Business
'Significant' out-of-control fire at major oil refinery
Business
Asian Stocks Hover Near Record Highs Amid Tech Earnings Boost and Renewed AI Rally
Asian stock markets experienced a general upward trend on May 6, 2026, driven by diplomatic relief regarding U.S.-Iran tensions. A temporary suspension of U.S. naval operations in the Strait of Hormuz led to a 2% decline in crude oil prices, which helped mitigate regional inflationary concerns and bolstered investor sentiment across several major Asian indices.
Key takeaways
- Falling oil prices provided a relief rally for the region by reducing concerns over inflation.
- The KOSPI index reached a significant milestone by surpassing 7,000 points.
- Chinese stocks saw a rebound following the holiday period, supported by strong export data.
- The Nikkei 225 achieved a new all-time high, though it faced increased market volatility.
- AI-driven earnings from major tech players like Apple, Microsoft, and Samsung Electronics have reignited the AI trade, pushing Asian equities near record highs and lifting global markets alongside them.
- Markets remain resilient despite geopolitical tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, with investors prioritizing strong earnings momentum over ongoing uncertainty between the U.S. and Iran.
- Elevated risk appetite across equities, credit, and speculative trading suggests markets may be pricing in too much optimism, making upcoming economic data and earnings validation critical to sustaining the rally.
The MSCI Asia equities gauge climbed 1.5%, approaching its all-time high set on February 27, just before the US-Israel war on Iran began. Benchmark indexes in South Korea and Taiwan both jumped more than 3% to records in a revival of the AI trade. Futures for the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq 100 rose after the Wall Street gauges closed at new highs on Friday on earnings from megacap technology companies, including Apple.
South Korea’s KOSPI was the best performer in the region, surging 3.5% to a record high, boosted chiefly by strong gains in memory chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, both of which reported bumper first-quarter earnings. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index jumped 1.7%, aided by a rebound in local technology stocks, with Baidu, SMIC, and Xiaomi each surging over 4%.
Forecast-beating results from Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Samsung reawakened interest in the AI sector after the market turbulence caused by the US-Israeli strikes on Iran at the end of February. Companies in the S&P 500 are on track to report earnings growth of 27.1%, the highest rate in more than four years, according to FactSet.
Geopolitical Signals Mixed
Markets opened on an optimistic note after President Donald Trump said the US would begin guiding ships not involved in the Iran conflict through the Strait of Hormuz from Monday. However, a senior Iranian official warned that Tehran would consider any US interference in the Strait a ceasefire breach, according to an AFP report.
Trump described discussions with Tehran as “very positive” after Washington received Iran’s latest proposal to end the war. Iran’s proposal called for a complete end to the conflict within 30 days along with guarantees against renewed strikes, according to the semi-official Tasnim News Agency.
Currencies and Commodities
The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index was little changed. The Japanese yen was little changed at 157.03 per dollar, while the offshore yuan held steady at 6.8261 per dollar. The yen’s recent rally was said to have come on the back of Japanese government intervention, with officials reportedly spending at least $32 billion in the foreign exchange market, their first such move to prop up the currency since 2024. West Texas Intermediate crude fell 0.2% to $101.77 a barrel, while spot gold fell 0.2% to $4,602.91 an ounce.
Caution Amid Optimism
Chris Weston at Pepperstone cautioned: “After a strong April for risk assets, we need to remain open-minded about what May will bring. This week should provide early signals, but with risk assets pricing in a lot of good news, and rightly so, the time for that to be validated may now be here.”
“The market is being very patient with this level of uncertainty because it is focused on the other side of the conflict, which may be too optimistic,” said Joe Gilbert, a portfolio manager at Integrity Asset Management.
Risk-taking has spread well beyond equities, with high-yield credit spreads near multi-year tights and retail traders piling into prediction markets and zero-day options. The rally has held through the war in Iran, oil above $100 a barrel, and a Federal Reserve that has signalled rates will stay higher for longer amid elevated energy costs
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Business
Are Automatic Ironing Machines in UK Shops?
