The Street

Palantir (PLTR) stock staged a comeback, but holding onto those gains has been tough. Its stock was up 51% in August before losing nearly 11% through Sept. 10, leaving it down 6.7% for the year, according to Yahoo Finance data.

Still, veteran DA Davidson analyst Gil Luria sees plenty of reasons to look beyond that choppy trading.

For starters, Palantir’s business has grown faster than its stock suggests. Q2 sales surged 93%, with U.S. commercial sales rising 149%, giving investors enough evidence that demand is translating into substantial growth.

Palantir is also making its AI pitch a lot more concrete. Its expanded Nvidia (NVDA) partnership, as reported by Barron’s, puts its robust software to work within the chipmaker’s walled-garden-like supply chain. At the same time, a new Nebius (NBIS) agreement offers its customers greater control over computing infrastructure and models.

It begs the question for shareholders: How much room does the business have to grow?

Following Palantir’s AIPCon 11 conference, Luria bumped his stock price target while maintaining a Buy rating. His rationale points to a bigger role for Palantir as customers become increasingly demanding about how they deploy and control AI.

DA Davidson sees a bigger role for Palantir

DA Davidson’s Gill Luria raised his Palantir stock price target to $250 from $200, which implies nearly 50% upside from the stock’s reported Sept. 11 intraday price of $166.27.

The veteran analyst’s bullishness centers on customers becoming more sophisticated regarding AI. Meanwhile, businesses are becoming more selective about choosing their models, managing their data, and retaining control over how those tools operate.

That’s essentially the risk Microsoft (MSFT) CEO Satya Nadella talked about in a July 12 essay, writing that businesses “essentially pay for intelligence twice.”

More Palantir:

Palantir CEO admits AI would make him 20 times richer

Microsoft CEO adds fuel to Palantir CEO’s AI warning

Palantir CEO has a blunt verdict on OpenAI and Anthropic

Later, Palantir CEO Alex Karp escalated that warning, saying that businesses are paying model providers “to migrate your IP, your know-how, and your expertise to their model.” 

That said, Luria sees Palantir benefiting from that trend, effectively becoming the software layer that coordinates those choices. 

Its AIPCon 11 conference solidifies the firm’s view that the company has a stronger growth runway ahead.

In practical terms, that involves connecting AI to a company’s actual operations, with rules governing what information models can potentially access and what actions they can support.

The Nvidia deal offers a clear example.

The chipmakers’ supply-chain deployment layers Palantir’s software with Nemotron models to identify bottlenecks, consider alternatives, and guide materials allocation. Human experts retain the final decision-making control.

Over time, Palantir’s services could become much stickier as customers grow AI across their businesses. 

Replacing such a platform might become harder once several workflows depend on it. Moreover, DA Davidson believes institutional investors might increasingly recognize that they own too little Palantir. 

For perspective, Morgan Stanley raised its Palantir holdings by 5.65% to 34 million shares, while State Street added 2.86 million shares, taking its stake to 104.49 million, during the quarter ended June 30, 2026, Business Quant confirmed.

DA Davidson raises Palantir’s price target to $250 while maintaining Buy rating.MATT RAMEY / Getty Images

Nvidia gives Palantir a powerful proving ground

Another big piece of Luria’s bull case is Palantir’s work with Nvidia, where he believes that the companies are tackling major supply-chain challenges.

The appeal is pretty clear. The world’s largest AI chipmaker needs help coordinating the parts, suppliers, and production decisions behind its systems. Palantir has an opportunity to show its value within that process.

The scale is tremendous, with Nvidia saying that each Vera Rubin rack contains 1.3 million parts. A missing component could complicate production, which makes earlier detection of constraints incredibly valuable.

For investors, the opportunity goes beyond one specific customer. If Palantir can continue to demonstrate measurable improvements at Nvidia, that strengthens its sales pitch to manufacturers and other businesses that are managing similar complicated supply networks.

Palantir’s valuation leaves little room for error

The big question, though, is how much of Palantir’s success is already reflected in its share price.

According to Seeking Alpha, Palantir trades at 103.11 times forward adjusted earnings, compared to the sector median of 22.36. Also, its forward price-to-sales ratio is 48.68, compared with 3.34 for the sector.

For perspective, a fast-growing, highly profitable business reasonably deserves a substantial premium. However, paying nearly $49 for every dollar of expected annual revenue makes sustained exceptional performance critical to the investment case.

The historical comparison is telling as well. Palantir’s forward adjusted earnings multiple sits at around 18% below its five-year average, while its forward sales multiple is roughly 36% higher. It looks cheaper against earnings, yet remains expensive against sales.

That creates a specific risk where earnings growth might not translate into share-price gains. Hypothetically, a 20% earnings increase linked with a 25% valuation contraction might leave the stock about 10% lower.

Related: Bill Ackman bets AI will make this old-school business stronger

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Labor Day has come and gone, and if you missed the iconic holiday sales event, we’ve got good news: There are still plenty of deals worth shopping. One of the biggest reasons why so many retailers participate in Labor Day sales is that they need to clear out their summer stock to make room for fall and winter merchandise. But what about the inventory that doesn’t get sold? It goes on clearance. 

