Latest news with #Iris
Yahoo
a day ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Must-Watch EV and AV Stocks to Supercharge Your Portfolio
An updated edition of the May 13, 2025 article. Electric and autonomous vehicles are no longer just the future—they're quickly becoming the present. Per BloombergNEF, global electric vehicle (EV) sales are expected to hit nearly 22 million this year, a sharp 25% jump from last year. One in every four cars sold this year will be either fully electric or a plug-in hybrid. And a big part of this boom is happening in China, which is expected to account for nearly two-thirds of all EV sales. Europe and the United States are also playing catch-up, with a growing number of affordable models being rolled out and battery prices continuing to fall. Not too long ago, when people talked about EVs, Tesla TSLA was the only name that came to mind. It was the clear leader, making EVs cool, functional and mainstream. But the landscape is changing fast. Legacy automakers like General Motors GM are now pushing hard into the EV space. Startups like Lucid Group LCID are attracting attention with fresh designs and new tech. And Chinese companies like BYD Co Ltd BYDDY are charging ahead with big product lineups and global ambitions. Climate concerns, stricter emission standards and big improvements in battery range and charging speeds are making EVs more practical—and more popular. Meanwhile, the autonomous vehicle (AV) market is also shifting gears. Future Market Insights projects that the AV market will grow from about $36 billion in 2025 to more than $83 billion by 2035. That's an 8.7% CAGR, driven by smarter sensors, better connectivity and rising demand for safer, self-driving transport. AV tech is maturing fast, and the companies leading the charge in software, chips, and robotics are worth watching. Whether you're excited about the rise of cleaner, greener cars—or the possibility of never having to drive one again—this space is full of innovation. And for investors, it might just be one of the most electrifying corners of the market to explore right now. Our Electric Vehicles & Autonomous Driving Screen will help you spot high-potential stocks in this space. Interested investors should add Luminar Technologies LAZR, Li Auto LI and Rivian Automotive RIVN to their watchlist. Luminar is a name to watch in the AV space. The company focuses on LiDAR technology—laser-based sensors that help vehicles 'see' their surroundings—and it's making bold moves to stay ahead of the curve. Luminar is now shifting from its older Iris system to a more advanced, unified platform called Halo. This new system promises faster deployment, lower development costs, and better scalability, making it more attractive to automakers. In fact, several OEMs are already testing Halo prototypes, with a full launch expected by late 2026 or early 2027. This pivot could be a game-changer. If Luminar can successfully ramp up Halo production, it stands to become a major supplier for both advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving tech. The company's LiDAR is already featured on the Volvo EX90 and will soon appear on the Volvo ES90, making it the only high-performance LiDAR system offered as standard equipment on global production vehicles. Luminar isn't stopping at passenger cars. It's expanding into industrial markets through a partnership with Caterpillar. Its sensors will be used in off-highway trucks operating in tough environments like quarries, helping to prove the technology's durability and flexibility. Financially, Luminar has also taken steps to strengthen its position. Last month, it repurchased $50 million of its 2026 convertible notes and secured a $200 million credit facility, giving it roughly $400 million in liquidity and extending its financial runway through at least 2026. With strong partnerships, a next-gen product on the horizon and improved financial stability, Luminar is shaping up as a serious contender in the AV tech space. LAZR stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Li Auto is carving out a unique space in China's electric vehicle market by doing things a little differently. While most EV makers jumped straight into fully electric models, Li Auto gained traction with its extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs)—a smart blend of battery power and fuel-based backup. This hybrid setup gave drivers the benefits of an EV, without the range anxiety. And it worked. Each of its L-series models—L6, L7, L8, and L9—has sold over 200,000 units, proving strong demand. Now, Li Auto is going full throttle into pure battery electric vehicles (BEVs). It launched its first BEV, the MEGA, last year and has several more lined up, including Li i8 in July and i6 in September. With this, the company is clearly expanding its reach and aiming for a larger slice of China's fast-growing EV market. Growth is happening on all fronts. By the end of 2024, Li Auto had over 500 retail stores and nearly 500 service centers across China. It has built more than 2,200 supercharging stations, with a bold goal of hitting 4,000 by the end of 2025. International expansion is underway too, with new service centers in places like Dubai and Uzbekistan, and an R&D center in Munich. Li Auto is also stepping up in autonomous driving. Its Li AD Max and Pro systems are already handling highway and city navigation, powered by NVIDIA's cutting-edge chips. It's even training artificial intelligence models on 10 million video clips—more than any other Chinese automaker— which