Nobody actually enjoys spending their Sunday afternoon hunched over a hot ironing board. Pressing shirts and smoothing out wrinkled trousers takes up valuable time you could spend doing literally anything else.
Because of this, automatic ironing machines have recently taken the internet by storm. They promise to handle the tedious work for you.
If you live in the United Kingdom, you probably want to know where you can buy one. Can you simply drive down to your local high street and pick one up? Can you find these futuristic devices sitting on the shelves of your neighborhood supermarket?
This post will answer your questions about the availability of automatic ironing machines across the UK. We will explain exactly where you can find genuine devices and how fast you can get one delivered to your door. You will also learn about the risks of buying cheap imitations and discover the exciting future plans for the Ironele brand.
The Current State of UK Retail Shops
Shoppers naturally expect to find the latest gadgets in their local retail parks. When a new home appliance goes viral, consumers rush to big box stores hoping to see the product in person. However, the retail landscape moves a bit slower than the internet.
Currently, you will struggle to find a dedicated automatic ironing machine in standard UK brick-and-mortar shops. Most high street electronics retailers and local home goods stores do not stock these specialized devices yet. Store buyers take time to test, verify, and shelf new categories of appliances.
This means you cannot simply walk into a random shop and expect to find a high-quality automatic ironing machine. The technology remains highly specialized. For now, the best and most reliable place to secure one of these machines is through trusted online channels.
Meet Ironele: Your Family-Owned Ironing Solution
You do not need to wait for local shops to catch up to get your hands on this technology. Ironele is a proud, family-owned brand bringing automated ironing directly to UK households. We understand the daily struggle of managing a massive laundry pile, and we created a solution to help.
As a family business, we put care and attention into every single unit we sell. We do not rely on slow international drop-shipping or unverified third-party warehouses. Instead, we manage our inventory right here in the UK to ensure you get exactly what you pay for.
We currently sell our certified Ironele automatic ironing machines exclusively online. This direct-to-consumer approach allows us to maintain strict quality control. It also helps us provide a level of customer service that massive, faceless corporations simply cannot match.
Fast and Reliable UK Delivery
Waiting weeks for an online order is incredibly frustrating. Many viral gadgets ship from overseas, leaving customers checking their tracking numbers for a month. We operate differently.
Because Ironele caters specifically to the UK market, we offer incredibly fast shipping. When you place an order with us, we process it immediately. We guarantee a rapid delivery window of just 24 to 48 hours for our UK customers.
You can order your machine on a Tuesday and have it perfectly pressing your work shirts by Thursday morning. We partner with reliable domestic couriers to make sure your package arrives safely and right on schedule.
Where You Can Buy Ironele Right Now
Purchasing a genuine Ironele machine is simple and secure. You have two official channels to choose from. First, you can visit our official Ironele.co.uk website. Buying directly from our site guarantees you get the best customer support and direct access to our family-owned team.
Alternatively, we know many shoppers prefer the convenience of platforms they already use daily. That is why you can also purchase our certified machines through our official storefront on Amazon.co.uk. Both options provide the exact same high-quality product and rapid delivery times.
Our Big Dream: Expanding to Major Retailers
While we currently operate exclusively online, our family has big ambitions for the future. As the Ironele brand continues to grow and expand, we want to make our products even more accessible. Our ultimate dream is to see our automatic ironing machines on the shelves of the biggest physical retailers in the country.
We are actively planning our future retail strategy. We want shoppers to have the ability to see and touch an Ironele machine before they buy it. Transitioning from a successful online store to a physical retail presence is a massive milestone for any family business.
Targeting IKEA, Tesco, Asda, and Aldi
Our specific goal involves partnering with major, trusted retail chains. We plan to negotiate terms and explore opportunities to stock our machines in giant retailers like IKEA. We also have our sights set on popular supermarkets such as Tesco, Asda, and Aldi.
