Intel Corp. shares gained ground Wednesday after the chipmaker announced a strategic collaboration with AI startup SambaNova Systems, bolstering its position in the fast-growing artificial intelligence market amid ongoing efforts to revitalize its foundry business and regain ground lost to rivals.

Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) closed at $46.88 on Feb. 25, up $0.76 or 1.65%, with high trading volume of over 75 million shares reflecting renewed investor interest. The stock has traded in a 52-week range of $17.67 to $54.60, recovering significantly from lows seen earlier in the period but still well below peaks from prior years. Pre-market activity on Feb. 26 showed minor fluctuations around $46.50 to $46.80.

The latest momentum stems from Intel’s partnership with SambaNova, revealed Feb. 24. The deal includes Intel investing in SambaNova’s $350 million funding round led by Vista Equity Partners. SambaNova, known for its full-stack AI platforms optimized for large-scale inference and agentic AI, will collaborate with Intel on hardware and software integration. Reports indicated prior acquisition talks between the companies had faltered, leading to this partnership instead.

Analysts viewed the move positively as Intel seeks to expand beyond traditional PC and server chips into AI accelerators. SambaNova’s announcement highlighted its new chip as the “fastest for agentic AI,” with the Intel tie-up aimed at accelerating deployment in enterprise and cloud environments. The news helped lift Intel shares more than 5% intraday on Feb. 24 before settling with solid gains.

The partnership arrives as Intel continues implementing its turnaround strategy under new leadership. CEO Lip-Bu Tan, who took the helm in late 2025, has emphasized deepening AI capabilities, advancing foundry operations and improving execution across product lines.

Intel’s most recent earnings, reported Jan. 22 for the fiscal fourth quarter ended Dec. 27, 2025, showed mixed results but beats on key metrics. Revenue came in at $13.7 billion, down 4% year over year but at the high end of company guidance and above Wall Street’s $13.4 billion consensus. Non-GAAP earnings per share were $0.15, surpassing expectations of $0.08. Non-GAAP gross margin improved to 37.9%, about 140 basis points ahead of forecasts.

Full-year 2025 revenue was $52.9 billion, essentially flat compared to the prior year when adjusted for the deconsolidation of Altera in Q3. GAAP results reflected a net loss, with full-year EPS at -$0.06 and Q4 at -$0.12, driven by restructuring costs, investments in manufacturing and competitive pressures.

Despite the top-line softness, executives highlighted demand strength in AI-powered PCs, traditional servers, networking and emerging ASIC designs for specialized workloads. Supply constraints limited growth in some areas, but the company expressed confidence in aligning its CPU, GPU and platform strategies to capitalize on AI proliferation.

Intel’s foundry ambitions remain central to its long-term narrative. Progress on advanced nodes like Intel 18A and upcoming 14A is viewed as critical for attracting external customers and reducing reliance on internal production. Challenges persist, including delays in process ramps and competition from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. and others. Recent reports noted concerns over potential risks to partners like Synopsys amid foundry uncertainties.

Broader market dynamics continue influencing Intel’s trajectory. The company has lagged behind Nvidia’s explosive AI-driven growth and faced share erosion in PCs to AMD. However, optimism around AI PCs—where Intel targets half of new systems being AI-enabled—has provided a tailwind. The stock has climbed roughly 90% over the past 12 months in some calculations, reflecting hopes for sustained recovery.

Wall Street sentiment remains cautious but improving. Many analysts rate Intel as a hold, with price targets varying widely amid debates over execution risks and valuation. The company’s market capitalization hovers around $200 billion, a fraction of Nvidia’s but signaling renewed credibility.

Intel has also pursued geographic expansion, including commitments in India to support semiconductor and AI ambitions there. Executives have stressed long-term dedication to such markets.

Looking ahead, investors await updates on product roadmaps, including next-generation processors and foundry milestones. Any acceleration in AI adoption or positive developments in manufacturing yields could provide further upside. Conversely, prolonged supply issues or intensified competition could pressure shares.

As the semiconductor industry evolves amid AI demand and geopolitical considerations, Intel’s ability to execute its multifaceted strategy will determine whether recent gains prove durable.

