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There’s a version of the AI story that gets told a lot right now. Chips. Data centers. Billions of dollars. Nvidia. Everyone has heard it. What doesn’t get told as often is what actually happens when all that infrastructure starts getting used. That’s the part Lisa Su was talking about on July 24 in San Francisco, and it’s the part that matters most for what comes next.Su was on stage at AMD’s Advancing AI 2026 conference at the Moscone Center. She’s not someone who reaches for dramatic language. So when she said AI has hit an inflection point where people are doing genuinely useful, meaningful work with it, it was worth writing down.Su’s message wasn’t about a new chip or a new benchmark. It was about where she thinks the entire industry is headed, and why AMD’s positioning right now looks different from where it was even 12 months ago.What AMD CEO Lisa Su said about AI and meaningful workSpeaking in a Yahoo Finance interview at the conference, Su said AI is at the point where more people are doing genuinely useful, “meaningful work” with it. Not demos. Not pilots. Real production deployments, running 24 hours a day, embedded in business workflows that companies are betting real money on, according to Yahoo Finance.Her framing is worth unpacking. The early phase of AI was dominated by training, building large models that required enormous, concentrated bursts of GPU power running for months at a time. Related: Bank of America revamps AMD stock price target for 2026Inference is different. Inference is every time someone uses an AI product. Every query to a chatbot, every AI agent processing a document, every customer service interaction handled automatically. When AI gets embedded in daily business processes at scale, the required compute volume can grow exponentially.Su said 2026 marks a historical milestone. It’s the first year that global inference compute is projected to surpass training compute. AMD’s internal data back that up. Monthly AI token consumption has reached roughly 35 quadrillion tokens, representing around 160 times growth in just two years, according to CryptoBriefing. That’s not a technology story anymore. It’s a business story.Why AMD’s server CPU bet is becoming central to the AI tradeOne of the most important things Su said is that AI is no longer just a GPU story. Agentic AI systems, which run complex multi-step tasks autonomously, require significant CPU resources for orchestration, data handling, and coordination alongside GPU-based model execution. The two work together, and the demand for both is rising at the same time.AMD’s own numbers tell that story. The company has revised its server CPU market estimate up to $220 billion by 2030, from a prior $120 billion. More AI:Workers just sent AI companies an ultimatumPalantir CEO has a blunt verdict on OpenAI and AnthropicElon Musk pulls no punches with AI rivals as Grok 4.5 debutsThat’s not a rounding error. That’s AMD saying the CPU market is nearly twice as big as it thought it was, because AI changed what CPUs are needed for. Total AI compute, in AMD’s view, is heading toward a $2 trillion opportunity by 2030 at a 40% annual growth rate, with inference driving most of it.AMD launched its EPYC Venice processor commercially at the event. Venice runs on TSMC’s 2nm architecture and is the first chip where that CPU market revision starts showing up in actual product. Last quarter, AMD’s data center segment pulled in $5.8 billion, up 57% year on year. Q2 earnings land Aug. 4. Wall Street is looking for around $11.3 billion in revenue, up 47% from a year ago. The stock is up roughly 115% this year, even after dropping 8.85% on July 28, when chip stocks got hit broadly on macro concerns and the SK Hynix earnings miss.How AMD’s Anthropic, OpenAI, and Meta deals fit the inference thesisSu’s inference argument isn’t just a vision. AMD has been building the customer relationships to back it up. In October 2025, AMD announced a partnership with OpenAI involving 6 gigawatts of GPU capacity, with a first phase of 1GW MI450 deploying in the second half of 2026. In February 2026, it signed a similar deal with Meta. In July 2026, AMD confirmed the Anthropic partnership, involving up to 2 gigawatts of Instinct MI455X GPUs, part of the MI450 Series, integrated into Helios rack-scale solutions alongside EPYC Venice CPUs, Pensando networking, and ROCm software. The first gigawatt deploys in H1 2027, according to CNBC.The engineering side of the deal is arguably more important than the hardware numbers. Both companies will use Claude to optimize AMD Instinct GPU workloads and accelerate ROCm software development. That directly targets the gap between AMD’s ROCm stack and Nvidia’s CUDA ecosystem, which has been AMD’s most persistent competitive disadvantage in AI. Getting Anthropic’s engineering team to help close that gap is a different kind of win than a purchasing agreement.AMD is also making an equity investment of up to $5 billion in Anthropic, milestone-contingent on deployment targets. Helios rack systems are priced at $5 million to $5.5 million per rack, reflecting the shift from selling individual GPU components to selling full rack-scale AI systems with significantly higher revenue per unit.These deals matter beyond the revenue lines. They signal that the three most consequential AI model developers in the market, the companies whose infrastructure decisions shape the entire semiconductor industry, are willing to commit serious capital to AMD’s AI stack as an alternative to Nvidia.

Su was on stage at AMD’s Advancing AI 2026 conference at the Moscone Center. She’s not someone who typically reaches for dramatic language.Bridget/Getty Images

