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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 the grilling season in full swing, it’s no wonder people are flocking to buy a new grill to keep up with their summer gatherings. With so many grills to choose from, sometimes keeping it simple is the way to go, especially if you don’t want to be restricted to just grilling out on the patio. Opting for a portable grill allows you to take your passion for cookouts anywhere — no matter if you’re on your way to a tailgate party or enjoying a family camping trip. Grilling out during the summer heat can also help save on energy bills by preventing heat buildup in the kitchen, offering tasty food, lower bills, and a fun time. If you’re looking for an easy way to grill out all summer, no matter the location, the Doulami Foldable Charcoal Grill should be your top pick. With a great rating and the portability to grill almost anywhere, this $35 charcoal grill packs a punch. Doulami Foldable Charcoal Grill, $36 (was $60) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at WalmartWhy do shoppers love it?This grill combines the classic charcoal flavor of grilling with the convenience of a travel-friendly design. The rectangular cooking surface provides space for meat, veggies, and more, making it suitable for grilling all kinds of foods at once. The setup takes less than a minute; just unfold the legs, insert the charcoal tray, and you’re ready to go. When it’s time to head home, the grill folds down into a slim profile that stores neatly inside the carrying case for clean and compact transportation. With two side trays, this grill also provides ample space for condiments and buns, and doubles as an eating tray when you’re done cooking, fitting drinks and plates.Related: Amazon has a grill with a side table and adjustable grates for just $85One of the features this grill has is the pull-out charcoal tray, which allows you to add and remove charcoal without lifting the hot cooking grate or interrupting the cooking process, allowing you to keep the temperature regulated. It also has recessed side vents and a removable perforated charcoal plate that improve airflow, helping ignite the charcoal more efficiently. This allows a more consistent heating temperature throughout the cooking process, and it helps separate ash from the fuel, which supports a cleaner burn and easier maintenance. The pros and cons of this dealProsHighly portable: The folding design and included carrying bag make it super easy to transport and store.Convenient charcoal refill: The pull-out charcoal tray is super convenient and makes it easy to keep a consistent temperature without messing with the hot grates or ruining the food.Cons On the smaller side: While the design is made to be small and portable, some may not find this sufficient for normal backyard barbecues for large groups.Requires manual setup: Unlike normal grills, this grill requires setup every time you want to use it, although the setup is quick and easy.This grill gets 100 five-star ratings, with reviewers saying it’s “perfect for small cooking,” and Walmart also offers free 90-day returns if you’re not satisfied.Shop more dealsColiware Mini Charcoal Grill, $37 (was $59) at WalmartWalchoice 3-Piece Portable Grill, $28 (was $55) at WalmartCostway Round Hibachi Grill, $55 (was $109) at WalmartThe Doulami Foldable Charcoal Grill offers an affordable and easy-to-manage cooking option for any occasion at almost any location. The foldable design makes it ideal for camping trips, grilling by the pool, and more. For just $35, this deal can’t be beat.