American Airlines Group Inc. shares advanced modestly Thursday as the carrier announced a $1 billion investment in Miami International Airport expansion, signaling confidence in long-term growth despite recent headwinds from rising fuel costs and winter disruptions.

American Airlines (NASDAQ: AAL) closed at $13.32 on Wednesday, up $0.17 or 1.29%, with volume exceeding 49 million shares. Pre-market trading on Thursday showed the stock around $13.40, up about 0.6%. The shares have fluctuated in a 52-week range of $8.50 to $16.50, reflecting volatility tied to fuel prices, operational challenges and broader airline sector dynamics. The company’s market capitalization stands near $8.8 billion.

The latest positive catalyst came from American’s Feb. 26 announcement of a major infrastructure commitment at Miami International Airport (MIA). The airline pledged $1 billion to build a new three-level extension of Concourse D, adding 17 gates capable of handling larger aircraft and eliminating outside boarding. Groundbreaking is slated for 2027, with the project aimed at enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency at one of American’s key hubs.

CEO Robert Isom described the initiative as “transformational,” noting it would improve service for passengers and employees while supporting growth in premium and international travel. The investment underscores American’s focus on fortifying its network in high-demand markets like Latin America and the Caribbean, where MIA serves as a primary gateway.

The announcement arrives amid a mixed backdrop following the company’s fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 earnings, released Jan. 27. American reported record fourth-quarter revenue of $14.0 billion and full-year revenue of $54.6 billion, both milestones despite headwinds. However, adjusted earnings per share for the quarter came in at $0.06 (or $0.16 GAAP in some reports), missing analyst expectations of around $0.36 to $0.38, partly due to a $325 million revenue impact from a prolonged government shutdown.

For the full year, adjusted net income was $237 million, with GAAP net income at $111 million. The company reduced total debt by $2.1 billion to $36.5 billion and maintained $9.2 billion in liquidity. Executives highlighted strength in premium cabins and corporate channels, which helped offset pressures.

Guidance for 2026 remains a focal point for investors. American projected full-year adjusted EPS between $1.70 and $2.70, with free cash flow exceeding $2 billion. First-quarter 2026 outlook includes capacity growth of 3% to 5%, revenue up 7% to 10% year over year, and an adjusted loss per share of $0.10 to $0.50 — widened partly due to an estimated $150 million to $200 million revenue hit from Winter Storm Fern, which caused over 9,000 cancellations.

Analysts have responded positively to the outlook, with many viewing the EPS range as achievable if demand momentum continues. BMO Capital and JPMorgan raised price targets post-earnings, citing debt reduction, premium travel recovery and potential for upside if corporate bookings sustain double-digit gains seen in early 2026. Consensus ratings lean toward “buy” or “hold,” with average price targets around $17 to $18, implying 30% or more upside from current levels. Some firms like Barclays recently adjusted targets upward to $16.

Challenges persist, however. Rising crude oil prices have pressured margins, contributing to pullbacks like a 5.32% drop on Feb. 19 amid fuel cost concerns. The stock has declined about 11% over the past month and 14% over the past year in some periods, trading below its 200-day moving average at times. Investors monitor fuel hedging strategies, labor costs and competitive dynamics in a capacity-constrained environment.

American continues emphasizing premium products and network optimization. Demand for higher-yield seats has been robust, supporting unit revenue trends. The company also benefits from fleet modernization efforts and partnerships that enhance connectivity.

Broader industry trends favor recovery, with corporate travel rebounding and leisure demand stable despite economic uncertainties. American’s hub strategy, including strong positions in Dallas/Fort Worth, Charlotte and Miami, positions it well for international expansion.

Wall Street remains cautiously optimistic. While execution risks exist — including weather events, geopolitical factors and potential economic softening — the 2026 guidance and strategic investments like the MIA project signal a path toward profitability improvement. Whether American can navigate fuel volatility and deliver on its targets will be key in the coming quarters.

As the airline sector evolves, American’s focus on infrastructure, premium offerings and balance sheet strength could drive sustained gains if operational reliability improves.

It’s 9 AM on a Tuesday morning, and your sales team is already drowning in leads they can’t seem to convert. Meanwhile, your competitors are somehow managing to reach prospects you didn’t even know existed.