What AMD’s AI inflection point means for AMD stock and chip investorsAMD dropped 8.85% on July 28. It wasn’t anything AMD did. The SK Hynix earnings miss, a hawkish Fed hold, and general chip sector nerves pulled the whole group down. AMD is still up roughly 115% for the year. Options traders are pricing in a 12.28% move in either direction around Aug. 4. That’s a big swing expectation for a stock already up this much.Goldman Sachs, KeyBanc, UBS, and Mizuho have all raised their AMD price targets in recent weeks. KeyBanc carries a $725 target, UBS a $700 target, and Mizuho recently lifted its target to $625. Bank of America raised its target to $620 from $560 on July 25, arguing AMD’s AI window is opening wider than the market appreciates, as TheStreet reported. Barclays made a similar case in June, raising its target to $665 from $500 on the argument that the AI trade is missing the CPU story entirely, as TheStreet reported. The Street consensus is a Strong Buy with 28 Buy ratings versus eight Holds.The broader question for investors isn’t whether AI demand is real. Su’s data on token consumption growth makes that case clearly enough. The question is whether AMD can continue translating that demand into revenue and margin as the market shifts from training-centric infrastructure to inference-at-scale. The Anthropic, OpenAI, and Meta deals suggest the hyperscalers think it can. Aug. 4 is when the quarterly numbers will either confirm or complicate that thesis.3 things investors should watch heading into AMD’s Q2 earnings:Data center GPU revenue guidance. Wells Fargo’s above-consensus estimate for AMD data center GPU revenue is $40.6 billion in 2027. Any commentary from Su on MI450 demand and Helios system deployments will either strengthen or challenge that projection. The gap between Wells Fargo’s estimate and the Street consensus is the key number to watch.EPYC Venice ramp contribution. The Zen 6 EPYC Venice processor on TSMC’s 2nm node launched commercially in July. Q2 is the first quarter where Venice begins contributing meaningfully to server CPU revenue. How quickly that ramp shows up in the data center segment numbers will tell investors whether the $220 billion CPU market thesis is tracking ahead of or behind schedule.Anthropic deployment timeline update. The first gigawatt of AMD MI450 compute for Anthropic is targeted for the first half of 2027. Any update to that timeline, earlier or later, will move the stock. Earlier means faster revenue recognition. Later raises questions about execution against the milestone-contingent $5 billion equity commitment.Related: UBS hurries to reset AMD stock target on key AI Day signals

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 dealSmall, awkward areas in your home may seem inconvenient at first, but there’s actually a lot of potential there. It may not be the best place for a large dresser, but it just might be the perfect spot for a narrow freestanding storage cabinet. These versatile pieces of furniture capitalize on vertical storage, turning what seemed like an unused space into an organizational hub.The Costway Rattan Freestanding Slim Storage Cabinet has a beautiful design and an even better sale price. It’s on sale for just $65, which is a deal compared to its regular price of $280. With 77% off, you save $280 and get a small-space-friendly organizer that can help you declutter once and for all. Costway Rattan Freestanding Slim Storage Cabinet, From $65 (was $280) at Target

Courtesy of Target

Shop at TargetWhy do shoppers love it?Measuring 11.5 inches long by 11.5 inches wide by 54 inches high, you need less than a foot to make this narrow cabinet work in your space. With a compact size, it suits small bathrooms, entryways, hallways, and more. It has four shelves, one of which is adjustable. You can choose between 12 shelf heights, which is significantly more positions than other cabinets with adjustable shelves that we’ve covered. Typically, they’re limited to around three heights, so 12 is impressive. And if you need more room per shelf, you can remove it entirely to have three compartments instead of four. The open shelves are ideal for books, plants, decor, and other items you want to put on display. Below the cubbies is a single-door cabinet with handwoven rattan detailing. The rattan panel isn’t just a design perk, but also practical, allowing air flow and ventilation. The cabinet portion is great for hiding away any clutter that you don’t want to put in the open spaces. The tapered solid wood legs are the perfect finishing touches. The cabinet comes in three colors: natural, black, and white. The natural colorway gets you the best price at $65, while the others range from $82 to $84.Related: Target has a highly rated $530 buffet cabinet with 7 shelves and 2 drawers for 68% offPros and cons of the Costway Rattan Freestanding Slim Storage CabinetProsCan fit into small spaces: Since it has a slim and narrow design, it can easily fit into small spaces, like bathrooms.Stylish design: Available in three colors, this cabinet is stylish and versatile. The tapered legs and rattan door panel make it look more expensive than it is. Open and closed storage: It has adjustable open shelving and a single-door cabinet, giving you various storage options. ConsColor variations: Some reviewers say the colors look different in person.Wood blend: It’s made from both engineered wood and solid wood, which isn’t ideal for someone looking for a full solid wood piece.”It’s a brilliant organizational solution that combines style and practicality seamlessly. The adjustable shelf with 12 positions is a stroke of genius. Talk about versatility,” a shopper said. “It’s an organizer’s dream come true!” Another reviewer highlighted the size, saying it’s “small but mighty” with “great storage space,” and they “like how little space it takes up.”Shop more dealsTangkula Tall Slim Bathroom Storage Cabinet, $65 at AmazonHitnet Rattan Storage Cabinet, $67 at AmazonThe Costway Rattan Freestanding Slim Storage Cabinet is on sale for as low as $65. With style and practicality, it’s a great deal that can help you get organized.