Michael Burry has been posting “The end is nigh” on his Substack. He quoted the Joker from Tim Burton’s Batman: “Dancing with the devil in the pale moonlight.” He called AI enthusiasm “mass addiction” and predicted it “may die a death by a thousand cuts.” He shorted Micron at $1,051.87 on July 1 after the stock had already climbed nearly 700% over the prior year.On July 10, he published something more specific on Substack that goes beyond valuation concerns. It’s an attack on the technical foundation on which the whole AI industry is built.Michael Burry says AI started on the wrong path and is stuck thereThe argument in the post centers on what Burry calls a “bad start.” His case is that AI development went language-first when it should have gone reasoning-first, and the industry has been paying for that choice ever since without fully admitting it.He builds the argument around something called Ballard’s Test, a philosophical case involving a figure named Melville Ballard who achieved profound reasoning before ever acquiring language. More AI:The new Chinese AI model rattling U.S. tech investorsAnthropic restores access to Mythos 5 for select organizationsSoftBank CEO offers stinging critique of Musk’s AI betBurry uses it to make a specific point: real understanding doesn’t require language. Language is the output of intelligence, not the source of it.”We have mistaken the output of artificial intelligence (language) for the engine of it (reason),” Burry wrote on Substack.His reading of the AI industry is that it spotted language as a tractable problem and optimized for it, not because language led to general intelligence but because it was scalable and fundable. The models got better at generating text. Investors rewarded that. The industry kept going. And somewhere along the way, the difference between producing language and actually reasoning got lost.What Burry means by the AI “parameter trap”The “parameter trap” is what happens when an industry decides that bigger is the same as better. More parameters, more compute, more data, bigger models. Each step up produces visible improvements in benchmark scores and demo performance. But Burry’s argument is that scaling language doesn’t solve the underlying reasoning problem. It just makes the simulation more convincing.That has real financial consequences. The companies spending hundreds of billions on AI infrastructure are betting that scaling gets you there. Hyperscaler AI spending could hit $725 billion in 2026, according to TheStreet. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index is up 88% this year. Nvidia’s market cap is roughly $5.45 trillion with a trailing P/E of 43. All of that is built on the assumption that the current scaling path works.Burry is saying it might not. If the industry is spending at this scale to improve something that isn’t the actual target, the economics of the whole trade look different.Burry’s broader bets against the AI trade right nowThe Substack post didn’t come out of nowhere. Burry has been building short positions against the AI trade for months. He’s disclosed shorts on Nvidia, Tesla, Micron, Applied Materials, Caterpillar, and the iShares Semiconductor ETF. The Micron short he disclosed on July 1 came after the stock had already run nearly 700%, as TheStreet reported.His analysis of semiconductor valuations pointed to the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index trading near peak levels within its 15-year forward P/E band. His argument is that chip stocks are rising because hyperscalers are spending heavily on AI, and hyperscalers are spending heavily because chip stocks keep rising. The feedback loop looks like demand but is partly just reflexivity.The Magnificent 7 lost more than $2.2 trillion in market value in June 2026, according to CNBC. Burry has been short through that decline and is adding to the argument rather than easing off it.

Burry’s July 10 post is different because it’s attacking the architecture, not the price tag.Cho/Getty Images

Why Burry’s technical critique is harder to dismiss than valuation argumentsMost AI bears make valuation arguments. Stocks are expensive, spending is high, returns haven’t materialized yet. Those arguments are real but they’re also familiar, and the market has heard them before without much consequence.Burry’s July 10 post is different because it’s attacking the architecture, not the price tag. He’s saying the current generation of AI might be getting better at something that isn’t actually the goal. A system that produces more convincing language output isn’t necessarily getting closer to genuine reasoning. And if that’s true, the scaling thesis breaks down in a more fundamental way than valuation critics have described.He predicted the AI story “may die a death by a thousand cuts.” That phrasing is deliberate. He’s not calling for a single crash moment. He’s describing a gradual erosion of confidence as the gap between what AI can do and what investors assumed it could do becomes harder to paper over with bigger models and better benchmarks.What Burry’s warning means for investors tracking AI stocksBurry has been early before. He called the market a sell in August 2023 and it subsequently rose 66%. He’s been bearish on Nvidia for over a year while the stock kept climbing. Being right about a structural argument doesn’t mean the market agrees with you on any particular timeline.What’s different about the July 10 post is the specificity. He’s not just saying AI is expensive. He’s pointing to a specific technical decision made at the beginning of the current AI wave and arguing it set the whole industry on the wrong track. That’s a harder thing for the bulls to wave away with an earnings beat.For investors holding AI infrastructure stocks, chip names, or any company whose valuation rests on the assumption that current-generation LLMs are on the path to genuine intelligence, Burry’s argument is worth reading carefully. He might be wrong. He’s been wrong before. But the last time he made a structural argument this specific about a major market, he turned out to be right.Related: Michael Burry doubles down on stock market, AI message for 2026

