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Replimune’s (REPL) investment thesis changed dramatically this week after the FDA rejected its lead cancer therapy, RP1, for a second time, sending shares down approximately 64% and forcing management into cost-cutting mode.The market is now questioning whether RP1 can still win approval and whether Replimune has enough capital to withstand a prolonged setback if the FDA requires more than manufacturing fixes.With RP1 representing the company’s primary source of value, Replimune’s future may depend on whether management can quickly repair its regulatory path before financing pressure becomes unavoidable.Second Replimune FDA rejection resets biotech company’s thesisReplimune is a clinical-stage biotech company focused on developing cancer immunotherapies, and RP1 is its lead drug candidate.Because the company has no approved products or meaningful revenue, much of Replimune’s valuation has been tied to investor expectations that RP1 would eventually reach commercialization.The FDA issued Replimune a second Complete Response Letter for RP1 on Friday, April 10, rejecting the company’s resubmitted biologics license application for RP1 in combination with Bristol Myers Squibb’s nivolumab in advanced unresectable cutaneous melanoma following prior anti-PD-1 treatment.CEO Sushil Patel said the company is “deeply disappointed” and will work urgently with the FDA, but “at this point we have no choice but to eliminate jobs, including substantially scaling back our U.S.-based manufacturing operations.”More Collapses:Key auto parts and services company files Chapter 11 bankruptcyKey travel brand files for Chapter 11 bankruptcySelf-driving-car company files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protectionReplimune said the CRL was related “solely to manufacturing issues at a third-party facility.” However, analyst commentary following the decision suggested the underlying concerns may run deeper, specifically whether the filing demonstrated sufficient efficacy and whether its response assessment methods met FDA standards.That distinction is central to the investment case. A manufacturing-related CRL may delay commercialization and increase remediation costs, but it typically preserves the broader thesis. An efficacy- or methodology-driven CRL raises a more serious question: whether RP1 can be approved on the current data package at all.BMO said Replimune and the FDA were “not truly aligned” on the use of a single-arm trial to support the filing, while Wedbush pointed to unresolved concerns around response criteria versus RECIST v1.1.Wall Street questions Replimune’s confirmatory pathPerhaps most concerning, Wall Street now questions whether IGNYTE-3, Replimune’s ongoing Phase 3 trial designed to support eventual RP1 approval, will be enough to satisfy the FDA.That marks a significant shift in investor perception. After the first rejection in July 2025, BioPharma Dive noted, IGNYTE-3 was largely viewed as the pathway to de-risk RP1 and support eventual approval. Now the market is questioning whether the confirmatory trial is even capable of resolving the FDA’s concerns.BMO cut its price target to $1 and cited concerns. “The letter makes clear that while FDA allowed Replimune to resubmit their BLA, the company and FDA were never truly in alignment on either the use of a single arm trial (RPL-001-16) for their initial BLA submission or the methods Replimune had used to assess efficacy in the trial.”Following the CRL, JPMorgan said the decision “raises continued questions on whether data from the ongoing pivotal IGNYTE-3 trial will be sufficient from the FDA’s perspective.” Wedbush argued that the FDA did not believe that IGNYTE’s exploratory analyses and early Phase 3 data resolved prior concerns about inconsistent response criteria relative to RECIST v1.1.That pressure also affects the rest of the pipeline. Programs such as RP2 and RPL-002 currently do not appear large enough to offset a major impairment in RP1’s value.

Wall Street now fears Replimune’s Phase 3 IGNYTE-3 trial may not be enough to resolve FDA concerns and secure RP1 approval.ingwervanille via Getty Images

Replimune shares crash as financing risk risesPrior to the rejection, Replimune had $269.1 million in cash and equivalents at the end of 2025, with management expecting this cash to fund the business through the first quarter of calendar year 2028.A longer regulatory path means more cash burn, while removing the near-term launch catalyst that could have supported a stronger valuation and more favorable financing options. With shares near $1.70, any equity raise would likely be highly dilutive. Traditional debt financing is also difficult for a clinical-stage biotech with no revenue base.Management’s response reinforced that reality. Replimune shared plans to reduce headcount and scale back U.S. manufacturing operations, a move CEO Sushil Patel said reflects the company’s need to adjust after the FDA setback.Right now, it appears as though management is focused on preserving capital and extending its runway while reassessing the regulatory path forward. Financing risk is now a major part of the investment thesis.Key takeaways for Replimune investorsReplimune is still alive, but the company’s margin for error has narrowed significantly.A single FDA rejection can often be overcome, especially if the issue is operational or manufacturing-related. But a second rejection, combined with analyst concerns that the FDA may be questioning RP1’s efficacy package and trial design, creates a much more serious problem.At this point, Replimune is being valued like a biotech company fighting to salvage its lead program before cash burn and financing pressure force difficult decisions. If management can realign with the FDA and prove RP1 remains approvable, the stock could recover meaningfully from current levels. If not, investors may need to prepare for a long and uncertain road ahead.Related: No drug has ever cured osteoarthritis. This biotech believes they’ve made one.