The difference? They’ve partnered with a professional telemarketing agency. If you’re a UK business owner wondering whether outsourcing your telephone sales efforts could be the game-changer you’ve been looking for, you’re in the right place.

In today’s competitive marketplace, finding and converting quality leads has become increasingly challenging. That’s where a reliable telemarketing agency in the UK can step in to bridge the gap between your business and potential customers.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about choosing the right telemarketing partner, understanding the costs involved, and maximising the return on your investment.

What Exactly Does a Telemarketing Agency Do?

Before diving into the selection process, let’s establish what a modern telemarketing agency actually offers. Gone are the days when telemarketing simply meant cold-calling random numbers from a phone book. Today’s professional agencies provide sophisticated, targeted services that can significantly impact your bottom line.

A reputable telemarketing agency UK will typically offer lead generation services, where trained professionals identify and qualify potential customers who match your ideal client profile. They’ll conduct market research to understand your industry landscape and competitor positioning. Many agencies also provide appointment setting services, ensuring your sales team only spends time with genuinely interested prospects.

Customer retention programmes represent another valuable service area. These involve reaching out to existing clients to ensure satisfaction, identify upselling opportunities, and gather feedback for service improvements. Database cleansing and management services help maintain accurate customer information, whilst survey and market research capabilities provide insights into customer preferences and market trends.

The Current State of Telemarketing in the UK

The UK telemarketing industry has evolved dramatically over the past decade. Strict regulations introduced by Ofcom and the Information Commissioner’s Office have cleaned up the sector considerably. The Telephone Preference Service (TPS) and Corporate Telephone Preference Service (CTPS) have created clear boundaries around who can be contacted and when.

These regulations have actually benefited legitimate businesses. Professional telemarketing agencies now operate within clearly defined parameters, focusing on quality over quantity. They maintain strict compliance with GDPR requirements and ensure all communications are permission-based or fall within legitimate interest guidelines.

The industry has also embraced technology in remarkable ways. Modern telemarketing campaigns integrate with CRM systems, use predictive diallers to improve efficiency, and employ sophisticated data analytics to refine targeting strategies. Many agencies now offer multi-channel approaches, combining telephone outreach with email campaigns and social media engagement.

Key Benefits of Partnering with a Professional Agency

Working with an established telemarketing agency in the UK offers several compelling advantages over managing campaigns internally. Cost-effectiveness ranks high among these benefits. Building an in-house telemarketing team requires significant investment in recruitment, training, technology, and ongoing management. Outsourcing telemarketing transfers these costs into a predictable monthly expense whilst providing immediate access to experienced professionals.

Expertise and specialisation represent another major advantage. Professional telemarketers understand how to navigate conversations effectively, handle objections gracefully, and identify genuine buying signals. They’ve encountered virtually every scenario and know how to adapt their approach accordingly.

Scalability offers tremendous flexibility for growing businesses. During busy periods, agencies can quickly allocate additional resources to your campaigns. Conversely, during quieter times, you can scale back without worrying about redundancies or unused capacity.

Access to advanced technology and data represents a significant benefit that many businesses overlook. Established agencies invest heavily in calling systems, data management platforms, and analytics tools that would be prohibitively expensive for individual companies to purchase and maintain.

Essential Factors to Consider When Choosing an Agency

Selecting the right telemarketing agency in the UK requires careful evaluation of several critical factors. Industry experience should top your list of considerations. An agency that understands your sector will grasp the nuances of your market, speak your customers’ language, and identify opportunities that generalist providers might miss.

Compliance and accreditation deserve serious attention given the regulated nature of telemarketing in the UK. Look for agencies that hold relevant certifications such as ISO 27001 for information security management. Membership in professional bodies like the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) indicates commitment to industry best practices.

Technology infrastructure and data security capabilities require thorough evaluation. Your chosen agency will likely handle sensitive customer information, making robust security measures essential. Ask about their data protection policies, staff vetting procedures, and technical safeguards.

Reporting and analytics capabilities vary significantly between providers. The best agencies provide detailed campaign reports, including call outcome analysis, conversion rates, and return on investment calculations. Real-time dashboards allow you to monitor campaign progress and make adjustments as needed.