Navitas Semiconductor (NVTS) built its 2026 comeback around AI data centers, and those who bought into its business are now watching it fight a major legal battle. NVTS shares had climbed sharply this year because of the company’s shift into high-power chips for AI server racks.However, things took a sharp turn when Wolfspeed (WOLF), the company that pioneered silicon carbide power chips, sued Navitas on July 7. Wolfspeed said five of its patents cover the technology in nearly every major Navitas product line.Navitas shares fell as much as 8.59% over the five trading sessions that followed, closing at$13.47 on Friday. For a company just beginning to prove itself in AI data centers, the lawsuit threatens the products doing most of the proving.Wolfspeed’s lawsuit takes aim at nearly all of Navitas’ chipsWolfspeed filed the complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware on July 7. The lawsuit alleges that five of Wolfspeed’s gallium nitride and silicon carbide patents are infringed by Navitas’ core product lines.We respect the IP rights of others, and we expect the same respect in return.Navitas said that the lawsuit covers its GaNFast, GaNSlim, and GaNSafe transistors. It also covers its GeneSiC MOSFETs and SiCPAK power modules, according to a press release, Those five families make up most of what the company sells.Wolfspeed wants more than money. It is seeking a permanent U.S. sales and import ban on the accused products, along with damages and licensing fees, TrendForce reported. Navitas shares were already down sharply in premarket trading within hours of the filing, Benzinga noted.

Wolfspeed’s lawsuit against Navitas centers on gallium nitride and silicon carbide patents used in AI data center power chipsCheng Xin / Getty Images

Navitas calls the lawsuit baseless as its AI pivot meets a cash testNavitas disputes the claims and says it will fight the suit, calling the litigation baseless in its own statement. CEO Chris Allexandre has said the company’s shift toward high-power markets remains on track, according to Investing.com.Navitas’ first-quarter revenue came in at $8.6 million, up 18% from the prior quarter but down from $14 million a year earlier, an SEC filing shows. More AI Chip Stocks:Goldman Sachs doubles down on Applied Materials stock targetJim Cramer says one AI giant holds key to market’s next moveOverlooked chip ETF is beating biggest AI namesThe company is pulling back from mobile chargers and leaning into AI data centers.High-power markets grew about 35% year over year, Navitas’ investor relations release shows.Cash is tighter than the growth numbers suggest. Revenue over the past year fell about 45% to $45.92 million, and margins stayed deeply negative, MarketBeat reported.Insiders sold roughly $116 million in Navitas shares in late May, weeks before the suit landed.What Wall Street’s price targets mean for Navitas stock nowNavitas shares still trade well above where they started 2026, even after this week’s slide. The average analyst price target sits at $16.93, above Friday’s $13.47 close and far below where the stock traded as recently as May.Wolfspeed isn’t negotiating from strength either. According to Yahoo Finance, WOLF posted a 19% revenue decline last quarter and carries more than $1.7 billion in debt.That’s a big reason why analysts expect a licensing settlement rather than a fight to the finish.4 things to watch in the Wolfspeed-Navitas patent fightWhether a judge grants Wolfspeed’s request for a preliminary sales injunction, which would matter more than the damages claim itselfNavitas’ second-quarter results on July 27, and any update on legal costs or customer commitmentsWhether Navitas can redesign its chips to route around the five disputed patents, an option its manufacturing model allowsSigns of a licensing settlement, the outcome analysts consider most likely in comparable semiconductor patent disputesNavitas keeps shipping chips, and Wolfspeed keeps building outside partnerships while the case moves forward. Investors don’t need to predict the verdict to have a plan. Watching how the court handles Wolfspeed’s injunction request, expected in the coming weeks, will say more about Navitas’ near-term risk than any earnings report.Related: Fresh lawsuit drops bombshell on Micron stock price