June’s cooling PCE data looks like good news for homebuyers, but high oil prices and Fed caution mean mortgage rates won’t drop anytime soon.On July 30, the Bureau of Economic Analysis released the June Personal Consumption Expenditures price index. The PCE is a key measure of inflation.And the June PCE is an inflation report people have been waiting on.Why the June PCE is important for homebuyersThe Federal Reserve decided to keep the federal funds rate at 3.50%-3.75% at its July meeting. But three of the 12 members dissented — they wanted to hike the rate to help fight inflation.The Fed’s rate decision impacts mortgage rates. And with inflation under a microscope after the July meeting, any inflation news will likely affect mortgage rates, too.”Between now and the September meeting, inflation reports will be the Fed’s main focus,” Jeff DerGurahian, chief investment officer and head economist at loanDepot, said in a statement shared with TheStreet.Related: Mortgage rate forecast resets after Fed decision”Unless there is a major technology-sector sell-off or a couple of very weak labor reports, the market will be watching to see whether elevated oil prices begin to bleed into core inflation and those readings will likely shape whether the Fed’s next move comes in September, October, or later in the year,” DerGurahian continued.The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is another well-known inflation report. But the PCE is the Fed’s preferred report for inflation data and monetary policy decisions.So the PCE is critical for potential homebuyers for two reasons. First, it can give us insights into what the Fed could do at its September meeting.Second, mortgage rates typically increase when inflation accelerates and decrease when inflation cools.What the June PCE inflation data revealedThe June PCE index decreased 0.1% since May and increased 3.7% year over year. Both of these outcomes were in line with economists’ expectations. The core PCE, which omits the volatile categories of energy and food, increased 0.1% month over month and 3.3% year over year. The annual inflation rate met expectations, and the monthly rate was even better than anticipated — analysts had projected a 0.2% increase.Inflation has cooled overall since May. But this improvement is misleading.The PCE was 4.1% in May, and now it’s down to 3.7%. The May core PCE was 3.4%, and it was 3.3% in June.The Federal Reserve’s target inflation rate is 2%. The June PCE and core PCE showed some improvements, but inflation still has a long way to go.

PCE inflation had increased 4.1% in May but 3.7% in June. Riska / Getty Images

How the PCE could affect mortgage ratesJust a few hours after the BEA released the June PCE data on July 30, Freddie Mac published the national average mortgage rates from the past week.The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.66% — an annual high and a 0.08% increase from the previous week. As rates inch closer to 7%, homebuyers are probably hoping cooler inflation data will push home loan rates back down.My analysis is that mortgage rates might tick down briefly in response to the latest PCE data. But there probably won’t be long-term relief.More Mortgage Rates:Why homebuyers win despite latest mortgage rate newsFed decision resets mortgage rate forecastFannie Mae predicts shift in mortgage rates, housing marketRemember, President Trump declared the ceasefire with Iran had ended on July 10. Brent crude oil prices have increased since this announcement, per Business Insider, which can have a ripple effect on inflation.Realtor.com wrote that when we look back at the June PCE data later, the cooler inflation may “look more like a backward-looking low point than the start of a durable slowdown.”So, although June inflation data looks better, I expect the July report (released in August) to be less reassuring.Looking ahead at inflation and mortgage ratesIn my years of reporting on mortgage rates, I’ve seen many factors affect them. In today’s market, the war with Iran and inflation are probably the two strongest influences on rates.And the two are interwoven. As the war continues, oil prices stay high, and that seeps into inflation on other goods and services.”For mortgage rates to move meaningfully lower, the market will likely need to see oil prices settle and inflation remain under control,” DerGurahian said.The next Federal Reserve meeting is September 15-16. Here are three inflation reports to watch leading up to this meeting:Aug. 12: Consumer Price Index data (July)Aug. 26: Personal Consumption Expenditures data (July)Sept. 11: Consumer Price Index data (August)July and August data should have a bigger impact on the Fed’s decision about whether to hike, cut, or maintain the federal funds rate. At the time of writing, the CME FedWatch tool foresees a Fed rate hike at the September meeting. If this continues, investor sentiment will likely push mortgage rates higher in the weeks leading up to the meeting.Unfortunately, it looks like we’re stuck with mortgage rates over 6.5% for a while. Unless something unexpected happens with either inflation or the war with Iran.Related: Americans face homebuying shift after mortgage rate news