The Great U.S. blockade of shipping in and out of Iran is ending its first day, and you would be correct if you’re seeing little effect on your daily life. That’s neither good news nor bad news. It was only the first day. The drama still lies ahead.If you got gason April 13, your fill-up might have cost you $4.10 a gallon, according to GasBuddy.com. That is a couple cents more than you paid on, say, April 12.It’s 38% more than you might have paid on Feb. 27, the day before the United States and Israel jointly launched air and missile attacks on Iran.Light sweet crude, the benchmark U.S. crude, was trading at $96.47 per barrel late on April 13. That works out to about $2.30 per gallon. That means the refiners, marketers, and retailers add about $1.74 to the price of gas.So, if crude oil drops to $96 and all the additional costs remain steady, the price of your gasoline should be around $4.03 a gallon. That would save you about 7 cents a gallon. Or 75 cents on a 10-gallon fill-up.That’s in theory — and only in theory.You might be tempted to say, “Big whoop.” But be happy for all small breaks.President Trump’s Iran update cheered oil investorsYou got a break during that first day of the blockade. When President Donald Trump confirmed the blockade on Sunday, crude oil jumped to as high as $105.63 a barrel. The price fell back to a close of $99.08 as the president claimed Iranians have contacted the White House to say they want “very badly” to negotiate a deal to end the conflict.Stocks, especially technology stocks, rallied. Energy stocks were mostly flat. Exxon Mobil was up slightly. Chevron rose 1.7%.But Iran has not publicly said they really want a deal.The unknown unknowns on gas pricesGiven this uncertainty, no one knows where oil prices and gasoline prices are headed.”There’s no predicting where prices will be in a week, let alone six months,” said GasBuddy Head of Petroleum Analysis Patrick DeHaan in an email. “It could be $3 in 6 months or $6 in 3 months.”More Oil and Gas:The world’s biggest gas field matters just as much as oil right nowGoldman Sachs reveals top oil stocks to buy for 2026U.S. economy will show resilience, despite rising oil pricesGasBuddy started 2026 forecasting that the average price of gasoline in the United States would fall to $2.97 per gallon from a 2025 average price of $3.102.The forecast was qualified with warnings that prices could be subject to “familiar bouts of volatility tied to seasonal demand, refinery maintenance, hurricane season and ongoing geopolitical risks.”As we know now, “ongoing geopolitical risks” are alive and well. Waiting for IranThe blockade that President Trump declared over the weekend came after peace talks ended on Saturday, April 11. The talks came only a few days after he pulled back on a threat to destroy all of Iran’s infrastructure.The blockade is supposed to apply only to cargoes leaving from — or arriving at — ports big and small on the Iranian side of the Persian Gulf. The U.S. Navy has been ordered to stop ships from leaving and stop ships from arriving at Iranian ports. The only aid that will be allowed to go through is verified humanitarian aid. The ships will be inspected and crews questioned and detained if the answers don’t work, a USA Today report said. The blockade also means Iran can’t impose tolls to guarantee passage through the Strait. The tolls were reported to be as much as $2 million on a giant oil tanker — payable in cryptocurrency or Chinese yuan, the Wall Street Journal reported last week.And Iran will struggle to sell and ship its oil to its key customers across Asia, especially China.

A tanker unloads liquid petroleum gas in Mumbai, India.Indranil Aditya/Getty/Images

Another Strait risk emergesBut there is a threat that, so far, has not worked its way into the public domain. Iran could convince its Houthi allies in Yemen to block the Bab al-Mandeb Strait at the south end of the Red Sea.The loser in that scenario: Saudi Arabia, which has an oil-exporting port on the Red Sea. That business would be crippled if the Bab al-Mandeb Strait were closed.Maybe cooler heads will prevail and real talks will develop.Related: Exxon Mobil’s future rests on massive play (it isn’t Venezuela)

Amazon.com is heading into a crucial earnings moment. With that, one of Wall Street’s most influential voices just made a subtle but important move.Goldman Sachs lowered its price target on Amazon stock to $275 from $280, while maintaining a Buy rating ahead of the company’s expected earnings report on April 30, 2026. The revision may appear minor at first, yes, but it signals a broader shift in investor attention toward the key risks and opportunities shaping Amazon’s next phase.Amazon shares are trading around $239.89, and that updated target still implies meaningful upside. The bigger question is what could drive or limit that growth in the coming quarters. But, looking at its performance over time, it is fair to prepare for more bullish momentum.Goldman Sachs highlights 4 key Amazon catalysts investors must watchGoldman Sachs analyst Eric Sheridan pointed to four major areas that could define Amazon’s trajectory in 2026, and they go far beyond just online shopping. First is Amazon Web Services (AWS), the company’s cloud division, as reported by investing.com. Investors are closely watching revenue growth and backlog trends to understand whether massive artificial intelligence (AI) investments are translating into strong returns.Second is rising energy prices. With global fuel markets under pressure, higher transportation and logistics costs could impact Amazon’s margins, or even consumer demand. Third is the commercialization timeline for Amazon Leo, a newer initiative that could play a role in Amazon’s long-term ecosystem. Investors are still looking for clarity on how quickly it can scale.Related: UBS quietly resets outlook on AI software giantFinally, Goldman is tracking Amazon’s advertising and marketing platform. This fast-growing segment has become a critical profit driver and could help offset cost pressures elsewhere. Lately, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has focused heavily on integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the company’s advertising, marketing, and shopping platforms.“AI is not a standalone initiative; it’s a multiplier. It will reshape every customer experience we offer and unlock entirely new ones. We will build many of these ourselves and continue making AWS the best place for others to do the same.” Said CEO Andy Jassy in a Letter to ShareholdersAmazon’s AI push is driving massive AWS growthOne reason analysts remain optimistic is Amazon’s aggressive push into artificial intelligence through AWS.According to the company’s latest shareholder letter, AWS has already reached an annualized AI revenue run rate exceeding $15 billion, roughly 10% of total AWS revenue. That number is growing quickly.Even more striking, Amazon’s in-house chip business has surpassed a $20 billion revenue run rate, expanding at triple-digit growth rates year-over-year. These chips are critical for powering AI workloads, giving Amazon a competitive edge against rivals.More Wall StreetBillionaire Dalio sends 2-words on Fed pick WarshTop analyst bets these stocks will boost your portfolio in 2026Bank of America sends quiet warning to stock market investorsCEO Andy Jassy emphasized the momentum, stating, “AWS growing 24%… this growth is happening because we’re continuing to innovate at a rapid rate.”That growth is backed by major partnerships, including collaborations with OpenAI, Visa, the NBA, BlackRock, Perplexity, Lyft, United Airlines, DoorDash, Salesforce, U.S. Air Force, signaling strong enterprise demand.Still, heavy AI spending comes with trade-offs. Amazon is significantly increasing capital expenditures, which could pressure free cash flow in the near term.Other analysts also remain bullish but cautious on spendingGoldman Sachs isn’t alone in maintaining a positive outlook, even with some caution creeping in.Evercore kept an Outperform rating with a $285 price target, pointing to AI growth as a major tailwind. Meanwhile, Stifel trimmed its target to $294, citing geopolitical uncertainty, including energy market volatility.Related: Andy Jassy has great news for Amazon stock investorsNeedham also reiterated a Buy rating but flagged concerns over Amazon’s capital spending plans, which could approach $200 billion in fiscal 2026.This creates a balancing act for investors. Amazon is investing heavily to secure its leadership in AI and cloud computing, but those investments must eventually deliver strong returns.

