Super Micro Computer Inc. shares jumped more than 7% in morning trading Friday, climbing to $24.93 as investors appeared to look past recent governance and legal concerns and focused instead on the company’s explosive growth in AI-optimized servers amid unrelenting demand from hyperscalers building massive data center infrastructure.

The San Jose, California-based maker of high-performance servers and storage solutions, listed on Nasdaq as SMCI, added $1.71, or 7.36%, by 11:28 a.m. EDT. The rebound followed a sharp March selloff triggered by a federal indictment involving a co-founder and two associates accused of export violations related to advanced Nvidia AI chips. The company itself was not charged, and it has cooperated with investigators while launching an independent board review.

Super Micro has emerged as one of the purest plays on the artificial intelligence infrastructure boom, designing and manufacturing servers optimized for Nvidia GPUs that power large-scale AI training and inference clusters. Its liquid-cooled and rack-scale solutions help customers deploy high-density computing faster and more efficiently than traditional approaches.

Fiscal second-quarter 2026 results released in early February underscored the momentum. Net sales reached a record $12.7 billion, soaring 123% from the year-ago period and 153% sequentially. The performance was driven overwhelmingly by hyperscale AI deployments, with the OEM Appliance and Large Data Center segment — roughly 84% of revenue — surging more than 150% year-over-year to $10.7 billion.

Non-GAAP gross margin came in at 6.4%, down from prior periods due to an unfavorable product and customer mix, higher freight costs and aggressive pricing on new AI platforms. Still, the company delivered non-GAAP net income of roughly $401 million. It raised full-year fiscal 2026 revenue guidance to at least $40 billion, implying robust continued growth even as margins face pressure from scale and competition.

Management guided for fiscal third-quarter revenue of at least $12.3 billion, well above prior consensus estimates, with non-GAAP earnings per share of at least 60 cents. The strong outlook reflected sustained order momentum for Nvidia Blackwell-based systems, with the company reporting a substantial backlog including around $13 billion in confirmed orders for next-generation platforms early in the year.

On April 9, Super Micro announced its new Gold Series Enterprise Server Solutions, designed to accelerate deployment times for a wide range of compute, AI, storage and intelligent edge workloads. The ready-to-ship configurations aim to help customers bring systems online faster in an environment where time-to-deployment is critical for AI projects.

The company also continues pushing into rack-scale and full data center solutions. It has scaled internal power capacity to 63 megawatts and targets production of up to 6,000 racks per month to meet demand for complete AI factories. Partnerships with SK Telecom and Schneider Electric for modular, prefabricated AI data centers further expand its addressable market beyond individual servers.

Legal and governance issues have weighed heavily on sentiment. In March 2026, the U.S. Attorney’s Office indicted co-founder Yih-Shyan “Wally” Liaw along with two others on charges related to an alleged scheme to divert $2.5 billion in advanced Nvidia AI servers to China in violation of export controls. Liaw, who resigned from the board but remains an employee on administrative leave, has pleaded not guilty. Super Micro has stated it is not a defendant and is cooperating fully.

On April 7, the company provided an update confirming that independent board directors are conducting an investigation into the matter. A securities class action lawsuit has also been filed, with a deadline for investors to seek counsel. Despite the headlines, analysts note that the core business — access to Nvidia GPU supply and execution on AI server deliveries — remains intact for now.

Analyst sentiment is mixed, reflecting the tension between extraordinary top-line growth and risks around margins, governance and potential supply disruptions. Consensus ratings lean toward Hold, with an average 12-month price target around $36 to $37, implying roughly 45-50% upside from recent levels. Targets range from lows near $22 to highs of $64, with some firms citing valuation concerns and execution risks while others highlight the company’s ability to capture share in the exploding AI server market.

Gross margins have compressed significantly from earlier peaks as the business scales with high-volume, lower-margin hyperscale deals. Operating expenses remain relatively controlled as a percentage of revenue, but the heavy reliance on a few large customers — one reportedly accounting for a substantial portion of sales — adds concentration risk.