If you head over to Walmart’s clearance section, you’ll find deep discounts across departments, but the most significant savings will be in the summer-leaning categories, like the patio and garden clearance section. Since we’re at the end of the season, you’ll find some of the lowest prices of the year on these selections, with noteworthy deals for all your outdoor needs. From bestselling solar-powered lighting and top-rated lawn tools to trendy patio furniture and top-of-the-line barbecues, you can find it on clearance for less. If you’ve been in need of outdoor storage to keep all these must-haves organized, these clearance deals are also making it more affordable to invest in heavy-duty storage sheds. 

End-of-season deals offer better storage shed savings

Walmart has several storage shed styles on clearance as the warm seasons come to a close, so there’s no better time to invest in an outdoor storage shed for your yard. End-of-season deals are used to clear out merchandise, but there’s an additional reason for these lower prices. The majority of shoppers who need outdoor storage will likely have bought a shed at the start of summer or spring. As the demand decreases, so do prices, and for the bargain shoppers willing to exercise a bit of patience, you can get exceptional savings. 

One of Walmart’s best clearance storage shed deals is on the Pabimia 14-by-12-Foot Heavy-Duty Outdoor Storage Shed, which is 51% off. This massive shed with a 14-foot-long by 12-foot-wide frame has ample room for toolboxes, lawn equipment, and bulky patio furniture cushions. Normally retailing for $940, you can now score it for just $460. It’s constructed with galvanized steel, so it’s sturdy and durable, rain or shine. It even has double doors, allowing you to drive in the riding mower or easily move in an extra-large barbecue for winter through the wider door frame. For peace of mind, the doors are lockable, keeping your belongings safe and secure.

Pabimia 14-by-12-Foot Heavy-Duty Outdoor Storage Shed

Courtesy of Walmart

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Upgrade your outdoor space with a storage shed

An outdoor storage shed is an incredibly practical addition to any backyard. Instead of using that precious indoor space or limited garage space to store your gardening gear, grilling supplies, or sporting equipment, you can put it in the shed. Depending on the size of the shed, you can even fit bicycles and riding lawn mowers inside. With larger units, you can turn them into a dedicated workspace with a workbench at the center and power tools hanging along the walls. If you want to really get creative, you don’t even need to use these spacious sheds for storage and can transform them into a man cave or she-shed that’s perfect for hanging out.

There are tons of options when you begin your search for an outdoor storage shed. You can get tiny units that fit just your small hand tools, gardening accessories, and a bag of potting soil. You can also go to the opposite end of the spectrum and find gigantic storage sheds that would fit multiple vehicles inside. 

Size is one of the biggest considerations, because a shed has to fit inside your yard and be big enough to satisfy your storage needs, but there are many more features to consider. Material is a big one, with options for steel, plastic, and wood. Metal sheds will typically be the most durable, but plastic resin sheds will be easier to assemble. If you desire that classic shed style, a wooden shed will be your best option, but it will require more maintenance compared to the other materials. Once you’ve figured out the size and material of the shed you need, then you can look for additional features, like double, lockable doors and built-in ventilation. 

Storage shed clearance deals at Walmart

To help you on your quest for the perfect backyard storage shed, we’ve rounded up Walmart’s most impressive storage shed clearance deals, with selections up to 61% off their original price tags. We’ve included a range of sizes and styles, so you can find the outdoor storage option that best fits your needs.

Enyopro 6-by-4-Foot Outdoor Storage Shed

Courtesy of Walmart

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Pabimia 8-by-8-Foot Metal Outdoor Storage Shed

Courtesy of Walmart

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Asofer 5-by-3-Foot Outdoor Storage Shed

Courtesy of Walmart

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Lofka Wooden Outdoor Storage Cabinet

Courtesy of Walmart

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Asofer 5-by-3-Foot Resin Shed

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Patiowell 10-by-12-Foot Metal Outdoor Storage Shed

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Asofer 6-by-4-Foot Outdoor Storage Shed

Courtesy of Walmart

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TheStreet Shopping is your guide for shopping insights and advice. We look beyond the price tag to find the best value in home, tech, and wellness gear based on product features and real-world use. Read more about our Editorial Standards and How We Choose Our Shopping Deals.

Apple’s (AAPL) newest iPhones may finally give investors a stronger reason to believe in the company’s artificial intelligence strategy.

Morgan Stanley analyst Erik Woodring said Apple’s Sept. 9 product event showed a faster pace of hardware and software innovation than in recent years, led by its first foldable iPhone, new A20 chips, and a more capable version of Siri.

“A little of the ‘old’ mixed with a lot of the ‘new’ as CEO John Ternus heralds the next evolution of the Apple story,” Woodring said in a research note shared with TheStreet.

The event was also the first major showcase under Ternus since he replaced Tim Cook as CEO, putting him in charge as Apple tries to write a better AI story.

Woodring pointed to the new iPhone Duo, Apple’s first 2-nanometer A20 chip, stronger-than-expected upgrades to the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, and enhancements to Siri.

“In our view, today’s event previewed far more innovation than past years,” Woodring said.

The larger opportunity may come from the millions of iPhone users still holding older devices.

Morgan Stanley estimates that 57% of Apple’s iPhone installed base, involving roughly 690 million devices, is using a phone older than the iPhone 15 Pro. Meanwhile, 87% of the installed base cannot run the most complex Siri AI workloads.

That comes as consumers are keeping their iPhones for more than four years, creating a large pool of older devices that could eventually be replaced.

“We believe this pace of innovation — as well as price point premiumization — is likely to materialize in multiple years of above-trend growth, making an ‘Apple AI’ bull case now more feasible,” Woodring said.

The analyst maintained an overweight rating and a $360 price target on Apple. Here’s what he sees.

