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Target Upgraded to Outperform by Telsey as Retailer Shows Early Signs of Sales Recovery

Shares of Target Corporation rose for a second consecutive session Wednesday after Telsey Advisory Group upgraded the retailer to Outperform from Market Perform, citing confidence in the company's strategy to recapture its merchandising identity and leverage AI across store operations. The upgrade follows a Tuesday earnings report in which CEO Michael Fiddelke said Target is "out of the gates strong" in 2026 after reporting a February sales increase that marked the company's first monthly gain in several quarters.

Target Beats Q4 Earnings Estimates as Holiday Rebound Fuels Optimism; Best Buy Posts Mixed Results

Target Corporation reported adjusted fourth-quarter earnings of $2.44 per share, handily topping Wall Street's $2.16 consensus, as the retailer pointed to improved sales trends in January as an encouraging milestone on its path to recovery. Best Buy posted a mixed quarter — beating on earnings per share but missing revenue estimates — while raising its quarterly dividend for the thirteenth consecutive year.

Gold Breaches $5,400 as Safe-Haven Demand Surges; JP Morgan Raises Year-End Target to $6,300

Spot gold prices surged nearly 2 percent to breach $5,400 per ounce on Monday as the escalating U.S.-Iran conflict drove intense safe-haven demand, with U.S. gold futures advancing 2.58 percent intraday and JPMorgan raising its year-end price target to $6,300 per ounce, citing sustained geopolitical risk, sticky inflation, and central bank buying as structural supports for bullion.

BofA Strategist Warns of Bank Sector Risks and ETF Vulnerabilities

A Bank of America strategist is urging caution in the financial sector, highlighting rising risks in bank loan ETFs and potential market instability if key technical levels are broken. This cautionary outlook could influence investor positioning in banking and credit-sensitive assets.

Block to Cut 40% of Workforce in AI-Driven Restructuring, Rattling Fintech Sector

Block, the payments and financial services company led by Jack Dorsey, announced it will eliminate approximately 40% of its workforce as part of a sweeping strategic restructuring tied to the adoption of artificial intelligence. The announcement sent S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures each down 0.4% before Friday's open and raised fresh concerns about AI-driven displacement across the broader fintech and financial services industry.

Stripe Said to Weigh Full or Partial Acquisition of PayPal in Landmark Fintech Deal

Payments giant Stripe is evaluating a potential acquisition of all or part of PayPal Holdings, according to reports citing people familiar with the matter, sending PayPal shares surging more than 13% over two sessions. The prospective deal would represent one of the largest fintech consolidations in history and arrives as PayPal grapples with a recent CEO departure, a cautious 2026 profit outlook, and intensifying competitive pressure from AI-enabled payment solutions.

Stripe Said to Weigh Full or Partial Acquisition of PayPal in Early-Stage Talks

Payment processing giant Stripe, freshly valued at $159 billion following a secondary share sale, is in preliminary discussions to acquire all or parts of PayPal Holdings, according to sources familiar with the matter. The report has sent PayPal shares up more than 9% over two sessions, as investors bet that a deal could breathe new life into a company that has lost significant market share to Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Gold Surges Past $5,100 Per Ounce as Trade Chaos and Dollar Weakness Drive Safe-Haven Demand

Gold prices climbed above $5,100 per ounce on Monday as investors fled to safe-haven assets following President Trump's announcement of a 15% global tariff and the resulting uncertainty over the future of U.S. trade policy. The dollar fell against major currencies including the yen, euro, and Swiss franc, amplifying gold's move higher, while silver surged to approximately $85 per ounce. Mining stocks and precious metals ETFs rallied sharply, outperforming a broadly weaker equity market.

Walmart Beats Q4 Estimates but Soft Full-Year Guidance Rattles Investors

Walmart delivered better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings and revenue on Thursday, fueled by robust e-commerce growth and expanding advertising revenue, but its full-year earnings outlook of $2.75 to $2.85 per share fell short of Wall Street's consensus of $2.96, sending shares modestly lower in premarket trading and raising questions about the pace of margin expansion under its new chief executive.