puts it ahead in the race of self-driving tech. Looking ahead, Li Auto has big ambitions. It plans to become a leading AI and robotics company by 2030, with potential plans to build humanoid robots once it nails level-4 autonomous driving. LI currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Rivian first made waves with its high-end R1T pickup and R1S SUV, targeting adventure-loving drivers willing to pay a premium. But now, Rivian is preparing to reach a much larger audience with its upcoming R2 — a more affordable electric SUV priced around $45,000. Launching in 2026, the R2 represents a major step forward for the company. The R2 will be built on a next-generation platform designed to lower Rivian's fixed costs, improve manufacturing speed, and boost margins. In the first quarter of 2025, Rivian posted a positive gross margin for the second time, an important milestone that unlocked a $1 billion investment from Volkswagen under their newly formed joint venture. Volkswagen's commitment to Rivian could be a game-changer. The German auto giant plans to invest up to $5.8 billion by 2027. The partnership focuses on co-developing Rivian's next-gen software and electrical architecture, starting with the R2. This collaboration will help speed up development while giving Rivian the scale and support needed to compete with bigger players. Rivian's strategic focus on technology is also paying off. Rivian has rolled out hands-free, eyes-on highway driving in its latest vehicles, marking the beginning of its autonomy push. It aims to move toward full hands-free, eyes-off driving and urban autonomy, enhancing its product appeal. Operationally, Rivian is also tightening the bolts. Engineering improvements, supply chain fixes, and lower input costs are helping the company reduce losses, a promising sign as it works toward profitability. Rivian is expanding its Illinois facility and building a dedicated 1.2 million square foot Supplier Park nearby, which will help reduce production costs further. The company is also preparing to break ground on its Georgia plant in 2026 and expects to add 400,000 units of annual capacity for R2 and R3 models. With a lower-cost model on the way, a deep-pocketed partner in Volkswagen, and steady operational gains, Rivian is positioning itself as a promising player in the EV race. RIVN currently carries a Zacks Rank #3. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report General Motors Company (GM) : Free Stock Analysis Report Tesla, Inc. (TSLA) : Free Stock Analysis Report Byd Co., Ltd. (BYDDY) : Free Stock Analysis Report Li Auto Inc. Sponsored ADR (LI) : Free Stock Analysis Report Luminar Technologies, Inc. (LAZR) : Free Stock Analysis Report Lucid Group, Inc. (LCID) : Free Stock Analysis Report Rivian Automotive, Inc. (RIVN) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research
Bloomberg
2 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Tanker Seen Near Russia's Arctic LNG 2 for First Time in Months
A liquefied natural gas tanker appears to be heading to a Russian Arctic export plant sanctioned by the US, potentially Moscow's latest efforts to revive shipments from a facility idled for eight months. The Iris, an LNG tanker previously known as North Sky, is on track to arrive at the Arctic LNG 2 facility later Thursday, ship-tracking data on Bloomberg show. The last time LNG was exported from Arctic LNG 2 was in October.
Fashion Value Chain
2 days ago
- Business
- Fashion Value Chain
Poltrona Frau Marks 60 Years of Dezza with Rare Reissue
Poltrona Frau pays tribute to one of its most iconic creations with the release of a limited-edition reissue of the Dezza armchair, originally designed by the legendary Gio Ponti in 1965. The commemorative collection, limited to just 60 individually numbered and certified pieces, celebrates six decades of design excellence and marks a pivotal moment in the brand's legacy. The Dezza armchair was the first product to define Poltrona Frau's new identity post its move to Tolentino in 1962. Known for its geometric minimalism blended with subtle curves, the armchair remains a hallmark of timeless modernist design. This exclusive 60th anniversary edition is upholstered in Pelle Frau® ColorSphere Impact Less leather, reflecting the brand's sustainability ethos introduced in 2022. Available in sophisticated Panna and Iris shades, the palette recalls the serene coastal interiors of the Hotel Parco dei Principi in Sorrento—also designed by Ponti. The standout element of this re-edition is a unique pattern based on a previously unpublished illustration by Gio Ponti, featuring 26 stylized hands, each named and imbued with whimsical identity—from 'the gloved hand' to 'the fortune teller's hand'. This motif symbolizes the craftsmanship and 'intelligence of the hands' central to Poltrona Frau's values. Each of the 60 pieces includes a metal tag with its edition number and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, reinforcing its status as a collectible design object. Poltrona Frau CEO Nicola Coropulis said, 'This limited edition not only honors Gio Ponti's creative vision but also enriches its cultural value through material innovation and a deeper design narrative.' Available online in select European markets from February 13 to April 1, the Dezza limited edition will then be made available through selected Poltrona Frau stores worldwide. The reissue not only revives a design masterpiece—it also bridges past and future, celebrating a legacy of craftsmanship with a sustainable, contemporary spirit.