Apple enters new cycle after strong earnings

Apple is entering the new product cycle after a strong fiscal third quarter.

In July, the company reported revenue of $109.4 billion, up 16% from a year earlier, while diluted earnings per share rose 29% to $2.02. Both were June-quarter records.

iPhone was a major driver. Revenue from the business jumped 22% to $54.25 billion, while Mac revenue climbed 29% to $10.35 billion and Services revenue increased 12% to $30.74 billion.

Related: Bank of America resets Apple stock price target after iPhone Duo launch

Apple’s installed base of active devices also “reached a new all-time high across all major product categories and geographic segments,” said Apple CFO Kevan Parekh in a press release.

But investors were less impressed by the outlook. Apple forecast September-quarter revenue growth of 9% to 11%, implying a midpoint of about $113 billion, compared to the $114.9 billion analysts expected. Supply constraints still limit Apple’s ability to meet demand.

The new iPhones and Siri AI could now help determine whether Apple can accelerate growth again into fiscal 2027.

Shares of Apple are up 23% year to date, trading at $334.Getty Images

Apple pricing strategy could help drive growth

Morgan Stanley also sees an important shift in Apple’s pricing strategy.

Apple raised the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max prices by $100 from last year, to $1,199 and $1,299, respectively. That was less than Morgan Stanley expected, given rising costs.

“The relatively modest $100 like-for-like price increase suggests Apple is prioritizing upgrade volume and gross profit dollars over pure margin preservation,” Woodring said.

Related: Cathie Wood buys $6.5 million of surging semiconductor stock

Instead of relying only on higher prices for its newest phones, Apple also kept prices higher across older models rather than applying its traditional $100 price reduction after a new launch.

Higher trade-in values, carrier subsidies of up to $1,200 and new leasing options could also make the more expensive devices easier for consumers to buy.

Morgan Stanley believes Apple may be willing to accept some pressure on margins if that helps increase upgrades, keep users in its ecosystem, and push customers toward higher-storage models.

Its supply-chain checks suggest calendar 2026 iPhone production could approach 270 million units, up about 7% year over year. More than 70 million iPhone 18 Pro models could be built in the second half, about 15% above comparable iPhone 17 Pro production last year.

AI remains another major part of Morgan Stanley’s bull case

Apple has faced questions about whether it is falling behind rivals in the AI race. The new Siri, however, gave Woodring more confidence.

“The biggest AI surprise was how aggressively Apple expanded Apple Intelligence beyond 1P applications and into real-world workflows,” Woodring said.

Siri can now use information from messages, email, photos and apps to better understand what users are asking. Morgan Stanley was especially encouraged by Apple bringing those features to third-party apps.

The analyst pointed to Siri’s ability to work with more than 300,000 third-party apps, as well as Safari alerts for product restocks and price changes and Health integration with Quest Diagnostics.

Morgan Stanley said those features could help turn the iPhone into what it calls a “personal intelligence hub.”

Shares of Apple are up 23% year to date, trading at $334 as of this writing.

Related: Verizon scales back a perk that keeps prices low for customers

There’s a very interesting spot to occupy in the AI chip race. It’s in the middle, where you can win because your value is useful to everyone. Marvell CEO Matt Murphy thinks his company has found that corner office. 

On CNBC’s “Mad Money” on Sept. 8, Murphy called Marvell “the Switzerland of this entire market.” Why? It can work across different GPU and XPU platforms.

In fact, I looked at the numbers, and it turns out Marvell has outperformed every major chip stock over the past year. It is up 239%, while Broadcom fell 1.65%, Nvidia gained 23.44%, and AMD surged 215.66%. 

The number validates that Murphy has actually been cooking, and it’s not food. He claims he has been doing it quietly, for the better part of a decade. And the gem behind the rally? Trust.

In this market, these large hyperscale customers and the ecosystem around it, it’s really based on trust.

Murphy continued. “I think trust has been a huge part of our brand and our credibility.”

Also Read: Marvell Technology Inc. Latest News and Stories

The meaning of Marvell’s trust in the hyperscaler chip business

Murphy was describing a very specific competitive dynamic that determines who gets the most valuable chip contracts in the world.

We all know the hyperscalers’ elephants in the house — Amazon (AMZN), Microsoft (MSFT), Alphabet (GOOGL), and Meta Platforms (META) — are designing custom AI chips in-house and seeking semiconductor partners who can execute on designs so complex that a single delay can set back an entire data center buildout by months.

They can’t afford to give that work to someone they don’t fully believe in, right? 

More Tech:

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Apple’s $54 billion iPhone machine may be about to break its biggest ritual

Murphy broke it down fully to CNBC: “Can you trust the engineering team and the company is going to deliver the chip? Can you trust the management team that they’re going to shoot you straight? Can you trust that the capacity and the supply is going to be there, and can you trust the CEO at the end of the day?”

That’s four distinct layers of trust. Building all four simultaneously with the world’s most demanding technology customers honestly takes years, effort, and trust. 

Murphy actually suggested it took roughly a decade. And we all can see the payoff is now showing up in the revenue projections.

Marvell’s revenue revision that reframes the whole story

There is a rally I want you to notice. In December 2025, Marvell expected about $10 billion in revenue for fiscal 2026 and $13.5 billion in fiscal 2027. Combined two-year outlook: $23.5 billion.

Murphy told Jim Cramer in the CNBC interview that Marvell now expects approximately $12 billion this fiscal year and $18 billion next year. Combined two-year outlook: $30 billion.

