A breakthrough in graphite batteries has just won this company a top innovation award. Now the real question is whether this win marks the tipping point toward commercial-scale rollout. Traders are betting the momentum has only begun.

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Markets
U.S. stocks were mixed on Wednesday as Alphabet’s legal win and softer labor data boosted tech and rate-cut hopes, while weakness in the Dow highlighted lingering tariff and economic concerns.
DJIA [-0.05%]
S&P 500 [+0.51%]
Nasdaq [+1.02%]
Russell 2k [-0.13%]

Market-Moving News
Oil And Gas
Chevron Digs Into Angola’s Deep Waters for Growth

Chevron (NYSE: CVX) signed a preliminary contract to explore Angola’s Block 33/24 in the Lower Congo Basin.
The acreage sits next to proven giants that have already delivered billions of barrels.
This isn’t Chevron chasing a hunch. It’s leaning on geology that’s already been a jackpot for competitors.
Betting on the Barrel
While rivals put headlines on wind and solar, Chevron keeps chasing barrels that pay the bills.
Angola’s offshore block offers the kind of deep-water prize that can change long-term production math.
If the drills hit, this field could underpin output into the 2030s. That kind of stability supports the cash flow engine investors count on.
The Street’s Read
Striking oil here would fortify Chevron’s dividend defense. More reserves mean more predictability in an industry that thrives on volatility.
Wall Street generally likes balance, and this move shows Chevron isn’t shying away from scale where the odds look favorable.
Investor Takeaway
Chevron’s Angola push reinforces its role as a heavyweight in global energy.
Frontier projects like this aren’t gambles — they’re calculated swings backed by scale and experience.
For shareholders, it’s another reminder that big oil still has big levers to pull when it comes to long-term value.

Consumer
Starbucks Pours AI Into 11,000 Stores to Keep Shelves Stocked

Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) is pushing artificial intelligence into the heart of its operations.
By the end of September, AI-powered tablets will be tracking inventory at all 11,000 company-owned North American stores.
The system scans shelves, counts stock automatically, and flags when supplies run low. That means fewer empty oat milk cartons and more custom drink orders flowing without hiccups.
Efficiency in Every Sip
This isn’t a pilot program—it’s a full rollout across the chain. Even minor efficiency gains spread over 11,000 stores can lift operating margins in a meaningful way.
The new system also trims labor spent on backroom counting. That time gets redirected toward customer interaction, the soft skill that keeps brand loyalty sticky.
Tech With a Payoff
AI here isn’t about hype; it’s about protecting margins and smoothing customer experience.
Investors will recognize that margin protection translates into long-term resilience.
Big Picture
For investors, this move reinforces Starbucks as a defensive consumer play with innovation built into its model.
AI is less about hype here and more about resilience, profitability, and keeping the line moving.

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Technology
Gartner Is Beaten Down, but Bulls Smell a Bounce

Gartner (NYSE: IT) has been hammered, losing nearly 60% since February’s peak and another 27% just last month.
The stock has turned into one of the most bruised names in large-cap tech.
But battered charts sometimes set up the most explosive rebounds. Contrarians are circling, watching for signs that the worst is behind.
Oversold to the Extreme
The stock’s RSI crashed to 11 earlier this month — that’s not weakness, that’s a faceplant. Since then, the reading has tripled, a hint that the selling storm may be passing.
For traders, that’s the kind of setup dreams are made of. Oversold and starting to bounce is often the recipe for sharp reversals.
Signals Flash Green
The MACD indicator flipped bullish last week, a classic signal that buyers are regaining the wheel. Price action is backing it up with higher lows, the first building blocks of an uptrend.
A push past $250 could light the fuse. Once the earnings gap starts closing, shorts may get squeezed into fueling the rally.
Analyst Drumbeat
Even as shares cratered, Barclays and Goldman Sachs stayed bullish, with targets pointing to as much as 85% upside.
That’s a serious vote of confidence while sentiment is still shaky.
Bottom Line: Gartner may not be for the faint of heart, but for investors willing to stomach risk, the setup for Q3 looks like a live one.

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Top Winners and Losers
Solidion Technology Inc [STI] $7.02 (+114.31%)
Solidion surged after its graphite battery breakthrough won a top innovation award, fueling hopes for commercial-scale rollout.
Locafy Ltd [LCFY] $5.62 (+38.08%)
Locafy rose after its AI Sales Team pilot campaign delivered strong conversion rates, boosting confidence in scalable partner growth.
KALA Bio Inc [KALA] $15.01 (+23.13%)
KALA gained after naming a permanent CEO ahead of key trial results, signaling stability during a pivotal commercial transition.

Skillz Inc [SKLZ] $7.21 (-17.22%)
Skillz dropped after a key game developer moved to terminate revenue-sharing deals, triggering a lawsuit and clouding future earnings.
Wave Life Sci [WVE] $8.00 (-16.84%)
Wave fell after updated RNA therapy results showed weaker-than-expected protein gains, disappointing investor hopes for a clear efficacy boost.
Candel Therapeutics Inc [CADL] $5.11 (-12.88%)
Candel declined after BofA downgraded the stock from buy to neutral, citing a lack of near-term catalysts and dependency on future financing.

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Everything Else
China is starting to feel the strain from new U.S. copper tariffs, with ripple effects spreading through its trade sector.
Walmart-backed fintech OnePay is expanding its all-in-one app by adding wireless phone plans.
U.S. job openings fell to a 10-month low, underscoring sluggish hiring momentum.
Disney has agreed to pay $10 million to settle FTC allegations over its collection of children’s data.
Gilead has broken ground on a new manufacturing hub as part of its $32 billion U.S. investment plan.
Nasdaq’s Verafin has partnered with BioCatch in a joint effort to combat payment fraud.

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