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
'Easy wearing' butter yellow summer dress from brand shoppers have 'fallen in love with' now 50% off
'Easy wearing' butter yellow summer dress from brand shoppers have 'fallen in love with' now 50% off The dress has an all over embroidery, pleated skirt and side seam pockets The dress is currently available in from UK sizes six to 20 (Image: Damson Madder ) A summer dress, described as "easy wearing", is now 50% off on Damson Madder. The Iris Mini Dress - Butter Broderie was £80 but is now down to £40. The mini dress is described as "sweet and playful" and is crafted from 100% organic cotton. It comes with an all over embroidery, pleated skirt, side seam pockets, adjustable straps and a zip fastening. The dress is currently available in UK sizes 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 on Damson Madder's website. It is recommended that shoppers go for their regular size. The retailer's description reads: "The Iris is an easy wearing summer dress that you will reach for over and over." READ MORE: Debenhams slashes £510 watch down to £78 and it's available in five colours LATEST: Clarks sandals 'perfect for holiday' have 50% off in huge summer sale Damson Madder is also an environmentally conscious brand, that believes "you shouldn't have to choose between your wardrobe and the environment". It aims to create clothes "to last", using organic and recycled materials with "maximum style" but "minimum impact". The brand has been worn by various celebrities, including actress Anya Taylor-Joy. The mini dress is described as "sweet and playful" and is crafted from 100% organic cotton (Image: Damson Madder ) We've heard it said many times this year already, but butter yellow is the colour of the year, and even more so in spring and summer when the weather is lighter, brighter, warmer and sunnier and we can showcase the colourful items of our wardrobes. If you love Damson Madder then you'll like Nobody's Child. For a butter yellow dress but with a different style, you could purchase Nobody's Child Butter Yellow Cora Midi Dress for £79. Or, for a cheaper price, you could get the Buttermilk Yellow Puff Sleeve Midi Dress from Next for £42. While there are no reviews of the dress on Damson Madder's website, you can find overall reviews of the brand on Trustpilot. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here . The retailer has received a rating of 4.1 out of five stars based on 382 reviews. One customer who was happy with their purchase said: "Clothes are beautiful and it arrived very timely! my new favourite brand!" Another pleased shopper said: "I've fallen in love with this brand! "The products are absolutely lovely -well made, thoughtfully designed, and always a joy to receive. But what really makes the experience even better is their amazing customer service. "They respond quickly, are super friendly, and always willing to help find the best solution if you have any questions or issues." While another happy reviewer had this to say: "I'm 62 years old and have found many pieces I can wear from this collection, I mix with high end it's fabulous, great quality ,great price, inclusive sizing I wish I'd found it before now". But not everyone was satisfied with their purchase. One reviewer said: "Beautiful style, disappointing quality. I like the dress I ordered a lot, but when I took the dress out of the packaging there were frayed stitches and jagged seams. "It's also very difficult to put on, with no zippers or buttons and minimal stretch. The accordion ruching at the back kind of makes it manageable but it takes awhile to get in and out of, even though I have a slim build. Article continues below "For someone more muscular, with larger boobs, or plus sizes, I don't know how they'd be able to put the dress on."
Bloomberg
3 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Sanctioned LNG Ship Heads to Russian Plant That Supplies Europe
A sanctioned liquefied natural gas tanker appears to be heading toward a Russian facility, a move that would challenge Western authorities who have so far avoided imposing restrictions on the export plant. The Iris, an LNG tanker previously known as North Sky and sanctioned by the US last year, is signaling its destination as Sabetta in northern Siberia, home to the Yamal LNG export terminal, according to ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg. The vessel is expected to arrive by June 26.