Amazon has invested heavily in AI.Shutterstock

Amazon’s earnings growth also remains strong despite rising costsAmazon’s latest earnings report shows why analysts are still largely bullish. Amazon Fourth Quarter 2025:Net sales: $213.4 billion (+14%)Operating income: $25.0 billionNet income: $21.2 billionAWS sales: $35.6 billion (+24% YoY)North America operating income: $11.5 billionInternational operating income: $1.0 billionAWS operating income: $12.5 billionFull Year 2025:Net sales: $716.9 billion (+12%)Operating income: $80.0 billionNet income: $77.7 billionAWS sales: $128.7 billion (+20% YoY)AWS operating income: $45.6 billion (vs. $39.8B in 2024)Operating cash flow: $139.5 billion (+20%)However, one number stands out. Free cash flow dropped sharply to $11.2 billion, largely due to a $50.7 billion surge in capital expenditures tied to AI infrastructure.Amazon’s stock performance has also been solid overall, outperforming the broader market in most time frames. Year-to-date, Amazon is up 3.93% compared to the S&P 500 at 0.60%. Over one year, Amazon has gained 29.76%, slightly ahead of the S&P 500’s 28.39%, and over three years it has surged 134.27% versus 66.08%. However, on a five-year basis, Amazon trails the index, rising 41.11% compared to the S&P 500’s 66.27%, according to Yahoo Finance. More Retail:Walmart fires OpenAI in playbook-changing moveCostco CEO just gave members a new reason to renewBath & Body Works makes big change customers will notice right awayLooking ahead, Amazon expects first-quarter 2026 revenue between $173.5 billion and $178.5 billion, or 11% to15% growth compared with the first quarter of 2025. Operating income is also projected between $16.5 billion and $21.5 billion.Amazon is no longer just an e-commerce goliath. It’s now one of the biggest investors in artificial intelligence infrastructure in the world. That creates enormous opportunity, but also higher risk. And that risk part is what brings us to how Wall Street is thinking about Amazon.Related: Goldman Sachs issues brutal jobs warning to American employees

Walmart’s plan to fully roll out digital price tags in 2026 is starting to win over some shoppers, but most remain unconvinced the change will make much of a difference, according to new data from CivicScience.  Digital price tags — sometimes called electronic shelf labels (ESLs) — replace traditional paper tags with small digital displays to show product prices.Read:More personal finance stories from Nifty 50+Discover:When your kids move back home & take your moneyDigital price tags can update prices instantly, a benefit to retail staff who will no longer have to manually switch signs when sales change. For shoppers, it could mean more accurate shelf pricing and less uncertainty.Digital price tags could also introduce shopping concepts like dynamic pricing or “surge pricing,” where prices rise or fall based on the time of day. Imagine running into your local store after work to grab something quick for dinner and finding quick meals priced higher than they were earlier in the day?Walmart has said it has no plans to use surge pricing and that prices will remain consistent in any given location “regardless of demand, time of day, or who is shopping,” according to a statement reported by TheStreetEven so, the Civic Science research shows that roughly three-in-10 shoppers (32% to 38%) believe digital pricing could create a negative shopping experience, while half are ambivalent about the change. 

Data & graphic by CivicScience

Growing interest in digital shelf labelsThe latest findings show that 14% of U.S. adults say they are more likely to shop at a grocery store or retailer that replaces traditional paper price tags with digital ones. That’s up five percentage points from 2024, when just 9% said the same. Among Walmart’s own shoppers, the figure is slightly higher at 19%, suggesting the retailer’s core customers may be somewhat more open to the shift.Even so, indifference continues to dominate. Half of consumers (50%) say digital price tags would have no impact on where they choose to shop, although that’s down from 55% two years ago. Another 36% say they would be less likely to shop at a store using the technology — a figure that has not changed since 2024.Walmart shoppers follow a similar pattern. Just over half (51%) say digital pricing would not affect their decision to shop at a retailer, while 30% say it would make them less likely to do so. The numbers point to a customer base that is slightly more receptive than the general public, but still largely undecided.Would digital pricing change the shopping experience?Views on how digital pricing could shape the in-store experience are also shifting, though only modestly. One in five U.S. adults (20%) now say replacing traditional price tags with digital ones would have a positive impact on their shopping experience, up from 15% in 2024. Among Walmart shoppers, that share ticks up to 22%.At the same time, 42% of consumers say digital price tags would have no impact on their experience, down from 45% two years ago. Another 38% expect a negative impact, a slight dip from 40% in 2024. While those changes are relatively small, they suggest that some consumers are beginning to warm up to the idea — or at least becoming less skeptical.Among Walmart shoppers, 46% say digital pricing would not change their experience, while 32% expect it to make things worse. That balance — leaning heavily toward neutrality with a sizable share still negative — marks the challenge Walmart faces as it prepares for a full rollout.Gradual movement toward a digital futureTaken together, the data paints a picture of gradual movement rather than a dramatic shift. Positive sentiment is inching up, and fewer consumers are sitting on the fence, but there’s no clear sign that digital pricing is becoming a major draw for shoppers.Instead, most consumers appear to view the change as largely inconsequential to their day-to-day shopping habits. The fact that half of U.S. adults say it won’t influence where they shop — and more than four in ten say it won’t affect their experience — suggests the technology has not yet resonated in a meaningful way. Still, the direction of the trend may matter more than the size of the numbers. The steady uptick in positive responses, combined with a slight decline in negative sentiment, indicates that familiarity with digital pricing could be slowly improving perceptions.For Walmart, that leaves a mixed outlook. The company is seeing some early signs of acceptance, particularly among its own shoppers, but widespread enthusiasm continues to be elusive. As the full 2026 transition happens, the retailer will be introducing one of its most visible in-store changes in a setting where curiosity is growing — but where most shoppers are still taking a wait-and-see approach.Related: History of Walmart: Company timeline & facts