Gen Z debt is rising, credit counseling demand is at a 10-year high, and many people are discovering that debt consolidation loans don’t always stop the cycle. In this episode, Ted Rossman, Money Management International breaks down what’s driving the surge in debt management plan enrollments and counseling sessions—and what you can do to regain control of your finances before balances climb back up.Jeffrey Snyder, Broadcast Retirement NetworkJoining me now, Ted Rossman, who’s now with Money Management International. Ted, it’s always great to see you.Thanks for joining us on the program this morning.Ted Rossman, Money Management InternationalIt’s great to be here. Thank you.Jeffrey Snyder, Broadcast Retirement NetworkSo before we get into this latest study, latest research, I want to give you an opportunity. You’ve kind of shifted roles, always important to talk about and disclose kind of where everyone works. Tell us about your new role, what you’re going to be doing, and then we can get into the survey results.Ted Rossman, Money Management InternationalSure. I am principal consumer finance analyst at Money Management International. We’re one of the largest and oldest nonprofit credit counseling agencies in the U.S. So really what we specialize in doing is helping people get out of debt, specifically unsecured debt, like credit cards, personal loans, maybe some medical debt, payday loans, really helping people take those 20 or 30 percent interest rates and bring it down hopefully to 7 or 8 percent and pay it off a lot quicker.Jeffrey Snyder, Broadcast Retirement NetworkWell, all I can say is you’re one of our favorite guests. They’re lucky to have you. I’m sure they feel that that way as well.You are a wealth of information. So we’re thankful that you come back in the program. We wish you well in your new role.So let’s talk about debt management enrollment. There’s a survey that came out yesterday on some new findings. It’s up, Ted, and that’s concerning.It’s probably good business, but it’s definitely concerning. Sorry, I wanted to couch my perspective.Ted Rossman, Money Management InternationalThat’s right. Yeah, we’ve seen a substantial increase. Right now what we’ve seen in the first half of 2026 is actually the most enrollments in debt management plans that we’ve seen in a decade.The number of financial counseling sessions that we’re helping people with has been up for five straight years. A lot of this is really reflective of the macro backdrop. As we know, prices are high.Interest rates are high. People are struggling, unfortunately. People are coming to us with more debt.They’re coming to us at younger ages. There is a lot that we can do to help. Like I said, the typical tactic is to get someone into a debt management plan that brings their interest rate down to an average of about 7.7 percent. This plan lasts about four or five years. You don’t necessarily need great credit. We’re not going to be scared off if you have five figures of debt.A lot of people are finding difficulty doing it on their own just because they feel like the low-hanging fruit is gone. They’ve cut what they can cut. There’s a lot of everyday expenses to go around.We don’t want to feel shame about debt because typically you’re in debt for practical things. It’s medical bills. It’s car repairs.It’s groceries. It’s things like that. We help people get to the other side of that.Jeffrey Snyder, Broadcast Retirement NetworkI agree with you. I think it’s a very difficult time. I read somewhere, I’m not sure exactly, it probably is my newsletter tomorrow morning, 33 percent increase in grocery expenses.It’s the largest in 50 years. I feel that. I feel that in gas prices.I think a lot of people are really feeling that and they’re looking for ways to pay their bills. Ted, when you look at the demographic information, are there specific groups of people that are coming for counseling sessions that have higher debt that are looking to, I’m going to call it refinance, consolidate their debt?Ted Rossman, Money Management InternationalMillennials really stand out. More than half of our clients are millennials. The highest debt loads actually go to Gen Xers.The average Gen Xer debt load among money management international clients is actually north of $50,000. It’s around $43,000 for millennials. It’s around $40,000 overall.Really across the age spectrum, we see challenges with debt. Gen Zers have a lot less debt. The average among our clients is about $22,000 for Gen Z, but that number is growing rapidly.In fact, the percentage of Gen Z clients is jumping more than any other. These are all things that are coming together here where we see different challenges at different ages, but it’s really millennials that stand out the most. They’re living those expensive sandwich years.Jeffrey Snyder, Broadcast Retirement NetworkYou mentioned Gen X. That’s a generation that I’m a part of and that concerns me because we’re very close to retirement. If you look at age 65 is the year, I don’t think that’s the right year, but a lot of people are close to retirement and they’ve got sizable debt.They’ve got not only unsecured debt like credit card debt, but according to Betsy Mayotte over at the Institute of Student Loan Advisors, there’s a lot of student loan debt. It’s all compounding.Ted Rossman, Money Management InternationalStudent loan debt is in its own category. That’s not usually something that we can wrap into one of these debt management plans, but it is very relevant to the holistic picture of how much debt you have. You’re right.When people are coming out of school with tens of thousands, sometimes even hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt, it’s just having a spillover effect. We’re seeing delayed milestones. People are getting married later.They’re having kids later. They’re having fewer kids. It’s impacting homeownership trends.The median age of a first-time homeowner is 40. That’s moved back in recent years by a full decade. We really see a lot of this is interrelated.That’s why we need to treat not just the symptoms, but really the underlying causes of debt as well. One big trend that we’re seeing is that people are coming to us with more personal loans and with higher balances. A lot of them are coming at this for the right reasons.They’re trying to use a personal loan as a form of debt consolidation. Unfortunately, what’s happening to a lot of people is they pay off the credit cards with the personal loan, but then they still have the personal loan debt, and then they run the credit cards right back up. Again, not to shame people because a lot of this is very practical stuff, but as our CEO Jim Triggs is fond of saying, you can’t borrow your way out of debt.We don’t want to treat this as a shell game where you’re moving money here and there and everywhere. We also really want to get to the root cause of what’s going on, that dirty word about budgeting. We really want to make sure that we’re just staying on top of these things and hopefully knocking out the debt and not going back there.It is a huge tailwind if we can take your 25% or 30% credit card rate and bring it down to 7% or 8%. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.Jeffrey Snyder, Broadcast Retirement NetworkTed, how much of this is related to, obviously, the cost of living has gone up. I would argue that personal income has been flat, and we’ve seen that that has not really grown at the same rate, but how much of this is related? I’m going to go back to financial literacy.It’s something you and I have talked about a lot. Managing debt, understanding what unsecured debt is versus secured debt, that’s an important component to your financial knowledge. How much of this is interrelated with financial literacy?Ted Rossman, Money Management InternationalI’m sure that some of it. I do wish that financial literacy was more widely taught in schools, but I tend to think it’s more practical items. People don’t want to be in debt, but it’s really a necessity for so many people.I would point the blame largely at inflation and also at the higher interest rates that are meant to combat inflation but make it harder to pay off your debt. We just see so many practical things leading to debt, medical bills, car and home repairs, grocery bills. Look at some of the stats.The personal saving rate is down to just 3%. That’s really largely because necessities have cut so much into people’s budgets. These past several years, even if you’ve gotten a raise and even if you’re working, your expenses are up so much.You mentioned the average grocery bill is up 33%. We could talk about sharply higher housing costs, medical care, child care, all of these things, transportation. Look at the price of gas, the price of the car itself, the repairs.All of these things, it just hasn’t been enough. The typical person’s wage increases have not kept pace with rising prices. That’s where a lot of this just comes back to that central conundrum of would you rather get a 5% raise if inflation is 8% versus if you got a 3% raise but inflation is 2%.Inflation has been running hotter than the Fed’s target for a while now. There’s really been a cumulative effect that has stacked up. We think about so many things on a month over month or year over year basis.If you go back to pre-pandemic pricing, a lot of things, food included and housing and medical care and others, they’re 30%, 40%, 50% higher than they were. That’s just hard to fit into the monthly budget.Jeffrey Snyder, Broadcast Retirement NetworkYou add the cost of fuel, which everything has to travel to where it’s going to and that gets layered in. I think a lot of the grocery stores have tried, at least I’ve read, tried to absorb some of those costs because they know their consumers, their customers won’t come if they are charging higher prices. Ted, let me ask you about artificial intelligence because it’s creeped into everything.We can debate whether or not that’s another show, whether or not it’s appropriate, not appropriate. How has AI crept into debt consolidation, debt management? Are people seeking the advice of chatbots or AI, large language models?How accurate is that information?Ted Rossman, Money Management InternationalI’m glad you brought this up. People are seeking debt management advice from AI tools. Last year, we saw a six-fold increase in the number of people who came to us through generative AI platforms like ChatGPT and others.This year, we’ve actually seen another 3x increase just since May when ChatGPT rolled out its personal finance platform. We are seeing a lot of people seeking out this kind of advice. They’re trying to optimize their budgets.They realize that they’re paying high interest rates on credit cards. I actually think this is part of why more people are seeking personal loans as well because they view this as kind of a DIY approach. Sometimes it works.Sadly, sometimes it doesn’t. That’s often when people come to us. That’s what we’re there for is to help people.We are seeing a big uptick in people who are trying to be savvy about this and asking these chatbots about how do I get out of debt. We know about things like 0% balance transfer cards. There’s a time and a place for that.That works really well if you have good credit and if you have no more than $4,000 or $5,000 or $6,000 in credit card debt. A lot of people are coming to us with higher amounts now. The typical MMI client has about $40,000 in unsecured debt.A lot of times, roughly half of that is on personal loans. What we’re seeing is a lot of the real optimizers are kind of taking that next step. Maybe they tried something on their own.It didn’t work. Now they’re going back to the AI drawing board. That’s where organizations like ours can come in and be helpful.Jeffrey Snyder, Broadcast Retirement NetworkTed, do you ever worry about the accuracy or the biases? This is a whole other show, but it’s something I’ve often thought about. In my professional life, I’ve evaluated tools and calculators.I always sensed offered by major financial firms. I’ve always sensed that maybe there was a bit of an outcome that some of the tools were focused on. Do you get that sense that there’s a bias at all with any of these LLMs?You would think they’re programmed by humans. They’re interacting with humans. They’re going to have the biases of humans.Ted Rossman, Money Management InternationalWell, there can certainly be mistakes or the so-called hallucinations of AI platforms. There’s definitely times that you get false or misleading information. Sometimes also, the more complex the questions, the more likely the answers might not be on target or might not be on target for you.That’s another thing. When you’re talking about debt relief or personal finance in general, it’s not a one-size-fits-all kind of thing. I would treat this with a grain of salt similar to other platforms.Just like we’re not going to believe everything we saw on TV or we read on social media, you don’t want to take everything on AI as absolute fact, but it’s also true that this can really extend our capabilities and really make you more efficient and turn you on to new ideas. Let’s not throw the baby out with the bathwater, but we also don’t want to take everything we read there as absolute fact, because there is definitely some customization required for really any good financial plan. Use it as a starting point, but you want to get some other perspectives as well.Jeffrey Snyder, Broadcast Retirement NetworkThat’s where the critical thinking, which I think is so important and maybe lacking in a lot of ways in school and society. Anyway, it’s a whole other issue. Ted, congratulations on the new role.Great to see you as always. And look, we look forward to having you back on the program again very soon.Ted Rossman, Money Management InternationalMe too. Thanks so much.

