A Virginia mother’s unusual choice of names for her six children has gained attention after her idea of turning state names into a symbol of hope and togetherness was featured as TODAY.com’s Baby Name of the Week. Nevada, Montana, Indiana, Arizona, Missouri and Dakota were not picked because of family trips or geography, but because their mother wanted them to believe their future could go beyond their surroundings.

Also Read: Parenting expert who studied more than 200 children says this is the No. 1 skill parents just forget to teach kids now

A mother’s unusual idea behind six unique names

Xaviera Greene-Davis was raising six children in Newport News, Virginia, while facing challenges that had also shaped her own early life. She wanted her children to grow up believing they were capable of achieving more than what people around them expected.
The names of six US states became her way of creating a shared identity for her children. For Greene-Davis, those places represented opportunities, growth and possibilities beyond the neighbourhood where her family lived.

During difficult phases of her life, including periods when she was in and out of jail, she hoped the names would keep her children connected and remind them that they belonged together.

“It worked,” Montana Jones, 26, tells TODAY.com. “We’ve been close our whole lives. It’s always been the six of us.”

Names that made the siblings stand out

The unique names quickly attracted attention as the children grew up. Montana Jones often heard jokes and comparisons linked to the popular Disney character Hannah Montana.However, the reactions never changed how she felt about her name. Instead, she sees it as a meaningful gift from her mother and is even thinking about continuing the tradition in her own way.

“I plan on doing something similar,” Montana says. “If not states, maybe cities.”

Six children, six different journeys

Greene-Davis later moved away from Virginia, got married and relocated with her family to North Carolina. According to Montana, the move helped her mother transform her life.

“She completely turned her life around.”

Greene-Davis also believes the decision changed the direction of her family.

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“It was a great decision,” Greene-Davis agrees.

Today, she looks at her children’s achievements as proof of that journey. All six children completed high school, and each has followed a different career or education path.

Montana works as a deputy sheriff, while Nevada, 27, is employed with a restoration company. Indiana, 23, works as a veterinary technician, and Arizona, 21, is a 911 dispatcher. Missouri, 20, works at a daycare centre, while Dakota, 18, plays football at Virginia State University.

A family story built around hope

For Montana, the names are more than just unusual choices. They represent her mother’s belief that her children could create a different future.

“She always felt in her heart that her six states were going to be something,” Montana says. “Everybody is going to remember our names.”

The shares of IFCI jumped another 2% to hit a fresh 52-week high on Tuesday, with the recent bull run pushing the stock nearly 30% higher in just three sessions amid rising expectations that the National Stock Exchange (NSE) will soon file its draft IPO papers with market regulator SEBI.

IFCI shares hit a new record high of Rs 91.49 apiece on the NSE today. The sharp surge over the three sessions has added more than Rs 5,660 crore to the company’s market capitalisation, pulling it up to more than Rs 24,650 crore.

The rally was driven by the fact that IFCI owns a 52.86% stake in Stock Holding Corporation of India (SHCIL), which, in turn, holds 4.4% of NSE as of the December quarter. Through its controlling interest in SHCIL, IFCI enjoys indirect exposure to NSE, making its stock particularly sensitive to developments related to the exchange’s IPO.

Also read: Bonus bonanza! Last date to buy Brigade Enterprises shares for 1:3 bonus issue reward

NSE to file IPO papers tomorrow?

The National Stock Exchange is likely to file its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) for its maiden public issue by Thursday, CNBC-TV18 reported, citing sources. The report said that the DRHP will be finalised by today, after which NSE’s board will meet and ratify the filing of the DRHP. People familiar with the matter further told the business news channel that the IPO valuation is set to be higher than Rs 5 lakh crore, and the exchange is planning to list by November this year, between Navratri and Diwali.

The Economic Times couldn’t independently verify the report.

NSE, along with Reliance Industries’ Jio Platforms, is likely to file its respective IPO papers with SEBI this week, Business Standard reported earlier, citing people familiar with the matter.
The proposed public issue is expected to rank among the biggest IPOs in India’s capital market history. The listing would provide a liquidity event for several long-term institutional investors while marking a major milestone for the country’s leading stock exchange.

Also read: NSE’s mega IPO! Who can sell shares via OFS? Check eligibility, deadlines and more
Earlier this year, SEBI granted a no-objection certificate (NOC) for NSE’s much-awaited IPO, removing a key regulatory hurdle that had delayed the process for years. The development is particularly significant for IFCI given its indirect ownership in the exchange through SHCIL.

IFCI share price performance

IFCI shares have gained 68% so far in 2026 and have rallied 41% in the past one month alone. Over a longer horizon, the stock has delivered returns of 638% in three years and 577% in five years.

The company currently has a market capitalisation of more than Rs 24,650 crore.

Also read: Will SpaceX’s $75 billion IPO set the ball rolling for Reliance Jio and NSE listings in India?

