Latest news with #Palantir
Miami Herald
5 hours ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Sam Altman sends chilling message on cybersecurity practice
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has a lot to worry about. The pressure for the ChatGPT 5 release everyone is anxiously awaiting must be enormous on its own. I expect this new version will be nothing more than all the previous models combined, plus a lot of duct tape and some "innovative" new features to make it seem less underwhelming. If that's the case, Altman has much to be concerned about. Related: Mark Cuban delivers 8-word truth bomb on AI wars Alas, his problems don't stop there. OpenAI is in the talent "poaching war" with Meta. To make matters worse, Mark Zuckerberg recently announced his plan for Meta to invest hundreds of billions of dollars into compute to build superintelligence. While OpenAI's situation regarding the functionality of the artificial intelligence models is favorable, Altman seems to be one step behind Zuckerberg's PR strategies, always having to respond to the latest move. OpenAI's latest revelation follows the same pattern. On July 22, Oracle (ORCL) and OpenAI shared that they are working on developing 4.5 GW of additional Stargate data center capacity in the U.S. The company didn't specify current capacity, but this extra work with Oracle will push it over 5GW. This recent development looks suspiciously like a response to Zuckerberg's revelation that Meta is building Hyperion, which will be able to scale up to 5GW over several years. Of course, Meta is not the only competitor Altman needs to consider. What is unique here is that he also needs to watch out for Microsoft, which is interestingly both a partner and competitor. But that's a long story for another time. Related: Meta makes a desperate-looking move, bites Apple Altman is also troubled by raising capital. OpenAI is seeking funding from new and existing investors as part of its $40 billion round announced in March, reported WIRED. A new version of the Sora model needs to be launched soon, too, as it looks like it has been overtaken by Google's Veo 3. So what else could a man with so many things on his plate be worried about? Whenever I hear an AI company CEO explaining AI's dangers, I wonder if it is like PR hype, because, let's face it, even negative marketing is marketing. In a surprising turn of events, though, Altman just said something that rings true. "A thing that terrifies me, is apparently there are still some financial institutions that will accept a voice print as authentication for you to move a lot of money or do something else," reported Business Insider. "That is a crazy thing to still be doing," continued Altman, "AI has fully defeated most of the ways that people authenticate currently - other than passwords." More AI Stocks: Google plans major AI shift after Meta's surprising $14 billion moveMeta delivers eye-popping AI announcementVeteran trader surprises with Palantir price target and comments Biometric authentication has always seemed like the most illogical cybersecurity invention. You can replace your lock if you lose your keys and change passwords if they get stolen, but you can't replace your fingerprints, voice, or face (unless you are Madonna). I am glad someone with Altman's influence has finally spoken up. Related: Microsoft wants to help you live longer The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Politico
7 hours ago
- Business
- Politico
Trump derides copyright and state rules in AI Action Plan launch
Trump's comments were a riff as his 28-page AI Action Plan did not wade into copyright and administration officials told reporters the issue should be left to the courts to decide. Trump also signed three executive orders. One will fast track federal permitting, streamline reviews and 'do everything possible to expedite construction of all major AI infrastructure projects,' Trump said. Another expands American exports of AI hardware and software. A third order bans the federal government from procuring AI technology 'that has been infused with partisan bias or ideological agendas,' as Trump put it. Luminaries of the AI industry attended Trump's speech, including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, Advanced Micro Devices CEO Lisa Su and Palantir CTO Shyam Sankar. Trump echoed tech companies' complaints about state AI laws creating a patchwork of regulation. 'You can't have one state holding you up,' he said. 'We need one common sense federal standard that supersedes all states, supersedes everybody.' His Action Plan includes directions to the Office of Management and Budget to limit AI-related funding to states with regulation that might hinder the funding's 'effectiveness.' It also directs the Federal Communications Commission to check whether state AI regulations interfere with the agency's ability to carry out its duties under the Communications Act of 1934. Civil rights advocates and tech critics raised alarms over the plan's approach to federal permitting and oversight rollbacks, and its close alignment with the tech industry.