Notice that they’ve gone from $23.5 billion last Dec. 2025 to $30 billion. And we are only in September 2026. Clearly, things have gone well. In roughly nine months, the two-year revenue outlook expanded by $6.5 billion. 

Related: Marvell’s $120B AI deal came with an unexpected catch

The driver is data centers. Marvell generated roughly $2 billion in data-center revenue in 2023. Murphy now expects more than $15 billion of next year’s $18 billion projection to come from data centers. 

“Basically, we’ve come in a full year and taken the company from $2 billion and change in data center revenue in 2023 to $15-16 billion next year,” he said.

The most recent quarter confirms the trajectory is real. Marvell reported record Q2 fiscal 2027 revenue of $2.74 billion, up 37% year over year (YoY), with data-center revenue accelerating to 46% YoY growth, according to Marvell’s Q2 earnings statement. 

Non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.94, beating the $0.87 consensus estimate. Q3 guidance calls for approximately $3.15 billion in revenue at the midpoint.

In December 2025, Marvell expected about $10 billion in revenue for fiscal 2026 and $13.5 billion in fiscal 2027. The combined two-year outlook was $23.5 billion. Fast forward to Sep. 2026, Marvell now expects approximately $12 billion this fiscal year and $18 billion next year. The combined two-year outlook is $30 billion.Shutterstock

Why being the “Switzerland” of AI is a competitive moat

Murphy’s Switzerland description — “We work with everybody” — is more strategically meaningful than it sounds. It’s actually not a marketing line.

Most custom silicon stories are binary. You win a major hyperscaler customer, or you don’t. Marvell avoids that binary by serving all four major U.S. hyperscalers simultaneously on custom silicon while also selling optical connectivity products broadly across the industry, according to Murphy’s comments to CNBC. 

The optical business matters because as AI clusters scale, the networks connecting those clusters become as important as the chips themselves.

The Google partnership confirmed in August crystallizes the opportunity. Marvell signed a multi-year technology supply agreement with Google, which had long been considered Broadcom’s most important custom chip customer, according to TheStreet’s reporting. 

Under the agreement, Marvell could issue warrants representing about 6.5% of the company if cumulative revenue with Google reaches $120 billion. 

“What it really says at a high level is we have customers that want to partner with Marvell,” Murphy said. “They want to be part of our success.”

Cramer also raised Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s suggestion that Marvell could eventually become a trillion-dollar company. Murphy deflected gracefully: “We’re just focused on driving the business, creating the value for shareholders along the way.”

MRVL share performance ranks eighth among S&P 500 companies by year-to-date return, up 167.47% according to Slickcharts.

All eyes are now on the next major fundamental day on Oct. 6, when Marvell presents a new four- to five-year roadmap at its investor day.

If the trajectory Murphy described holds, that event will validate the current valuation or even set a new one.

Related: Morgan Stanley points to the good news in Marvell’s data centers

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 deal

One of the great joys of the fall weather reset is lounging outside on comfy patio furniture. Cool breezes and crisp air allow for many hours of outdoor enjoyment on your balcony, patio, or deck. That said, you can’t do so if you don’t actually have the right patio set for your needs. Amazon can help with that, thankfully. The online behemoth is selling a cute and convenient bistro patio set at a great price, and this is a deal that’s not to be missed.

The Tangkula 3-Piece Patio Set is just $80. It’s hard to come out of the grocery store for less than that, so getting an entire patio set for less than $100 is a real coup. The beauty of this set is in its versatility, not to mention its affordability.

Tangkula 3-Piece Patio Set, $80 at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

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Why do shoppers love it?

This patio set is the perfect pick for anyone who wants a lovely accent set or even primary seating for a small space. Included are two padded fabric sling chairs and a small bistro table. Each piece has a frame made from powder-coated stainless steel. The frames are rustproof and corrosion resistant, which makes them ideal for staying outside year-round. What’s more, the black and gray color variation resists fading and hides stains wonderfully. A round tabletop with a diameter of 20 inches is the perfect size for drinks, snacks, and even your tablet or smartphone.

Each of the chairs has a padded fabric sling design that provides just enough give to be cozy while still offering back support. One of the best features is the built-in headrest pillow. This small detail improves an otherwise simple design more than one might think, as it makes it a primary choice for afternoon naps, reading books, or watching birds. For even more convenience, both chairs have dual storage pockets on the side for any small items that you want to keep close at hand. The pockets are the perfect size for a smartphone, keys, or both. Each chair has a weight capacity of 330 pounds, thanks to the durable steel construction and reinforced joints.

The breathable fabric makes these chairs incredibly comfortable, not to mention lightweight. The whole set is easy to pick up and move, whether you’re reconfiguring your patio or just plan to store them for the winter. The entire set weighs a combined 30 pounds, so almost anyone can move it around on a whim. Assembly takes less than 30 minutes, so there’s no worry when it comes to putting it together.

Related: Amazon’s $70 3-piece patio set is made with breathable mesh that keeps you cool

While wicker patio sets with thick cushions are popular at the moment, sling chairs like these offer a whole different vibe, and one that we’re definitely feeling. While thick cushions have covers that need to be removed and thrown in the washing machine, these chairs can be wiped down with basic soap and water to look brand new.