Restaurants need to evolve over time in order to survive.That’s something that has been exacerbated by the current challenging operating environment.”The restaurant industry is at a crossroads, necessitated by changing economic conditions and consumer behaviors. The successful establishments of the future will be those that embrace a balanced approach to revenue and efficiency, utilizing advanced analytics and training to navigate the challenges ahead,” according to FSR Magazine. It’s a broad trend where restaurant operators need to show a willingness to adapt, Ben Mathews the leader of McKinsey’s restaurants group, shared in the consulting firm’s “The Future of Restaurants” report.”The restaurants that succeed over the next several years won’t be fixated on short-term price and menu architecture or cost management. They’ll be the ones willing to ask harder questions about who they’re trying to serve, what experience they’re really offering, and which outdated axioms they need to unlearn to get there,” he said.Having a concept that narrows your appeal and limits your customer base adds another challenge that Hooters, which survived a Chapter 11 bankruptcy, has continued to close restaurants.Hooters made it out of Chapter 11 bankruptcyOriginal Hooters, a group that included some of the chain’s founders, bought parts of the chain in October 2025. The new owners acquired approximately 140 of the 198 domestic Hooters restaurants, according to a press release.These domestic restaurants, along with the 60 international locations, represent approximately $700 million in systemwide sales, the new owner shared.They acknowledged that changes were made and shared that they planned to take the chain back to its roots.”Restaurant updates have begun to roll out across all locations as a first step in their ‘re-Hooterization’ of the brand and vision for the future,” they explained.That includes ditching the bikinis and more provocative outfits that had been used under the previous owner. ALSO READ:Hooters returns after Chapter 11 bankruptcy with 1 big change”And of course, what has always made Hooters special are the thousands of iconic World Famous Hooters Girls. As part of the change, all server uniforms will return the original look while staying true to the brand’s original beachy vibe and heritage,” the news owners shared.That, however, has not been a big enough change to reverse the company’s declines, and more locations have closed.Hooters may need to change its conceptA number of industry analysts and experts think Hooters’ may need to make much larger changes to its brand in order to survive.“Restaurants can increase their base if they can negate the ‘veto vote.’ Women are the driving force on our everyday eating patterns,” Harry Balzer, chief industry analyst at research firm NPD Group. told CNBC “Traditionally, when you want to appeal to more women, you’re going to bring in issues that have to do with diet. It will be salads, things that are fresher.”As societal standards have evolved, going back to Hooters’ past may not be the right choice, Lilly Jan, senior lecturer of food and beverage management at the Nolan School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University said in a press release.“A ‘breastaurant’ does not provide an inclusive environment for dining out in groups, particularly when you consider that families are dining out together more than ever before. Having a concept that does not provide an experience that is compelling or inclusive to a variety of dining groups is inherently limiting,” she said. She thinks the restaurant will struggle unless it completely overhauls its concept.“Hooters hasn’t meaningfully reinvented itself and its brand identity over the years to adapt to the times. Places like Buffalo Wild Wings (a more direct competitor) or Olive Garden, Applebee’s, Texas Roadhouse (segment competitors) have cut into Hooters’ market share, often offering more immersive concepts, better value, more variety, or all of the above,” she added. More Restaurants McDonald’s latest menu missteps could have a major domino effect76-year-old comfort food chain closes most of its restaurantsFast food giant is coming for Starbucks with fan-approved launchBrandIndex CEO Ted Marzilli was blunt in his assessment of the chain.“They developed a niche and by some standard were certainly successful in establishing that niche,” Marzilli told CNBC, but the chain’s focus on sex appeal has some inherent limitations. “There are some women who will say it’s a sexist theme or I dont like what the brand stands for.Hooters CEO Neil Kiefer remains confident.“We’re not just acquiring restaurants — we’re taking back the Hooters name to show the world who we really are,” he said , CEO of Hooters Inc. “Our vision is about more than great food and service. It’s about bringing people together, making memories, and ensuring that Hooters remains a place where everyone feels welcome.”