Staff training and quality assurance processes directly impact campaign success. Inquire about how the agency trains its staff, what ongoing development programmes exist, and how they monitor call quality. Many top agencies record calls for training purposes and conduct regular performance reviews.

Understanding Pricing Models and What to Expect

Telemarketing agencies typically operate using several different pricing models, each with distinct advantages depending on your specific requirements. Per-hour billing represents the most straightforward approach, where you pay for actual time spent on your campaigns. This model works well for businesses with unpredictable calling volumes or those wanting maximum cost control.

Per-lead pricing aligns agency incentives with your business objectives. You only pay when the agency delivers qualified leads meeting your predefined criteria. This model transfers performance risk to the agency but may result in higher per-lead costs.

Retainer arrangements suit businesses requiring ongoing telemarketing support. Monthly retainers typically include a predetermined number of calling hours plus additional services such as campaign planning and performance analysis. This model often provides the best value for consistent, high-volume requirements.

Results-based pricing, whilst less common, can offer excellent value for businesses confident in their conversion processes. Under this model, agencies receive payment based on actual sales generated rather than leads delivered or hours worked.

When evaluating costs, remember to consider the total investment required. The cheapest option rarely delivers the best results. Factor in setup costs, data acquisition expenses, and the time investment required to brief and manage your chosen agency.

Red Flags to Watch Out For

Unfortunately, not all telemarketing providers operate to professional standards. Several warning signs can help identify agencies best avoided. Unrealistic promises represent a major red flag. Be wary of agencies guaranteeing specific results or claiming they can deliver leads at prices significantly below market rates.

Lack of transparency around processes, pricing, or compliance procedures should concern you. Professional agencies welcome detailed discussions about their methods and provide clear explanations of how they operate.

Poor communication during the selection process often indicates how the relationship will progress. Agencies that are difficult to reach, slow to respond, or provide vague answers to direct questions rarely improve once contracts are signed.

Absence of proper accreditation or unwillingness to provide references suggests the agency may have something to hide. Established providers proudly display their credentials and happily connect prospects with satisfied clients.

High-pressure sales tactics during initial discussions ironically indicate an agency that may struggle to represent your business professionally. The best telemarketing providers understand that building trust takes time and don’t rush the decision-making process.

Making Your Final Decision

Choosing the right telemarketing agency ultimately comes down to finding a provider that understands your business, operates professionally, and demonstrates the capability to deliver results within your budget. Take time to speak with multiple agencies, request detailed proposals, and check references thoroughly.

Consider starting with a small pilot campaign to evaluate performance before committing to larger contracts. This approach allows you to assess the agency’s capabilities whilst minimising risk. The best agencies welcome this approach and often suggest it themselves.

Remember that successful telemarketing partnerships require ongoing collaboration. Choose an agency that views itself as an extension of your team rather than just a service provider. The right partner will invest time in understanding your business, provide strategic input, and adapt their approach as your requirements evolve.

The telemarketing industry in the UK offers tremendous opportunities for businesses willing to work with professional, compliant providers. By following the guidelines outlined in this article and taking time to evaluate your options carefully, you’ll be well-positioned to find an agency that can drive genuine growth for your business whilst maintaining the professional standards your customers expect.

When the Government’s entrepreneurship adviser, Alex Depledge, declared that Britain does not “need any more restaurants”, I’ll confess my first reaction was disbelief. My second was to reach for the data. And my third, after reading it, was a conclusion both simple and troubling: she has misidentified where entrepreneurship in this country actually lives and in doing so, is making it harder for it to survive.

Let me start with the basics. Hospitality employs 2.6 million people in the UK, 7.1% of the entire workforce. It generates £69.5 billion in gross value added. It contributes £54 billion in gross tax receipts annually. It is, by any reasonable measure, not a peripheral cottage industry but a cornerstone of the British economy. But here is the figure that should stop the Government’s entrepreneurship adviser in her tracks, one drawn from the House of Commons Library research briefing on hospitality, published in January 2026, which she may not yet have had the opportunity to read: 99.6% of hospitality businesses are SMEs, and 97.7% are small businesses. An adviser appointed to clear the path for more small enterprises might reasonably be expected to know that one of the most entrepreneurially dense sectors in the entire UK economy is the one she has just publicly dismissed.