Super Micro’s competitive edge lies in its speed and flexibility. It has built a reputation for rapidly integrating the latest Nvidia platforms, including liquid-cooled HGX B300 systems now ready for high-volume shipment. The shift toward rack-scale solutions, where it can capture more value in power, cooling and integration, is seen as a path to improved profitability over time.

Broader AI infrastructure spending shows no signs of slowing. Major cloud providers and tech giants continue committing tens of billions to data center expansion, driving demand for servers that can handle dense GPU clusters efficiently. Super Micro’s ability to deliver complete, optimized systems gives it an advantage over slower, more traditional server makers.

Challenges remain significant. Beyond legal overhang, the company faces intense competition from Dell, HPE and others expanding their AI offerings. Supply chain constraints on advanced chips, potential changes in U.S. export policies and customer pushback on pricing could all impact results. Fiscal third-quarter earnings, expected around early May, will be closely watched for updates on margins, Blackwell ramp progress and any developments from the ongoing investigation.

The stock has been highly volatile. It soared during the initial AI enthusiasm phase but has given back substantial gains amid margin concerns, dilution fears from capital raises and the recent legal news. Friday’s move came on elevated volume as shares tested short-term resistance after trading near multi-month lows.

Founded in 1993, Super Micro has transformed from a niche server provider into a key enabler of the generative AI revolution under longtime CEO Charles Liang. Its vertically integrated model — designing motherboards, chassis and full systems in-house — allows rapid innovation and customization.

As the industry moves toward more efficient liquid cooling and higher-density racks, Super Micro’s engineering expertise positions it well. Yet sustaining growth while improving profitability and navigating regulatory scrutiny will test management’s execution in the quarters ahead.

Investors will monitor upcoming updates on the independent investigation, gross margin trends and any commentary on Nvidia supply allocations during the next earnings call. For a company at the heart of the AI buildout, the coming months could determine whether recent volatility creates a buying opportunity or signals deeper challenges.

American Airlines on Thursday announced it’s raising fees for checked bags as the company and other airlines face rising fuel costs.

The airline is raising its bag fee for flights within the U.S., Canada and short-haul international flights by $10 to $50 for the first bag and $60 for the second bag. Customers will also pay $200 for the third checked bag when purchased at the airport, an increase of $50. 

Travelers who prepay for their first and second checked bags on the American Airlines website or through the airline’s mobile app will receive a $5 discount, paying $45 and $55, respectively. The changes took effect April 9.

Customers traveling on a domestic basic economy ticket will pay $55 for their first checked bag and $65 for their second checked bag with tickets purchased on May 18 and thereafter. Those who prepay via the American Airlines website or mobile app will receive a $5 discount.

AMERICAN AIRLINES BECOMES FIRST US CARRIER TO RESTORE VENEZUELA FLIGHTS SINCE 2019 SHUTDOWN

American Airlines is raising its fee for checked bags. (Kevin Carter/Getty Images)

Travelers who have AAdvantage status will continue to receive complimentary bags on American Airlines flights, and AAdvantage credit card holders will also get their first eligible checked bag free on domestic flights with the airline.

Additionally, customers who buy seats in premium cabins on domestic and international flights will continue to receive complimentary bags, while active-duty U.S. military personnel will also still receive complimentary bags.

DELTA, SOUTHWEST HIKE CHECKED BAGS AS AIRLINES FACE SURGING FUEL COSTS

Airlines are raising their fees for checked bags to cope with rising fuel costs. (Mark Felix/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The move comes as several other airlines have recently increased their checked bag fees.

Alaska Air Group raised fees for travel on North American Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines flights by $5 for the first checked bag and $10 for the second. The new costs started on Friday and will be $45 and $55, respectively.

Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines are both increasing their checked bag fees by $10, raising the cost to $45 for a first bag and $55 for a second.

Delta’s updated baggage fees took effect on Wednesday, while Southwest’s took effect Thursday. Delta’s changes affected domestic routes and select short-haul international flights and represented its first domestic baggage fee hike in two years.

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES LIMITS PASSENGERS TO 1 PORTABLE CHARGER PER PERSON OVER FIRE CONCERNS

JetBlue and United Airlines have also increased baggage fees in recent weeks.

The fee hikes come as airlines are grappling with rising operating costs, particularly jet fuel.