Delta Air Lines (DAL) did not just report a strong travel quarter.Delta Air Lines beat June-quarter estimates, maintained its full-year forecast, and boosted its dividend as it absorbed the largest quarterly fuel bill in its history. Its adjusted fuel expense grew 77% , year over year, to $4.4 billion, the business reported, while adjusted jet fuel price increased 75% to $3.93 a gallon.Normally that would be enough to kill the airline earnings story.Instead, Delta relied on a premium-heavy model structured around higher-end tickets, loyalty revenue, corporate travel, and varied sources of income. That’s the investment takeaway: Delta’s strategy may be providing it with a bigger cushion against one of the most unexpected costs in the industry.That is not to say Delta is immune to fuel, labor, or customer demand pressures.But it does indicate the corporation has more options than airlines that rely more on price-sensitive consumers and basic seat sales.“Delta’s brand and industry position are stronger than ever,” Delta CEO Ed Bastian said in the company’s June-quarter earnings release.Delta’s premium mix is doing more than lifting revenueThe travel backdrop continues to assist airlines.The Transportation Security Administration said it expects to screen almost 18.7 million people at security checkpoints in U.S. airports during the Fourth of July holiday period, a sign that travel demand is resilient even with high consumer costs.But it wasn’t only a volume story for Delta’s quarter.The company reported adjusted operating revenue of $17.7 billion, up 14% year over year, on just 1% capacity expansion. Adjusted total revenue per available seat mile was up 12.4%, implying Delta generated considerably better revenue per unit of capacity rather than a big increase in flying.That’s the portion investors should take note of.Capacity growth can boost revenues but can also put pressure on pricing if airlines add too many seats. Delta’s statistics demonstrated something more valuable: disciplined capacity, healthier unit revenue and consumers willing to pay up.Premium revenue grew by 17%, and regular cabin ticket sales are up 8 percent. Loyalty and associated revenue surged 19 percent, and American Express’ remuneration rose 16 percent to $2.4 billion. Premium products and diversified sources of revenue contributed 61% of adjusted operating revenue, up 2 percentage points from a year before, Delta said.This mixture makes the report significant beyond one quarter.Delta is shifting away from selling basic seats and more heavily relying on higher-value income streams. Delta has more revenue opportunities than a standard seat-sale model due to premium cabins, loyalty economics, co-branded credit cards, maintenance work, and cargo.That’s how Delta is also different from other airline models that are more price-sensitive.A low-cost carrier usually wins by selling inexpensive seats and keeping costs tight. Delta’s approach leans more on persuading higher-value passengers to pay for luxury cabins, loyalty incentives, superior service, and the stability of corporate travel.This does not mean that one model is always better than the other.But when fuel spikes, Delta’s approach provides investors a yardstick other than fare pressure. The corporation is better positioned to defend margins even as expenses shift against it, if premium and loyalty revenues keep expanding.Delta’s fuel shock makes the premium thesis harder to ignoreFuel was the acid test.Delta reported that adjusted fuel expense jumped 77%, year over year, to $4.4 billion in the June quarter. Its adjusted jet fuel price was up 75% to $3.93 per gallon, even with an 11-cent-per-gallon refinery advantage.More Airlines:Another low-cost airline leaves 6 cities, refunds availableDelta Air Lines cuts two flights forever, refunds availableSpirit Airlines won’t be coming back, and that costs flyers moneyThat’s the kind of expense spike that may kill airline margins.Delta’s adjusted operating marginslipped to 8.8% from 13.3% a year ago, while adjusted profits per share fell to $1.56 from $2.12. GAAP net income was down 25% to $1.6 billion.Those are big drops.But that’s not the whole story.Delta, nonetheless, produced $1.4 billion in adjusted pre-tax profits, $1.7 billion in adjusted operational cash flow, and confirmed its full-year adjusted earnings target of $6.50 to $7.50 a share. The company confirmed its previous guidance of free cash flow of $3 billion to $4 billion for the full year.That’s where the investing story becomes more fascinating.Delta maintained its full-year estimate despite soaring fuel costs. Instead, it sees revenue in the September quarter rising in the mid-teens, with an operating margin of 11% to 13% and earnings per share of $2 to $2.50.Basically the company is telling investors that the fuel shock is painful, but it’s manageable.Its diverse consumer base echoes that message.Delta said corporate sales were up double digits in all areas. Demand for Delta Comfort and Delta Premium Select drove premium corporate sales growth of more than 25%. Domestic unit revenue was 12% higher; international unit revenue was 8% higher.That’s crucial, since corporate and premium passengers tend to be less price-sensitive than deal-seeking leisure clients.They also help Delta justify investments in lounges, premium cabins, loyalty perks, and onboard technology.Delta is not simply trying to fill planes.It is aiming to upgrade them with higher-value consumers.

