Alpha Coverage #155
AI, Robotics, Space, Quantum Computing, Climate Change/Energy Transition, Biotech/Genomics
Weekly newsletter bringing you a summary of unbiased, critical, thesis changing stock market news for long term impact. We cover news articles, opinion pieces and all forms of media to help you stay ahead of the curve. WealthWise Coverage Universe (Only for paying subscribers).
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This Week’s Alpha Coverage: YouTube Playlist or Weekly Compilation.
Coming to you this week from Darjeeling, India! That’s Kangchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in the world. What Absolute Freedom looks like!
Editor’s Pick:
TSLA 0.00%↑ #SpaceX
[News] Musk plans Austin chip factory for AI push
The project would begin with a smaller advanced fabrication facility capable of designing and testing a wide range of chips, with ambitions to scale into a much larger operation.
The proposed fab would produce two main types of chips: lower-power processors for vehicles, robotaxis and humanoid robots, and higher-performance chips designed for space-based computing. Musk envisions eventually supporting massive computing capacity both on Earth and in orbit, though he did not provide a timeline.
Musk clarified that the Austin advanced technology fab is a smaller, separate facility for chip design iteration — the full Terafab will require thousands of acres and over 10GW of power, with no location yet confirmed.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 22, 2026
WealthWise Research - Mar 22, 2026
[News] Analysts applaud Grab’s deal to enter Taiwan via the Foodpanda deal
Analysts came out positive on Grab Holdings’ (GRAB) deal to acquire Delivery Hero subsidiary foodpanda Taiwan for $600M in cash. Notably, the deal will mark Grab’s first market entry outside Southeast Asia, expanding it into Taiwan as its ninth market. The deal is expected to close in the second half of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals.
Under the terms of the deal, agreement, Grab will buy Foodpanda’s entire delivery-platform business in Taiwan on a cash-free, debt-free basis, gaining operations across 21 cities and a business that generated about $1.8 billion in 2025 GMV and is already profitable on an adjusted EBITDA basis before group cost allocation. Looking ahead, Grab (GRAB) expects the acquisition to be accretive to its 2026 results and to contribute at least $60 million in incremental adjusted EBITDA in 2028.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 24, 2026
AMZN 0.00%↑ $FaunaRobotics
[News] Amazon enters humanoid race with Fauna Robotics deal
Amazon (AMZN) is stepping into the humanoid robotics space through its acquisition of Fauna Robotics, according to sources cited by Bloomberg.
The deal reportedly closed last week for an undisclosed amount.
The New York-based startup is developing a human-like, 42-inch-tall robot called Sprout, intended for small chores like picking up things off the floor and retrieving items throughout the home. Sprout can interact with people, walk, dance, open doors, and respond to its name. The robot is also designed to hold back-and-forth conversations and display interactive social behaviors. Powered by NVIDIA’s (NVDA) Jetson Orin robotics platform, Sprout can also form memories over time.
Sprout is currently priced at $50K, including software, grippers, and a swappable battery that can last around 3 hours on a single charge.
Unlike Amazon’s (AMZN) earlier push into robotics with Astro in 2021, Sprout is being developed specifically for the consumer market.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 24, 2026
ARM 0.00%↑ AMD 0.00%↑ INTC 0.00%↑
[News] Intel, AMD’s CPU supply constraints impacting PC, server makers: report
A worsening supply constraint in central processing units made by Intel (INTC) and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) is impacting PC and server makers who are already affected by the memory chip shortage, Nikkei Asia reported.
PC manufacturers like HP (HPQ) and Dell (DELL) found that a meaningful ‘gap’ started appearing at the end of February between the volume of CPUs they required and the volume they could get, managers familiar with the matter told the news outlet, adding that the situation is now much worse than a few months ago.
The supply crunch is already increasing wait times and pushing up prices for CPUs for servers and PCs, said several industry executives and managers. Some of them expect the situation to worsen in the coming months. Quote prices for CPUs have already risen several times this year, leading to an average price increase of between 10% and 15%, and some are even higher than this rate, the report added.
Intel and AMD have recently told clients they will raise the prices for all series of CPUs from March and April, respectively, according to the report.
“Previously, the average lead time for a CPU was around one to two weeks, but now the wait time has prolonged to an average of eight to 12 weeks,” said an executive with a server maker that sells Nvidia, AMD, and Intel solutions to the news outlet.
An executive with a server and PC distributor said that in some cases, the wait time for CPUs is now up to six months, the report noted.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 25, 2026
ITA 0.00%↑ USO 0.00%↑ FCG 0.00%↑
[News] Iran does not accept a ceasefire – report
The Iranian state media said the country did not accept a ceasefire offer from the U.S. on Wednesday.
According to “an informed source,” the FARS News Agency state media outlet said there have been U.S. efforts to end the war and start indirect talks with Iran, CNBC reported.
The news agency said its source stated that “it is not logical to enter into such a process with those who violate the agreement.”
In addition, the source reportedly said Iran intends to realize its strategic goals as the conflict continues, and only then could there be a possibility of a ceasefire.
A New York Times report also said on Tuesday the U.S. had sent Iran a 15-point plan to end the war in the Middle East, delivered through Pakistani intermediaries.
A senior political-security official has reportedly told Iranian news network Press TV that Iran has formally rejected an American proposal to end the ongoing conflict, insisting that Tehran will dictate the terms and timing of the war’s conclusion.
The official outlined five specific conditions for ending hostilities:
A complete halt to “aggression and assassinations” by the enemy
Establishment of mechanisms to ensure war is not reimposed on Iran
Guaranteed payment of war damages and reparations
Conclusion of the war across all fronts for all resistance groups in the region
Formal recognition of Iran’s sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz as a guarantee for the implementation of commitments.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 25, 2026
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 25, 2026
COIN 0.00%↑ BETR 0.00%↑ CRCL 0.00%↑ #BTC #USDC
[News] Coinbase, Better Home & Finance launch crypto-backed mortgages
Coinbase Global (COIN) and Better Home & Finance Holding (BETR) on Thursday announced the launch of token-backed mortgages.
Token-backed mortgages, which will be originated and serviced by Better Home & Finance, are set to benefit from the same backing of Fannie Mae (FNMA) as other conforming mortgages. Bitcoin (BTC-USD) and USDC (USDC-USD) pledges are powered by Coinbase.
The product enables Americans who qualify for a mortgage with BETR to pledge Bitcoin or Circle Internet Group’s (CRCL) USDC as collateral to fund their cash down payment.