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

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Q1: 2026-06-09 Earnings Summary

EPS of $0.93 beats by $0.02

 | Revenue of $1.44B (6.70% Y/Y) beats by $1.19M

Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. (ASO) Q1 2026 Earnings Call June 9, 2026 10:00 AM EDT

Company Participants

Dan Aldridge – Vice President of Investor Relations
Steven Lawrence – CEO & Director
Earl Ford – Executive VP & CFO

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Conference Call Participants

Jeffrey Lick – Stephens Inc., Research Division
Katharine McShane – Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Research Division
Christopher Horvers – JPMorgan Chase & Co, Research Division
Jonathan Matuszewski – Jefferies LLC, Research Division
Joseph Civello – Truist Securities, Inc., Research Division
Paul Lejuez – Citigroup Inc., Research Division
Irwin Boruchow – Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Research Division
Pedro Gil Garcia Alejo – Morgan Stanley, Research Division
John Heinbockel – Guggenheim Securities, LLC, Research Division
Anna Glaessgen – B. Riley Securities, Inc., Research Division
Andrew Chasanoff – Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., Research Division
Michael Lasser – UBS Investment Bank, Research Division

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Presentation

Operator

Good morning, and welcome to the Academy Sports and Outdoors First Quarter 2026 Earnings Conference Call. This call is being recorded. [Operator Instructions]

I will now turn the call over to your host, Dan Aldridge, Vice President, Investor Relations for Academy Sports and Outdoors.

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Dan Aldridge
Vice President of Investor Relations

Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining the Academy Sports and Outdoors First Quarter Fiscal 2026 Financial Results Call. Participating on today’s call are Steve Lawrence, Chief Executive Officer; and Carl Ford, Chief Financial Officer.

As a reminder, today’s earnings release and the comments made by management during this call include forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from our expectations and projections. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the factors identified in today’s earnings release and in our most recent Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filings. The company undertakes no obligation to revise any forward-looking statements. Today’s remarks also refer to certain non-GAAP financial measures. Reconciliations to

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Global markets are closely tracking a potential US–Iran agreement that has helped ease concerns around geopolitical risk and crude oil volatility. While the development is seen as a positive macro trigger, Indian equity markets are not responding with strong optimism.

Speaking to ET Now, market expert Rajeev Agrawal from DoorDarshi India Fund said the shift is clearly a relief, but investors should not rush into conclusions as key details of the agreement are still unclear.

He noted that even minor clauses, such as possible shipping tolls through the Strait of Hormuz, could have broader implications. According to him, the main positive is the removal of uncertainty, which has been weighing on sentiment for some time. He added that improved earnings visibility, particularly in smallcap and midcap segments, could support markets heading into FY27.

Crude correction helps, but equities remain restrained

Despite a sharp decline in crude oil prices, Indian equities have not witnessed a broad-based rally. This, according to Agrawal, reflects a more valuation-conscious market rather than a risk-on environment.

He said that markets are still adjusting after a period of elevated valuations, which has led to a time correction rather than a sharp price correction. Valuations, he added, are now closer to median levels, which is a healthier setup for future gains.
However, he stressed that the next meaningful move for markets will depend on earnings delivery. While selective opportunities exist across sectors, he cautioned that pockets of euphoria are still present, making the overall market less compelling on a broad basis.
Global rate cycle adds uncertainty to capital flows
Attention is also shifting to upcoming central bank decisions, with the Bank of Japan, US Federal Reserve, Reserve Bank of Australia, and Bank of England all in focus. Markets are watching closely for signals on whether the global rate cycle is turning more restrictive.
Agrawal said that if major economies begin tightening or normalising rates further, it could lead to capital staying within domestic markets, as local bond yields become more attractive. He pointed out that Europe has already moved in this direction, and Japan may follow suit depending on inflation dynamics.

He also highlighted that while domestic flows into India remain strong, foreign institutional investor outflows continue to be a concern. Sustaining domestic inflows will be key for market stability going forward.

Domestic themes and sector preferences remain clear
On sector positioning, Agrawal said he continues to favour domestic-focused themes, particularly real estate and financials. He highlighted that real estate companies are witnessing strong pre-sales momentum and robust project pipelines, especially in key urban markets.

He added that the sector’s transition from unorganised to organised players is now becoming visible in earnings and operational performance. Despite earlier concerns around macro disruptions, underlying demand trends remain strong.

On financials, he reiterated his bullish stance on lending companies, noting that corrections in stock prices have provided selective opportunities for accumulation.

Outlook: Earnings will decide the next leg
Overall, while geopolitical risks appear to be easing and macro conditions are stabilising, market participants are not yet ready for a broad rally. The consensus view emerging from the discussion is that valuation comfort has improved, but earnings growth—particularly in FY27—will be the decisive factor for the next major market move.

NEW YORK — The New York Times Connections puzzle No. 1101 for Tuesday, June 16, 2026, offered players an engaging mix of space-related terms, kitchen essentials, literary references and clever wordplay, providing a stimulating mental workout for millions of daily solvers as the workweek began.