Hooters has been struggling to fix its operating model.Shutterstock

Hooters has been closing locationsWhile some Hooters are closing because they’re struggling, that’s not the case with the chain’s Boca Raton location, which lost its lease.“We are a healthy, successful location, and in this economy, the places that close are the opposite,” General Manager Chris Torelli told Fox News Digital.In addition, The Hooters location in West Palm Beach, Florida has closed. It was shut down with its windows boarded up, and a “for lease” sign, I noticed one recent drive by the location.The Palm Beach Post verified the closure.Some other recent Hooters closings include:Some markets saw full exit-level closures in 2026, including states (like Connecticut) where remaining units were shut down after years of declining footprint, according to CT Insider.A Hooters location in Corpus Christi, Texas closed permanently on April 12, 2026, as part of efforts to “revitalize and strengthen the Original Hooters brand” following its bankruptcy restructuring, reported My San Antonio.The Hooters in South Tampa, Florida closed on March 22, 2026 after the company chose not to renew its lease, part of its ongoing post-bankruptcy footprint evaluation, according to the restaurant shared on its Facebook page.The last remaining Hooters in Minnesota (Mall of America, Bloomington) closed in March 2026, marking a full exit from the state, according to Bring Me the News. A Hooters location in Queens, New York closed in early 2026 as part of a broader wave of restaurant shutdowns tied to rising costs and market pressures, according to Eater NY.Related: Iconic 99-year-old convenience store chain closing 645 stores

The fast casual restaurant boom is no longer just about convenience. It is becoming a growing preference among many time-strapped and increasingly value-conscious consumers.But what exactly is a fast casual restaurant? It sits between a full-service dining place and a fast-food pickup-and-eat-as-you-go place, like Raising Cane’s and Panera Bread. Places that offer hybrid experiences, quick service with the option to dine in, a more curated menu, and offer healthier choices.And while the broader restaurant and retail industry continues to grapple with a K-shaped recovery, the fast-casual segment appears to have hit the sweet spot.A number of emerging brands are capitalizing on this shift as they meet new consumer expectations. One of those names is Florida-based Huey Magoo’s, which has built its identity around premium chicken tenders, branded as the “Filet Mignon of Chicken”.Huey Magoo’s: On road to expansionFounded in 2004 by Matt Armstrong and Thad Hudgens, two chicken lovers from Florida, Huey Magoo’s built its cult following on a simple and uncompromising premise of quality chicken tenders.The company specializes in tenders made from what it calls the best 3% of chicken, and has built a loyal following through a tightly focused menu that includes sandwiches, wraps, and ofcourse tenders.After establishing a strong presence in Florida, Huey Magoo’s has steadily expanded its national footprint.More Restaurants McDonald’s latest menu missteps could have a major domino effect76-year-old comfort food chain closes most of its restaurantsFast food giant is coming for Starbucks with fan-approved launchEarlier this month, Huey Magoo’s announced a 15-unit franchise deal in Texas, targeting high-growth counties like Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, and Montgomery, as reported by the Nation’s Restaurant News.The move marks another step in its push into large, fast-growing suburban markets.And while Texas is already home to established names like Texas Roadhouse, Raising Cane’s, and Chick-fil-A, Huey Magoo’s is relying on its consistency and premium offerings to rival these heavyweights. It is slowly trying not only to capture a big market by becoming an incumbent in the chicken wars, but also to expand quickly through its small, high-efficiency footprint. Huey Magoo’s is leaning into its 1,500-square-foot store strategy, unlike the sprawling fast-food giants. This small-box strategy allows the brand to expand into high-traffic suburban areas while saving on the extra square footage.Today, Huey Magoo’s operates nearly 85 locations across 12 states and is on track to reach 100 restaurants nationwide by the end of 2026.With locations spanning Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Ohio, Missouri, Alabama, and, more recently, Texas, among others, Huey Magoo’s is scaling aggressively across the US.The 15-unit franchise deal in Texas is in agreement with SMR Capital Group, which is managed by Mohammad Ali Akbar and operating partner Jason Gilbert. SMR Group is known for operating a T-Mobile franchise, which means the deal brings operational expertise from experienced partners.Andy Howard, President and CEO of Huey Magoo’s, said that “SMR Capital Group brings the right combination of operational expertise and development experience, and we’re confident in their ability to successfully grow the brand across Texas.”

Huey Magoo’s is on track to open 100 restaurants by 2026.Shutterstock

“We were deliberate in selecting a brand that aligns with our long-term growth strategy, and Huey Magoo’s stood out for its strong fundamentals and scalability”, said Muhammaed Ali Akbar, Managing Partner, SMR.This expansion is supported by solid financial performance and operational strategy. The chain reportedly has an average unit volume of $2.1 million, an important figure for fast-casual restaurants looking to scale.As the fast casual chain continues to turn in bigger numbers, with a reported $163 million in sales at the end of 2025, a 20% year over year increase, the time is right for further expansion.While these numbers might still be farther from Raising Cane’s, which has a reported average unit volume of $6 million, Huey Magoo’s intends to bridge the gap through quick, extensive franchising.Additionally, it is planning to open four new locations in Alabama, looking at expansion, and has sold 46 development rights in total in Texas, including Laredo, Brownsville, McAllen, Houston, Harlingen, and San Antonio, according to Nation’s Restaurant News.Fast casual grows as customers seek valueHuey Magoo’s growth is unfolding amid broader industry trends and changing consumer preferences, as inflation shrinks household budgets but not the desire to step out and eat with family. Fast casual is increasingly offering consumers value pricing.Instead of an extensive menu, fast casual restaurants narrow their offerings, promising quality while simplifying operations. This helps brands in keeping price points value-conscious for customers.And then there is official data backing the growth. The National Restaurant Association (NRA) projected in its 2026 report that restaurant sales nationwide would reach $1.55 trillion. With Chad Moutray, Chief Economist for NRA, noting that “fast casual continues to be one of the bright spots, and I don’t expect that to stop.” Further stressing that achieving the desired growth will require focusing on value. And Huey Magoo’s expansion is echoing this bet on balance, driven by price and quality, and not to be forgotten, strategic and timely geographic expansion.Related: Iconic 99-year-old convenience store chain closing 645 stores