The benefits include if BTC drops in value, the mortgage terms remain unchanged, and no additional collateral is required.
Token-backed mortgages let borrowers secure standard conforming mortgages without liquidating tokenized assets or potentially triggering a taxable event.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 26, 2026
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[News] Trump extends halt on Iran energy strikes to April 6
Trump’s latest move marks the second time he has extended the deadline since first warning on March 21 that Iran’s power infrastructure could be targeted unless Tehran swiftly reopened the strait to commercial shipping.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 26, 2026
[YouTube | CNBC Television] ‘Best case scenario’ global oil market loses 600 million barrels, says 3Fourteen’s Warren Pies
3Fourteen’s Warren Pies joins ‘Closing Bell Overtime’ to talk the impact of the global energy shock on oil prices, equity markets, and global supply.
Link to Full Video (04:44 Minute) - Mar 28, 2026
News, Facts, Analyst & Market Commentary - Short Reads:
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Trump says U.S. will ‘obliterate’ Iran’s power plants if Strait of Hormuz not opened in 48 hours
President Trump said Saturday the U.S. will “obliterate” Iran’s power plants if the Strait of Hormuz is not open within 48 hours, a day after the president talked about “winding down” the war in the Middle East.
On Saturday, Iranian missiles struck the Israeli cities of Dimona and Arab, injuring dozens of people; the target for the strike on Dimona may have been a nuclear facility ~13 km away.
Iran warned Sunday that it would strike critical infrastructure across the Middle East if President Donald Trump carries out his threat to “obliterate” the country’s power plants unless the Strait of Hormuz is quickly reopened.
“Following previous warnings, if Iran’s fuel and energy infrastructure is attacked by the enemy, all energy, information technology, and desalination infrastructure belonging to the US and the regime in the region will be targeted,” Iran’s military operational command said in a statement on Tasnim news agency Sunday.
Last Friday, Iran launched two intermediate-range ballistic missiles at the U.S.-U.K. Diego Garcia military base 2,500 miles away—far enough to hit much of Europe—revealing the presence of longer-range missiles than many analysts had realized; both missiles missed the target.
WTI crude oil (Cl1:COM) (USO) was trading just below $99/bbl early morning Monday with Brent crude (CO1:COM) (BNO) futures, trading above $112/bbl.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 21, 2026
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 21, 2026
WealthWise Research - Mar 21, 2026
China signals broader market access, trade rebalancing in pitch to global business
Speaking at the China Development Forum in Beijing, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said the country plans to increase imports of higher-quality foreign goods and collaborate with trading partners to improve the structure and balance of global commerce, according to state media.
Beijing continues to face criticism from several governments over issues such as industrial overcapacity and heavy reliance on Chinese exports in key sectors.
While Li did not directly address the surplus in his remarks, his emphasis on balanced trade suggests an effort to ease international concerns
Separately, central bank governor Pan Gongsheng sought to put the trade imbalance into a broader context. In remarks published by the People’s Bank of China, Pan said global imbalances should be assessed across both goods and services, as well as financial flows. He noted that while China runs the world’s largest surplus in goods, it also posts the largest deficit in services.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 22, 2026
GLD 0.00%↑ KGC 0.00%↑ AEM 0.00%↑
Gold slumps despite war, exposing crowded trade risks
Gold (XAUUSD:CUR) was expected to rally amid war and inflation fears, but instead it has dropped sharply, falling about 14% since the start of the Iran conflict.
Traditional explanations only go so far. A stronger U.S. dollar (DXY) and rising real interest rates should weigh on gold, but the metal has also fallen in other currencies and has dropped even on days when the dollar weakened. That suggests deeper forces at play.
The bigger issue appears to be positioning. Gold (XAUUSD:CUR) had become one of the most popular trades over the past year, attracting heavy inflows from investors and central banks. When the conflict began, many traders sold to lock in gains or reduce risk, accelerating the decline.
Speculative activity also played a role. Strong demand for gold-backed ETFs and momentum-driven buying had pushed prices higher alongside other crowded trades. As those positions unwind, gold has come under pressure.
There are also shifting fundamentals. Central banks had been major buyers, partly to diversify away from dollar reserves after Russia’s assets were frozen. But the current energy shock could force some countries to spend reserves rather than accumulate more gold. Oil-exporting nations facing disrupted shipments may even need to sell.
Consumers in major gold-buying countries like India and China could also reduce demand as higher energy costs strain household finances.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 22, 2026
[Newsletter Exclusive] Northrop Grumman tests autonomous flight with Shield AI software
Northrop Grumman (NOC) said its Talon IQ autonomous test platform completed a flight integrating third-party software from Shield AI, marking a step toward more flexible development of military autonomy systems.
The flight, conducted in Mojave, California, used Shield AI’s Hivemind software to control the aircraft during a simulated mission that included patrol and target engagement maneuvers. Control was later handed back to Northrop’s in-house Prism autonomy system, demonstrating the ability to switch between software platforms on the same airframe, the company said on March 19.
The test highlights a broader effort within the defense sector to develop open-architecture systems that allow different autonomy software to run on shared hardware. Such approaches are intended to reduce costs and shorten development timelines by avoiding the need to build new aircraft for each system.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 22, 2026
Markets now see one in three chance of Fed hike by October
Fed funds futures now indicate a 35% chance that the benchmark rates are higher by at least a quarter point after the October FOMC meeting. Just a month ago they were pricing in a 35% chance that rates would be 50 bps lower.
The 2-year Treasury yield (US2Y) is back above 3.9%, its highest level since July. That’s when the front end of the curve saw a sharp drop on the back of weak jobs data, the beginning of a steady seven-month decline in yields that’s been wiped out since the attacks on Iran.
Just like in 2022, the 2-year yield has decoupled from the fed funds rate and fed funds futures are raising odds of a rate hike by year-end, Seth Golden, chief market strategist at Finom Group, posted.
Meanwhile, Christian Fromhertz of the Tribeca Trade Group noted that the MOVE index, known as the VIX for bonds, is spiking.
A rising MOVE index reflects increased uncertainty about the path of interest rates, which historically has preceded broader market volatility,” would land it more firmly.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 22, 2026
#OpenAI #HelionEnergy,
OpenAI in talks to buy electricity from Altman-backed fusion startup: Axios
OpenAI (OPENAI) is in advanced talks to buy electricity from fusion startup Helion Energy, as the firm looks to tap fusion energy to meet growing power demand for AI.