Shop more deals 

Vasagle End Table with Charging Station Set of 2, $36 (was $70) at Amazon

Flamaker 3-Piece Patio Conversation Set, $76 (was $90) at Amazon

Devoko 3-Piece Patio Furniture Set, $61 (was $90) at Amazon

The Tangkula 3-Piece Patio Set can revamp your backyard or patio for only $80. Outdoor furniture this unique doesn’t usually stay in stock very long, so we recommend putting one in your digital cart ASAP if you don’t want to be left behind.

For most of your adult life, you have decided which card comes out of your wallet. Maybe it is the one with the best cashback. Maybe it is the one on top.

That decision is starting to move to software.

More than one in 10 online shoppers will routinely use AI agents to shop and pay by 2030, according to a report published Sept. 8, 2026 by Mastercard (MA). That works out to more than 300 million people worldwide.

The number reads like a distant projection. Recent US data suggests the behavior is already further along than that.

AI shopping could reach 300 million users by 2030, while 23% of Americans already use AI.Malte Mueller / Getty Images

What the Mastercard report predicts

The report, titled “A short history of the future of shopping and payments,” pairs original consumer research with predictions from four futurists in the US, Europe and Asia, according to Mastercard.

Groceries, medicines and subscriptions are expected to be among the first purchases people hand over.

Related: Google uses AI to make shopping easier

One caveat matters for a US reader. The underlying survey covered 26,000 parents and teenagers across 13 European markets, run with Opinium in June and July 2026. The 300 million figure is a global extrapolation, not a US measurement.

Mastercard has flagged the trust question itself. Its chief executive raised consumer protection concerns about agentic commerce earlier this year.

Why the 2030 timeline may already be behind

Agentic shoppers could reach 190 billion to 385 billion dollars in US e-commerce spending by 2030, capturing 10% to 20% of the market, according to Morgan Stanley Research.

The more striking number sits further down that research. Roughly 23% of Americans bought something using AI in the past month, Morgan Stanley estimates, with groceries and consumer packaged goods leading the way.

More Artificial Intelligence:

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US spies say someone is secretly copying America’s AI

AI data center backlash accelerates ahead of elections

Those two numbers describe different behaviors. Buying with AI help is not the same as handing an agent your card and letting it decide. The distance between them is exactly what the next four years will close.

Morgan Stanley is measured about how fast that happens. “To reach widespread adoption, companies first need to develop products and consumer habits have to evolve,” said Brian Nowak, head of US Internet Research at the bank.

Why one payments executive says 2028

Vadim Drozd, CEO of payment orchestration platform FinteqHub, thinks the 2030 date understates how quickly this lands.

“Mastercard’s forecast appears overly cautious and conservative. Mass adoption will likely begin earlier because users won’t need to learn a separate payment tool,” Drozd said.

His argument rests on distribution. Agents are being embedded in smartphones, banking apps, marketplaces and browsers, so the first uses will be things you already do without thinking.

Booking travel. Renewing a subscription. Finding the better price.

I have watched this pattern through several product launches this year, and adoption tends to arrive through defaults rather than downloads. Nobody chose to start using tap-to-pay. It simply appeared in the phone people already owned.

Drozd puts the real turn closer to 2028, even if fully autonomous purchases stay niche past that.

What this does to your rewards card

Here is the part that touches your money directly.

Today your bank competes for one decision, which is whether its card becomes your default. An agent does not have a default. It can spend as long as it needs comparing cashback rates, fees and exchange rates before every single purchase.

“The more decisions AI makes, the less brand inertia and visual appeal of checkout will matter, and the more important price, speed, fees, and the likelihood of a successful transaction will be,” Drozd said.

That points pressure at legacy loyalty programs. A rewards structure built to win your habit has less to do when the buyer is software running a comparison every time.

Drozd sees the same force cutting the other way for consumers, with agents flagging promotions and cashback categories that match how you actually spend.

I would flag one thing about his read. FinteqHub sells intelligent transaction routing, which is precisely the technology his argument says becomes more valuable, so weigh the timeline against the interest.

Where Visa’s CEO puts the line today

Not everyone in payments sees the handoff arriving that fast.

Consumers are adopting AI for shopping but have not yet moved to autonomous payments, Visa (V) CEO Ryan McInerney said Sept. 8, 2026 at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia and Technology Conference, according to PYMNTS. People compare products in a chatbot, then finish the purchase on the seller’s own site.

McInerney has been vocal on the topic, laying out a broad case for AI and agentic commerce on an earnings call in April 2026.

Two payment networks, same week, different reads on how close the last step really is.

Steps to take before an agent touches your card

You do not need to do anything today. A few things are worth knowing before you do.

Check your issuer’s agent controls. Ask what caps and merchant limits apply to agent-initiated transactions, since those are the main protection on offer right now.

Audit your default card. Whichever card sits first in your digital wallets and shopping apps is the one an early agent will reach for.

Confirm your chargeback rights. Card networks have said liability follows standard tokenized transaction rules, though verify that with your own issuer rather than assuming.

The cards that win the next few years will be the ones that price well on a spreadsheet. Your job is to make sure the software doing the comparing is working for you.

Related: Mastercard CEO addresses key questions in agentic AI

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 deal

When your sleeping space is feeling dull and drab, a new set of sheets can work wonders. It’s easy to use the same old set for years on end, but at a certain point, the fabric has deteriorated, the silky smooth surface has pilled, and your favorite sheets have become more worn than warm. Quality counts, and a fluffy comforter or some plush pillows can easily fall flat when your sheets fall short too. Luckily, for budget-conscious shoppers who want luxury without luxurious prices, the Macy’s Watercolor 4-Piece Sheet Set, typically a $200 purchase, is on sale right now.