Jet fuel prices have surged globally in recent months, climbing from roughly $85 to $90 per barrel in February to about $209 after disruptions linked to tensions in the Strait of Hormuz during the Iran war, according to Reuters.

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FOX Business’ Sophia Compton contributed to this report.

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump issued a series of increasingly stark warnings to Iran this week as the United States sought to pressure Tehran into reopening the Strait of Hormuz and accepting a fragile ceasefire in the ongoing Middle East conflict, blending apocalyptic rhetoric with offers of potential peace.

Trump’s comments, delivered via Truth Social posts, White House remarks and interviews over recent days, have drawn sharp international condemnation while highlighting the high-stakes diplomacy aimed at ending weeks of escalation involving U.S., Israeli and Iranian forces. The rhetoric peaked Tuesday with a deadline for Iran to comply or face what the president described as devastating consequences for the nation’s infrastructure.

Here are five of Trump’s most recent notable quotes on the Iran situation, drawn from public statements between April 5 and April 9, 2026:

April 5, Truth Social (Easter Sunday post): “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the Fuckin’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah.”

This expletive-filled message set the tone for the week, directly threatening Iran’s energy and transportation infrastructure unless the critical shipping chokepoint was reopened. The post quickly went viral, sparking debate over its tone and potential impact on negotiations.

April 6 or 7, remarks to reporters/Truth Social follow-up: “The entire country could be taken out in one night, and that night might be tomorrow night. … Because of the power of our military, every bridge in Iran will be decimated, every power plant in Iran will be out of business, burning, exploding and never to be used again. I hope I don’t have to do it.”

Trump doubled down on the threat of rapid, overwhelming strikes, emphasizing U.S. military superiority while expressing reluctance. He framed the potential action as a last resort to protect global energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz, which carries about 20% of the world’s oil and gas shipments.

April 7, Truth Social (deadline day): “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will. … Maybe something revolutionarily wonderful can happen, WHO KNOWS? We will find out tonight, one of the most important moments in the long and complex history of the World.”

This post represented the peak of Trump’s apocalyptic rhetoric, suggesting near-total destruction if Iran failed to meet the 8 p.m. EDT deadline. He simultaneously hinted at the possibility of regime change leading to a brighter future, blending dire warnings with optimism about “less radicalised minds” prevailing in Tehran.

April 7-8, announcement of ceasefire: “The reason for doing so is that we have already met and exceeded all Military objectives, and are very far along with a definitive Agreement concerning Longterm PEACE with Iran, and PEACE in the Middle East.”

Hours before or after the deadline, Trump announced a two-week ceasefire, crediting progress in talks and claiming U.S. goals had been achieved. He described Iran’s proposals as a “workable starting point” despite earlier threats, marking a rapid pivot from confrontation to de-escalation.

April 9, Truth Social warning on compliance: “If for any reason it is not [honored], which is highly unlikely, then the ‘Shootin’ Starts,’ bigger, and better, and stronger than anyone has ever seen before. … NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS and, the Strait of Hormuz WILL BE OPEN & SAFE.”

In a follow-up post, Trump stressed that U.S. forces would remain deployed until full implementation, warning of resumed or intensified strikes if Iran breached terms. He reiterated demands for no nuclear weapons and secure navigation in the strait.

The quotes reflect Trump’s signature style: blunt, personal and high-pressure negotiating tactics that mix threats with deal-making overtures. They emerged against the backdrop of a conflict that began escalating in recent weeks, with U.S. and Israeli strikes targeting Iranian assets and Iran responding by disrupting shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

International reaction was swift and largely critical. The United Nations secretary-general expressed being “deeply troubled” by threats that could endanger civilian infrastructure, while Pope Leo XIV and human rights groups like Amnesty International condemned language suggesting large-scale civilian harm. Critics argued the statements risked escalating the conflict further or violating international norms regarding protected sites like power plants.

Supporters, however, viewed the approach as effective hardball diplomacy. Within hours of the Tuesday deadline, Trump announced the temporary ceasefire, citing Iranian willingness to negotiate. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office initially pushed back on some terms, conducting operations in Lebanon that complicated the pause, but Trump claimed a phone call helped scale back activity.