Delta’s premium strategy gives investors a fuel cushion.Bloomberg / Getty Images

Investors should watch whether Delta can keep pricing powerThe next test will be whether Delta’s pricing strength holds up.The company’s projection for the September quarter assumes an all-in fuel price of roughly $3.15 per gallon, including a 5-cent per gallon refinery benefit. That would be lower than the $3.93 per gallon fuel price Delta recorded for the June quarter.This sets up a possible earnings tailwind.But it raises the bar, too.If fuel cools and demand for premium stays high, Delta’s profitability should rise. The premium thesis gets tested again if jet fuel remains volatile or customers push back on fares.Investors should focus on three things.First, premium revenue growth needs to be faster than main cabin growth. Premium ticket revenue grew 17% in the June quarter, versus 8% growth in main cabin ticket revenue. That difference is where Delta has the greatest price power.Second, the loyalty revenue needs to remain durable. Delta’s connection with American Express and its SkyMiles ecosystem are important to the company’s higher-margin revenue base. American Express compensation rose to $2.4 billion in the quarter, driven by card acquisitions and the ninth straight quarter of double-digit growth in cardholder spending.Third, the non-fuel costs have to be stabilized. Delta said non-fuel unit costs were up 6.8% year over year in the June quarter, but management anticipates that non-fuel unit cost performance will improve somewhat in the September quarter and further in the December quarter.Key takeaways for Delta investorsDelta’s most important signal was not just record revenue, but the strength of premium, loyalty and corporate demand.Adjusted revenue rose 14% on about 1% capacity growth, showing strong unit-revenue performance.Premium revenue rose 17%, loyalty and related revenue grew 19%, and American Express remuneration reached $2.4 billion.Adjusted fuel expense rose 77%, but Delta still reaffirmed full-year adjusted earnings guidance of $6.50 to $7.50 a share.Delta expects September-quarter revenue to rise in the mid-teens, with an 11% to 13% operating margin.The investor question is whether premium demand can continue offsetting fuel and cost pressure.Those takeaways speak to the real discussion.Delta is not a safe stock. No airline is.The firm is sensitive to fuel prices, labor expenses, weather, consumer spending, corporate travel budgets, and the overall economy.But Delta’s quarter gives investors a more clear-cut foundation.The company’s premium and loyalty strategy is no longer simply a brand narrative. It’s a defensive margin approach.That’s probably why Delta felt comfortable boosting shareholder rewards, too.The company said it would raise its dividend payment by 15% with the September quarter. It also decreased gross leverage to around 2 times by year-end and cut adjusted net debt by $709 million from its year-end 2025 level.That’s significant.A corporation faced with record fuel expense generally doesn’t bump its dividend unless management is confident the cash engine is enduring.Delta’s message to investors is that its strategy can keep churning out cash even in a tough cost environment.Delta’s premium strategy still depends on demand staying strongDelta’s last quarter is a compelling case for the airline’s premium approachIt does not make the stock an automatic buy.The corporation also racked up a record fuel bill, although its adjusted operating margin still decreased substantially from a year ago. Free cash flow in the June quarter was $209 million, compared with $733 million a year ago. That’s how quickly increasing fuel and capital expenses may squeeze cash generation.So the positive read here is not that Delta has dodged airline cyclicality.Delta looks better placed to handle that.The airline has created a business that relies more on premium cabin income, loyalty economics, maintenance services, cargo, and travel partnerships. Those streams of revenue give Delta more options than an airline that is focused only on selling as many tickets as possible at the lowest feasible rate.That’s the bigger investor takeaway from the study.Delta’s premium approach is turning into a cushion.It enabled the business to endure a jet fuel price shock, hold its full-year guidance, guide for higher September quarter margins, and enhance its dividend.The risk is that jet fuel stays high or demand declines.The opportunity is Delta’s higher-value client base still provides the company with pricing leverage that is likely difficult for rivals to match.For ordinary investors, the question is not whether Delta had a good quarter.It is about whether the corporation has established a more enduring airline model.The June quarter numbers suggest the answer may be yes, that is, as long as premium travelers keep paying up.Related: BofA sees Delta, United entering a rare airline sweet spot