Imagine doing your weekly grocery run at Tesco or Asda and picking up a device that will eliminate your ironing chores forever. Picture walking through the aisles of Aldi or exploring the home sections of IKEA and finding our certified machines waiting for you.
Please note that these retail partnerships are our future aspirations. We are not currently selling in these stores yet. If you see a video or a post claiming you can buy our machines at IKEA or Aldi today, that information is incorrect. For now, we remain exclusively online.
The Danger of Buying Unverified Imitations
Whenever a great product gains popularity, copycats quickly flood the market. Several other companies now sell products that look suspiciously similar to the Ironele automatic ironing machine. We want to issue a strong warning to our customers about these unverified sellers.
These companies use deceptive marketing to make you think you are buying a premium device. They often steal images and videos from legitimate brands to create fake advertisements. However, the machines they actually ship are nothing like the real thing.
Buying an imitation device puts your clothes and your wallet at risk. These cheap knock-offs use inferior materials that can easily break down after just a few uses. They might even damage your expensive garments by applying inconsistent heat or leaking water.
Missing Warranties and Poor Durability
When you buy a genuine Ironele machine, you receive a product built to last. We use durable, high-quality components designed to withstand daily use. We also back up our manufacturing with a solid warranty, giving you complete peace of mind.
Imitation brands offer no such guarantees. Their machines lack the structural integrity required for long-term use. The internal heating elements often fail quickly, turning your new gadget into a useless piece of plastic.
If your knock-off machine breaks, you will quickly discover that these companies offer zero customer support. You will not receive a warranty, and you will not get your money back. You will simply have to throw the broken machine away and absorb the financial loss.
Shipping Nightmares and Lost Packages
The problems with imitation brands usually start long before you even open the box. These companies rarely hold stock in the UK. Instead, they ship directly from overseas factories using the cheapest possible freight options.
This results in agonizingly long delivery times. You might wait four to eight weeks for your package to arrive. In many cases, the package gets lost in transit, or the company simply never ships it at all.
You deserve better than playing a guessing game with your money. Ironele eliminates this stress entirely. Our localized UK stock and guaranteed 24-48 hour delivery mean you never have to wonder if your purchase is actually coming.
How to Ensure You Buy a Certified Ironele Machine
Protecting yourself from scams requires a little bit of vigilance. You must always verify that you are purchasing a certified Ironele automatic ironing machine. Do not trust random links you find in social media comments or suspicious pop-up ads.
Always check the URL before you enter your payment details. You should only buy from Ironele.co.uk or our verified seller profile on Amazon.co.uk. If the website name looks strange or features a slightly misspelled version of our brand name, close the tab immediately.
Look for our official branding and verify our UK-based customer service contact information. If a deal looks too good to be true, it almost certainly is a scam. Investing in the genuine article guarantees you get the quality, safety, and performance you expect.
Claim Your Weekend Back
You no longer have to waste your free time dealing with wrinkled clothes. The solution exists, and it is ready to ship to your home right now. While you cannot find automatic ironing machines in local UK shops just yet, Ironele makes the online buying process seamless and incredibly fast.
We take immense pride in our family business and the reliable products we provide to households across the country. Avoid the headache of cheap imitations, missing warranties, and lost packages. Stick with a trusted, UK-based brand that puts quality and customer satisfaction first.
Are you ready to retire your traditional iron for good? Head over to Ironele.co.uk or search for our certified machines on Amazon.co.uk today. Place your order now, and enjoy perfectly pressed clothes delivered to your door in just 24 to 48 hours.
Business
Why Seedance 2.0 Is Being Considered by Digital Agencies
Digital agencies are under more pressure than ever. Clients expect faster turnaround, higher-quality output, and consistent content across multiple platforms. At the same time, agencies are expected to manage costs, streamline workflows, and deliver measurable results.