Nvidia’s (NVDA) influence across the AI industry is spreading fast. Now, its backed tech players, CoreWeave and Nebius, are getting Wall Street’s attention.CoreWeave (CRWV) and Nebius (NBIS) are AI cloud infrastructure providers that supply GPU-powered computing capacity for AI workloads. They sit between Nvidia and tech hyperscalers, turning chips into usable AI compute.Nvidia’s backing is often seen as a vote of confidence in a company’s technology and growth potential.As of Q4 2025, Nvidia’s largest disclosed position is Intel, with about 214.8 million shares valued near $7.9 billion at Q4’s end, representing roughly 50% of the portfolio. That is followed by CoreWeave, with about 47.2 million shares worth roughly $4.4 billion, or about 27.9%, according to WhaleWisdom’s data based on 13F filings. Nvidia holds a smaller position in Nebius, valued at about $100 million, accounting for about 0.63% as of Q4 2025. Other notable positions include Synopsys at about $2.3 billion, and Nokia at roughly $1.1 billion. Bank of America just raised its price targets on CoreWeave and Nebius. Here’s what the firm sees.CoreWeave lands deals with Meta and AnthropicBank of America raised its price target on CoreWeave to $120 from $100 at a buy rating, citing improved growth visibility after a wave of new contracts, according to an April 13 research report sent to TheStreet.Last week, CoreWeave announced a major deal with Meta Platforms (META), which signed an additional $21 billion agreement extending through 2032. That brings the total contract value to roughly $35 billion.

CoreWeave stock closed at $110.27 on Monday, up 8.1% for the day. Year to date, the stock surged 54%, far outpacing the S&P 500 Index.Getty Images

CoreWeave also just announced a multi-year agreement with Anthropic to support workloads for Claude. “AI is no longer just about infrastructure, it’s about the platforms that turn models into real-world impact,” CoreWeave CEO Michael Intrator said in an April 10 press release. “We’re excited to work with Anthropic at the center of where models are put to work and performance in production shows up.”Though the financial terms of the Anthropic deal were not disclosed, Bank of America said this “suggests meaningful deal size with expansion potential.” Related: Morgan Stanley sends clear message on semiconductor stocks after selloff”This agreement enhances CoreWeave’s customer diversification, adding Anthropic alongside existing customers such as OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft,” Bank of America analyst Tal Liani wrote.  Bank of America said those deals are driving a step up in growth expectations.“We are increasing our FY27/FY28 CoreWeave revenue growth estimates by 800bps/300bps to 94%/50% year-over-year, reflecting expanded commitments from Meta and a new strategic agreement with Anthropic,” the analyst wrote.Bank of America also lifted its valuation multiple, noting that CoreWeave’s growth profile now sits above cloud data center peers.CoreWeave’s growth is heavily dependent on financial leverage, including debt and equity financing. Bank of America said its financing risk “has moderated” following the announcement of its $8.5 billion delayed draw term loan facility.”While increased leverage introduces incremental financial risk, the debt is tied to contracted capacity rather than speculative expansion. As a result, we believe the higher leverage remains manageable over time,” the analyst wrote.CoreWeave stock closed at $110.27 on Monday, up 8.1% for the day. Year to date, the stock surged 54%, far outpacing the S&P 500 Index.Bank of America raised Nebius stock targetBank of America also raised its price target on Nebius to $175 from $150, reiterating a buy rating.Like CoreWeave, Netherlands-based Nebius benefits from backing by Nvidia and partnering with tech hyperscalers like Meta. Related: Ernst & Young drops stunning take on economy as oil jumpsIn March, Nebius landed a major $27 billion deal with Meta, under which Nebius will provide $12 billion in dedicated capacity and up to $15 billion in additional compute over five years.”The scale and structure of recent hyperscaler contracts, combined with ongoing capacity expansion at new data centers in Finland and Alabama, further validate its position as a core supplier within the global AI infrastructure ecosystem,” Bank of America wrote.Nebius stock closed at $154.56 on Monday and has soared nearly 85% year to date.Related: Cathie Wood buys $11 million of tumbling megacap tech stock

TheStreet aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.Why we love this dealThe outdoors can be unpredictable, but your outdoor furniture doesn’t have to be. With a stylish set of chairs, a nice cushioned couch, some hanging lights and potted plants, with a few tables thrown in and you can create the ultimate outdoor oasis regardless of what Mother Nature decides to send your way. Gone are the days where a creaky set of metal chairs and a tiny coffee table were the go-to set up on your patio or deck. These days, there are fun, functional pieces of furniture, like the Christopher Knight Outdoor Expandable Daybed, that make spending time outdoors so much fun. The 65-inch versatile piece of furniture certainly is bigger than most patio sectionals or couches you’ll find, giving you the perfect place to rest and recline by yourself or share with a few other folks when you’re playing host. And although it’s originally $415, you can get the daybed 30% off for only $290 right now. Christopher Knight Outdoor Expandable Daybed, $290 (was $415) at Target

