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Robotaxi Operator Jumps on Tencent Partnership, Gains 47%
Adam Garcia
April 28, 2025
Good Afternoon!
Hey, everyone. It's Adam from Elite Trade Club. Here’s what moved the market today.
Energy Sector Watch (Sponsored)
On Behalf of Azincourt Energy Corp
Uranium has doubled since 2020.
Saskatchewan’s uranium sales just hit $2.6 billion, up 62% year-over-year.
Cameco says the long-term outlook has never been stronger.
Now layer on the global demand curve:
30+ countries pledging to triple nuclear capacity
AI data centers expected to use 12% of US electricity by 2028
Germany reversing course and returning to nuclear
The setup is here.
And one company has plans to drill in the heart of it all: Canada’s Athabasca Basin.
With early uranium hits, expanding alteration zones, and proximity to NexGen and Cameco, this could be the next name to watch in the sector.
*Examples that we provide of share price increases pertaining to a particular Issuer from one referenced date to another represent an arbitrarily chosen time period and are no indication whatsoever of future stock prices for that Issuer and are of no predictive value. Our stock profiles are intended to highlight certain companies for YOUR further investigation; they are NOT stock recommendations or constitute an offer or sale of the referenced securities.
Markets 📈
U.S. stocks were volatile on Monday. The benchmark indices managed to close in positive territory after declining at the beginning of the session with the Nasdaq as a notabloe exception. Investors are waiting for reports from mega-cap companies with a combined market value of about $20 trillion.
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Market-Moving News 📈
Real Estate
StepStone Raises Record $3.8 Billion for Real Estate Secondaries Fund
StepStone Group (NASDAQ: STEP) has closed its fifth flagship real estate secondaries fund at $3.8 billion, the largest ever for this strategy. With co-investments, the fund’s total buying power exceeds $4.5 billion, and nearly half is already committed to eight deals.
Investor interest was strong despite a tough real estate fundraising environment. Pension plans, sovereign funds, insurers, and wealth platforms from five continents joined in. StepStone’s advantage comes from its large advisory business, which spots deals others miss and snaps up opportunities when cash is tight.
Management says the current market has fewer deals, higher borrowing costs, and sellers needing cash create discounts for secondary buyers with ready funds. If StepStone locks in those deals, it could boost fees and profits while competitors struggle with traditional investments.
Two things stand out for investors. First, StepStone grew its fee-earning assets without needing a strong IPO or M&A market. Second, moving quickly to deploy funds shows a solid pipeline, which means faster fee income.
Competitors are feeling the pressure. StepStone’s record-breaking fund sets a high bar for others raising similar capital. If pricing stays favorable into next year, this fund could prove that secondaries shine when regular deals slow down.
Uranium Bull Market (Sponsored)
On Behalf of Azincourt Energy Corp
In 2018, UEC was a forgotten uranium stock trading for just $0.60.
Five years later? It had exploded into a $3.11 billion juggernaut.
That’s the power of timing the uranium cycle.
But this time, the fuel behind it is different:
30+ countries committing to triple nuclear capacity
Domestic enrichment startups like General Matter raising tens of millions
And right now, a tiny uranium explorer in Canada’s Athabasca Basin is sitting on drill-ready projects… just like UEC once was.
The opportunity is hiding in plain sight.
History doesn’t repeat, but in uranium… it often rhymes.
*Examples that we provide of share price increases pertaining to a particular Issuer from one referenced date to another represent an arbitrarily chosen time period and are no indication whatsoever of future stock prices for that Issuer and are of no predictive value. Our stock profiles are intended to highlight certain companies for YOUR further investigation; they are NOT stock recommendations or constitute an offer or sale of the referenced securities.
Food & Beverage
Baristas Say “No” to Starbucks’ Minimum-Raise Proposal, Raising Cost Question for Investors
Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) hit another roadblock in its ongoing union negotiations. Workers from about 550 unionized cafes voted down the company’s latest proposal, which promised annual raises of at least 2% starting next year but included no immediate wage increase or healthcare improvements.
Union leaders said the offer didn’t go far enough, pointing out that most baristas earn close to $19 an hour before tips. Starbucks countered that the vote only covered part of a broader plan and emphasized that mediation, which resumed this spring, remains the preferred method for reaching an agreement.
Update: Most investors wait years for gains—this free event shows how to generate cash flow now (ad)
For those new to this story, Starbucks baristas started unionizing two years ago, but no store has finalized a contract yet. While both sides have made progress on safety and scheduling, pay remains the biggest hurdle.
Starbucks could avoid prolonged negative headlines and staffing issues by offering a modest raise now. Labor peace might be worth more than dragging out the dispute. Investors should keep an eye on costs, as higher wages could squeeze profits, especially if customer traffic remains weak.
Competitors are likely watching, too. While this plays out, non-union coffee chains could attract Starbucks’ baristas with better pay offers or benefit from smoother operations.