Those who have ever shopped for last-minute flights online will know that airlines will often try to quash the “should I?” doubt by advertising the fact that one fully refund the flight within 24 hours of purchase.In 2012, the U.S. Department of Transportation put in place a new mandate requiring air carriers flying out of or into the United Sates to grant passengers a full refund to the original method of payment if they cancel their flight within 24 hours of making the purchase. While the requirement only applies to tickets purchased seven days before departure, many airlines have made the window where one can still benefit from the 24-hour “no regrets” period longer.American Airlines cuts 24-hour refund window to flights booked within seven daysDelta and Alaska Airlines currently allow any flight booked within 24 hours of departure to request a refund within that day after purchase while American Airlines previously required that flights be booked within 48 hours.After competitor United Airlines moved the required booking window to seven days earlier this summer, American Airlines has now also changed its policy to not grant customers anything more than what is required by law.Related: Delta Air Lines axes more routes, offers refundsThe policy was put in place quietly by tweaking the fine print of the airline’s Customer Service Plan. The change applies to all flights booked from July 29 and was spotted by several media outlets without an official announcement by the airline.American Airlines originally brought the refund window period from seven to two days in 2017 as part of the same effort to keep up with competitors advertising a wider refund period.

American Airlines joins competitor United in significantly scaling back the booking period to be eligible for the 24-hour refund.Shutterstock

“At least seven days prior to departure”: American Airlines tightens 24-hour refund policy”When you buy a ticket on aa.com or through American Airlines Reservations at least seven days prior to departure, you have up to 24 hours from the time you first buy your ticket to request a refund,” the section of the policy on the 24-hour refund period now reads. “The 24 hour refund policy applies to all ticket types, but you have to cancel your trip to get a refund. Reservations booked as part of group block do not qualify for the 24 hour refund.”More Travel News:Airline to launch unusual new flight to Cayman Islands from the U.S.There is a very cool Irish version of swimming pigs in the BahamasUnexpected country is most luxurious travel destination for 2026Low-cost airline launches easier way to get to Sri LankaSeveral other sections of the contract of carriage published online still state the two-day period which could help guests with dated screenshots to argue that they are entitled to a refund even if they booked more last-minute than a week in advance.The policy change applies to economy tickets that do not offer free changes and cancelations at any time as part of the fare class.When news of the policy tweak broke, American Airlines issued a statement saying that an option for economy travelers who are uncertain about their travel is to hold the booking for 24 hours.This cements the original price one found for 24 hours without the customer having to make the payment.Related: Another airline cancels flights, leaves travelers stranded