Balancing all of this is not easy.
That’s where Higgsfield AI and Seedance 2.0 are starting to attract attention. Instead of simply offering faster video generation, they align with how agencies actually operate, where efficiency, scalability, and consistency all matter at once.
Increasing Demand from Clients
Client expectations have changed significantly. A single campaign is no longer enough. Agencies are expected to deliver multiple creatives, tailored formats, and continuous content updates.
This creates a growing workload.
Agencies often need to produce variations of the same idea for different platforms, audiences, and campaign phases. Traditional workflows can struggle to keep up with this level of demand.
Seedance 2.0 helps agencies respond to this shift by allowing them to generate structured video content more quickly, without increasing production complexity.
B2B Adoption Across Agency Workflows
B2B adoption becomes more visible when tools start fitting naturally into existing agency systems.
Agencies are not just looking for creative tools. They need solutions that support collaboration, consistency, and client delivery at scale.
Seedance 2.0 fits into this requirement by simplifying how video content is produced. It reduces the number of steps involved and allows teams to move from concept to output more efficiently.
Inside Higgsfield AI, this becomes even more practical. Teams can manage multiple client projects within a single workspace, which improves coordination.
Faster Delivery Without Compromising Quality
Speed is critical in agency work. Deadlines are often tight, and delays can affect client relationships.
However, speed should not come at the cost of quality.
Seedance 2.0 allows agencies to generate multi-shot video with consistent structure, which helps maintain quality even when working quickly. This balance is important for delivering reliable results.
Higgsfield AI supports this with tools like Cinema Studio 3.0 and Motion Control, allowing teams to refine outputs without slowing down production.
For agencies looking to improve delivery efficiency, team productivity strategies highlight how streamlined workflows improve performance.
Managing Multiple Clients and Campaigns
Agencies often handle multiple clients at the same time. Each client has different requirements, timelines, and expectations.
Managing this complexity can be challenging. Seedance 2.0 helps by simplifying the production process. With fewer steps involved, teams can handle more projects without increasing workload.
This makes it easier to manage multiple campaigns simultaneously. Within Higgsfield AI, this becomes more structured. Projects can be organized and refined within the same workspace, reducing the need for switching between tools.
Consistency Across Client Deliverables
Consistency is a key requirement for agencies. Clients expect content to align with their brand identity across all outputs.
Maintaining this consistency manually can take time. Seedance 2.0 helps maintain alignment by ensuring that characters, visuals, and structure remain consistent across videos. This makes it easier to deliver cohesive content for clients.
Higgsfield AI adds further control, allowing agencies to refine visual elements while keeping outputs aligned.
Consistency is essential for brand trust. Resources like brand consistency explain how aligned content improves client perception.
Reducing Production Costs
Traditional video production can be expensive. Equipment, locations, editing, and team resources all add to the cost.
For agencies managing multiple clients, these costs can grow quickly. Seedance 2.0 reduces production costs by simplifying the process. Much of the work that would normally require separate stages can be handled within a single generation.
This allows agencies to produce more content without increasing budgets.
Supporting Creative Experimentation
Agencies often need to test different creative approaches. Campaign success can depend on small changes in visuals or messaging.
Traditional workflows can make experimentation slow. Seedance 2.0 allows agencies to generate variations quickly, making it easier to test ideas and refine campaigns. This supports better decision-making and improved results.
Creative flexibility becomes easier to manage when changes do not require restarting the entire process.
Adapting Content for Different Platforms
Clients expect content to perform well across multiple platforms. Each platform has its own format and audience expectations.
Adapting content manually can take time. Seedance 2.0 simplifies this by allowing variations to be generated quickly. Inputs can be adjusted to create different versions of the same content.
This helps agencies deliver platform-specific content more efficiently. Higgsfield AI supports this with additional tools like Soul 2.0 and one-click apps such as UGC Factory and Face Swap, which help create supporting visuals.
