LOS ANGELES — Luka Doncic has reached a significant milestone in his recovery from a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, confirming he has begun running again, but the Lakers superstar remains weeks away from full basketball activity and is highly unlikely to play in the ongoing Western Conference semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

In his first public comments since the injury on April 2, Doncic told reporters he is progressing day by day but emphasized the original medical timeline called for roughly eight weeks of recovery. With the Lakers trailing 2-1 in the series as of Monday, May 11, the Slovenian star’s return appears targeted for late May at the earliest — potentially too late for this round.

“I’m just doing everything I can,” Doncic said. “Every day I’m doing stuff I’m supposed to do. The doctor said eight weeks at the beginning of the first MRI. So I’m just going day by day, and I feel better every day.”

Progress but cautious timeline

Doncic has started running as part of his rehabilitation but has not yet been cleared for full-contact work, scrimmages or 5-on-5 sessions. He traveled to Spain earlier for specialized PRP (platelet-rich plasma) treatment to accelerate healing, a trip that included multiple injections spaced days apart.

Medical experts note that Grade 2 hamstring strains typically require 4-8 weeks, with elite athletes sometimes pushing the lower end under ideal conditions. However, Doncic’s history of lower-body issues and the original eight-week projection from team doctors suggest a conservative approach to avoid re-injury.

Lakers coach JJ Redick and the medical staff continue evaluating him on a week-to-week basis. While Doncic has participated in non-contact shooting and light on-court movement, the critical next steps — controlled contact and game-speed work — remain ahead.

Impact on Lakers’ playoff run

Without Doncic, the Lakers have relied heavily on LeBron James, Austin Reaves and a deep supporting cast. The team has shown resilience but faces an uphill battle against the top-seeded Thunder. James has shouldered extra minutes, yet the drop-off in playmaking and scoring gravity without Doncic is evident.

A potential return in the Western Conference finals would require the Lakers to extend the current series and give Doncic time to ramp up safely. Even then, rust and re-injury risk would loom large against Oklahoma City’s athletic perimeter defenders.

Injury context and prevention

This marks the latest soft-tissue concern for Doncic, who has battled calf and hamstring issues in recent seasons. The April 2 injury occurred in a regular-season game against these same Thunder. Sources say the team is prioritizing long-term health over a rushed return, learning from past setbacks.

Sports medicine specialists stress that premature returns from hamstring strains often lead to longer absences. Doncic’s methodical approach — including specialized treatment abroad — reflects a commitment to proper healing.

Fan and league reaction

Lakers faithful remain hopeful yet realistic, with many expressing frustration over the timing while praising Doncic’s work ethic. National analysts largely agree the current series is a steep challenge without him, though a deep playoff run could still be possible if the supporting cast steps up.

League insiders note the high stakes for a franchise that invested heavily to pair James with Doncic. His absence tests roster depth and coaching adjustments under Redick.

Looking ahead

The focus for Doncic remains steady progression. If the eight-week timeline holds from the early April MRI, he could target late May for a potential return — possibly aligning with a Conference Finals scenario. Any acceleration would depend on pain-free running, strength testing and medical clearance.

For now, the Lakers push forward without their MVP-caliber leader. Doncic’s update offers cautious optimism — he is moving in the right direction — but full basketball activities remain weeks away. The Slovenian star’s determination is clear, yet hamstring recoveries demand patience.

As the Lakers navigate life without him, all eyes remain on Doncic’s rehabilitation. Whether he returns this postseason or begins preparing for next season, his progress will shape Los Angeles’ immediate future and long-term championship aspirations.

NEW YORK — The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed to a new all-time high Monday, closing at 49,712.68 and gaining 103.52 points, or 0.21%, as investors welcomed signs of cooling inflation and steady corporate earnings amid a resilient U.S. economy.

The modest gain extended the blue-chip index’s record-setting run in 2026, pushing it firmly above the 49,700 milestone for the first time. The S&P 500 also advanced 0.38% to close at 5,678.92, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.62% to 18,245.67, led by technology and semiconductor stocks.