The Strait of Hormuz remains central to the dispute. Iran has used threats to close or disrupt the waterway as leverage, prompting Trump to demand its immediate reopening as a condition for de-escalation. Oil prices fluctuated in response, with Brent crude rising amid uncertainty before easing slightly on ceasefire news.

Analysts note the rapid shift from “Power Plant Day” threats to ceasefire talks illustrates Trump’s preference for dramatic pressure followed by claimed victories. The two-week pause is intended to allow negotiations toward a longer-term agreement addressing nuclear issues, regional proxies and security guarantees.

On the domestic front, the statements have divided opinion. Some Republicans praised the tough stance as necessary to deter Iran and protect U.S. interests, while Democrats and some international allies criticized the rhetoric as reckless and potentially illegal under laws of war. Legal experts debated whether targeting civilian infrastructure like bridges and power plants would comply with international humanitarian law.

Trump has also claimed U.S. intercepts show some Iranians urging continued strikes or regime change, though such assertions remain unverified publicly. In one remark, he suggested Iranians were “begging” for action near certain targets, framing it as evidence of internal discontent with the current leadership.

As the ceasefire holds tenuously into its early days, focus shifts to upcoming talks. Trump has signaled optimism about a “definitive Agreement” that could bring broader peace to the Middle East, potentially including normalized relations or reduced proxy conflicts. However, divisions between U.S. and Israeli goals — with Netanyahu emphasizing continued pressure on Iranian allies — pose risks to sustainability.

The episode underscores the volatile nature of U.S.-Iran relations under Trump’s second term. His first-term “maximum pressure” campaign featured similar rhetoric, including the 2020 killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. This round, tied to the broader Israel-Iran shadow war that spilled into direct exchanges, has raised global concerns over energy security, nuclear proliferation and humanitarian impacts.

With U.S. forces still positioned in the region and deadlines looming for full compliance, markets and diplomats are watching closely. Oil shipments through the strait have faced disruptions, contributing to economic ripple effects worldwide.

Trump’s blend of colorful language, military threats and sudden deal announcements has once again dominated headlines. Whether the current pause leads to lasting de-escalation or renewed confrontation remains uncertain as negotiations begin in earnest.

For now, the president appears to claim partial victory, having used high-stakes rhetoric to force movement on a key chokepoint while avoiding immediate large-scale strikes on Iranian infrastructure. The coming weeks will test whether the approach yields a more stable outcome or further volatility in one of the world’s most dangerous flashpoints.

TUCSON, Ariz. — The mysterious abduction of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC’s “Today” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, took a grim new turn this week as TMZ received fresh ransom-style notes claiming the missing woman is dead and offering information about her body and kidnappers for Bitcoin payments.

Guthrie was taken from her home in the Catalina Foothills suburb of Tucson in the early hours of Feb. 1, 2026. Authorities believe she was abducted against her will after finding blood near the doorstep and signs of forced entry. More than two months later, as the case entered its 69th day on Friday, her whereabouts and condition remain unknown, with no arrests or named suspects.

The latest purported ransom notes arrived Monday, coinciding with Savannah Guthrie’s emotional return to the “Today” show after weeks away supporting the search. According to TMZ, one note from a repeat sender claimed Nancy Guthrie “is dead” and demanded half a Bitcoin — roughly $34,000 at current prices — in exchange for details on her body’s location and the identity of those responsible. A second note allegedly stated she had been seen alive with suspects in Sonora, Mexico, before her reported death.

Former FBI agent Jennifer Coffindaffer told Newsweek the notes appear designed to torment the family for profit rather than provide genuine leads, describing the timing as “incessant” and exploitative. The FBI is investigating the communications, which follow earlier ransom demands that some law enforcement sources initially viewed as potentially credible.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has maintained that the case is a targeted abduction, not a random burglary or wandering incident. He has said investigators believe they know a possible motive, though details remain undisclosed. The sheriff previously cleared all immediate family members, including Savannah Guthrie and her siblings, as suspects. No one has been identified as a person of interest.