The deal could give OpenAI a guaranteed portion of Helion’s production, initially 12.5%, with plans to secure up to 5 gigawatts by 2030 and 50 gigawatts by 2035, according to Axios, which cited a person familiar with the situation.
CEO Sam Altman, an investor in Helion, has stepped down from its board and is not involved in the discussions, the source told Axios. Altman holds a sizable stake in Helion, though the size has not been disclosed.
Helion previously struck a 50-megawatt power deal with Microsoft (MSFT) in 2023. Meanwhile, Google (GOOG) (GOOGL) has signed agreements with Helion rival Commonwealth Fusion Systems, including a deal to purchase 200 megawatts of power.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 23, 2026
[Newsletter Exclusive] Analysts expect a breakout for XPeng as physical AI becomes a bigger part of the story
XPeng (XPEV) is on the radar of analysts after last week’s earnings report. The Chinese electric vehicle maker posted its first quarterly profit ever on a mix of higher-margin models sold. The company’s focus on physical AI was also a major talking point of investors.
Nomura maintained a Buy rating on XPeng (XPEV) following the report. Analysts Joel Ying and Ethan Zhang pointed to XPeng’s (XPEV) reasonable business plan covering both near- and long-term strategy. “We believe XPeng’s business plan is well positioned for the 2026 auto market, supported by its relatively strong product pipeline and dual powertrain strategy, while at the same time the company is actively exploring opportunities in physical AI to boost long-term growth,” they wrote. Nomura lowered FY26-27 shipment estimates for the EV maker due to the current market environment and product pipeline, but the firm’s price target of $23 implies more than 30% upside.
Morgan Stanley has an Overweight rating on XPeng (XPEV) and a price target of $34 (85% upside). Analyst Tim Hsiao pointed to second-half catalysts for XPeng (XPEV). The stock is expected to bounce when investor appetite for AI-related stocks picks back up. “Aftersales, auto financing, and overseas carbon credits revenue could also bring revenue upside via XPeng’s expanding global fleet,” he noted. Notably, XPeng (XPEV) is looking for commercial robotaxi operations to begin in the second half of the year, and the company is targeting removal of safety drivers by 2027. XPeng (XPEV) will also consider strategic partnerships for overseas robotaxi launch in 2027.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 23, 2026
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Oil prices plunge after Trump postpones all strikes on Iranian power plants
Crude oil futures plunged suddenly as stock futures soared Monday after President Trump said the U.S. and Iran have held productive talks over the last two days, and the U.S. will halt any strikes on Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for a five-day period.
Iran’s foreign ministry, however, refuted the post and said there have been no talks with Washington.
Meanwhile, an Israeli official reportedly said that an imminent end to the war is not expected, “and we plan to continue operations while avoiding targeting energy facilities.”
Late Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also appeared to be looking for de-escalation, expressing support for a potential “agreement” with Iran, while simultaneously vowing to continue strikes on Iran and Lebanon.
Unconfirmed reports emerged early Tuesday that Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has agreed to negotiate with the U.S. — a potential turning point if verified.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry has not confirmed the reports.
At the same time, senior military officials are reportedly considering deploying a combat brigade from the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division to support U.S. military operations in Iran, defense officials said, even as President Donald Trump announced a pause in planned strikes and claimed progress in negotiations with Tehran.
These forces could be used to seize Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export hub. Another possibility being considered is an attack by about 2.5K troops from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, which is on its way to the region.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 23, 2026
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 23, 2026
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 23, 2026
Link to Instagram - Mar 23, 2026
WealthWise Research - Mar 23, 2026
Tower Semiconductor, Coherent gain on 400 Gbps data transmission milestone
Tower Semiconductor (TSEM) and Coherent (COHR) shares rose premarket Monday after the companies demonstrated 400 Gbps per lane data transmission using a silicon modulator built on a production-ready silicon photonics (SiPho) platform.
The breakthrough is aimed at next-generation 3.2T optical transceivers and expands silicon’s capabilities for pluggable transceivers and co-packaged optics in data center connectivity.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 23, 2026
Mobileye gains after announcing driver monitoring system deal with US automaker
Mobileye (MBLY) shares gained more than 5% in premarket trading on Monday after the company announced a driver monitoring system deal with a U.S. automaker.
A “leading” (unnamed) U.S. automaker will integrate Mobileye’s Driver Monitoring System into future vehicles that are equipped with Mobileye’s EyeQ6L system-on-chip, the company said in a statement. The start of production is targeted for 2027 and is “expected to span millions of vehicles across multiple models and model years,” Mobileye added.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 23, 2026
[Newsletter Exclusive] Uber positioned to become largest facilitator of AV trips by 2029—Citi Research
The race to deploy autonomous vehicles as a reliable ride-sharing option positions Uber (UBER) ahead of its rivals given its ever-expanding roster of AV partnerships and its size and scale, says Citi Research analyst Ronald Josey, positioning the company to “achieve its goal of becoming the largest facilitator of AV trips globally by 2029.”
Since reporting fourth-quarter results in early February, Uber (UBER) has announced seven new or expanded AV partnerships, including the most recent with Rivian (RIVN) for 10K fully autonomous R2 robotaxis and an option for 40K more.
Josey also points to AI advancements that will significantly reduce the time and cost to launch, specifically Uber’s (UBER) partnership with NVIDIA (NVDA) that “should lead to full driverless full-stack L4 deployment.”
“We look for supply to ramp in the next 1-3 years, with Uber’s mobility MP a key driver of demand,” Josey says in his note.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 23, 2026
[Newsletter Exclusive] Oil ‘talked down’ for third Monday; SA analyst sees further downside without Iran breakthrough
In his latest, SA analyst Damir Tokic notes that “this is the third Monday in a row that ‘oil is being talked down’, while S&P500 bounces,” questioning whether these countertrends can hold.
Tokic ties their sustainability to an Iran deal, which “does not seem to be likely” given the deployment of 4,000 U.S. marines to the region, signaling “further escalation” instead.
Tokic also highlights equities’ vulnerability, noting the S&P 500’s recent bounce “failed to reclaim the 200DMA,” a key long-term moving average that now caps upside and points to “further downside.”