Courtesy of Target

Shop at TargetWhy do shoppers love it?The beauty of the daybed is that it’s an incredibly versatile piece of furniture. Unlike a couch which uses individual cushions, daybeds have a mattress or mattress-like cushioning that mimics a bed so that it can be converted from a sitting area to a sleeping area. As an expandable piece, the daybed measures 65 inches long, 30.50 inches deep/wide, and 27.25 inches high when it’s not fully extended. When it’s expanded and the armrests are positioned flat, it stretches out to measure 82 inches long, 30.5 inches deep/wide, and 12 inches high. With all that space plus a weight capacity of 600 pounds, you can certainly have multiple people using the daybed at once. Although the armrests can move up and down, the backrest stays fixed in place regardless of how you’re using the daybed. With an acacia wood frame, the daybed has a rich, warm coloring from the wood’s distinctive grain pattern, while also knowing that the furniture is fashioned to be very sturdy and durable for sitting or reclining. Acacia wood actually contains natural oils that make it water-resistant, rot-resistant, and resistant to decay or insect damage, so it’s the perfect outdoor piece since it won’t wilt under exposure. Related: Target is selling a 4-pack of glass ball solar lights for $30 that can transform your yardThe actual comfort of the daybed comes from the 3.5-inch cushions that run along the bottom, sides, and backrest. They are wrapped in water-resistant fabric that will shed light moisture, but with continued exposure, will get wet. Thankfully, a little water won’t ruin them. The piece itself has a sophisticated classic look thanks to the slatted panels which provide the daybed with some dimension. What to expect from a $290 dining set: Pros and consProsQuality construction: The daybed’s frame is made from acacia wood which, thanks to its natural oils, makes the furniture water-resistant, rot-resistant, and resistant to decay and insect damage. Extremely versatile: The daybed itself is already a versatile piece of furniture since it works as a chair, sofa, and bed. The expandable capabilities it has make it even more customizable. Super comfortable: The daybed has 3.5-inch cushions to provide support and a comfortable sitting, reclining, or sleeping experience. ConsAssembly required: Some assembly is needed. Shoppers love how comfortable and pretty this daybed is. Many shoppers say assembly, although required, is super easy, and that the daybed makes the perfect addition to a backyard area. “I love that I can lie down on my new sofa/chaise,” one shopper said. “I’ve gotten many compliments from friends and neighbors.” Shop more deals Hyleory 7.5-Foot Outdoor Market Patio Umbrella, $55 (was $130) at TargetCostway 5-Piece Patio Dining Table Set, $306 (was $580) at TargetKarl Home Single-Person Hanging Hammock Chair, $29 (was $40) at TargetYou can always go traditional with your outdoor setup, but what fun would that be? Take advantage of Target’s great sale on the Christopher Knight Outdoor Expandable Daybed and get a chair, couch, and outdoor bed all in one for just $290. 

The S&P 500 shed roughly 11% between April 3 and April 8, 2025, and investors who fled to cash missed the partial rebound that followed within days, according to Morningstar’s Global Markets Index data. Selling into a selloff feels like self-preservation, but the math tells a different story over five- and ten-year periods for investors who stepped aside. Three ETFs offer a less extreme option, each designed to keep you invested in the market while absorbing significantly less damage when stocks crater. One builds a low-volatility stock portfolio from the ground up, another layers options contracts on top of the S&P 500, and the third hedges against inflation with short-term government bonds. Morningstar recently spotlighted all three as defensive holdings for the current environment, and the details of how each works reveal important trade-offs you need to weigh before buying.iShares’ USMV uses a portfolio-level approach The iShares MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Factor ETF (USMV) earned a Silver Morningstar Medalist Rating for its consistent ability to limit drawdowns over full market cycles. You might assume a low-volatility fund simply buys the least volatile stocks and calls it a day, but USMV operates differently from most of its peers.The fund uses a portfolio-level optimizer that evaluates how individual stocks interact with each other, not just how volatile each stock is on its own, according to BlackRock’s fund documentation. That means USMV can include relatively volatile names like Nvidia if those stocks tend to move in the opposite direction of the rest of the portfolio, creating natural diversification. The result is a fund that delivered 20% less volatility than the broader market over its 10-year track record while nearly matching its category peers’ total return, Morningstar’s research shows.What USMV costs and who should consider it for long-term portfolio defenseUSMV charges an expense ratio of 0.15%, which is 65% lower than the average large-blend fund, and holds roughly 170 stocks across diversified sectors, according to iShares’ fund page.The fund currently manages approximately $23 billion in total assets, making it one of the largest minimum-volatility ETFs available to retail investors today. “Most low-volatility ETFs look at each stock independently, resulting in a portfolio of similar companies with shared risks. USMV plays defense at the portfolio level, looking for the optimal set of low-volatility companies based on how they interact with one another, said Manager Research Analyst Zachary Evens.You should understand that USMV will almost certainly lag during strong bull market rallies because the fund sacrifices upside in exchange for shallower drawdowns.Key fund details for USMVExpense ratio: 0.15% annually, with a portfolio turnover rate of about 22%.Morningstar Medalist Rating: Silver, affirmed in April 2025.Sector constraint: No sector weighting can deviate more than 5% from the broader U.S. equity market.Inception: October 2011, giving investors over a decade of live performance data to evaluate.If you are the type of investor who checks your brokerage app every morning and panics at red numbers, USMV could prevent you from making a costly emotional decision. The fund’s sector constraint keeps it from loading up on utilities and healthcare the way some competing low-volatility products do, which reduces concentration risk.JPMorgan’s HELO pairs stocks with options to cap your losses at roughly 5%The JPMorgan Hedged Equity Laddered Overlay ETF (HELO) takes a completely different approach to defense by combining a stock portfolio with protective put options. The fund earned a Bronze Morningstar Medalist Rating and has attracted roughly $3.8 billion in assets since its September 2023 launch, according to J.P. Morgan Asset Management.Hedged Equity Laddered Overlay managers buy protective put options set approximately 5% below the current S&P 500 price, which caps potential losses to around 5% over rolling three-month periods. That protection comes with a trade-off, because the fund also limits your upside and re-exposes you to losses if the S&P 500 falls more than 20% in a three-month window.