As part of a Last-Act final sale at Macy’s, the multi-piece set is 70% off, saving you $140 during this limited-time deal. Get a full queen or king sheet set for just $60 if you act now. 

Macy’s Watercolor 4-Piece Sheet Set, $60 (was $200) at Macy’s

Courtesy of Macy’s

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Why do shoppers love it?

Perfect for the shopper who likes simple with a bit of flair, these sheets have a nice pop of color without being over the top. The pastel watercolor print, available in Blush, Light Blue, Light Gray, and Seaglass, truly mimics the differing shades of color that can occur when you take a watercolor paintbrush to paper, with some areas appearing darker or lighter. 

Available in queen and king bed sizes, the four-piece set includes one fitted sheet, one flat sheet, and two pillowcases, all of which are made with a cotton and polyester fabric blend. By mixing the natural fibers of cotton with the synthetic ones in polyester, the sheets are much more durable, resistant to shrinking and wrinkling, and they retain color far better than if they were 100% cotton. They also dry much faster and hold up better over time, even with frequent washing. With the cotton, however, you still get the natural softness and breathability that most shoppers look for in their bedding.

The sheets have a 1200 thread count with a sateen weave. This special textile construction exposes more of the thread’s surface, which in turn yields a more buttery, luxurious feel on the skin. It gives the fabric a subtle sheen while also being slightly heavier and denser, making it an excellent choice in those cooler months. 

Related: Macy’s has a $400 14-piece comforter set with matching sheets for 70% off

The entire set is machine washable, and for best results, it’s advised that shoppers wash with similar colors and warm water on a delicate cycle. Then, tumble dry on low heat. You can steam iron as needed. 

Details to know

Material: Cotton and polyester. 

Includes: The set includes a flat sheet, a fitted sheet, and two standard pillowcases. 

Size: Queen and king. 

Colors: Four. 

Care: Machine wash.

Soft and beautiful are common words continually used by shoppers to describe these sheets. The colors are nice but not too bright, and they hold up wonderful in the wash. “It feels soft to the touch and hasn’t pilled so far,” one shopper said. Comfortable and breathable, they are smooth to the touch with a nice thickness and they fit the mattress easily, especially with the fitted sheets’ deep elastic pocket. 

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Hotel Collection Cotton 4-Piece Sheet Set, $120 (was $400) at Macy’s

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Back in the late 70s and early 1980s, my small town had a mom-and-pop convenience store, Paul’s Market, as well as one location of a regional chain, Richdale’s. It later added a store from a larger chain, White Hen Pantry.

7-Eleven and other large chains existed, but local stores, even one-offs, were common. Now, just over the past few years, a number of bigger players have swallowed up some smaller chains.

The banner retirements are real and named, according to data from NACS Magazine.

GetGo was sold to Circle K, Redwood Markets went to Jacksons (24 stores, California), and Maverick bought the Kum & Go Brand, which included about 400 locations. In all three cases, the name changes were gradual as stores got remodeled, but in the end, the classic names disappeared.

Now, the same thing has happened again as Casey’s has begun the process of removing the CEFCO name from the 198 stores it added when it bought the rival chain in 2024.

Casey’s is ending the CEFCO name

Casey’s, which operated 2,959 stores as of July 31, 2026, in 19 states, according to a recent SEC Filing, purchased Fikes Wholesale, Inc., owner of CEFCO Convenience Stores, in an all-cash transaction for $1.145 billion. The purchase price includes tax benefits valued at approximately $165 million for a net after-tax purchase price of $980 million, according to a press release.

Since the transaction closed, Casey’s has been remodeling CEFCO stores, then rebranding them under the Casey’s banner.

Casey’s CEO Darren Rebelez talked about the ongoing remodeling and renaming process during the company’s first-quarter earnings call.

“The stores that have been already remodeled to Casey’s in prior periods have performed exceptionally well, and we expect to remodel Cefco stores throughout the fiscal year,” he said.

Rebelez shared the progress on the transition.

“During fiscal year 26, we remodeled approximately 50 Cefco stores to Casey’s. In the first quarter of fiscal year 27, we have remodeled 24 more stores, We are extremely excited about the results we are seeing, as the average PFMDB lift at the stores that were remodeled to 30% versus its results of the same period prior to remodel,” he added.

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The ongoing remodeling, he noted, has not stopped Casey’s from adding new stores.

“While we are busy with CEFCO conversions, [it] does not stop us from continuing to grow the store base, as we are on track to meet our 120-store unit goal for the fiscal year,” he shared.

Rebelez did not share when the remodels would be completed and the CEFCO name retired.

Casey’s has a unique business model. About 71% of its locations are in towns with fewer than 20,000 people, and roughly half are in Iowa, Missouri, and Illinois, according to the SEC filing referenced above.

The chain comes in third by store count behind market leader 7-Eleven (12,700) and Couche-Tarde (7,308), according to CSP Daily News data.

Casey’s store count will soon surpass 3,000.Shutterstock

Convenience-store chains have been consolidating

“The pace of merger and acquisition activity in the U.S. convenience store sector is accelerating, with recent trends suggesting the nation’s c-store landscape is ripe for more change. While most of the transactions in 2024 involved smaller chains or single-store operators, several larger operators inked deals to significantly expand their footprints into new regions,” according to a report from CoBank.