There is a pattern that keeps repeating in this AI earnings cycle. A company spends heavily on infrastructure. Analysts get nervous about whether the spending will ever pay off. Targets get trimmed. Then the results come in and the conversation shifts. July 29 was Microsoft’s turn to go through that cycle, and the way it came out the other side is what Wells Fargo is responding to.Microsoft went into the print with its stock down more than 20% for the year. Wells Fargo had cut its own target from $650 to $625 in mid-July, citing concerns about the pace of capital spending and cloud market share. The mood heading in was cautious. Then Azure, Microsoft’s cloud computing platform, crossed $100 billion in annualized revenue and grew 43% in constant currency. The stock surged 9% on July 30. And Wells Fargo analyst Michael Turrin put the $650 target right back where it was.Wells Fargo raises Microsoft price target to $650 after Q4 earnings beatTurrin lifted his price objective back to $650 from $625, keeping an Overweight rating, after Microsoft’s fiscal fourth-quarter results cleared the bar investors had been nervous about.”The company is better positioned at the software layer than it’s getting credit for,” Turrin wrote in a note obtained by CNBC, “and making the right moves to catch up on capacity, models and Copilot.”That framing matters. The bear case on Microsoft this year hasn’t been about whether the company is good at AI. It’s been about whether the enormous capital spending on data centers and infrastructure would ever produce returns that justify the cost. Related: Microsoft just took sides in AI policy fightTurrin is saying the evidence is starting to tip the other way.Microsoft reported adjusted earnings of $4.74 per share on revenue of $90.01 billion for the quarter, beating consensus estimates of $4.24 EPS and $87.63 billion in revenue. Azure grew 43% and pushed Intelligent Cloud segment revenue up 32% to $39.3 billion. The stock gained nearly 9% in after-hours trading on July 29. It’s worth noting that a $3.2 billion gain on Microsoft’s investment in Anthropic added $0.27 to diluted EPS, so part of the beat was one-time. But the Azure number and the guidance were the real story.What Azure’s $100B milestone means for the AI investment thesisAzure crossing $100 billion is not just a round number. It’s a milestone Wells Fargo and other bulls have been pointing to as the moment the AI infrastructure investment starts to look like a real business rather than a capital consumption story.For most of 2026, the debate around Microsoft has been whether hyperscaler capital spending would translate into revenue growth fast enough to justify valuations. Every time a major cloud company raised its capex guidance, the stock got sold. Alphabet fell after its own earnings despite posting Google Cloud’s strongest quarter on record, because investors looked at the $195 billion to $205 billion capex guidance and didn’t like what they saw, as TheStreet reported.More Microsoft:Microsoft offers laid-off employees generous packageMicrosoft’s retirement offer is a wake-up call for workersMicrosoft cuts thousands as Xbox faces rude awakeningMicrosoft’s Q4 changed that framing, at least for now. Azure’s 43% constant-currency growth was ahead of the 41% Wells Fargo had been modeling. Copilot paid seats reached 30 million. Management guided Q1 FY2027 Azure growth to 45% in constant currency, stronger than Q4’s 43%. The company’s ability to convert AI infrastructure spending into cloud and software revenue is looking more credible than it did three months ago, according to 24/7 Wall St.How Citi, Bernstein and Barclays responded to Microsoft stock after Q4Wells Fargo wasn’t the only firm moving its target after the print. Citi raised its Microsoft price target to $600 from $570, keeping a Buy rating, and called the report “a solid rebuttal to the bear case.” Just two weeks earlier, Citi had cut its target from $620 to $570 on capex concerns, as TheStreet reported. Bernstein nudged its target to $647 from $646 at Outperform. Piper Sandler moved to $550 from $540 at Overweight, specifically citing Azure’s 43% constant-currency growth and the Copilot seat count.The outlier was Barclays, which trimmed its target to $512 from $545 while keeping Overweight. The Barclays analyst argued investors would revisit the shares after Q4 rather than chasing the post-earnings move. That’s a more cautious read on the same numbers, not a negative call on the business.The analyst price target range on Microsoft now runs from $400 at the low end to $870 at the high end, with an average around $561. That spread reflects genuine disagreement about how much of the AI upside is already priced in and how much more the company can grow into its valuation from here, according to 24/7 Wall St.

Wells Fargo has previously projected that Microsoft’s AI business alone could reach $100 billion in revenue.Craig/Getty Images

What Wells Fargo’s Microsoft note means for AI stock investorsWells Fargo has previously projected that Microsoft’s AI business alone could reach $100 billion in revenue. With Azure now crossing that threshold on an annualized basis, the question is no longer whether the investment is producing results. It’s how fast those results can grow and whether the capital spending required to sustain that growth stays under control.Turrin’s $650 target implies substantial upside from Microsoft’s current trading level. The Overweight rating says Wells Fargo expects the stock to outperform the broader market from here. That’s a meaningful call given that the stock is still down more than 20% on the year and carries a premium multiple even after the selloff.The broader message from this earnings cycle is starting to come into focus. Microsoft is showing that aggressive AI infrastructure spending can produce real cloud revenue acceleration. That’s the link investors have been waiting to see close. Wells Fargo’s higher target is a bet that the link holds.Related: Morgan Stanley resets Microsoft stock forecast ahead of earnings

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 dealSome shoes may go out of style, but sneakers are a closet staple that go with pretty much anything. Not only are they a supportive shoe that offers cushioning, stability, and protection for your feet (compared to a flat sandal or heel that leaves you with lots of aches and pains), but they are sturdy enough to get a good amount of wear out of them before they need to be tossed in the trash. And although there are tons of fun colors and styles to choose from on the market these days, there’s nothing like purchasing a basic sneaker that matches every kind of outfit, to get the most for your money. A standard white shoe can match jeans, skirts, shorts, leggings, and so much more, so you’re sure to get your use out of them. That said, although unique styles and designer kicks can be costly these days, you don’t always have to pay hundreds of dollars to get a great pair, and Macy’s latest sale is here to help you score great sneakers for a whole lot less.  The Cole Haan Grand Cross Court Low-Top Sneakers are on clearance now at Macy’s for 50% off. Normally $180, you can get a pair for only $90 right now.Cole Haan Grand Cross Court Low-Top Sneakers, $90 (was $180) at Macy’s