Evidence at the scene included blood on the doorstep, and surveillance video released by the FBI showed a masked, armed individual on the porch the night of the disappearance. Additional doorbell camera footage captured vehicles on nearby back roads that morning. A black glove recovered early in the investigation yielded DNA, but it belonged to an unrelated restaurant worker, marking a setback.

Nancy Guthrie, who relied on medication and had limited mobility, was last seen around 9:45 p.m. the evening before her disappearance. She had plans to watch an online church service the next morning with friends. When she failed to appear, her oldest daughter, Annie, went to check on her and discovered the troubling signs.

The family has offered a $1 million reward for information leading to Nancy Guthrie’s safe recovery, plus additional rewards exceeding $200,000 in some reports. Savannah Guthrie has made public appeals, including tearful messages begging for her mother’s return and describing the “grievous and uniquely cruel injury of not knowing.”

On her return to “Today” this week, Savannah Guthrie appeared emotional but composed, telling co-anchor Craig Melvin it was “good to be home” while acknowledging the profound personal toll. She has spoken openly about leaning on faith amid the uncertainty and has described the moment she learned of her mother’s disappearance as shattering.

The case has captivated the nation, drawing parallels to other high-profile missing persons investigations while highlighting the unique pain of an elderly victim with a famous family member. Experts note the abduction’s strange elements: minimal signs of struggle inside the home, the victim’s frailty, and the lack of clear ransom demands directly to the family early on.

Retired detectives and cold-case experts have speculated that the kidnappers may have underestimated Nancy Guthrie’s health. Some suggest she could have suffered a medical event during the abduction, leading captors to abandon or dispose of her body when she was no longer “of value” for ransom purposes. Others point to the difficult desert terrain around Tucson as a challenge for both searchers and potential perpetrators.

Searches in the initial weeks involved hundreds of law enforcement officers, volunteers and cadaver dogs combing rugged areas with cactuses, boulders and extreme temperatures. The FBI joined the investigation, providing additional resources, and has described it as a priority. Thousands of tips have poured in, but leads have repeatedly hit dead ends.

Critics have questioned aspects of the early response, with some reports suggesting initial investigators spent too much time exploring the possibility that Guthrie had wandered off before shifting fully to an abduction theory. A source close to the probe told NewsNation there were “no signs of an assault” inside the home itself, adding to the mystery.

As the investigation drags into its third month, frustration grows among the family and the public. Savannah Guthrie has described the limbo as excruciating, telling interviewers that not knowing is the hardest part. She has urged anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing that it is “never too late to do the right thing.”

The Bitcoin demands in the latest notes have raised questions about whether the sender has genuine knowledge or is simply exploiting the case’s high profile for financial gain. Previous ransom communications reportedly stopped for about five weeks before resuming this week, according to media reports.

Pima County authorities and the FBI continue to treat the disappearance as an active kidnapping investigation. Sheriff Nanos has warned there is a chance the perpetrator could strike again, though he has not provided specifics on that assessment.

Nancy Guthrie’s other children and extended family have remained largely out of the spotlight, focusing on private support for the search efforts. The family has coordinated with law enforcement while offering substantial rewards in hopes of generating fresh leads.

The broader public response has included widespread media coverage, true-crime podcasts dissecting every detail, and social media campaigns calling for tips. Ring camera footage and neighborhood surveillance videos have been scrutinized by amateur sleuths and professionals alike.

As of Friday, no new physical evidence or breakthroughs have been publicly announced following the latest ransom notes. Officials have urged caution with unverified communications, reminding the public that hoaxes and false tips can hinder genuine progress.

The case has also spotlighted vulnerabilities faced by elderly residents living alone, even in seemingly safe suburban neighborhoods. Nancy Guthrie’s home had security features, yet the abduction occurred with apparent ease in the middle of the night.

Savannah Guthrie, a respected journalist known for her poise on air, has shown remarkable strength while balancing her high-profile role and personal crisis. Her return to the anchor desk this week was widely viewed as a step toward normalcy amid ongoing heartache.

For the Guthrie family and investigators, the priority remains finding Nancy — whether alive or to bring closure. With the desert landscape, potential cross-border elements suggested in the notes, and a still-unidentified masked figure on video, the puzzle remains unsolved.