JPMorgan Chase’s HELO ETF limits losses near 5% using options, offering downside protection while capping upside and long-term gains potential.VIEW press/Getty Images

How HELO’s laddered options strategy has performed since its 2023 launchSince its inception roughly 2.5 years ago, HELO has delivered only 60% of the S&P 500’s volatility while capturing just 61% of the index’s downside moves, Morningstar’s analysis found.That means if the S&P 500 drops 10% in a quarter, HELO investors have historically experienced a loss of about 6%, which is a meaningful difference when compounded over several market cycles.The fund charges a 0.50% expense ratio, which is meaningfully higher than USMV’s 0.15% fee, but the cost reflects active management and the expense of maintaining a continuous options overlay. You are paying for a specific kind of insurance here, and whether that cost is worth it depends entirely on how much volatility you can tolerate in your retirement or taxable account.More Tech Stocks:Morgan Stanley sets jaw-dropping Micron price target after eventNvidia’s China chip problem isn’t what most investors thinkQuantum Computing makes $110 million move nobody saw comingHELO uses a “laddered” structure that staggers its option positions across three overlapping three-month periods, with each hedge shifted one month from the next, according to J.P. Morgan’s fund prospectus. This design prevents the fund from being fully exposed during any single options expiration cycle, a vulnerability that some simpler hedged-equity strategies suffer from.The fund is best suited for investors who want to maintain meaningful equity exposure but cannot afford a catastrophic short-term loss, such as someone within five years of retirement. If you are 30 years old with decades of compounding ahead, HELO’s capped upside will likely cost you more in foregone gains than the protection saves you over time.Vanguard’s VTIP protects specifically against the inflation risk The Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF (VTIP) earns a Gold Morningstar Medalist Rating and addresses a risk that neither USMV nor HELO is designed to handle. VTIP invests in Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities with maturities under five years, meaning the bonds’ principal adjusts upward as the Consumer Price Index rises, according to Vanguard’s fund documentation.You receive higher interest payments as inflation increases, and if inflation persists when those bonds mature, you also receive a higher principal payment upon maturity.Key fund details for VTIPExpense ratio: 0.03%, making it one of the cheapest inflation-protection funds available anywhereTotal assets: Approximately $65 billion, reflecting enormous institutional and retail investor demandCredit risk: Virtually none, because the bonds are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. governmentMorningstar Medalist Rating: Gold, affirmed in November 2025VTIP carries very little credit risk and minimal interest-rate risk due to its short duration, making it less sensitive to Federal Reserve policy changes than longer-dated bonds.When VTIP fits and when it could work against your portfolio goalsVTIP is not a substitute for stock exposure, and it will not deliver equity-like returns over any meaningful time horizon, so think of it as a stabilizer rather than a growth engine. The fund’s five-year annualized return sits at roughly 3.7%, which barely outpaces inflation in a normal environment, according to Morningstar’s performance data.You should consider VTIP if you are concerned about a resurgence in consumer prices driven by tariffs, supply-chain disruptions, or expansionary fiscal policy from Washington. If inflation surprises to the upside and the Federal Reserve responds by raising rates, longer-duration bond funds could lose significant value, while VTIP’s short maturities limit that damage.How to decide which of these three defensive ETFs fits youEach of these funds solves a different problem, and the right choice depends on your time horizon, your risk tolerance, and the specific threat that concerns you most.A practical framework for choosing:If your primary fear is broad stock market drawdowns and you want to remain fully invested in equities, USMV offers the simplest and cheapest solution at 0.15% annuallyIf you are approaching retirement and cannot afford a 20%-plus loss in any single quarter, HELO’s options overlay provides a defined floor under most market conditionsIf your main concern is that inflation will erode your purchasing power faster than your bonds can compensate, VTIP directly hedges that specific risk at just 0.03%If you want layered defense across multiple threats, a combination of all three addresses drawdown risk, tail risk, and inflation risk simultaneouslyNone of these funds will outperform a pure S&P 500 index fund in a strong bull market, and you should not expect them to do so going forward. The goal of defensive positioning is not to maximize your returns but to keep you invested during the periods when most people panic, sell at the bottom, and lock in permanent losses. “Playing defense doesn’t have to mean moving to the sidelines,” Morningstar analyst Zachary Evens wrote.Related: Mutual funds taxed investors on losses, but ETFs barely owed a dime

Oracle clawed back some of this year’s losses tied to fears of AI disruption, posting its best day since last September.On Monday, the cloud company’s shares jumped 12.7% to $155.62 after Oracle pitched AI tools for utilities at its Customer Edge Summit in Austin, a corner of the AI market where the promised payoff is easier to measure.Oracle’s Utilities Opower platform helped residential utility customers save $369 million in 2025, the company said in materials released Monday. On its website, the cloud-services giant says the product has delivered 3 billion personalized communications, 100 million high-bill alerts and 41 terawatt-hours of energy savings from 2009 through May 2025.But more than just AI, Oracle was pitching utility plumbing.Oracle said the new tools are designed to help utilities handle routine problems more efficiently, from billing issues to grid disruptions. The pitch was straightforward and aimed at companies looking for practical fixes.Power-hungry AIThis comes at a time when utilities are being squeezed from both directions – customers still care about affordability, while the AI boom is driving a new scramble for electricity.U.S. power consumption hit a record in 2025, and the Energy Information Administration expects fresh records in 2026 and 2027.Data centers could consume 9% to 17% of U.S. electricity generation by 2030, according to an EPRI analysis published in February.In that context, software that promises better management of infrastructure and logistics starts to look less like a niche product and more like part of the industry’s survival kit.Being part of SaaSFor Oracle, the bounce also came with some baggage.Even after Monday’s rally, the shares were still down about 21% this year and roughly 54% below their September 2025 closing high.In February, the company said it expected to raise $45 billion to $50 billion in 2026 through a mix of debt and equity to build more cloud capacity.Oracle also got a lift from improving investor sentiment Monday, as the broader market saw hope in a future peace deal between Iran and the U.S.Software stocks went into selloff mode this year after shockwaves from the Citrini report sparked concerns that AI could render some SaaS business models obsolete.In recent months, though, tech executives have called those fears “overblown.”Related: Oracle stock dividend under threat amid massive AI push