Courtesy of Macy’s

Shop at Macy’sWhy do shoppers love it?Gone are the days when slipping into a pair of sneakers meant shoving your foot into a clunky, unstylish, and sometimes uncomfortable pair of kicks. These designer sneakers combine style and durability to deliver a sneaker that’s just as sturdy as it is cute. The casual low-top sneaker has a simplistic look to it, regardless of whether you wear it in white or black, which makes it easy to match with all kinds of outfits. With a leather outer layer, the outside of the shoe has a tough exterior that wears well. The leather is soft but strong to keep feet protected from the elements, and is built to wear well over time. The design features a rounded toe box with a basic lace-up closure that allows you to tighten or loosen the shoes to your ideal fit. The interior of the shoe has a polyester lining that is comfortable on the feet with a manmade sole. There’s a cushioned insole that offers great arch support, and a flexible sole for added comfort that’s super lightweight so as not to add extra weight to the shoe. The footbed has soft cover pads that also offer an additional layer of comfort as well as breathability, which helps keep feet cool and dry. Related: Nike’s Air Max shoes that feel ‘like walking on clouds’ are on sale for $63 at AmazonThanks to the rubber cupsole on the bottom of the shoes, you don’t have to worry about slipping or sliding, even when the ground is wet. Although the brand doesn’t specifically advise cleaning instructions, since they are made of leather, it’s safe to assume they should be hand cleaned with a damp cloth.Details to knowMaterial: Leather, polyester, and rubber. Colors: White and Black.Sizes: The shoes are available from size 5 through 11. There are half sizes available between sizes 5.5 and 8.5.Features: The shoe has a rounded toe-box, cushioned insole, footbed with soft cover pads, and thick rubber cupsole.Care: Use a damp cloth to gently clean.  According to shoppers, the comfort of these sneakers can’t be beat. They appreciate that the shoes are stylish but simple, and can be worn with a variety of outfits. These offer plenty of support, and folks who struggle with foot issues find them to be quite comfortable. “The sneakers are so soft! I feel like I’m walking on clouds,” one shopper said. Shop more deals Skechers GO WALK Joy Joselin Slip-On Walking Sneakers, $50 (was $65) at Macy’sLucky Brand Basel Ankle Booties, $129 at Macy’sSneakers certainly aren’t the go-to shoe choice if you’re dealing with winter weather, but the Cole Haan Grand Cross Court Low-Top Sneakers do just fine in other types of conditions. And for a designer pair, it’ll be hard to find a better deal on a pair of kicks that are equally sturdy and stylish. 

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 dealIf you have travel plans coming up, now is the time to prepare by ensuring you have the proper gear. Sure, you might need a suitcase or luggage set, but what about a durable and reliable backpack to carry the essentials? Whether you’re a frequent flier or need a commuter-friendly accessory to store your laptop to and from work, you’re going to want to check out travel backpacks. Since they’re designed to be spacious, comfortable, and durable, they make any trip — whether it’s a short train ride or a long flight — a breeze.Right now, the Matein Travel Backpack is on sale at Amazon, and it’s a deal that you don’t want to miss if you need a bag to carry all your essentials during your daily commute. At 42% off, you can get the $34 backpack for just $20.Matein Travel Backpack, $20 (was $34) at Amazon

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Shop at AmazonDetails to knowWhat laptop size will it hold?: The bag holds laptops up to 15.6 inches.Fabric: This backpack is made of water-resistant polyester.Colors: 28, but the best deal is on the Austere Grey at $20.The backpack is both durable and spacious, made of water-resistant fabric, and measures 12 inches long, 7.8 inches wide, and 18 inches tall. The backpack is stocked with multiple compartments and pockets to house all of your tech and travel essentials, including laptops up to 15.6 inches in size. It also has a luggage strap in the back to slide over your luggage, so it’s also great for longer trips as well as daily use.For easy access charging, there’s also a built-in USB port, which you can attach a power bank to, that’s perfect for powering up your phone or wireless earbuds.Last but not least, the backpack is designed with comfort in mind. The back has padded and breathable panels that provide extra comfort while you travel to your next destination. The adjustable straps also have some padding to help alleviate potential shoulder pain during longer trips, which is especially handy if you’re carrying a big laptop or several big school books. Related: Amazon’s $28 backpack with 36,000+ 5-star ratings is perfect for travel and schoolWhy do shoppers love it?”I love everything about this backpack,” one shopper said. They highlighted all the space and organization it provides with “countless pockets” and multiple sections, along with how travel-friendly it is. “As an extra bonus, there is a strap on the back to slide over a luggage handle. Works great for travel — saves your back at the airport!”Shop more dealsLixiin Business Backpack, $35 at AmazonCoofay Travel Backpack, $27 (was $30) at AmazonLovevook Laptop Backpack, $40 at AmazonAnother customer wrote that it’s “versatile and practical” and “perfect for daily commutes, business trips, or casual travel.” They also mentioned that it’s “stylish,” “comfortable,” “spacious,” and “well-organized.”Whether you want to invest in a new backpack or replace an old one that’s gotten worn out, at just $20, this highly rated travel must-have is a great deal. Add the Matein Travel Backpack to your cart while it’s still on sale. 