That’s something Rebelez also commented on during Casey’s Q1 earnings call.

“I would say the M&A environment is, is still really good. And that is a reflection of the challenging environment that the industry finds itself in, particularly the small operators. And so it would not say it is changed. I would say it is still consistent, maybe even gotten a little better from a buyer’s perspective,” he said.

Others operating in the space see the same thing.

“There still remains a large number of chains out there in the 10 to 100 store range that, depending on what their long-term strategy is — especially if they’re family-owned businesses — may decide that they want to get out,” Rob Gallo, chief strategy officer for c-store consultancy Impact 21, told CStoreDive.

And while many of these companies have been in the same family for multiple years, their operating challenges have increased.

“It’s just more difficult to manage the chain if you’re a small operator compared to the big guys, especially with the consolidation going on across the country and in many cases, in their backyards,” Jesse Betzner, senior director for Capstone Partners, an investment banking and M&A advisory firm, told CStoreDive.

Besides acquiring CEFCO, Casey’s has bought the 22-site Lone Star Food Stores chain and is in the process of buying the 24-location Pak-A-Sak brand. Some Lone Star locations will be rebranded as Casey’s, but others may retain their original name while being remodeled to match Casey’s on the interior.

No public decision has been made on the Pak-A-Sak brand.

Smaller operators still dominate

There are 151,975 convenience stores in the United States, a slight decrease of 280 stores (0.2%) compared to the year prior, according to the 2026 NACS/NIQ TDLinx Convenience Industry Store Count.

And while it seems as if larger chains dominate, small players still play a signifcant role.

“The industry continues to be dominated by smaller operators. Overall, 95,672 stores are owned by a company that has 10 or fewer stores, 63% of the total store count. Companies operating 500-plus stores own 33,810 stores, or 22.2% of the overall total,” according to NACS data.

In addition to the slight decrease in overall stores, there has also been another meaningful change.

“While the overall store count dipped slightly, the number of convenience stores selling fuel increased by 768 stores (0.6%) to 122,620, the highest number in eight years. Convenience stores sell an estimated 80% of the fuel purchased by consumers in the United States. Overall, 80.7% of convenience stores sell fuel,” added the NACS.

ALSO READ: Costco fixed the one thing members hated about shopping there

Uber cut 3,300 jobs on Sept. 2. Wall Street read it as an efficiency move, and the stock increased by 2%.

A week later, the CEO told investors where the savings are actually going. The answer is not what most people expected.

Speaking at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia and Technology Conference on Sept. 10, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said Uber plans to use the money it saves from the layoffs to bring prices down for riders, Seeking Alpha reported.

That is not the typical playbook. Most companies that cut this many jobs pocket the savings as margin.

What Khosrowshahi said about lower Uber prices

“We are going to take the savings there and essentially reinvest it back in the business, lowering prices, improving selection, and continuing to invest in our growth program,” Khosrowshahi said at the Sept. 10 conference.

The payroll savings are only part of it. Khosrowshahi also said Uber is bringing down its insurance costs and plans to funnel that money into pricing. Lower insurance expenses are a meaningful lever for a ride-hailing company since insurance is one of the biggest cost lines in the business.

He said cheaper fares keep riders engaged with the app and drive higher trip volumes.

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Uber has not said by how much fares would drop or when riders would start to see it. Khosrowshahi framed it as a direction rather than a specific target. But the fact that he mentioned it twice, once for payroll savings and once for insurance savings, signals it is a real priority rather than a talking point.

Khosrowshahi framed the whole move as coming from a position of strength. He said Uber made the cuts “from a position of strength versus weakness” and pushed back on any suggestion that the layoffs signal financial trouble.

On Sept. 10, Uber also disclosed in an SEC filing that Khosrowshahi personally added roughly $10 million in company shares to his own holdings. Shares rose about 2% on the same day.

Why Uber cut 3,300 jobs and what it said about AI

Uber announced the layoffs on Sept. 2 in a memo Khosrowshahi sent to employees. He said the company’s rapid growth had created “more layers, more coordination, more fragmented ownership” with structures that “no longer serve us well at our current scale,” as TheStreet reported.

The restructuring targets management. Uber plans to reduce its number of managers by 20% at every level, shifting many of those employees into individual contributor roles rather than eliminating their jobs entirely, TechCrunch reported.

Khosrowshahi was also specific about what the cuts are not about. He said in the memo that the changes were “not about anyone’s contributions to Uber.” And he did not attribute the cuts to AI, which separates this from what most tech companies have been doing in 2026.

Meta cut roughly 8,000 workers in May. Morgan Stanley eliminated nearly 2,500 roles in March. Both companies tied their reductions at least partly to AI investment and automation. Uber explicitly did not, as TheStreet noted

Uber does invest heavily in AI for things like dynamic pricing, matching riders with drivers and optimizing routes. But using AI to improve the product is different from using AI to replace workers. Khosrowshahi has drawn that line clearly and stuck to it across multiple public appearances since the Sept. 2 announcement.

The pricing commitment is the part that carries the most weight for riders. Lower fares have historically driven trip volume for Uber.NurPhoto / Getty Images

What the layoff savings mean for your next Uber ride

Khosrowshahi has been pushing lower prices as a competitive lever for a while.

Uber competes with Lyft in the United States and with a range of local players in its international markets. Price is one of the main reasons riders choose one over the other. Passing savings through to fares is a growth strategy, not just a goodwill gesture.