Broad participation in the rally

Gains were widespread across sectors. Technology giants including Apple, Microsoft and Nvidia continued their strong momentum on optimism about artificial intelligence spending. Financial stocks rose as bond yields eased, while energy names benefited from steady crude oil prices hovering near $78 per barrel.

Only a handful of Dow components finished in the red. Caterpillar and Boeing lagged slightly after mixed industrial data, but the overall tone remained positive as traders digested last week’s softer inflation readings and anticipation of the Federal Reserve’s next policy meeting.

Economic backdrop supports optimism

Recent data showed the U.S. economy growing steadily while inflation continues its gradual decline toward the Fed’s 2% target. Investors are pricing in two rate cuts later in 2026, with the first potentially arriving as soon as September. Lower borrowing costs would support corporate investment and consumer spending.

Corporate earnings season has also delivered mostly positive surprises. Major banks, tech firms and consumer giants have beaten expectations, reinforcing confidence that the economy can avoid a hard landing despite higher interest rates earlier in the cycle.

Geopolitical and policy factors in focus

Markets shrugged off lingering tensions in the Middle East, including developments around the Strait of Hormuz, as oil prices remained relatively stable. Investors also monitored upcoming federal budget developments and trade negotiations that could influence corporate profits.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is scheduled to speak later this week, with his comments likely to shape expectations for monetary policy. Analysts expect a balanced tone acknowledging progress on inflation while maintaining flexibility on rate decisions.

Small caps and sector rotation

The Russell 2000 index of small-cap stocks outperformed the broader market, rising nearly 1.1%. This rotation into smaller companies reflects growing confidence that lower rates will benefit more interest-rate-sensitive businesses. The outperformance of small caps has been a notable theme in recent sessions.

Investor sentiment and technical levels

Market breadth remained healthy, with advancing stocks outnumbering decliners by a wide margin on the New York Stock Exchange. Volume was moderate, suggesting steady buying interest rather than aggressive short covering. The Dow’s move above 49,700 reinforces its bullish technical structure.

Strategists at major banks have raised year-end targets for the Dow, with several now calling for levels between 52,000 and 54,000 by December 2026, citing AI productivity gains, resilient consumer spending and potential fiscal stimulus.

Risks still present

Despite the upbeat session, caution remains. Elevated valuations in the technology sector leave room for volatility if earnings disappoint or if geopolitical tensions escalate. Some analysts warn of a potential pullback if the Fed signals a more cautious approach to rate cuts.

Household wealth gaps, persistent inflation in services and upcoming debt ceiling discussions also represent longer-term risks that could weigh on sentiment later in the year.

What investors are watching next

This week brings several key earnings reports from retailers and industrial companies, along with Powell’s speech and housing data. The federal budget proposal expected later this week could also influence markets if it includes significant spending or tax changes.

For individual investors, the message from today’s trading is one of continued optimism tempered by the need for diversification. While the Dow’s record run is impressive, experienced market watchers stress maintaining balanced portfolios across asset classes.

Broader market context

The Dow’s performance this year has been driven by a combination of strong corporate fundamentals and expectations of eventual monetary easing. The index is now up more than 8% year-to-date, outpacing many international benchmarks and reflecting confidence in American economic exceptionalism.

As trading continued into the afternoon, futures pointed to a slightly positive open in Europe and steady Asian markets overnight. The VIX volatility index remained subdued near 14, indicating relatively calm investor expectations in the near term.

The Dow’s push into record territory underscores the remarkable resilience of U.S. equities in 2026. With inflation trending lower and growth holding steady, many analysts believe the bull market has further room to run — though selectivity and risk management will remain crucial as valuations stretch higher.

Monday’s session served as another reminder that, even in an uncertain world, well-positioned companies and patient investors continue to find opportunity in the world’s largest stock market.

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Social media influencers are promoting Chinese car brands such as BYD, Xiaomi, and Zeekr, highlighting their luxury features and advanced technology. These campaigns aim to enhance the brands’ global appeal, emphasizing innovation and affordability to attract consumers worldwide. The trend reflects China’s growing influence in the electric vehicle and automotive markets, driven by cutting-edge designs and competitive pricing.

