continues to generate significant media coverage and public discussion. Sources close to both sides have periodically shared perspectives with entertainment outlets, though both Pitt and Jolie have largely avoided direct public commentary on the family dynamics in recent years.

The latest claims from Pitt’s associate highlight the ongoing emotional toll of the estrangement on the actor. The source described Pitt as devastated by the lack of relationship with his children.

This article was written by

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, but may initiate a beneficial Long position through a purchase of the stock, or the purchase of call options or similar derivatives in IONQ over the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

Bitcoin is facing fresh selling pressure despite easing U.S.-Iran tensions and over $400 million wiped out from the crypto market in the past 24 hours. The cryptocurrency was trading at $75,398 mark witnessing a decline of nearly 3% in the past 24 hours.

Ethereum also declined 3% to trade at $2,061 mark. Among the major altcoins, BNB, XRP, Solana, Tron, Dogecoin, Hyperliquid and Cardano corrected upto 4.75%. The global crypto market capitalisation edged down 2.31% to $2.52 trillion, according to CoinMarketCap.

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WazirX Market’s Desk said Bitcoin and Ethereum remained under pressure this week as global macroeconomic concerns continued to dominate market sentiment, both recording weekly declines amid rising Treasury yields, persistent inflation concerns, and elevated oil prices driven by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

The broader risk-off environment weighed heavily on crypto investment products, which recorded net weekly outflows of over $1.07 billion and Bitcoin funds accounted for the majority of withdrawals, while Ether products also posted significant redemptions, ending a six-week streak of inflows, WazirX Market’s Desk further said.

In the past week, Bitcoin and Ethereum were down 4.31% and 7.15% respectively. Among the major altcoins, BNB, XRP, Solana, Dogecoin, Cardano slipped upto 6.09% whereas Tron and Hyperliquid gained 3.02% and 31.46% respectively.
Piyush Walke, Derivatives Research Analyst, Delta Exchange said Bitcoin showed a second consecutive weekly loss, as easing U.S.-Iran tensions failed to revive sentiment in the crypto market. Continued outflows from Bitcoin ETFs and profit-booking after a U.S. Senate crypto bill breakthrough kept pressure on digital assets.
Also Read | Time to buy rupee assets? DSP Mutual Fund lists 5 reasons favouring Indian equities and bonds

Bitcoin’s decline also triggered fresh liquidations in leveraged positions, with over $400 million wiped out from the crypto market in the past 24 hours and going forward, crypto markets are expected to remain highly sensitive to U.S. inflation data, Fed rate expectations, ETF flows, and geopolitical developments, Walke said.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)

SAN JOSE, Calif. — NetApp Inc. shares rose 12.44% to close at $139.36 on May 22, 2026, on the Nasdaq after the data infrastructure company reported fiscal fourth-quarter results that exceeded analyst expectations and highlighted strong demand for AI-optimized storage solutions.

The stock traded in a range between $123.50 and $140.20 during the session with significantly elevated volume. In after-hours trading, shares were little changed around $139.35.

Fiscal Q4 2026 Results

NetApp reported fiscal fourth-quarter revenue of $1.71 billion, up 8% year-over-year. The company posted non-GAAP earnings per share of $2.15, beating consensus estimates. GAAP net income was $312 million, or $1.48 per share.

For the full fiscal year 2026, NetApp generated revenue of $6.76 billion. The company ended the year with strong cash flow from operations and continued to return capital to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases.

AI and Cloud Momentum

NetApp highlighted growth in its AI-related offerings, particularly with its Intelligent Data Infrastructure platform. The company noted increasing adoption of its solutions for AI training, inference and data management by hyperscalers and enterprise customers.

Public cloud revenue grew 28% year-over-year in the quarter. NetApp also reported strong performance in its hybrid cloud storage portfolio, with ONTAP software and all-flash systems seeing increased demand.

Analyst Reactions

Several firms raised price targets following the earnings release. Piper Sandler increased its target to $165 from $150. Barclays raised its target to $155. Consensus ratings remain generally positive with an average 12-month price target around $148 to $160.

Strategic Position

NetApp provides data management and storage solutions for hybrid and multi-cloud environments. The company has positioned itself as a key player in the AI infrastructure space, offering high-performance storage systems capable of handling large-scale data workloads required for generative AI applications.

The company maintains partnerships with major cloud providers including Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud. NetApp has expanded its software-defined storage capabilities and continues to invest in research and development for AI-accelerated workloads.

