Social Media Company Up 39%

Good Afternoon! 

Hey, everyone. It's Adam from Elite Trade Club. 

Here’s what moved the market today.

Markets 📈

Despite a few minor ups and downs, all U.S. indexes ended not far from their starting point to close out the week. The Nasdaq Composite performed slightly better than the rest, ending 0.51% higher than yesterday.

Join These Two Legends for an AI Emergency Meeting

Join Porter Stansberry, the founder and CEO of MarketWise, and Jeff Brown, one of top tech investors in America, this coming Wednesday, August 14, 8pm ET…

…as they discuss an imminent seismic shift in the AI market.

Most people will be blindsided and could lose a lot of money in AI stocks…

But a few savvy investors will have a shot at generational wealth.

Click Here to Save Your Seat.

Market-Moving News 📈

McDonald's Struggles to Retain Its Value Leadership Amid Rising Costs

In the recent earnings call, McDonald's executives emphasized "value" 96 times, underscoring the fast-food giant's effort to reclaim its top spot in the value market. However, after years of price increases, McDonald’s is facing challenges as its value perception among low-income customers declines.

The company has extended its $5 meal deal through August while working on a more permanent solution, reminiscent of its once-popular $1-$2-$3 Dollar Menu. CEO Chris Kempczinski acknowledged a narrowing "value leadership gap" following a 0.7% dip in U.S. same-store sales—the first decline in 16 quarters.

Compounding these issues, consumer preferences are shifting towards healthier, higher-quality dining options. Competitors like Chipotle, Wingstop, and Shake Shack have all reported sales growth, contrasting with McDonald's struggles.

Analysts are concerned that McDonald's focus on value may be overshadowing what made the brand special—menu innovation and creative marketing. Although the $5 meal deal has seen some success, attracting 10% of diners and boosting foot traffic by 3%, analysts warn that the road to reestablishing McDonald’s as the value leader will be challenging. Rising costs, especially in wages and food prices, make it difficult to recreate a modern-day dollar menu, further complicating McDonald's efforts to regain its footing in the value game.

Cisco to Slash Jobs Again as It Shifts Focus to Cybersecurity and AI

Cisco is planning a second round of layoffs this year, aiming to redirect resources toward faster-growing sectors like cybersecurity and AI. According to sources familiar with the situation, the upcoming job cuts may affect as many as 4,000 employees, similar to the number laid off in February. The announcement is expected alongside the company's fourth-quarter results.

Cisco, headquartered in San Jose, California, employed around 84,900 people as of July 2023, not accounting for the February layoffs. The company has faced challenges with slowing demand and supply-chain issues in its core business of networking equipment, prompting a strategic shift.

In March, Cisco completed a $28-billion acquisition of cybersecurity firm Splunk, aiming to reduce its dependence on hardware sales and boost its subscription-based services. The company has also been actively investing in AI, with a $1-billion fund launched in June to support AI startups.

These layoffs reflect broader cost-cutting trends in the tech industry, which has seen over 126,000 employees laid off across nearly 400 companies this year. Cisco’s move is part of its ongoing effort to adapt to the changing technology landscape and secure its position in emerging markets.

Palantir and Microsoft Forge Strategic AI Partnership for Defense Sector

This week, Palantir (NYSE: PLTR) secured a pivotal partnership with Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) to deliver cutting-edge artificial intelligence services to the defense and intelligence sectors. This collaboration is set to be a major boost for Palantir's AI Platform, potentially transforming the company's role in the federal market.

Under the agreement, Microsoft will integrate its large language models, including OpenAI’s GPT-4, through the Azure OpenAI service with Palantir’s AI Platform within Microsoft's government and classified cloud environments. This integration will combine Microsoft’s Azure cloud computing power with Palantir’s Foundry data integration and AI capabilities, enabling the creation of AI-driven operational solutions across defense and intelligence agencies.

The partnership is expected to significantly accelerate the adoption of Palantir’s AI Platform in the federal sector over the next 12 to 18 months. As Palantir continues to expand its federal and enterprise businesses, this deal positions the company to strengthen its foothold in the government space, where AI is becoming increasingly crucial for enhancing operational efficiency and security. This collaboration with Microsoft is likely to drive sustained growth and momentum for Palantir in the years to come.

MGO Global [MGOL] $6.12 (+65.41%)
MGO Global remains a stock to watch for the second day in a row thanks to its ties to soccer and Leo Messi.

Iteris Inc [ITI] $7.00 (+63.55%)
Iteris announced a definitive merger agreement with Italian digital innovation company Almaviva.

Doximity Inc [DOCS] $35.60 (+38.74%)
Doximity’s medical social media site shot up after crushing first-quarter estimates.

AN2 Therapeutics [ANTX] $1.03 (-60.98%)
AN2 Therapeutics halved its workforce after lackluster data prompted the end of a Phase 3 study on lung infection treatment.

Meta Materials [MMAT] $0.94 (-54.74%)
Meta Materials filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, shutting its doors and terminating all employees.

American Vanguard [AVD] $5.12 (-37.48%)
American Vanguard shares fell following Q2 losses and missed revenue estimates.

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

Text ELITESTOCKS to 47121 or click here to get our alerts on your mobile device, and never miss another fast-moving stock!

P.S. Just like this newsletter, it's 100% free*, and you can stop at any time by replying STOP.