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 23, 2026
ASML 0.00%↑ #SKHynix
SK hynix to buy $7.9B equipment from ASML; eyes $10B U.S. listing to meet memory chip demand
SK hynix (HXSCL) on Tuesday said it will acquire advanced production equipment valued at 12 trillion won ($7.9 billion) from Dutch company ASML (ASML), noting the equipment, extreme ultraviolet scanners, will be delivered by December 2027 for its next-generation production processes.
According to a separate report, SK Hynix (HXSCL) is seeking to raise 10 trillion won to 15 trillion won ($10 billion) from a potential listing in the US, the Korea Economic Daily reported.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 24, 2026
#Anthropic #Claude
Anthropic’s Claude now automates tasks on Macs via smartphone
(ANTHRO) has added a new feature that allows Claude Cowork and Code to automate tasks on a computer with Apple’s (AAPL) macOS via instructions sent remotely from a user’s smartphone.
The new capability is currently in preview mode, and it is available in Claude Cowork and Claude Code for Pro and Max subscribers.
“When Claude doesn’t have access to the tools it needs, it will point, click, and navigate what’s on your screen to perform the task itself,” Anthropic said. “It can open files, use the browser, and run dev tools automatically — with no setup required.”
It works using a new Claude feature called Dispatch that lets users have a continuous conversation with Claude from their smartphone to their computer. One can open the computer later and check on the work completed. It is considered similar to OpenClaw but easier to use, and it has built-in permission controls and safeguards.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 24, 2026
AMZN 0.00%↑ #ZOOX
Zoox adds Austin and Miami to its robotaxi testing ground
Zoox (ZOOX) announced on Tuesday that it is close to launching robotaxi service in Austin and Miami on a limited basis to employees and their families as a final step before opening up the service to the public.
Currently, Zoox (ZOOX) is offering free driverless rides around the Las Vegas Strip and certain San Francisco neighborhoods while also testing in 8 other cities.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 24, 2026
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[Newsletter Exclusive] Markets are waiting for a TACO moment on Iran – analyst
Bjarne Schieldrop, chief commodities analyst at SEB argued that Iran’s strategy is fundamentally about establishing deterrence after failing to respond forcefully to attacks last summer. By closing the Strait of Hormuz, Tehran aims to impose real economic and political consequences on the U.S. that would make future attacks “expensive and costly.”
The analyst believes hardliners remain in control in Iran and need to demonstrate that their oil weapon is effective. Yet Schieldrop suggested that current prices are far from catastrophic for the U.S. administration.
“Brent crude (CO1:COM) at $112 per barrel? Give him a break,” he said, comparing the current situation to the 2008 nominal peak of $148.
He argued that if Iran cannot push oil prices above that historical high even while deploying its most potent economic weapon, it would represent a strategic defeat and signal there is no real risk to attacking Iran in the future.
Looking ahead, the analyst projected that if the current disruption to the Strait of Hormuz continues through July, Brent crude could naturally reach $175 per barrel. While existing buffers may last through April, prolonged conflict would fundamentally alter the pricing landscape.
Complicating any diplomatic resolution is the uncertainty about who actually holds power in Iran. Schieldrop noted that Trump may be negotiating with one faction while another—potentially the hardliners—continues to escalate tensions and communicates through media channels that no negotiations are taking place.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 24, 2026
[Newsletter Exclusive] Gas-related stocks rise as supplies tighten; QatarEnergy declares force majeure on LNG contracts
LNG facilities in Qatar will be offline for months, and are not expected to resume production at pre-war levels for much longer, perhaps for years, meaning the U.S. is poised for big wins and profits as a reliable source of cargoes at a time when global inventories are being depleted and buyers are sweating out potential months-long disruptions.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 24, 2026
Circle Internet stock sinks as Clarity draft reportedly puts strict limits on stablecoin yields
The latest draft of the Clarity Act would allow stablecoin rewards programs on a narrow basis, as long as they don’t resemble interest from bank deposits, CoinDesk reported on Tuesday, citing a person familiar with the current draft.
The revised section of the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act is a compromise that would allow rewards on users’ stablecoin activities, but not balances, the report said.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 24, 2026
AeroVironment unveils laser defense system as shares slip
The system, called Locust X3, is the latest version of the company’s directed-energy technology. It is intended to track and disable small to mid-sized unmanned aerial systems and certain surface threats using a laser rather than traditional munitions.
The platform incorporates a laser with output ranging from roughly 20 kilowatts to more than 35 kilowatts, along with software that automates detection, tracking and targeting. The company said the system can be integrated across multiple environments, including ground vehicles, fixed installations and maritime platforms.
The company also highlighted the relatively low cost per engagement compared with conventional interceptors, noting that laser-based systems can operate without the need for physical ammunition reloads. Analysts have pointed to such features as increasingly relevant as militaries confront the growing use of low-cost drones and swarm tactics in conflicts.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 24, 2026
Arm unveils data center CPU as it looks to take on Intel, AMD
Known as the Arm AGI CPU, the newly announced chip is aimed at agentic AI workloads. It can deliver more than twice the performance per rack when compared to traditional x86 platforms made by Intel (INTC) and AMD (AMD), the company said in a statement.
The Arm AGI CPU has up to 136 V3 cores per CPU and is a system-on-a-chip, offering 6 GB/s memory per core at sub-100ns latency. It’s also efficient, the company said, as it uses around 300 watts of electricity, supports 1U server chassis’ air-cooled deployments with up to 8,160 cores per rack, and liquid-cooled systems that can deliver more than 45,000 cores per rack.
Arm added that the CPU was developed in concert with Meta Platforms (META), which will be its first major customer for the chips. It will be produced by Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM). The company also noted that companies such as Cerebras, Cloudflare (NET), F5 (FFIV), OpenAI (OPENAI), Positron, Rebellions, SAP (SAP), and SK Telecom will deploy the Arm AGI CPU for key agentic CPU use cases.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 24, 2026
GOOG 0.00%↑ #AgileRobots
Google DeepMind teams up with Agile Robots for AI robotics push
Google (GOOG) DeepMind has landed a partnership with Agile Robots, marking its latest move to deepen its footprint in AI-driven robotics.
The Munich-based firm has over 20,000 systems deployed globally and aims to embed DeepMind’s multimodal AI models—capable of processing vision, language, and tactile data—into its industrial robots.
The companies will jointly test, refine, and deploy these AI-powered robots across sectors such as electronics manufacturing, automotive, logistics, and data centers.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 25, 2026
[Newsletter Exclusive] Indian refiners secure 60M barrels of Russian oil; Reliance adds 5M barrels of Iranian crude after U.S. waiver
Indian refiners have reportedly bought about 60 million barrels of Russian oil for delivery next month, easing supply concerns as the Middle East war chokes flows. The cargoes were booked at premiums of $5 to $15 a barrel to Brent, according to a report by Bloomberg News.