Law enforcement continues pursuing thousands of leads, testing additional evidence and analyzing digital records. The FBI has emphasized that tips from the public remain crucial.

As the search enters its third month with no resolution in sight, the emotional weight on the family is immense. Savannah Guthrie has spoken of the “not knowing” as a unique form of grief, one shared by many families of missing loved ones but amplified here by intense national attention.

Authorities and the family continue to appeal for information. Anyone with details is urged to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department or the FBI tip line. A $1 million reward stands as powerful incentive in what has become one of the most closely watched missing persons cases in recent memory.

Britain’s homeowners and small businesses are facing a fresh squeeze on credit as the fallout from the Iran crisis works its way through the financial system, with the Bank of England reporting the sharpest rise in mortgage defaults in more than a year.

The Bank’s latest Credit Conditions Survey, which gauges lenders’ appetite and the level of demand for new borrowing, showed that defaults on secured loans, chiefly residential mortgages, climbed to 6.2 per cent in the first three months of 2026. That is the highest reading since the final quarter of 2024, when defaults peaked at 7.8 per cent following a succession of interest rate rises by Threadneedle Street.

Unsecured lending told a bleaker story still. Defaults on credit cards, personal loans and overdrafts rose for a fourth consecutive quarter to 18.6 per cent, the highest level since the closing months of 2023, when the figure stood at 25.7 per cent. Taken together, the data suggests that household finances, which had begun to stabilise in the latter half of last year, are once again under serious strain.

According to the Bank’s report, demand for home loans and other forms of credit had remained buoyant in the run-up to the conflict, aided by a steady retreat in borrowing costs. That brief window of optimism has now slammed shut. Since hostilities escalated in the Middle East, lenders have rapidly repriced risk, pushing the average two-year fixed mortgage rate from around 4.8 per cent to beyond 5.5 per cent in a matter of weeks.

For a typical borrower with a £200,000 mortgage, that shift translates into roughly an extra £1,000 a year on repayments, a sum that few stretched households can comfortably absorb on top of stubborn food and energy bills.

Raj Abrol, chief executive of the risk platform Galytix, said the pain was radiating well beyond the front doors of British homeowners. “What started as a conflict in the Middle East is now showing up in borrowing costs right across the economy,” he said, warning that the turmoil had “spooked” the country’s big banks and triggered a surge in mortgage pricing.

Mr Abrol cautioned that defaults were likely to continue creeping upwards for some months yet, with inflation proving sticky and the cost of living crisis grinding on. As lenders retreat behind tighter underwriting standards, he argued, access to credit would become “a bigger challenge for consumers” and for the small firms that depend on them.

The deeper concern, he added, lies beneath the surface of the headline numbers. The cost of short-term corporate borrowing has more than doubled for lower-rated companies since late February, investment-grade credit spreads have widened by 15 basis points, and UK gilt yields briefly touched 5 per cent for the first time since 2008. When wholesale funding becomes dearer, the pain seldom stops with homeowners. It filters through to employers juggling payroll, to SMEs hunting for refinancing, and to consumers whose credit card rates and car finance deals quietly ratchet higher.

With close to a million fixed-rate mortgage deals due to expire by September and inflation drifting back towards 3.5 per cent, Mr Abrol warned that defaults risked moving from “a slow creep to something banks have to take seriously”.

Kenny MacAulay, chief executive of the accounting software platform Acting Office, struck a similar note of caution from the perspective of Britain’s small business community. He said that surging inflation and higher rates, against the backdrop of a stagnating economic outlook, would “heap fresh misery on homeowners and businesses alike” for as long as the Iran crisis rumbled on. In such an environment, he argued, building extra reserves and cash buffers was no longer optional but essential for any owner-manager hoping to keep the wolves from the door.

For SMEs already contending with weaker consumer demand, tighter trade credit and rising wage bills, the Bank’s survey is an unwelcome reminder that geopolitical shocks rarely stay confined to the headlines. They eventually land, with interest, on the balance sheet.

Amy Ingham

Amy is a newly qualified journalist specialising in business journalism at Business Matters with responsibility for news content for what is now the UK’s largest print and online source of current business news.