But the argument I want to make goes beyond the statistics, important as they are. It goes to something more fundamental, something that Depledge, for all her intelligence and commercial experience, appears to have overlooked entirely.

Every business deal that gets done in this country, every investment secured, every partnership formed, every client relationship built, happens somewhere and through human contact. It happens over a coffee, over lunch, over dinner, at a networking event, at a conference, at a drinks reception. The hospitality sector is not separate from the high-growth economy that the Government’s adviser wants to build. It is the connective tissue of it. You cannot scale a clean tech company, close a venture capital round, or sign a manufacturing partnership without, at some point, sitting across a table from someone in a room that a hospitality business has made possible.

I want to give a concrete example of what smart support for hospitality entrepreneurship actually looks like, because it is already happening, just not by government. On our own university campus, we work with Aramark to provide catering for students, staff and events. Given the natural variation in demand across term time, Aramark does something rather clever: it brings in small, independent food truck operators on a rotating basis, giving them seven or eight hours a day of guaranteed footfall, exposure to a large and diverse customer base, and the kind of commercial experience that no business incubator programme can replicate. The result is a richer, more varied food offering for our community, and a genuine launchpad for small hospitality enterprises.

Pubs are doing the same. The Compton Arms in Islington, ranked in the UK’s Top 50 Gastropubs, has built its reputation on offering kitchen residencies to emerging independent food businesses, giving them a platform, a customer base, and the commercial experience to grow. It is not a charity model; it is a smart one. The chefs behind Four Legs did their residency at the Compton Arms and went on to open The Plimsoll. Walk into any good pub offering food, and you will find a similar story, Thai kitchens operating out of the back, independent suppliers stocking the bar, local producers on the menu. These are ecosystems of entrepreneurship that the Government’s own adviser appears not to have noticed.

Aramark and the Compton Arms have understood something that the Government has not: supporting small hospitality businesses is not charity. It is smart commercial strategy.

I would gently invite the Government’s entrepreneurship adviser to conduct a simple experiment. Consider a single working day. The morning coffee picked up on the way to the office supplied by an independent café, almost certainly an SME. The biscuits and drinks laid on for the first meeting of the day. Lunch, whether grabbed at a local restaurant or catered in. Networking event with colleagues or clients. A family dinner that evening. Count how many of those touchpoints involve a hospitality business. Count how many of the people who made those moments possible are employed in a sector she has suggested we do not need more of.

The Government says it wants to champion the industries of tomorrow. So do we. There is no disagreement about the importance of clean technology, advanced manufacturing, or the creative sector. But the framing of hospitality as somehow standing in the way of that ambition is a false choice and a damaging one. An economy that neglects its sixth largest employment sector, that has already seen restaurants shed 22% of their casual dining sites since 2020, and that continues to pile on costs through National Insurance increases and business rates reform, is not building for the future. It is hollowing out the present.

Britain’s hospitality sector does not need to be told it isn’t wanted. It needs a government and an entrepreneurship adviser that understands what it is and what it does well enough to support it properly.

Zoe Adjey

Zoe Adjey has over 25 years of experience in the hospitality, events, and education sectors.
Senior Lecturer at Royal Docks School of Business and Law, university of east London, in Hospitality and Events Management, Zoe is developing the IoHT Practice-Based Centre, which bridges academic expertise with industry practice through real-world projects and partnerships.
Originally from Northern Ireland, she brings a unique blend of industry experience and education to her work. She is a sought-after media expert on hospitality industry issues, providing regular commentary for major national outlets including ITV News, BBC Radio 4, LBC, The Telegraph, The Independent, and The Metro. Her expertise spans workforce challenges, immigration policy, restaurant economics, pricing, tipping culture and service standards, and the hospitality sector’s economic impact and resilience.
She develops international partnerships and works with organisations, mentoring aspiring hospitality professionals in their early careers. Previously, she developed training and leadership programmes with Caprice Holdings, and at Westminster Kingsway College, she led college restaurants and curriculum teams.