Mediation continues this month. The next full proposal will show how much Starbucks is willing to budge on pay and what investors should expect for rising labor costs in the coming quarters.
Uranium Supply Crunch (Sponsored)
On Behalf of Azincourt Energy Corp
Right now, the US has 94 nuclear reactors.
And 90% of the fuel they run on? It’s imported.
Tariffs are coming. Tensions are rising. And the government knows it needs more domestic-friendly supply.
Why Peter Thiel just joined the board of a uranium enrichment startup. Why Canada’s uranium is now more strategic than ever.
And why one tiny explorer in Saskatchewan’s Athabasca Basin could be positioned perfectly. The company has two active projects.
It’s drilling in the richest uranium district on Earth.
And as the US tries to secure its nuclear future, Canadian explorers like this one may be the first call utilities make.
*Examples that we provide of share price increases pertaining to a particular Issuer from one referenced date to another represent an arbitrarily chosen time period and are no indication whatsoever of future stock prices for that Issuer and are of no predictive value. Our stock profiles are intended to highlight certain companies for YOUR further investigation; they are NOT stock recommendations or constitute an offer or sale of the referenced securities.
Investments
IBM Commits $150 Billion to U.S. Operations, Focuses on Quantum and Mainframes
IBM (NYSE: IBM) is making a major investment, pledging $150 billion over the next five years to expand its U.S. operations. About $30 billion of that will go toward building and assembling mainframe and quantum computing systems.
The plan gained traction after Washington introduced a “reciprocal” tariff policy, but kept core tech equipment free from import duties. IBM is now building U.S. capacity to stay ahead of potential trade policy changes.
IBM already operates the world’s largest quantum computing fleet and wants to keep producing that technology domestically.
This considerable investment shows IBM believes it can profit from the growing demand for AI and quantum tech quickly enough to cover the costs. Second, manufacturing in the U.S. could bring federal incentives and protect against trade disruptions. If tech components remain tariff-free, the case for domestic production looks even stronger.
Other tech companies are discussing similar plans, but IBM’s early lead in mainframes and quantum computing gives it an advantage. The key now is turning this spending into orders. A strong order pipeline could validate IBM’s bet on U.S.-based innovation and signal robust growth ahead. Any delays, however, might raise questions about the pace of returns on this massive investment.
Top Winners and Losers 🔥
Pony AI Inc [PONY] $10.32 (+47.22%)
Pony AI shares surged after announcing a Tencent partnership and stating it is nearing profitability in its robotaxi operations.
Cg Oncology Inc [CGON] $27.97 (+25.03%)
CG Oncology soared after revealing promising Phase 3 bladder cancer trial results that showed a high complete response rate, increasing hopes for a Johnson & Johnson alternative.
Portage Biotech Inc [PRTG] $10.77 (+27.46%)
Portage Biotech jumped to the highest in over a year after posting strong preclinical results that showed its PORT-7 drug had triggered a stronger immune response than leading cancer therapies.
Supercom Ltd [SPCB] $6.19 (-22.04%)
SuperCom plunged on Monday after missing Q4 revenue expectations, despite posting positive annual results and achieving record sales.
Inmode Ltd [INMD] $14.24 (-12.21%)
InMode also slipped after missing earnings expectations and posting a year-over-year profit decline in Q1.
Verastem Inc [VSTM] $6.99 (-6.80%)
Verastem Oncology declined after announcing a $75 million private placement on Friday, raising dilution fears among investors.
Future of Global Energy (Sponsored)
On Behalf of Azincourt Energy Corp
When Peter Thiel joins the board of a uranium enrichment startup and backs a $50 million raise, you pay attention.
Because this isn’t just Thiel.
It’s Gates with TerraPower. Bezos with General Fusion. Altman with Oklo. And now Thiel with General Matter.
The smartest minds of this generation are placing billion-dollar bets on one thing: Nuclear.
And it’s not hard to see why.
Global electricity demand is set to soar 50% by 2050.
AI. Data centers. EVs. Every megatrend needs power — and clean, baseload nuclear is the only source that scales.
Meanwhile, uranium production can’t keep up.
That’s why a tiny uranium explorer in the Athabasca Basin — home to the world’s highest-grade deposits — may soon be on every investor's radar.
Drill programs are planned. Momentum is building. And the market hasn’t caught up.
*Examples that we provide of share price increases pertaining to a particular Issuer from one referenced date to another represent an arbitrarily chosen time period and are no indication whatsoever of future stock prices for that Issuer and are of no predictive value. Our stock profiles are intended to highlight certain companies for YOUR further investigation; they are NOT stock recommendations or constitute an offer or sale of the referenced securities.
That's it for today! Please, write us back, and let us know what you think of the Closing Bell Roundup. We're always eager to hear feedback!
Thanks for reading. I'll see you at the next open!
Best Regards,
— Adam G.
Elite Trade Club
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