The volume is similar to the amount of purchases for this month but more than double that for February, the report said, citing data intelligence firm Kpler.
India’s Reliance Industries, operator of the world’s biggest refining complex, has meanwhile purchased 5 million barrels of Iranian crude, days after the U.S. temporarily removed sanctions on the oil, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. The Indian refiner bought the oil from the National Iranian Oil Co., two of the sources said.
One of them said the crude was priced at a premium of about $7 a barrel to ICE Brent futures. It was not immediately clear when the oil would be delivered.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 25, 2026
Energy Fuels produces first U.S. heavy rare earth terbium oxide at Utah mill
Energy Fuels (UUUU) up 4.3% pre-market Wednesday after saying it produced its first kilogram of high-purity terbium oxide at its White Mesa mill in Utah, making it “the first U.S. company in many decades to produce high-purity Tb oxide from a primary mineral feedstock and publicly disclose actual production volumes and purities that are sufficient for downstream metal/alloy validation.”
Using monazite ore sourced from the U.S., Energy Fuels (UUUU) said it achieved a purity of 99.9% Tb at pilot scale, which meets the specifications of global manufacturers of rare earth permanent magnets.
The achievement follows the company’s recent announcement that it had produced nearly 30 kg of 99.9% pure dysprosium oxide production, another critical “heavy” rare earth oxide used in permanent magnets.
Energy Fuels (UUUU) said it expects to continue producing terbium oxide at the White Mesa mill at an approximate rate of one kg per week in its existing pilot circuit, followed by pilot production of Sm, Eu, and Gd oxides, and plans to expand its heavy rare earth element production capability at its existing mill circuits for the planned commercial-level recovery of Dy, Tb, Sm, Eu, and Gd.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 25, 2026
ARM 0.00%↑ AMD 0.00%↑ INTC 0.00%↑
Arm stock jumps as CEO Haas issues $15B revenue expectation for new chip
Arm Holdings (ARM) shares surged 12.5% in premarket trading on Wednesday, extending gains after CEO Rene Haas forecast 2031 revenue at more than six times 2025 levels.
Haas said Arm expects the new chip to generate roughly $15 billion in annual revenue by 2031, with total annual revenue of $25 billion and earnings per share of $9, CNBC reported.
Central processing units are seeing a resurgence of demand as agentic AI changes compute needs. Haas predicted CPUs will see a fourfold increase in demand around agentic AI. “We may be under-calling that number,” Haas said Tuesday. “I think the demand is higher than we think it is.”
Morgan Stanley analyst Lee Simpson said Arm’s focus on compute efficiency (the 136-core Arm AGI CPU has up to 136 V3 cores per CPU, offers 6 GB/s memory per core at sub-100 ns latency, and uses around 300 watts of electricity) could help customers looking for low-power compute, including companies like Meta (META) and OpenAI (OPENAI).
“So, this isn’t a replacement of Grace or Vera chips at NVIDIA, but at the head node (near the xPU) for the likes of Cerebras, for networking (routing) at F5 and maybe even general CPU use in enterprise set-ups,” Simpson wrote in a note to clients. “Arm’s strategy is fueled by partnerships with cloud providers that seek to optimize total cost of ownership (TCO) and reduce energy consumption, allowing them to allocate more power budget to GPU compute.”
Simpson, who has an Overweight rating and a $135 price target on Arm, added that the cost of Arm’s AGI CPU could be discounted compared to offerings from Intel (INTC) and AMD (AMD).
Evercore ISI analyst Mark Lipacis was even more effusive in his praise for Arm, likening it to Nvidia (NVDA) of 10 years ago.
“Much like NVDA’s GPU was a product that was a great match for AI workloads when they inflected 10 years ago, ARM’s CPU is a great match for agentic-AI workloads as they are inflecting now, given its power-efficient architecture and high core-count solutions, which position it to be the best ‘orchestrator’ of agentic workloads,” Lipacis wrote. “Our checks indicate ARM has gained share rapidly and become the AI CPU of choice with hyperscalers. ARM sizes the current Server CPU TAM at $50B today, well above AMD’s $26B, growing to $100B by FY31. This is consistent with our checks that indicate demand for DC CPUs well above what we thought conceivable just several months ago.”
Citi analyst Andrew Gardiner called the CPU announcement “the most significant shift” in Arm’s history.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 25, 2026
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 25, 2026
Kodiak AI rallies after its autonomous driving system is tasked to help combat attack drones
Kodiak AI (KDK) rallied in early trading on Wednesday after the company announced with partners Epirus and General Dynamics Land Systems the unveiling of the Leonidas Autonomous Ground Vehicle, described as a mobile, fully autonomous vehicle for counter-UAS, critical point defense, and homeland security missions. Kodiak (KDK) contributes the autonomous driving system for the weapon.
Leonidas AGV can rapidly deploy to pre-planned intercept points or maneuver across a perimeter to protect critical assets from the threat of individual, swarm or fiber-optic controlled drone attacks. The Leonidas AGV is well-suited for a range of missions, including the defense of military installations, forward operating bases, airports, ports, energy infrastructure, and major public events.
Chardan Research has a Buy rating on Kodiak AI (KODK) and a price target of $22. Analyst James McIlree and his team have modeled revenue and customer growth accelerating over the coming quarters for Kodiak (KDK) to create multiple catalysts.
McIlree highlighted that KDK company trades at about 20% of Aurora Innovation’s (AUR) enterprise value, reflecting greater awareness of Aurora and a stronger balance sheet. “But Kodiak has a much lower burn, a significant advantage in the industrial and defense markets, and we believe has a cost advantage in the long-haul market,” he noted.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 25, 2026
[Newsletter Exclusive] Beam to advance gene-editing drug to pivotal development
Beam Therapeutics (BEAM) added ~8% in the premarket on Wednesday after announcing plans to begin pivotal development to support a potential accelerated approval of BEAM-302, its gene editing therapy for a hereditary disorder called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.
The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based biotech stated that its decision was based on updated results from its ongoing open-label Phase 1/2 trial designed to evaluate the one-time therapy in patients with AATD-associated lung disease and mild to severe liver disease.