Improving Team Collaboration
Agency workflows require multiple team members, such as designers, strategists and content creators.
Collaboration can become complicated when workflows require different instruments and steps.
Seedance 2.0 simplifies the process by making production simpler. Higgsfield AI enhances collaboration through real-time interactions, which allows teams to look over and improve content in tandem. This increases communication and decreases delay.
Scaling Without Increasing Complexity
Growth is essential for agencies, but growing operations can pose problems. A greater number of clients and projects typically create more complications.
To manage this complexity, you need efficient systems.
Seedance 2.0 supports scalability by permitting agencies to handle greater output with less the amount of work. This makes growth easier to manage.
It allows agencies to grow their services without radically raising operational costs.
Conclusion
Digital agencies require tools that match how they function. Scalability, consistency, speed and collaboration are important.
Seedance 2.0 is being considered due to its ability to address these issues in a practical and efficient manner. It streamlines the process of making videos and can handle high-volume output and ensures quality across different projects.
If used in conjunction with Higgsfield AI, it becomes part of a process that encourages efficiency as well as creativity.
If you are a company who wants to enhance the way they provide content and manage their operations, Seedance 2.0 offers a robust and flexible solution.
Business
L&T shares slide 4% after Q4 profit dip. Why Jefferies, Goldman Sachs are still bullish
For Q4 FY26, consolidated revenue stood at Rs 82,762 crore, registering an 11% year-on-year increase. International revenue came in at Rs 43,747 crore, contributing 53% to total quarterly revenue. Operating performance remained stable, with EBITDA rising 5% year-on-year to Rs 8,610 crore, supported by execution in core engineering businesses and better contribution from services.
During the quarter, L&T recorded consolidated order inflows of Rs 89,772 crore, driven by key wins in commercial buildings, roads, urban transport, transmission, and hydrocarbon segments. International orders stood at Rs 59,994 crore, accounting for 67% of total inflows. The company’s consolidated order book reached a record Rs 7,40,327 crore as of March 2026, marking a 28% increase from a year ago. Overseas projects make up 52% of the total order book.
L&T share price: Should you buy, sell or hold?
Jefferies has reiterated a Buy rating on Larsen & Toubro share, raising the target price to Rs 4,885 from Rs 4,500, an upside of 20%.The brokerage said Q4 EBITDA missed estimates by 5%, largely due to lower E&C revenues impacted by the US-Iran-Israel conflict. It noted that L&T has unveiled its Lakshya 2031 strategy after surpassing its Lakshya 2026 targets on revenue and order inflow CAGR. The company has guided for 10–12% CAGR in order inflows and 12–15% CAGR in revenue through 2031, supported by a planned $2 billion investment in data centres, electronics and semiconductors.
CLSA has an Outperform rating on the stock with a target price of Rs 4,842. It said L&T exceeded expectations on two of its four key guidance metrics in Q4, namely new orders and working capital, while execution and margins were below estimates due to challenges in the Middle East and India infrastructure segments. The brokerage highlighted new orders as the biggest positive, rising 22% year-on-year, driven by large-ticket global energy, infrastructure and domestic private capex projects.
Goldman Sachs has reiterated its Buy rating with a L&T target price of Rs 4,370, an upside of over 7%. The brokerage noted that management has guided for 10–12% growth in orders and revenue for FY27. However, core margins came in below estimates due to cost pressures from legacy projects. Despite this, Goldman Sachs remains constructive on the company’s prospects, citing opportunities in defence, green hydrogen and data centres, while also noting that order inflow momentum has stayed strong in a challenging environment. The company has also outlined its long-term strategy roadmap, Lakshya 31.
HSBC has maintained a Hold rating on L&T, cutting the target price to Rs 3,800. The brokerage said Q4 order inflows and revenue remained strong with limited impact from the Middle East conflict, while the Lakshya 2031 roadmap points to continued growth on a high base. However, it cautioned that sustaining strong order inflow growth in the current geopolitical environment could be challenging, and flagged that new investments may weigh on return on equity.