In recent years, American consumers have shown increasing interest in affordable Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), driven by the desire for budget-friendly and eco-friendly transportation options. Chinese EV brands such as BYD, NIO, and Xpeng have expanded their presence globally, offering competitive pricing and innovative technology that appeals to cost-conscious buyers. These vehicles often come equipped with advanced features at a fraction of the price of traditional American and European brands, making EV adoption more accessible for a broader audience.

The demand for low-cost Chinese EVs in the U.S. is also fueled by the government’s push toward cleaner transportation and incentives for electric vehicle purchases. Consumers are attracted to the combination of affordability and sustainability, viewing these cars as a practical alternative to gas-powered models. Additionally, evolving vehicle designs and longer ranges have helped Chinese automakers build trust among American buyers, confirming that quality isn’t sacrificed for price.

However, concerns about durability, after-sales service, and brand recognition remain hurdles for Chinese EV companies entering the U.S. market. Despite these challenges, the growing popularity of affordable Chinese EVs indicates a shifting landscape where cost-efficient, eco-friendly transportation options are becoming a key preference for American consumers eager to embrace the electric future.

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Operator

Good afternoon, and welcome to VirTra’s First Quarter 2026 Earnings Conference Call. My name is Ryan, and I will be your operator for today’s call. Joining us for today’s presentation are the company’s CEO, John Givens; and CFO, Alanna Boudreau. Following their remarks, we will open the call for questions.

Before we begin the call, I would like to provide VirTra’s safe harbor statement that includes cautionary regarding forward-looking statements made during this call. During this presentation, management may discuss financial projections, information or expectations about the company’s products and services or markets or otherwise make statements about the future, which are forward-looking and subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. The company does not undertake any obligation to update them as required by law.

Finally, I’d like to remind everyone that this call will be made available for replay via a link in the Investor Relations section on the company’s website at www.virtra.com.

Now I’d like to turn the call over to VirTra’s CEO, Mr. John Givens. Thank you. You may proceed, sir.

John Givens
CEO & Chairman

Thank you, Ryan, and thank you, everyone, for joining us this afternoon. After the market closed today, we issued a press release that provided our financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026, along with an update of our business and operating environment.

Since first quarter end, we have continued to see important movement across the

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In the Nifty500 pack, the closing prices of 22 stocks fell below their 200-day moving averages on May 11, according to StockEdge.com’s technical scan data. Of these, we have highlighted 11 stocks that slipped more than 3%. Trading below the 200 DMA is considered a negative signal because it indicates that the stock’s price is below its long-term trend line. The 200 DMA is used as a key indicator by traders for determining the overall trend in a particular stock. Take a look:

In a post on Substack, Burry said the market resembles the peak of the dot-com bubble just before it burst, citing in particular the steep jump in chip stocks that has pushed up the Philadelphia Stock Exchange Semiconductor Index by nearly 70% since the end of March.

He said the Nasdaq 100, by his reckoning, is trading at 43 times earnings — well above the implied level of around 30 times — because “Wall Street may be overstating by more than 50% the earnings at our fastest growing, most highly valued companies.”

“We are witnessing history. In the stock market, that is not a good thing,” Burry said. He likened it to the “scene of the bloody car crash, minutes before it happens.”

Agencies

Chip Stocks Head for Second-Best First Half Versus S&P Ever

Burry is among a number of market observers who have expressed concerns about the rally unleashed by the artificial-intelligence spending boom from Alphabet Inc., Amazon.com Inc. and the other big tech companies. That’s pushed indexes to record highs even as the US war against Iran threatens to both slow growth and fan inflation by elevating oil prices.

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Sundial Capital Research analysts led by Jason Goepfert noted that this will be only the fourth time the S&P 500 has hit a record high while only 5% of its members were at 52-week lows, underscoring the scope of the rally. Data compiled by Bespoke Investment Group show that the Philadelphia semiconductor index has pushed this far above its 200-day moving average only two other times, in July 1995 and in March 2000, at the peak of Internet bubble.
Burry advised against shorting stocks, given the expense of put options and the risk of being burned by ill-timed trades.He said he is holding a “significant leveraged short position against a portfolio of companies” that he finds “depressed and cheap,” without elaborating, and plans to “lighten up on companies” that don’t meet his “strictest valuation requirements.” He advised taking profits from the recent rally and reducing exposure to stocks in general, particularly those from the tech sector.