The company has selected the 60 mg dose to advance a future biologics licensing application for BEAM-302 in an accelerated approval pathway in the U.S. It aims to enroll about 60 more patients with AATD-associated lung disease as an expansion to the trial, with the pivotal cohort expected to begin in H2 2026.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 25, 2026
[Newsletter Exclusive] Amprius secures $21M purchase order
Amprius Technologies (AMPX) announced on Wednesday it has secured a purchase order totaling $21M for its SiCore cylindrical cells from a new premier electric mobility customer in China.
Amprius cells were chosen for the company’s suite of light electric vehicles, including scooters, three-wheelers, and motorcycles.
Amprius’ SiCore cells deliver high-energy density and long cycle life for electric mobility applications. The 30 Ah-capacity cells increase energy density by up to 100% compared to conventional graphite-anode cells. Cycle life is rated at more than 2,000 cycles, the company said.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 25, 2026
GOOG 0.00%↑ GOOGL 0.00%↑ MU 0.00%↑
Google reveals algorithms to address AI memory challenges; memory and storage stocks drop
Google (GOOG)(GOOGL) revealed a set of new algorithms today designed to reduce the amount of memory needed to run large language models and vector search engines.
Shares of major memory and storage suppliers had declined during early market action on Wednesday. Micron Technology (MU) was down 4%, Western Digital had slid 4.4%, Seagate Technology (STX) had declined 5.6%, and Sandisk (SNDK) had sunk 6.5%. Sandisk revealed today it has entered into a private placement subscription agreement to make an equity investment in semiconductor firm Nanya Technology.
The algorithms introduced by Google include TurboQuant, Quantized Johnson-Lindenstrauss, and PolarQuant. TurboQuant is a compression algorithm that optimally addresses the challenge of memory overhead in vector quantization.
A mathematical technique known as the Johnson-Lindenstrauss Transform shrinks complex, high-dimensional data while preserving the essential distances and relationships between data points. This algorithm creates a high-speed shorthand that requires zero memory overhead.
Finally, PolarQuant addresses the memory overhead problem by using polar coordinates. This allows LLMs to skip the data normalization step because it maps data onto a fixed, predictable “circular” grid where the boundaries are already known.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 25, 2026
Eaton positioned to benefit from AI power demand: BNP Paribas
BNP Paribas highlighted Eaton’s (ETN) growing exposure to data centers as a key driver of forward visibility. Approximately one-third of the company’s Electrical Americas backlog, estimated at roughly $15 billion for 2025, is tied to data center demand. The firm noted that customer engagement is increasing, with improved insight into long-term buildout plans.
The transition toward 800-volt systems is also expected to be favorable for Eaton (ETN), as management believes it will increase content per installation while maintaining strong pricing dynamics.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 25, 2026
Vertiv rallies to record high as HSBC sees strong upside from AI demand
HSBC views Vertiv as a “pure play” on data center power and cooling, positioning it at the center of one of the fastest growing segments in the AI supply chain.
HSBC favors vertically integrated suppliers and identifies Vertiv (VRT) alongside Eaton (ETN) and Schneider Electric as best positioned to capture growth from evolving data center architectures.
Vertiv stands out for its broad exposure across both power and thermal management systems. According to HSBC’s analysis of the supply chain, the company derives roughly 80% of its revenue from data center related activity, one of the highest concentrations among peers.
The report highlights strong recent momentum in Vertiv’s business. The company recorded a 252% year over year increase in fourth quarter order intake and more than 50% sequential backlog growth.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 25, 2026
Google boosts music-focused Lyria AI models with ability to create longer music
Google’s (GOOG) (GOOGL) DeepMind updated its music-focused Lyria 3 family of artificial intelligence models on Wednesday, letting users create longer music tracks.
The new model, known as Lyria 3 Pro, will allow users to map out song introductions, verses, choruses, and bridges to create tracks that are up to three minutes in length.
“This advanced version allows the creation of tracks up to 3 minutes long, with customization and creative control,” Google wrote in a blog post.
Lyria 3 Pro is already available in Vertex AI, Google AI Studio and the Gemini API, Google Vids, Google’s Gemini app, and the recently introduced Producer AI.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 25, 2026
UBER 0.00%↑ PONY 0.00%↑ #Verne
Verne, Pony.ai, and Uber team up to launch Europe’s first commercial robotaxi service
Verne, Pony AI (PONY), and Uber Technologies (UBER) on Thursday announced a strategic partnership to launch the first commercial robotaxi service in Europe, beginning in Zagreb, Croatia soon, with initial deployment work already underway, including public-road validation.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 26, 2026
[Newsletter Exclusive] Pony AI posts a bigger quarterly loss as its robotaxi businesses ramp up
Robotaxi revenue surged in the quarter, driven by successful execution of Pony AI’s (PONY) dual-engine strategy in both China and overseas markets. However, total revenue was down 18.0% to $29.1M. The decrease was mainly influenced by the timing of project-based revenue recognition in licensing and applications, partially offset by an increase in robotaxi and robotruck revenue.
Gross margin was 12.7% in the quarter, compared to 21.0% for the same quarter a year ago. The decrease was primarily due to increasing revenue contribution from robotruck services. The non-GAAP loss from operations was $65.9M, compared to $48.2M a year ago, primarily driven by higher operating expenses incurred to support our ongoing business expansion and enhance our R&D capabilities.
Looking ahead, Pony AI (PONY) expects a year of accelerating growth. The strategic partnership with Toyota (TM) was noted to have further enabled the mass production of the company’s Gen-7 Robotaxis, securing 1,000 vehicles to directly fuel this expansion. “We will accelerate top-line growth at a faster speed, scale up fleet size to over 3,000, and expand operational areas to deploy robotaxis in more than 20 cities globally. To achieve these goals, we will employ a dual-engine strategy, together with the joint deployment model, to accelerate our top-line growth momentum in both domestic and overseas markets,” highlighted CEO Dr. James Peng.
In Shenzhen, robotaxi paid orders from January to mid-February were noted to have already outpaced full-year 2025 levels.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 26, 2026
[Newsletter Exclusive] Google’s TurboQuant leads to more intense computing rather than dimming demand: Morgan Stanley
“It is being widely reported that Google has reduced memory usage by 6x, which leaves out that they are just talking about KV Cache memory, not memory overall,” said Morgan Stanley analysts, led by Joseph Moore, in a Thursday investor report.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 26, 2026
Apple may open up Siri to AI assistants such as Gemini, Claude in iOS 27: report
Apple (AAPL) may grant artificial intelligence assistants such as Google’s (GOOG) (GOOGL) Gemini or Anthropic’s (ANTHRO) Claude access to Siri, Bloomberg reported.