Gizmodo
11 hours ago
- Business
- Gizmodo
Palantir Goons Reportedly Want to Remake Hollywood Into a Libertarian Dream Factory
Rightwing forces in the U.S. have long coveted a key fixture of American liberalism's soft power: Hollywood. The 'dream factory' that deeply influences the ways Americans see themselves and the world around them has often been accused of (perhaps rightfully so) having a liberal bent. Now, it appears that a group with ties to America's military-industrial complex has a plan to take over Tinseltown and mold it in their own image. Semafor writes that a new production company with ties to a current and former executive at Peter Thiel's creepy defense contractor Palantir has its sights set on transforming the entertainment industry into a bastion of neo-conservatism. Founders Films (which sounds a lot like Thiel's Founders Fund, don't you think?) wants to 'co-finance projects, distribute films, and engage in brand partnerships,' Semafor writes. The company wants to produce projects that 'celebrate American military action, push for confrontation with China, and elevate heroes of the right from Rand to Elon Musk,' the outlet notes. Key figures raising money for the firm include Palantir chief technology officer Shyam Sankar, Christian Garrett (whose firm has invested with companies belonging to several MAGA figures, including Palantir, Musk's SpaceX, and Palmer Luckey's Anduril), and Ryan Podolsky, an early employee at Palantir, Semafor writes. The outlet cites a pitch deck for the new production company that gives a good snapshot of what the firm is envisioning for Hollywood's rightwing glow-up. 'The American Brand is broken. Hollywood is AWOL. Movies have become more ideological, more cautious, and less entertaining. Large segments of American and international viewers are underserved. Production costs have soared and sales are flagging,' the deck reportedly reads. The company has also said of its brand: 'Say yes to projects about American exceptionalism, name America's enemies, back artists unconditionally, take risk on novel IP.' Semafor further notes that the company appears to have an interest in telling stories that extol the virtues of America's 'special friend' in the Middle East, Israel: The company brands itself as explicitly pro-American, but many of the projects also celebrate Israel. Founders' proposed film slate also includes Roaring Lion, a movie about the recent attack against Iran, which depicts Israel as 'striving for nuclear non-proliferation and exercising its right of self-defense against a crazed regime intent on destroying it.' Gizmodo did not find a public contact for Founder's Films, but reached out to Palantir for comment. We will update this story when we hear back. Rightwing forces have long sought to demonize 'liberal' Hollywood, most recently by making the industry seem like a QAnon-style cabal of wealthy pedophiles. That said, the perception that Hollywood is a predominantly 'liberal' town is a fairly shallow one. It's worth noting that the industry has gone through many different eras, and that each of those eras was defined by a variety of political influences and postures. It would also be difficult to suggest that Hollywood has never made any nationalistic films or ones that are sympathetic to Israel. Early aughts Hollywood is littered with godawful pieces of filmmaking that reveled in Bush-era nationalism and brain-dead warmongering. In short, it's not like every movie that has come out since 1903 is The Battle of Algiers.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
This Former AI Underdog Might Be the Next Nvidia
Artificial intelligence (AI) is the new arms race, with investors constantly looking for the next Nvidia (NVDA). Nvidia's meteoric rise, fueled by its dominance in AI-powered GPUs, has made it the poster child for the AI boom. Valued at $351.8 billion, Palantir Technologies (PLTR) is one such contender quietly making big moves by transforming how enterprises and governments deploy AI at scale. However, it has received a mixed response in the market. Some praise its rapid growth and close ties with the government, while others question its complex business model and its durability. Nonetheless, Palantir stock is up an impressive 100% year-to-date, outperforming the broader market. Despite Palantir's impressive growth over the last few quarters, most analysts remain bearish on the stock. Let us see if the stock is still a buy regardless of the skepticism. More News from Barchart Nvidia Stock Warning: This NVDA Challenger Just Scored a Major Customer Dear Microsoft Stock Fans, Mark Your Calendars for July 30 Dear QuantumScape Stock Fans, Mark Your Calendars for July 23 Tired of missing midday reversals? The FREE Barchart Brief newsletter keeps you in the know. Sign up now! Q1 Signaled a Turning Point Palantir develops software that enables organizations to make better data-driven decisions. Its platforms Gotham and Foundry combine and analyze large amounts of complex data to reveal insights. CEO Alex Karp described the company's Q1 results as an 'earnings adventure,' proving that it is