(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)
Business
Kongsberg defence revenue climbs 26% but misses expectations

Kongsberg defence revenue climbs 26% but misses expectations
Business
Disney (DIS) earnings Q2 2026
Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, speaks during the grand opening ceremony of Shanghai Disney Resort’s Zootopia-themed land on December 19, 2023 in Shanghai, China.
Vcg | Visual China Group | Getty Images
Disney will release its fiscal second-quarter results before the bell Wednesday. It will mark the first earnings call led by Josh D’Amaro since the former parks executive took over as CEO in March.
Under the new CEO, who replaced Bob Iger after his two turns at the helm totaling roughly 20 years, Disney has already been through a round of layoffs and has faced mounting political pressure surrounding its late night TV host Jimmy Kimmel.
“This earnings call marks Disney’s first real gut‑check under D’Amaro’s leadership, and a test of how his theme‑parks roots translate, or don’t, into the rest of the business,” said Mike Proulx, research director at Forrester. “Streaming is still the main event, but the market is consolidating. A potential combination of Paramount+ and HBO Max would reset the competitive calculus for Disney+.”
Streaming and TV results have gobbled up much of the focus for media investors across the board as the industry faces significant upheaval and consolidation.
Here’s how Disney is expected to perform in its fiscal second quarter, according to LSEG:
- Earnings per share: $1.49 expected
- Revenue: $24.78 billion expected
Last quarter Disney stopped reporting some details for the entertainment segment — which is comprised of its traditional TV, streaming and theatrical releases — including the breakdown of revenue and operating income for each segment. The company has also stopped reporting quarterly streaming subscriber numbers.
The consumer shift from pay TV bundles to streaming has weighed on media companies for years, with both distribution and advertising profits continuously decreasing. Still, traditional TV remains a cash cow, and investors have been keen to see how and when streaming can make up for the declines.
Updates on the state of Disney’s theme parks, which are part of its experiences unit and the profit driver of the company, will also be of particular interest on Wednesday.
In February, Disney provided second-quarter guidance that called for “modest” growth in operating income for the experiences division due to international visitation headwinds at domestic parks. That forecast was issued before the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran roughly two months ago, causing a surge in oil prices.
This story is developing. Please check back for updates.
Business
Daimler Truck’s operating profit halves as weak demand, tariffs hit North American market

Daimler Truck’s operating profit halves as weak demand, tariffs hit North American market
Business
Sterling Infrastructure (STRL) Explodes 38% on Record Q1 Earnings and Massive Guidance Raise
NEW YORK — Sterling Infrastructure Inc. (NASDAQ: STRL) shares skyrocketed more than 38% Tuesday morning, surging as high as 734.01 after the heavy construction and infrastructure company reported record first-quarter results and significantly raised its full-year 2026 guidance, fueled by booming demand for data centers and other critical projects.
The stock, which opened sharply higher, traded at around 734.01 shortly after 9:51 a.m. EDT, up more than 204 points or 38.55% on heavy volume. The dramatic move pushed the company’s market capitalization well above previous highs and marked one of the largest single-day percentage gains in its history.

Sterling reported first-quarter revenue of $825.7 million, smashing analyst expectations of roughly $592 million. Non-GAAP earnings per share came in at $3.59, far exceeding the consensus estimate of about $2.19. The company also posted a robust backlog and highlighted strong momentum in its E-Infrastructure segment, driven largely by hyperscale data center construction tied to artificial intelligence expansion.
Strong Guidance Fuels Optimism
Management raised its full-year 2026 outlook substantially, now projecting adjusted diluted EPS between $18.40 and $19.05 — well above prior consensus estimates around $13.59. Revenue guidance also reflects continued robust growth across its Transportation, E-Infrastructure and Building Solutions segments.