The changes may come as part of iOS 27, the news outlet added, citing people familiar with the matter.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 26, 2026
[Newsletter Exclusive] Unity Software soars as it says preliminary Q1 guidance will top estimates
Unity expects revenue to be between $505M and $508M, compared to guidance of $480M to $490M. Create revenue is expected to be around $115M, while Grow revenue is expected to be around $353M. Analysts had anticipated sales of $488.92M.
Adjusted EBITDA is also expected to top estimates, coming in between $130M and $135M, above the prior forecast of $105M to $110M.
The outperformance is driven by Unity Vector, which is expected to increase 15% sequentially in the first quarter of 2026, Unity added.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 26, 2026
Netflix hiking subscription plans to pay for $20B content budget
Effective immediately, a standard plan with ads will cost $8.99 a month (+$1), standard with no ads will cost $19.99 a month (+$2), and premium will cost $26.99 a month (+$2). The company also raised its extra member fee by a dollar to $6.99 a month (with ads) and to $9.99 a month (without ads).
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 26, 2026
ITA 0.00%↑ USO 0.00%↑ FCG 0.00%↑
Pentagon weighs sending up to 10,000 more troops to the Middle East: report
The Pentagon is considering deploying up to 10,000 additional ground troops to the Middle East to expand President Donald Trump’s military options as he weighs potential peace talks with Iran, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing Defense Department officials.
The Senate Armed Services Committee plans to hold its first public hearing on the administration’s war with Iran, though not until mid-April after lawmakers return from their spring recess.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 27, 2026
#BYDDY
Chinese automakers regain momentum in Europe following February sales rebound
Chinese automakers reclaimed their European momentum in February, nearly doubling their market share to 8.0% year-over-year, significantly up from 4.2% the previous year, according to a Bloomberg report.
By leveraging localized assembly in Spain and Hungary and a tactical shift toward high-margin hybrid models, they are putting more pressure on traditional Western automakers after a slow start to the year.
Brands like BYD Co. (BYDDF) and Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology Co. captured 16% of hybrid vehicle registrations and 14% of fully electric car registrations, according to research from Dataforce.
This growth builds on a strong performance in 2025, when models like the Omoda 5 and Jaecoo 7 became widely available.
According to Dataforce analyst Julian Litzinger, “Chinese manufacturers are successfully entering vehicle categories new to Europe, with the hybrid segment set for growth. Their success is due to superior scale and fast development, even with EU tariffs.”
Bernstein analysts led by Eunice Lee indicate that “the Middle East conflict and rising fuel prices are boosting EV adoption in Europe. This trend is expected to benefit BYD as it gains market share from companies like Volkswagen and Stellantis.”
Chinese automakers are also investing in local manufacturing, with Chery beginning assembly in Barcelona and BYD (BYDDF) expanding its plant in Hungary, allowing them to compete more effectively against established European brands like Volkswagen (VWAGY) and Stellantis (STLA).
In response, European carmakers are preparing affordable electric models, with Volkswagen (VWAGY) planning vehicles around €25,000 and Renault (RNLSY) committing to a significant number of fully electric models by 2030.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 27, 2026
BABA 0.00%↑ NVDA 0.00%↑ #Huawei
Alibaba, ByteDance plan to place orders for Huawei’s new AI chip: report
Customer testing of Huawei Technologies’ new AI chip, aimed at challenging Nvidia (NVDA) in the China market, has gone well, and companies including Alibaba (BABA) and ByteDance (BDNCE) plan to place orders, Reuters reported, citing two people with knowledge of the matter.
Despite government measures to boost the use of local chips, the company struggled to persuade big tech giants in the private sector to adopt its current flagship chip, the Ascend 910C, in large quantities, industry sources have previously said, the report added.
However, this time, tech companies plan to use the new 950PR chip more extensively, as the chip is more compatible with Nvidia’s CUDA software system and has better response speeds, the report noted.
Huawei intends to ship about 750,000 950PRs this year. They said samples were sent to customers in January and that mass manufacturing should start next month, setting the stage for fully fledged shipments to begin in the second half of the year, according to the report.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 27, 2026
[Newsletter Exclusive] Nvidia’s $1T target for data center revenue may wind up being conservative: Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo said that forecast could wind up being conservative. By a lot.
“We see 15%-20%+ upside to NVDA’s 2026-2027 data center estimates,” analyst Aaron Rakers wrote in a note to clients.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 27, 2026
SPY 0.00%↑ DIA 0.00%↑ QQQ 0.00%↑ TLT 0.00%↑ UUP 0.00%↑ GLD 0.00%↑
Boomer economy: The wealthiest generation and when that could change
Baby Boomers, or people born from 1946 to 1964, in the U.S. have more than $88T in household wealth, according to recent data from the Federal Reserve.
That means Boomers account for half of the overall household wealth in the U.S. while making up just 20% of the country’s population.
In contrast, Millennials — who were born between 1981 and 1996 and make up about 20% of the U.S. population — have a little over $18T in wealth.
But things are expected to turn around for Millennials and Gen Z (born in 1997-2012) over the next two decades with the so-called “Great Wealth Transfer.”
Wealth transferred through 2048 will total $124T, of which $105T is expected to be inherited by heirs and the rest will likely go to charity, according to projections by consulting firm Cerulli Associates.
Gen X (born in 1965-1980) stands to inherit the greatest portion of assets in the next 10 years, totaling $14T compared to millennials’ $8T. But Millennials are seen inheriting around $46T over the next 25 years — the most compared to any generation.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 27, 2026
#Anthropic
Data leak reveals Anthropic’s latest secret model, Claude Mythos: report
Anthropic’s (ANTHRO) latest AI model, Claude Mythos, which is also its most powerful, was revealed through a data leak, according to Fortune.
Details of Mythos became known due to a cache of documents that were stored in the company’s content management system. It included not-yet published blog posts and other information, such as details for a planned invite-only CEO summit in Europe later this year.
“We’re developing a general-purpose model with meaningful advances in reasoning, coding, and cybersecurity,” an Anthropic spokesperson said, according to the report. “Given the strength of its capabilities, we’re being deliberate about how we release it.”