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

Netflix is walking away from a deal to buy Warner Bros. Discovery’s studio and streaming assets after the WBD board on Thursday deemed a revised bid by Paramount Skydance to be a superior offer.

Earlier this week, Paramount raised its bid to buy the entirety of WBD to $31 per share, up from $30 per share, all cash. It was the latest amendment to Paramount’s multiple offers in recent months — and since moving forward with a hostile bid to buy the company — and it’s now unseated a deal between WBD and Netflix to sell the legacy media company’s studio and streaming businesses for $27.75 per share.

Last week, Netflix granted WBD a seven-day waiver to reengage with Paramount, resulting in the higher bid. Paramount’s offer is for the entirety of WBD, including its pay TV networks, such as CNN, TBS and TNT.

Netflix had four business days to make changes to its own proposal in light of Paramount’s superior bid, the WBD board said in a statement Thursday.

Instead, the decision by the streaming giant to walk away puts a pin in a drawn-out saga that saw amended offers from both bidders.

Netflix stock spiked 10% in extended trading Thursday. Shares of Warner Bros. Discovery fell 2%.

“The transaction we negotiated would have created shareholder value with a clear path to regulatory approval,” Netflix co-CEOs Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters said in a statement. “However, we’ve always been disciplined, and at the price required to match Paramount Skydance’s latest offer, the deal is no longer financially attractive, so we are declining to match the Paramount Skydance bid.”

The latest Paramount bid included a $7 billion breakup fee in the event the proposed merger doesn’t win regulatory approval. The company also agreed to pay the $2.8 billion breakup fee that WBD would owe Netflix if that deal didn’t go through.

Sarandos told CNBC’s Julia Boorstin in an interview last week that the company granted WBD the waiver to reopen Paramount talks in order to give shareholders clarity.

“Paramount had been making a ton of noise, flooding the zone with confusion for shareholders … including floating all these hypothetical offers and talking directly to the shareholders and bypassing the Warner Bros. Discovery board,” Sarandos said at the time. “So we’ve given the opportunity to get those shareholders exactly what they deserve, which is complete clarity and certainty.”

However, Sarandos had fallen short of commenting on whether Netflix would up its own offer to match a revised Paramount bid.

“Warner Bros. is a world-class organization, and we want to thank David Zaslav, Gunnar Wiedenfels, Bruce Campbell, Brad Singer and the WBD Board for running a fair and rigorous process,” the Netflix co-CEOs said in their statement.

“We believe we would have been strong stewards of Warner Bros.’ iconic brands, and that our deal would have strengthened the entertainment industry and preserved and created more production jobs in the U.S.,” they said. “But this transaction was always a ‘nice to have’ at the right price, not a ‘must have’ at any price.”

This news is developing. Please check back for updates.

The new factory and headquarters space in County Durham brings larger capacity to the technology innovator

Satellite communications specialist Filtronic has launched a new, multimillion-pound factory in County Durham.

The world-leading firm, which has a key supplier to Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite programme, has opened the 44,000 sqft headquarters and manufacturing facility close to its original home at NETPark. The purpose-built site significantly expands production capacity with a doubling of its manufacturing footprint and a six-fold increase in cleanroom facilities.

Filtronic says the move means it now has the capacity to support £200m annual revenue, from its current position of about £55m. The firm says the new home will help it cement its position as the country’s top producer of “mission-critical” high frequency technologies used in satellite communications, space systems and defence programmes.

In it, Filtronic’s engineers will design, develop, qualify, manufacture and test high performance connectivity technology. The new facility – which has been entirely self funded by the London-listed business – is intended to make production more scalable via growing automation.

Nat Edington, CEO at Filtronic, said, “Our investment in this new facility brings the scale, capability and resilience needed for our next phase of growth. As our markets shift decisively towards higher frequencies, higher bandwidth and ultra-reliable solid-state architectures, it’s a signal that we’ll continue to pre-empt, support and surpass our customer’s long-term requirements.”

With hopes of growing a record order book that includes Space X projects worth tens of millions of dollars, Filtronic is also hoping to capitalise on increased spending by Governments on secure satellite communications and next-generation defence systems. In recent months it has attracted a more diverse range of customers including a €7m agreement with a European space customer and a £13.4m contract with a leading European defence client.