Market Context

NetApp operates in a competitive data storage market that has seen increased demand due to AI adoption across industries. The company faces competition from Pure Storage, Dell Technologies and cloud-native solutions. Global data generation continues to grow rapidly, driving investment in storage infrastructure.

Shares of NetApp have shown volatility in 2026 but have benefited from sector-wide interest in companies supporting AI infrastructure. The stock has traded in a 52-week range between approximately $95 and $148. Market capitalization stood near $29 billion following the May 22 close.

Outlook

NetApp provided fiscal first-quarter 2027 guidance with revenue expected between $1.68 billion and $1.73 billion. The company maintained its full-year fiscal 2027 revenue outlook in the range of $7.1 billion to $7.3 billion. Management cited confidence in continued AI-driven demand.

The company will report further details during its earnings conference call. Analysts will monitor gross margin trends, cloud revenue growth and execution on AI-related opportunities in upcoming quarters.

Dividend and Capital Returns

NetApp declared a quarterly dividend of $0.52 per share, payable on July 23, 2026, to shareholders of record on July 3. The company has consistently returned capital through dividends and buybacks while investing in growth initiatives.

Broader Industry Trends

Demand for high-performance storage has accelerated with the expansion of AI training clusters and enterprise data platforms. NetApp’s focus on unified storage architectures that work across on-premises and cloud environments has positioned it to benefit from hybrid IT strategies.

LOS ANGELES — Erin Moriarty, who plays Starlight on the Prime Video series “The Boys,” disclosed in a personal essay for Time magazine that she was diagnosed with Graves’ disease in May 2025 after struggling with severe undiagnosed symptoms for nearly two years.

Moriarty, 31, wrote that her symptoms began in September 2023. She described memory failure, incapacitating fatigue, intense mood swings, weakness and numbness in her hands and feet, heart palpitations and persistent urinary pain.

“The most frightening symptom of all was the cognitive decline,” she wrote. “My short-term memory deteriorated so severely that learning even simple lines became difficult — terrifying when you’re filming a television show.”

Moriarty said she was referred to a neurologist while continuing to film the final season of “The Boys.” She noted the challenge of managing chronic illness symptoms publicly.

“I was going through the physical hell of chronic illness on a public stage,” she wrote. “Doing it in private is emotionally damaging enough, but to have my physical symptoms be speculated about, trivialized, and dismissed was devastating.”

In May 2025, as filming wrapped, she received the diagnosis. “The day I was given a diagnosis was the day my life began again,” she stated. “Not because it instantly fixed everything, but because it finally gave shape to the chaos. It gave language to suffering that had gone on for years.”

Moriarty revealed that months after beginning treatment, she was hospitalized on Aug. 1, 2025, following a severe mental-health crisis.

“As my physical health began to improve, I realized how absent from myself I had been for the previous two years,” she wrote. “I had been hormonally dysregulated, cognitively impaired, and psychologically untethered for so long that recovery didn’t bring me peace. It brought me clarity. And for me, clarity arrived carrying grief.”

She described grieving lost time that affected her professionally, creatively, relationally and psychologically. “I spent at least two years of my life physically present but mentally unreachable,” she stated.

Moriarty said she felt compelled to speak publicly. “Illnesses that disproportionately affect women are still too often minimized, misunderstood, or exaggerated,” she wrote. “Silence has consequences. Ignorance does, too. And so, remaining silent about this is no longer an option for me.”

She expressed hope that her story could help others. “I hope the transparency surrounding my symptoms can help even one person catch their illness earlier than I caught mine,” she wrote. “The body speaks long before it screams. Listen to yourself before your body is forced to scream loud enough for the world to hear it, too.”

Background on Graves’ Disease

Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder in which the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. According to medical sources, common symptoms include rapid heartbeat, anxiety, weight loss, fatigue, tremors and cognitive difficulties.

Moriarty had previously hinted at health challenges during production of “The Boys” but had not detailed the extent of her condition until the Time essay published on May 21, 2026.

Career Context

Moriarty has portrayed Annie January, also known as Starlight, on “The Boys” since the series premiered in 2019. She also appeared in the spin-off series “Gen V” and has roles in other projects, including “Jessica Jones.” She continued working through her symptoms during the final season of “The Boys,” which wrapped filming in 2025.

The actress has used her platform to raise awareness about health issues that disproportionately affect women. She described the essay as a step toward greater transparency about invisible illnesses.