“Mythos is a new name for a new tier of model: larger and more intelligent than our Opus models—which were, until now, our most powerful,” according to an unpublished blog post on the new model. “We chose the name to evoke the deep connective tissue that links together knowledge and ideas.”
“Although Mythos is currently far ahead of any other AI model in cyber capabilities, it presages an upcoming wave of models that can exploit vulnerabilities in ways that far outpace the efforts of defenders,” it read.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 27, 2026
Treasury yields spike to multi-month highs as the 10-year tops 4.48%
The U.S. 10 Year Treasury yield (US10Y) rose to 4.48%, marking its highest level since July 17, 2025, as sustained upward pressure continues to build in longer-duration bonds.
Meanwhile, shorter-term rates also advanced notably, with the U.S. 2 Year Treasury yield (US2Y) hitting its highest point since June 11, 2025, reflecting shifting expectations around monetary policy and interest rate outlooks. On the long end of the curve, the U.S. 30 Year Treasury yield (US30Y) extended gains as well, reaching levels last seen on September 3, 2025.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 27, 2026
#BTC
[Newsletter Exclusive] Despite recent drawdowns, BTC remains a resilient asset rather than a pure hedge – analyst
Bitcoin (BTC-USD) has emerged as a surprisingly resilient asset during the first month of the war in the Middle East, outperforming both gold (XAUUSD:CUR) and technology stocks (VGT), (XLK), (IYW).
The cryptocurrency was up approximately 5% over the past month at the start of Friday—although it has declined 3.8% to $66,173—while gold (XAUUSD:CUR) has fallen around 14.4% and the Nasdaq has dropped roughly 6.5%.
In an interview with CNBC, Gazmararian noted that Bitcoin’s (BTC-USD) digital nature gives it unique advantages during periods of geopolitical turmoil.
Despite the recent gains, Gazmararian cautioned against reading too much into Bitcoin’s (BTC-USD) short-term performance. The asset remains down 45% from its highs at the end of last year, and she emphasized that broader market cycles are driving Bitcoin’s trajectory more than any short-term reaction to geopolitical uncertainty.
Gazmararian characterized Bitcoin (BTC-USD) as a “programmed asset” that has followed predictable four-year cycles since its inception.
She highlighted that institutional adoption has been “absolutely incredible in the last two years,” contributing to shallower drawdowns compared to previous cycles as mainstream investors enter the market.
Looking ahead, the analyst suggested Bitcoin (BTC-USD) could drop to around the $50,000 mark later this year if drawdowns reach 60%, or potentially test the low $40,000s if historical cycles fully repeat.
While infrastructure continues to mature, Gazmararian concluded that Bitcoin (BTC-USD) remains a “cyclical nascent market” whose price movements continue to reflect historical patterns.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 27, 2026
GLD 0.00%↑ KGC 0.00%↑ AEM 0.00%↑
[Newsletter Exclusive] Accumulate more gold at current levels - Julius Baer
When investors needed immediate liquidity amid geopolitical tensions, gold became a go-to source of cash because of its tight spreads and ease of trading.
Bhaskar Laxminarayan, chief investment officer for Asia and the Middle East at Julius Baer sees gold playing a larger role as the world transitions from a bipolar to a multipolar economic structure, a shift he says has become “much more pronounced since 2025.”
The CIO emphasized that gold’s (GLD) relevance today stems not from its traditional role as an inflation hedge but from broader shifts in global trade and monetary systems.
Laxminarayan suggested the world is taking “one step towards” a renewed gold standard as nations build independent financial relationships.
For investors looking to act on his recommendation, Laxminarayan prioritizes physical ownership over paper alternatives.
“Your number one option is to buy physical bars of gold and store them,” he advised, noting that paper gold products can have uncertain backing. Traders seeking short-term opportunities can use options strategies to capitalize on elevated volatility.
The strategist also stressed the importance of geographic diversification in gold storage, warning that government seizure remains a real possibility during crises.
“Location and that’s why having locational diversification in your world ownership [is] very important,” he cautioned, pointing to historical examples of voluntary and forced gold confiscation during national emergencies.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 27, 2026
ITA 0.00%↑ USO 0.00%↑ FCG 0.00%↑
Secretary of State Rubio says the war with Iran will continue for 2-4 weeks more
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told G7 foreign ministers on Friday that the war with Iran will continue for another two to four weeks, signaling that the administration believes a resolution is near.
In a press gaggle after the meeting in France, Rubio said the U.S. expects the conflict to end within “weeks and not months.”
The administration is simultaneously escalating its military presence, with thousands more troops heading to the region.
The administration is also considering escalatory options that would involve ground forces, even as Rubio stressed that the U.S. is determined to achieve all of its objectives in the war.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 27, 2026
Saudi Red Sea exports hit record pace while bypassing Hormuz; Houthis say ‘fingers on the trigger’
Loadings have climbed to ~3.4M bbl/day so far in March and have reached 4.5M bbl/day since the beginning of this week, even exceeding 5M bbl/day on some days, according to data from oil analytics firm Kpler.
Congestion in the Red Sea is emerging as a key bottleneck, as Kpler said more than 30 tankers are currently waiting offshore Yanbu—an all-time high—with loading delays stretching to around five days this week.
Meanwhile, Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis said they are ready to intervene militarily if other countries join the U.S. and Israel in the war against Iran or if the Red Sea is used for “hostile operations.”
The Middle East war has removed ~11M bbl/day from the global oil supply, with the International Energy Agency describing the crisis as worse than the two 1970s oil shocks combined.
Link to Seeking Alpha News Article - Mar 27, 2026
YouTube:
[Lock Stock Finance] If You Don’t Understand the Petrodollar, You Don’t Understand Geopolitics
Trump’s War in Iran has sparked global fears about the economy. If the Strait of Hormuz were to remain closed, and Dubai, Saudi Arabia, UAE and the other Gulf states continue to come under attack, global oil prices could surge.
Why has Trump launched this attack on Iran now?
Everything comes back to the US Petrodollar system. Oil is at the root of everything. It’s been the basis of our global economy since the Second World War.
But what actually is the Petrodollar system? How does it work? Why was it put in place? What’s the future of the Petrodollar?
In this video, we dive into the topic. Keeping the Petrodollar afloat explains all the US foreign policy, and all geopolitics, for more than 70 years. Everything from the first Gulf War, to the War in Iraq, to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, to the current War with Iran.
Link to Full Video (08:02 Minute) - Mar 12, 2026
Disclosure: We own positions in some/all of the tickers mentioned in this article.