Uber is also investing heavily in autonomous vehicles. The company has committed more than $10 billion to autonomous vehicle development over the coming years. Lower human-driver costs as robotaxis eventually scale could amplify the pricing advantage Khosrowshahi is talking about now.

The Sept. 10 conference comments were framed around immediate savings from layoffs and insurance, but the longer-term direction points the same way.

The numbers behind Uber’s restructuring

The 3,300 jobs cut in September 2026 represent Uber’s largest workforce reduction since the pandemic. In May 2020, the company eliminated about 6,700 jobs in two rounds as ride demand collapsed under COVID-19 lockdowns, Reuters reported.

The cuts are happening during a very different moment. Uber’s revenue grew 18% between 2024 and 2025 to about $52 billion, according to Uber’s annual results. Growth continued into 2026 even as it slowed, with second-quarter 2026 revenue up 12% to about $14.2 billion. The company also confirmed it exited operations in Nigeria and Uganda entirely, calling it a decision limited to those two markets.

Uber shares had been underperforming heading into the Sept. 2 announcement, down about 12% for the year as of early August, according to CNBC. The layoff news reversed some of that.

Khosrowshahi’s subsequent share purchase on Sept. 10 added another signal that management sees the stock as undervalued at current levels.

The pricing commitment is the part that carries the most weight for riders. Lower fares have historically driven trip volume for Uber. Whether the savings are large enough to move prices in any meaningful way is a separate question, but Khosrowshahi naming it specifically at a Goldman Sachs investor conference makes it a commitment the company will be held to.

The Goldman Sachs conference appearance on Sept. 10 was not the only signal Khosrowshahi sent to the market that day. The SEC filing showing he purchased $10 million in Uber shares landed the same morning. A CEO buying $10 million of his own company’s stock on the same day he is explaining where the layoff savings go is a notable combination.

Both moves point in the same direction: Management thinks the current price undervalues what Uber is building.

Related: Uber cuts dozens of jobs amid AI restructuring

Real estate technology company Zillow has a dire prediction about mortgage rates and the housing market in general, noting that rates are rising and will remain high for homeowners and homebuyers through the remainder of 2026.

“Mortgage rates holding above 6.5% — their highest level in a year — kept many buyers on the sidelines,” Zillow wrote in a statement. “Newly pending listings, a forward-looking measure of demand, fell 2.6% from a year ago, a sign that the slowdown could continue through the remainder of the year.”

In fact, the daily mortgage rate is even higher than that, according to Mortgage News Daily (MND).

“You may have seen other headlines today that reference 30-year fixed rates of 6.76%,” MND’s Matthew Graham wrote on Sept. 10. “Those stories would be citing Freddie Mac’s weekly rate survey which is an average of the 5 business days (4 in this case, due to the holiday) ending yesterday (September 9th).”

“Because of that methodology, the number lags reality. Today alone, the average lender moved up 0.125% in rate. In addition, Freddie no longer accounts for ‘points’ (additional money paid upfront for a lower rate),” Graham continued. “In other words, 6.75% with one point is roughly the same rate as 7.00% with no points.”

“As a reminder, our daily rate index accounts for the impact of points, so day-to-day comparisons are always apples to apples.”

Freddie Mac reports mortgage rates on the rise

Freddie Mac’s weekly mortgage rate update showed an increase on its way up.

“The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.76% this week,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “Aspiring buyers should remember shopping around for the best mortgage rate and getting multiple quotes can potentially save them thousands.”

Freddie Mac expanded further to provide some yearly context.

“The 30-year FRM averaged 6.76% as of September 10, 2026, up from last week when it averaged 6.71%,” Khater added. “A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.35%.”

“The 15-year FRM averaged 6.09%, up from last week when it averaged 6.04%. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.50%.”

Zillow emphasizes housing market discouraging news

Because August sales figures predominantly capture deals locked in during July — a time when high interest rates had already cooled buyer enthusiasm — closed transactions remained sluggish.

Zillow’s Home Value Index shows the typical U.S. home value reached $369,678 (a 1.3% year-over-year increase), while monthly mortgage costs for a median home rose 2% compared to last year.

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“The for-sale housing market took a step back in August, and mortgage rates above 6.5% are the primary culprit,” said Mischa Fisher, chief economist at Zillow. “The combination of weak sales and even weaker pending sales points to a soft close to 2026.”

“There are more homes for sale than a year ago, which is good news for buyers who are ready to move, but until rates ease, many households will likely stay on the sidelines a little longer as renting is still the more affordable substitute.”

Real estate technology company Zillow predicts that mortgage rates will remain high throughout 2026.Shutterstock

Zillow explains cooling housing market

The U.S. housing market cooled in August as high borrowing costs nudged home values down 0.1% from July to $369,678, according to Zillow. Though values remain 1.3% higher than last year, high ownership costs continue to strain buyers.

A typical monthly mortgage payment reached $1,897 — up 2% annually — assuming a 20% down payment alongside estimated taxes, insurance, and maintenance.

Inventory grew slightly to 1.41 million active listings, a 0.2% increase from July and 3% higher than a year ago.

New listings fell 7.9% month-over-month to 356,934, despite a 2.4% annual rise. This supply tightening and persistent affordability pressures pulled transaction volume down significantly.

Zillow’s nowcast reported 339,927 sales in August, marking a 0.6% annual decline and a sharp 10.7% plunge from July.

Related: Fannie Mae predicts where home prices are headed next