“We delivered record first-quarter results and are raising our full-year guidance due to exceptional performance and visibility into our backlog,” Sterling executives said in the earnings release. The company pointed to multi-year contracts in data centers, semiconductors and infrastructure spending supported by federal initiatives.
Market Reaction and Analyst Views
Investors and analysts reacted enthusiastically. Several firms reiterated Buy or Overweight ratings, with some raising price targets following the results. The stock’s move reflects confidence in Sterling’s positioning within the AI-driven infrastructure boom and broader U.S. construction supercycle.
Sterling has benefited from strategic shifts toward higher-margin projects, strong execution and cross-selling opportunities. Its backlog remains at record levels, providing visibility into future revenue and supporting margin expansion.
Company Background and Performance
Sterling Infrastructure, formerly known as Sterling Construction, provides E-infrastructure, building and transportation solutions. The company has transformed in recent years, capitalizing on demand for mission-critical facilities such as data centers that power AI and cloud computing.
Over the past year, the stock has delivered extraordinary returns, climbing more than 300% in some periods amid the infrastructure and technology buildout. Tuesday’s surge adds to that momentum, though it also raises questions about valuation and sustainability of the pace.
Is It Time to Buy?
The explosive reaction highlights strong fundamentals but also introduces considerations for potential investors. On one hand, record results, raised guidance and exposure to secular tailwinds in data centers and infrastructure spending make a compelling growth story. Analysts generally remain bullish, citing margin improvements and a healthy balance sheet.
On the other hand, the stock now trades at elevated multiples following the run-up. Some observers caution that after such a sharp move, profit-taking or consolidation could occur. Valuation metrics have expanded, and any slowdown in data center spending or broader economic headwinds could pressure the shares.
Financially, Sterling maintains a solid position with strong cash flow and a growing backlog that provides a buffer. The company’s focus on high-quality projects and operational efficiency has driven consistent outperformance.
Broader Market Context
Tuesday’s gains in Sterling come amid a recovering broader market. The Dow Jones Industrial Average traded higher earlier, supported by easing geopolitical concerns and anticipation of corporate earnings. Infrastructure and industrial names have been in focus as investors seek exposure to AI-related capital spending and federal infrastructure programs.
Sterling’s performance stands out even within its sector, reflecting unique positioning in high-growth areas. Competitors in heavy construction have also seen interest, but few match Sterling’s recent execution and forward visibility.
Looking Ahead
Sterling’s leadership expressed confidence in sustained momentum through 2026 and beyond. The company continues investing in capabilities that align with long-term trends in renewable energy, semiconductor manufacturing and digital infrastructure.
For investors considering entry, the key will be monitoring execution on the raised guidance and any updates on major project wins. Upcoming quarterly reports and industry conferences could provide further clarity on growth trajectory.
Risks remain, including potential supply chain issues, labor constraints in construction and broader market volatility. However, current momentum and fundamentals suggest Sterling retains significant runway if it continues delivering on its ambitious targets.
The surge on Tuesday underscores investor enthusiasm for companies at the intersection of traditional infrastructure and next-generation technology needs. Whether this marks the start of another leg higher or a pause after exceptional gains will depend on future results and market sentiment.
As of mid-morning trading, volume remained elevated, signaling continued interest. Sterling Infrastructure’s story — from steady contractor to high-growth infrastructure powerhouse — continues captivating Wall Street as the AI and infrastructure boom reshapes investment landscapes.
Business
IBM CEO Arvind Krishna warns US needs ‘Goldilocks’ AI regulation to compete
IBM CEO Arvind Krishna assesses government oversight of artificial intelligence, quantum computing and more on ‘The Claman Countdown.’
In an exclusive interview on FOX Business’ “The Claman Countdown,” IBM Chairman and CEO Arvind Krishna issued a direct warning to Washington: Finding the “Goldilocks” middle ground on artificial intelligence regulation is essential to maintaining American dominance.