The game tested associative thinking through four distinct categories that ranged from straightforward to more abstract, with many participants noting the timely space theme amid ongoing interest in commercial aerospace developments. Solvers shared their grids widely on social media, sparking conversations about personal connections to the featured topics and strategies for cracking the tougher groupings.

Today’s Connections Answers

Yellow Category (Easiest): Types of Rockets Falcon, Atlas, Delta, Ariane

These names represent prominent launch vehicles used in space missions, reflecting the current era of commercial and government spaceflight.

Green Category: Kitchen Appliances Blender, Toaster, Mixer, Grinder

Everyday household devices essential for food preparation created a practical and relatable grouping that connected with solvers familiar with cooking routines.

Blue Category: Shakespeare Plays Hamlet, Othello, Macbeth, Tempest

The iconic works by the renowned playwright offered a literary category that rewarded knowledge of classic English literature.

Purple Category (Hardest): What “Star” Might Mean Celeb, Galaxy, Military, Rating

This clever wordplay category linked a famous person, a celestial body, a rank and a review score, requiring lateral thinking to complete.

The 16 words in the puzzle invited multiple potential connections before the correct thematic links emerged, creating satisfying moments of discovery for dedicated players.

The Enduring Appeal of Connections

Connections has become a daily staple alongside Wordle in the New York Times Games portfolio. The objective remains elegantly simple: sort 16 words into four groups of four based on shared themes, with difficulty increasing from yellow to purple. On this Tuesday in June, the puzzle provided an engaging start to the day as summer routines took hold for many participants.

Its social sharing features, which display colorful grids without spoilers, continue to foster friendly competition and discussion among family members, coworkers and online communities around the world.

Strategies for Success

Experienced solvers recommend beginning with obvious clusters, such as proper nouns or strongly thematic sets. In puzzle 1101, recognizing the space or kitchen groupings often provided early momentum. Players advised avoiding premature guesses when down to the final categories to preserve remaining lives effectively.

Common pitfalls include falling for red herrings or overcomplicating straightforward links. Tracking personal statistics, including win rates and perfect solves, adds motivation for consistent participants. Community resources and post-puzzle discussions frequently reveal alternative solving paths and insights.

Educational and Social Benefits

Educators highlight Connections for developing pattern recognition, vocabulary expansion and flexible thinking skills. Families often tackle the puzzle together, fostering intergenerational interaction and collaborative problem-solving. The game’s design promotes cognitive engagement in a fun, low-pressure format suitable for all ages.

Online forums buzzed with reactions to the space exploration category and appreciation for the practical kitchen appliances grouping. Such shared experiences strengthen the sense of community that has become a hallmark of New York Times puzzle culture.

Broader NYT Games Ecosystem

Connections complements a rich daily lineup that includes Wordle, Spelling Bee, the Mini Crossword and Strands. Many users complete several games each morning, creating a comprehensive ritual that supports mental fitness while providing moments of joy and accomplishment.

The Times continues to curate high-quality content, striking a balance between innovation and the core mechanics that made these games popular. Occasional editor notes and community features enhance the experience without overwhelming the elegant simplicity at the heart of each puzzle.

Cultural Impact and Global Reach

Since its introduction, Connections has contributed to the cultural phenomenon surrounding New York Times Games. It has inspired creative variants, classroom applications and widespread social media engagement. The June 16 edition’s mix of space themes and everyday practicality exemplified the diverse topics that keep players returning.

Global participation underscores the universal appeal of word-based challenges. Players from different backgrounds find common ground through shared linguistic exploration, creating daily connections that transcend geographic and cultural boundaries.

Tips for Future Puzzles

Consistent practice helps recognize subtle links and improves overall performance. Reviewing past solutions builds familiarity with the game’s style while expanding general knowledge. Players are encouraged to embrace the learning process, viewing challenging days as opportunities to sharpen skills rather than sources of frustration.

Maintaining a positive mindset and celebrating small victories, such as completing three categories, supports long-term enjoyment. The game’s thoughtful design rewards curiosity and persistence in equal measure.

Looking Ahead

With puzzle 1101 completed, attention naturally turns to Wednesday’s challenge. Streaks continue for dedicated fans, while newcomers discover the game daily through recommendations and social shares. The ongoing success of Connections demonstrates the lasting power of well-crafted, intellectually stimulating content in the digital age.

Tuesday’s puzzle added another memorable entry to the growing archive of engaging word groupings. Its themes sparked conversations about space achievements, cooking routines and linguistic nuances, enriching the daily experience for solvers everywhere.

For those who mastered the categories efficiently, congratulations on sharp associative thinking. For others, the process itself builds valuable cognitive tools for future attempts. Connections remains a beloved daily habit that combines challenge, learning and social connection, ensuring its prominent place in morning routines for years to come.