Space Minister Liz Lloyd said: “The opening of this state-of-the-art facility is a clear demonstration of the strength and confidence within the UK’s space sector, and a powerful example of British industrial ambition in action. Filtronic is helping to reinforce the UK’s status as a world leader in cutting-edge communications technology.”

Filtronic’s technology is used in surface‑to‑space, space‑to‑space, and space‑to‑surface communications. The company says it is now the only high‑volume supplier of very high‑frequency solid‑state power amplifiers in the space sector.

Paul Bate, CEO, UK Space Agency, said: “Filtronic’s new facility at NETPark is a statement of intent for UK space manufacturing. Doubling their production footprint and dramatically expanding cleanroom capacity demonstrates exactly the kind of long-term industrial commitment that strengthens Britain’s capability in critical space technologies. As demand grows for high-performance RF solutions across satellite constellations and defence programmes, having world-class manufacturers of this calibre operating at scale in the UK are a significant asset.”

A Florida man was arrested on federal charges related to an alleged cryptocurrency “Ponzi scheme” that defrauded investors of at least $328 million.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida said in a release Tuesday that Christopher Alexander Delgado, a 34-year-old from Apopka, Florida, was arrested on wire fraud and money laundering charges. If convicted on all charges, Delgado would face a maximum of 30 years in federal prison.

According to the federal complaint, Delgado was the president and CEO of Goliath Ventures, formerly known as Gen-Z Venture Firm, and allegedly carried out the Ponzi scheme from January 2023 through January 2026. A Ponzi scheme involves paying purported returns to existing investors from funds obtained from new investors.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said the scheme involved Delgado allegedly soliciting victims to invest substantial amounts of money under what prosecutors described as false and fraudulent promises of monthly returns generated by cryptocurrency “liquidity pools.”

CRYPTO EXPERT EXPLAINS WHY BITCOIN MAKES ‘PERFECT RECORD’ FOR TRACKING DOWN CRIMINALS

Christopher Alexander Delgado was arrested and charged with wire fraud and money laundering. (WNYW)

Victims of the scheme, according to the complaint, were also induced to give money to Delgado’s firm through personal referrals, professional marketing materials, luxury events, charitable sponsorships, along with some monthly payments of the purported returns to establish Goliath’s reputation with investors.

While Goliath said it would place investors’ funds in cryptocurrency liquidity pools, the federal prosecutors’ announcement indicated that the funds were mainly used to pay the purported returns to earlier investors, return the principal of investors who requested it, as well to pay for extravagant business gatherings, holiday parties and luxury travel accommodations.

The U.S. attorney’s office said that Delgado used funds from investors he allegedly victimized to buy four residential properties that were each worth between $1.15 million and $8.5 million.

The alleged Ponzi scheme attracted investors with promises of returns from crypto liquidity pools. (iStock)

PHILADELPHIA MEN REPEATEDLY TRAVELED TO MINNEAPOLIS TO CARRY OUT $3.5M HOUSING FRAUD SCHEME: DOJ

Victims who have been identified by law enforcement will receive a notice of their rights under the Crime Victims’ Rights Act. 

The announcement by the prosecutors’ office also indicated that victims who haven’t received such a notice may reach out to the IRS through a dedicated contact email for Goliath victims, while the Department of Justice also has a webpage with information about how victims may self-identify themselves to law enforcement working the case.

The Department of Justice announced Delgado’s arrest on charges of running an alleged crypto Ponzi scheme. (Samuel Corum/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

SEC CHAIRMAN WARNS OF CHINA-LINKED RAMP-AND-DUMP ACTIVITY

Criminal complaints and charges are merely allegations that a defendant has broken the law, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

The case is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and Department of Homeland Security Investigations.

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

Microsoft Corp. shares surged nearly 3% in heavy trading Wednesday, snapping a recent pullback as investors found reassurance from comments easing fears over AI disruption and new strategic collaborations bolstered confidence in the tech giant’s cloud and artificial intelligence momentum.

Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) closed at $400.60 on Feb. 25, up $11.60 or 2.98%, on volume of more than 43 million shares — well above the average. The stock traded in a day’s range of $390.20 to $401.47 before settling near session highs. Pre-market activity Thursday showed minor dips around $399 to $400. The shares have ranged from a 52-week low of $344.79 to a high of $555.45, reflecting volatility amid broader tech sector rotation and debates over AI spending sustainability. Market capitalization stands near $2.97 trillion.

The rally followed a period of pressure, with the stock down about 20% year to date through mid-February and approaching its 200-week moving average in what some analysts called a rare technical crossroads not seen in over a decade. Recent gains appear tied to reduced anxiety over generative AI potentially eroding enterprise software incumbents, including Microsoft’s own offerings.

Anthropic’s remarks suggesting its Claude AI ecosystem could complement rather than supplant existing tools helped calm nerves, while a White House initiative on “rate payer protection” for AI data center energy costs signaled potential regulatory support rather than headwinds. Microsoft also announced an expanded partnership with SpaceX’s Starlink to extend Azure’s edge computing reach, enhancing connectivity in remote areas and supporting hybrid cloud deployments.

The positive sentiment builds on Microsoft’s fiscal second-quarter results reported Jan. 28 for the period ended Dec. 31, 2025. Revenue reached $81.3 billion, up 17% year over year (15% in constant currency), beating consensus estimates around $80.3 billion. Operating income rose 21% to $38.3 billion, while GAAP net income surged 60% to $38.5 billion, or $5.16 per diluted share. Non-GAAP EPS was $4.14, up 24% and above expectations of about $3.86.

Microsoft Cloud revenue crossed $50 billion for the first time, climbing 26% (24% constant currency), driven by strong demand across the portfolio. Intelligent Cloud segment revenue hit $32.9 billion, up 29% (28% constant currency), with Azure and other cloud services growing 39% (38% constant currency). AI contributions were significant, accounting for 22 to 26 percentage points of Azure’s growth, executives noted on the earnings call.

Productivity and Business Processes revenue increased, fueled by Microsoft 365 commercial cloud subscriptions. More Personal Computing saw a decline due to softer gaming, partially offset by search advertising and Windows OEM strength.

CFO Amy Hood highlighted robust commercial bookings and capital expenditures of $37.5 billion in the quarter — much of it on AI infrastructure like GPUs and CPUs — positioning the company for future monetization. Total first-half fiscal 2026 capex reached $72.4 billion, on track for around $100 billion annually, raising some investor concerns about near-term margin pressure but underscoring commitment to AI leadership.

Guidance for the fiscal third quarter called for revenue of $80.65 billion to $81.75 billion, aligning with expectations, with Azure growth projected at 37% to 38% constant currency. Gross margins narrowed slightly to just over 68%, the lowest in three years, amid heavy infrastructure investments.

CEO Satya Nadella emphasized that Microsoft is “only at the beginning phases of AI diffusion,” with the company’s AI business already rivaling some of its largest franchises in scale. Partnerships with OpenAI, Anthropic and others continue to drive ecosystem expansion.

Recent developments include progress on internal silicon like the Maia 200 AI chip, which Goldman Sachs analysts praised as advancing Microsoft’s strategy, reiterating a buy rating with a $600 price target. Broader Wall Street sentiment remains bullish, with consensus ratings of “Strong Buy” or “Moderate Buy” from dozens of analysts. Average price targets hover around $592 to $603, implying 47% to 50% upside from current levels, though some range as high as $730 and as low as $392 amid valuation debates.

Challenges include regulatory scrutiny, such as a raid on Microsoft Japan’s offices over potential Azure restrictions on rival cloud services, and ongoing antitrust dynamics. Gaming leadership changes, including new appointments with AI expertise, signal tighter integration with Azure and Copilot.

Despite a year-to-date decline earlier in 2026, Microsoft’s fundamentals — dominant cloud position, recurring revenue streams and AI tailwinds — support optimism for recovery. Investors watch upcoming product roadmaps, capex efficiency and enterprise AI adoption for further catalysts.

As AI transforms industries, Microsoft’s integrated platform across cloud, productivity and emerging agentic capabilities positions it as a frontrunner, with recent share gains reflecting renewed conviction in its long-term trajectory.