no longer the misunderstood outsider in the AI and software space. Surging demand for its Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP), a suite of tools that enables enterprises to deploy AI agents safely and effectively at scale, drove a 39% increase in revenue to $884 million in the first quarter. The company also reported a profit of $0.08 per share. Palantir's U.S. commercial business exceeded $1 billion in annual run rate for the first time, with 71% year-over-year (YoY) growth and 19% sequential growth. For years, critics claimed Palantir could not expand beyond government contracts or enter the commercial mainstream. However, the company has proven everyone wrong. In the first quarter alone, U.S. commercial total contract value (TCV) bookings reached $810 million, up 183% YoY. While commercial success is growing, Palantir has not lost sight of its long-standing dominance in the defense and public sectors. Q1 government revenue grew 45% YoY to $487 million, including U.S. government revenue of $373 million, up 45% YoY, and International government revenue of $114 million, also up 45% YoY. These gains were fueled by ongoing initiatives and significant new contracts. Notably, Palantir has expanded its work in healthcare and defense in the U.K., as well as formed a new partnership with NATO. The company also successfully delivered TITAN vehicles to the U.S. Army on time and within budget. Despite speculation that the U.S. government may reduce defense spending, Palantir is seeing a surge in demand for its Maven Smart System, an AI command platform, and other core programs. NATO member state have also now implemented the Maven systems. Karp emphasized, 'We are seeing rapid expansion and very significant demand for Maven both in America and outside of America.' Palantir's net dollar retention rate increased to 124% in the quarter, indicating that existing customers are significantly increasing their usage over time, an important metric for recurring revenue. Adjusted free cash flow reached $370 million in the quarter, with a target of $1.6 billion to $1.8 billion for the year. Palantir also held $5.4 billion in cash, cash equivalents, and short-term U.S. Treasury securities. Palantir is not just growing. It is highly profitable, generating actual cash and reinvesting in AI development. The company will release its second-quarter earnings on Aug. 4. Analysts expect Palantir's revenue to be $939.3 million, slightly higher than the company's estimates and representing a 38% year-over-year increase. GAAP EPS could rise by 33%, reaching $0.08 per share. Analysts predict that the company's earnings will climb by 41.9% in 2025 and another 26.8% in 2026. This growth is reflected in its premium valuation of 256 times forward 2025 estimated earnings. However, risk-averse investors may wish to wait for a better entry point to invest with a margin of safety. What Is Wall Street Saying About Palantir Stock? Much of analysts' bearish outlook for Palantir stock stems from its overvaluation and overreliance on government contracts. Despite the company's rapid expansion in the commercial segment, William Blair analyst Louie DiPalma remains cautious. DiPalma believes Palantir's projected government-related annual recurring revenue (ARR) will exceed $150 million in the near term but cautions that a heavy reliance on government contracts and a competitive landscape create uncertainty. Overall, on Wall Street, PLTR stock is a 'Hold.' Of the 20 analysts covering the stock, three recommend a 'Strong Buy,' 13 suggest holding, one says it is a 'Moderate Sell,' and three have given it a 'Strong Sell' rating. The stock is way over its average target price of $107.23. However, the high price estimate of $160 suggests a rally of over 7.3% from current levels. The Bottom Line on PLTR Stock Palantir has everything it needs to thrive in the coming years, including strong government contracts, accelerating commercial momentum, disciplined cost management, and a game-changing AIP platform. Patient investors who can ignore the short-term noise may discover a long-term compounder in the making. On the date of publication, Sushree Mohanty did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Sign in to access your portfolio
Globe and Mail
13 hours ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
5 Stocks Powering the S&P 500 ETF So Far in 2025