“Even if it seems there is more time to run up, anyone lucky enough to be riding these parabolic moves, by not selling, is betting on one’s own ability to jump off at or near the top,” he wrote.

“History tells us that even if the party goes on for another week, month, three months or year, the resolution will be to much lower prices,” he said. “We are getting into that rare air, so extreme that the consequences will be unavoidable, no matter where one hides.”

The Middle East war caused higher costs. Supply chain stumbles and production slowed due to supply problems

The intensification of the war in the Middle East has reinforced global business awareness that “geopolitical risks” It is no longer just a temporary event that creates periodic fluctuations, but is becoming a structural risk to the global economy This will inevitably affect long-term business operations. The war in the Middle East had a wide-ranging impact. From volatile and skyrocketing oil prices, transportation costs, freight and insurance premiums from significantly increased war risks. to the problem of delayed transportation and shortages of raw materials or parts in the chainSupply Many countries are beginning to see a slowdown in production activity, not as a result of lost demand but as a result of supply disruptions

For Thailand, such risks have a wide impact on the business sector. The EEC area is one of the production bases of important industries that are affected by various groups, such as energy, petrochemicals, automobiles, and electronics. including agriculture and food These industries all rely on foreign raw materials, parts, and machinery, while also relying on export markets inhigh proportion When the war situation is still highly uncertain The impact therefore occurs in many dimensions. both higher costs Uncertainty in the supply of production factors and risks in product delivery Such risks not only affect a particular company. But it is a structural risk for the entire industry cluster. Because if the upstream industry stopsCha Ngak downstream industries will be affected in a chain

How to ensure continuity of production and delivery? Even in the face of uncertainty

Over the past several decades The mass production sector grows under the concept Just‑in‑Time Or having raw materials “just in time, just using ”, which will help reduce stock costs and increase efficiency in normal conditions where transportation is stable. But as the global context shifts from certainty to geopolitical risk, Such models therefore began to existWeaknesses are greater because systems without adequate bumpers become fragile immediately when raw materials or critical parts are missing, causing the entire production line to be disrupted

The important question that businesses need to rethink is not just “, how to keep costs as low as ”, but “, how to ensure continuous production and delivery? Even in the face of uncertainty” Especially in industries that rely heavily on the global market, in this context the Just‑in‑Case concept Therefore, it has returned to play a greater role as a risk management tool. However, Just‑in‑Case It does not mean hoarding so many products that costs escalate. But it is about giving importance to flexibility and being able to absorb shocks throughManage stock with goals The business sector should start by specifying which raw materials or parts are “bottlenecks that, if lacking, will result in production being halted. Then build a safety stock at a critical point, distributing purchasing sources to more than one country. or have backup suppliers for important parts along with investing inSupplier mapping system to see the supply chain as deep as Tier 2-3 and use real-time data to help predict and recognize risks from the beginning

Lessons from abroad clearly reflect this idea. For example, Japan’s Toyota, which was previously severely affected by the earthquake and tsunami. Until having to review the supply chain in a big way An important list of parts that must maintain continuity of supply has been prepared and a minimum level of reserve has been set for some specialized partsType The goal is not to abandon the Lean system (a work process aimed at reducing waste and using fewer resources), but rather to make the Lean system more impact resistant

In the period ahead, business competitiveness will not be measured solely by the lowest costs, but rather by readiness for uncertainty Businesses that can balance efficiency Just‑in‑Time and flexibility Just‑in‑Case Maintain continuity of production Adjust the supply chain to be flexible. Increase the efficiency of raw material and energy management well and be able to deliver products as scheduled. It will have the potential to become an important production base in the global supply chain. Because in a world where “Irregularities have become normal” Ability to deliver continuously Therefore, it is one of the keys to competitiveness

Published in N.S.P Krungthep Turakij, Smart EEC Column, May 7, 2026

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