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 dealWith summer here, you might be spending more time outside. Whether you’re enjoying your cozy backyard patio or you’re getting home late from a fun weekend trip, having lights that can guide your way can make your experience so much better. You can prevent tripping on steps, struggling to find the lock with your key, or just create a warm ambience to relax in.If you’re looking for some solar lights to guide your path in the evening or at night, the Incx Waterproof Pathway Ground Solar Lights 12-Pack at Amazon is a quick and easy choice. These waterproof lights stick right in the ground, soaking up the sun during the day and lighting your path at night. This 12-pack is just $27 with this deal, pricing each light at less than $3 a piece. Incx Waterproof Pathway Ground Solar Lights 12-Pack, $27 (was $38) at Amazon

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Shop at AmazonWhy do shoppers love it?Each light has eight energy-saving LEDs that can run for up to 10 hours at a time on a full solar charge, typically taking about eight hours to charge in full sun. The light sensor automatically turns the lights on once it gets dark and turns them back off when the sun comes up, allowing you to focus on other things besides turning the lights on and off at the right time. They’re super easy to install. They include a ground spike that connects to the light and makes it easy to push into the ground. There are no wires or batteries, creating a simple, no-fuss setup. Related: Walmart’s bestselling ‘super bright’ solar flood light is on sale for only $20These lights measure 4.6 inches wide and feature a waterproof, snowproof, and sunproof design. The aluminum Chrome topper ring offers durability, and the improved plastic tips make it stable and easy to press into the ground. They’re great for lining the patio to prevent injuries, place them around your garden to create a fairy garden vibe, or line the driveway with them to more easily see your area when pulling the car in. They’re available in cool and warm lighting, both on sale. The pros and cons of these in-ground solar lightsProsThey are easy to install: They feature an easy two-step installation. Connect the ground spike to the light, and stick them in the ground wherever you want them.Brightness: Each light has eight bright, energy-saving LEDs to light your path.Versatility: These lights would be great in the garden, lining the driveway or the walkway to the door, around the fenced perimeter, around the pool, and more. Cons In-ground only: These lights are designed to be in-ground lights and don’t provide other ways of installation.Contingent on the sun: Just like any solar light, these rely on sunny days to work and don’t have backup power; however, reviewers have said they’ve worked every night since installation.One reviewer said, “These lights are top-tier! I cannot begin to explain the amount of money I’ve spent on bad solar lights, but these are the best. They actually work, they’re easy to install, and a great price. They’re super bright. Not a day goes by without them turning on, which is a major issue I’ve had with other lights. These are worth it.”Another shopper said, “They also seem to be sealed very well, the sprinklers don’t seem to affect them. After a few months, they are still as bright as the first day.”Shop more dealsWenaty Solar Spot Lights 12-Pack, $70 (was $80) at AmazonGigalumi Hanging Solar Lights 12-Pack, $25 (was $30) at AmazonSolpex Mini Solar Ground Lights, $19 at AmazonThe Incx Waterproof Solar Lights 12-Pack offers a bright and simple solution for dark corners and hard-to-see driveways. They’re durable, waterproof, and offer up to 10 hours of light off one sunny day’s worth of charge.

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 these dealsThe changing of the seasons is the perfect time to spruce up your home. During the spring and summer, you can crack open the windows and clean to your heart’s content, letting in the fresh breeze and airing out all the dust that accumulated over the months. But in addition to cleaning, there’s also organizing, which is just as important. If that’s also on your to-do list, a storage cabinet can help. Walmart has a variety of storage cabinets that are a dream for organizing. And if you like the classic look and versatility of farmhouse design, even better. Walmart is selling stylish farmhouse storage cabinets that are great for a storage upgrade, with prices as low as $70.Homfa 4-Drawer Storage Cabinet, $70 (was $96) at Walmart

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Shop at WalmartNeed a piece of furniture that can declutter a small area? This storage cabinet has a narrow design, measuring 11.8 inches long, 11.8 inches wide, and 32.5 inches high. It has four drawers with cut-out pulls and slatted front panels that have a classic farmhouse look. It comes in four colors, including neutral hues like white and gray. However, it also comes in light green and blue shades that still lean into farmhouse design while adding a charming pop of color to any room. “This little cabinet is exactly what I wanted,” a shopper said. “It fits by my bathroom sink perfectly!”Ktaxon Freestanding 2-Door 1 Drawer Storage Cabinet, $70 (was $87) at Walmart

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Shop at WalmartThis farmhouse storage cabinet is a major space saver, and it’s only $60. It has a drawer on top that’s perfect for smaller items, and a two-door cabinet below with one adjustable shelf and two compartments. At 23.63 inches long, 11.82 inches wide, and 31.5 inches high, it’s a great pick for small spaces. It’s ideal for stylish bathroom storage, but can also work well in kitchens, laundry rooms, and entryways. The cabinet is available in five colors, but two have already sold out.”I love this cabinet. It is freestanding in my bathroom, and I keep my cleaning products in it. The drawer at the top is perfect for keeping my cleaning cloths,” a shopper said. “The cabinet itself holds up very well for keeping my detergents, bleach, etc. It is sturdy, it opens and closes with no issues, and it just looks nice.”Related: Target has a highly rated $530 buffet cabinet with 7 shelves and 2 drawers for 68% offA farmhouse storage cabinet is a fantastic way to upgrade your home this season, offering a rustic feel with clean, modern lines that make it both stylish and functional. And with any of these farmhouse cabinets at Walmart, you’ll be able to snag one for under $100.Shop more dealsKtaxon Floor Cabinet with 4 Drawers, $65 (was $112) at WalmartKtaxon Floor 2-Door Storage Cabinet, $57 (was $65) at Walmart