The S&P 500 Index is witnessing a strong rally, with a record high close for the third straight session. The benchmark hit a new milestone of 6,300 on July 21, driven by optimism over strong second-quarter results and signs of economic resilience, even as uncertainty around U.S. trade policy persists. SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust SPY, the proxy version of the S&P 500 Index, has gained 8% so far this year. While many stocks in the ETF have performed well, we have highlighted five stocks that have gained more than 60% so far this year. These are Palantir Technologies Inc. PLTR, NRG Energy Inc. NRG, Seagate Technology STX, Howmet Aerospace Inc. HWM and GE Vernova GEV. Let's take a closer look at the key drivers behind the market rally: Strong Corporate Earnings The second-quarter earnings season is off to a robust start, with companies not only beating estimates but also providing a favorable outlook for current business trends, which should help solidify earnings expectations for the third quarter and beyond. Earnings of the 62 S&P 500 companies that have reported so far are up 9.3% from the same period last year on 5.8% higher revenues, with 82.3% beating EPS estimates and an equal proportion beating revenue estimates, per Earnings Trend report. Among the Mag 7, Tesla TSLA and Alphabet GOOGL will report results today. Total Q2 earnings are expected to be up 11.7% on 11.3% higher revenues (read: 5 Sector ETFs Set to Power Q2 Earnings Growth). AI Boom and Tech Leadership The ongoing AI boom continues to fuel enthusiasm for large-cap tech stocks, which have an outsized influence on the S&P 500. Investors are betting on long-term growth in AI applications across industries, boosting demand for semiconductors, cloud computing and software platforms. Fed Rate Cut Hopes Investor sentiment has also been lifted by increasing confidence that the Fed may begin cutting interest rates by the end of 2025. Resilient U.S. Economy Despite global uncertainty, the U.S. economy has shown surprising strength. June retail sales exceeded expectations, and unemployment remains near historic lows. This economic resilience is giving investors confidence that earnings growth can be sustained into the second half of the year. Let's take a closer look at the fundamentals of SPY and the stocks behind this rally. SPY in Focus SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust holds 503 stocks in its basket, with each accounting for no more than 7.6% of the assets. This suggests a nice balance across each security and prevents heavy concentration. The fund is widely spread across sectors, with information technology, financials and consumer discretionary accounting for a double-digit allocation each. SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust has an AUM of $649.8 billion and charges 9 bps in fees per year. It trades in an average daily volume of 71 million shares and has a Zacks ETF Rank #2 (Buy) with a Medium risk outlook (see: all the Large Cap Blend ETFs here). Best-Performing Stocks of SPY Palantir Technologies builds and deploys software platforms for the intelligence community, principally in the United States. The stock has jumped more than 97% so far this year and has an estimated earnings growth rate of 41.5% for 2025. Palantir Technologies has a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) and a Growth Score of A. NRG Energy is engaged in the production, sale and delivery of energy and energy products and services to residential, industrial as well as commercial consumers in major competitive power markets in the United States. The stock saw a solid earnings estimate revision of four cents over the past seven days for this year and has an estimated growth rate of 17.6%. NRG Energy has soared about 70.6% so far this year and has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Seagate Technology is a leading provider of data storage technology and infrastructure solutions. The company's primary product offering is hard disk drives, which are commonly referred to as disk drives, hard drives or HDDs. The stock saw a positive earnings estimate revision of 16 cents over the past month for the fiscal year (June 2026) and has an estimated growth of 26.3%. Seagate Technology has jumped about 70% this year and has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Howmet Aerospace provides engineered solutions for customers in the transportation and aerospace (both defense and commercial) industries. The stock has risen 67.6% this year and saw positive earnings estimate revision of a penny for this year over the past month. Howmet Aerospace has an expected earnings growth rate of 29% for this year and a Zacks Rank #3. GE Vernova is an energy company that includes Power, Wind and Electrification segments and is supported by its accelerator businesses of Advanced Research, Consulting Services and Financial Services. The stock has climbed 66.9% so far this year. GE Vernova saw a solid earnings estimate revision of 22 cents over the past month for this year and has an estimated growth rate of 32.3%. The stock has a Zacks Rank #3. Want key ETF info delivered straight to your inbox? Zacks' free Fund Newsletter will brief you on top news and analysis, as well as top-performing ETFs, each week. Get it free >> 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 NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG): Free Stock Analysis Report Seagate Technology Holdings PLC (STX): Free Stock Analysis Report Tesla, Inc. (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY): ETF Research Reports Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL): Free Stock Analysis Report Howmet Aerospace Inc. (HWM): Free Stock Analysis Report Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR): Free Stock Analysis Report GE Vernova Inc. (GEV): Free Stock Analysis Report