“Look, I think we live in a regulated world and that is good to have the guardrails around innovation. If I look at it, the banking regulators did not say that AI is a different technology. They were always going to regulate the use case of it, whether it’s in payments or it’s in terms of customer service. In healthcare, the same thing applies. In telecom, the same thing applies. So there is always a level of government oversight,” Krishna explained to host Liz Claman.
“And I get back to the balance between too many regulations, it’s terrible, too few,” he added. “We may not love the outcome, so we got to find the Goldilocks middle.”
As the U.S. government scrutinizes AI models from tech giants like Google and Microsoft for national security risks, Krishna argues that while “guardrails” are necessary, any descent into government overreach will allow global competitors to seize the lead.
The Big Tech executive emphasized that speed is the only way to win while acknowledging the defense-related concerns.

IBM’s Arvind Krishna gives a keynote speech on March 11, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (Getty Images)
“This is always the balance between innovation and safety,” Krishna pointed out. “As long as they’re going to do their judgment quite quickly within a few days or a few weeks, I think that this serves everybody very well. If it turns into a bloated bureaucracy, that would not be so good for us to win the AI race.”
“Whenever there’s an exciting new technology that is going to unlock trillions in new revenue, trillions of productivity, even more in terms of potential revenue, people are going to come after it… I’ll just say it this way, the next few months we’ll separate the wheat from the chaff, and we think we are part of the substance, and we can help get real value,” he said.
Hennion Asset Management president Kevin Mahn discusses investment opportunities in the market amid the artificial intelligence revolution on ‘Making Money.’
According to an IBM press release out Tuesday, the company is touting efficiency gains for major global partners like Nestlé — which achieved 83% cost savings and 30x price-performance improvement using IBM’s data system — and Quantum Leap, which reportedly just reached a milestone for drug development.
Despite a 13% stock hit following headlines about competitors like Anthropic, Krishna told Claman that the fundamentals of IBM’s “AI Operating Model” remain robust, urging investors to look at the hard data over “short-term noise.”
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President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology Co-Chair David Sacks joins ‘Mornings with Maria’ to discuss the benefits of AI in the workforce and the risk of ‘agentic misalignment’ in AI models.
“There is always going to be a market reaction when people are trying to figure out who will be the winners and who will be the losers over time. In the absence of, I think, investors truly understanding our business and how we are going to get it as a tailwind, not a headwind, they’re taking it really down,” the CEO said.
“At the end of the day, if enterprises get value from our software and our infrastructure, and we have revenue growth and we can get market share, then this is to me short-term or mid-term noise to some extent, and in the end, the real numbers will tell the story.”
Business
LeMaitre Vascular, Inc. (LMAT) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
Operator
Welcome to the LeMaitre Vascular’s Q1 2026 Financial Results Conference Call. As a reminder to everyone, today’s call is being recorded.
At this time, I would like to turn the call over to Mr. Dorian LeBlanc, Chief Financial Officer of LeMaitre Vascular. Please go ahead, sir.
Dorian LeBlanc
Chief Financial Officer
Thank you. Good afternoon, and thank you for joining us on our Q1 2026 conference call. With me on today’s call is our CEO, George LeMaitre; and our President, Dave Roberts.
Before we begin, I’ll read our safe harbor statement. Today, we’ll be making some forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the accuracy of which is subject to risks and uncertainties. Wherever possible, we will try to identify those forward-looking statements by using words such as believe, expect, anticipate, pursue, forecast and similar expressions. Our forward-looking statements are based on our estimates and assumptions as of today, May 5, 2026, and should not be relied upon as representing our estimates or views on any subsequent date. Please refer to the Cautionary Statement regarding forward-looking information and the Risk Factors in our most recent 10-K and subsequent SEC filings, including disclosures of factors that could cause results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. During this call, we will discuss non-GAAP financial measures, such as organic sales growth. Reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP measures discussed
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