Many people know that when they want to fill up their cars for less, the best place to head is Costco. In fact, if you’ve ever found yourself cursing the long lines at Costco’s fuel stations, you’re not alone. Thankfully, those extra-long hoses make it possible to fill your tank from either direction, allowing lines at the pump to move more quickly and reducing bottlenecks in certain spots.But most people know Costco isn’t the fastest place to fill up. Rather, they go there because it’s the cheapest. Costco routinely charges about 30 cents less per gallon than most competing fuel stations, reports CNN. At a time when gasoline prices are up 40.5% year over year, according to the most recent Consumer Price Index, those savings are significant.But Walmart may have found a way to challenge Costco’s dominance at the pump. And it’s using a tactic out of Costco’s playbook. Walmart+ changes the math at the pumpWalmart shoppers tend to be naturally budget-conscious. And many aren’t necessarily interested in a paid membership model, which is why they stick to traditional Walmart superstores instead of signing up to shop at Sam’s Club.But for frequent shoppers or those who prefer to take advantage of grocery delivery, a Walmart+ membership can be a smart investment. Related: Sam’s Club just made a holiday closure decision Costco didn’tFor $12.95 per month or $98 per year, Walmart+ members can enjoy perks like unlimited free grocery delivery on orders of $35 or more and savings of up to 10 cents per gallon at thousands of gas stations throughout the U.S.And thanks to that discount, Walmart may be able to undercut Costco on gas prices while driving more customer loyalty.During Walmart’s first-quarter 2027 earnings call, CFO John Rainey said Walmart+ membership fee revenue growth accelerated. “In this period of elevated gas prices, members are tapping into their fuel savings benefits even more today,” he added.Walmart also has a distinct advantage over Costco with regard to gas sales, in that shopping does not require a membership.People who come to Walmart for groceries or household items may be more inclined to fill up their cars because they’re there, regardless of whether they’re subscribed to Walmart+ and eligible for the 10 cents off per gallon. 

Walmart may be able to undercut Costco on gas prices while driving more customer loyalty.David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Costco gas offers a huge benefit, even if it isn’t the cheapestWhile Walmart may technically win on price at the pump, it’s Costco that wins on quality. Costco gas carries the Top Tier certification. That means it uses five times the EPA-required detergent level, which is designed to help reduce deposits and keep engines cleaner over time.Walmart and Sam’s Club fuel generally meet the minimum EPA standards, which means it’s legally compliant and safe for vehicles. But it doesn’t offer quite the same level of quality and performance as Costco fuel. More Retail:Costco sees major shift in member behaviorRetail chain shuts all locations as legal changes hit industryCostco makes major investment in online shopping for membersOf course, that distinction is not surprising. Costco has made a point to emphasize quality as much as affordability with its Kirkland brand. So it stands to reason that the company would extend that approach to its Kirkland fuel stations.During Costco’s most recent earnings call, the company said it set an all-time record on gasoline volume during the first quarter of fiscal 2027. “The high consumer price sensitivity, which fueled these record volumes, also drove many members to use our gas stations for the very first time in the third quarter,” CEO Ron Vachris said. “We believe this will drive even greater loyalty with these members in the future as members who use our gas stations typically spend more with us in the warehouse.”All told, it may be possible to get cheaper gas at Walmart than at Costco. But it may require a Walmart+ subscription and willingness to accept fuel that’s acceptable instead of outstanding.Maurie Backman owns shares of Costco.Related: Costco reveals why Kirkland keeps beating name brands

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 saleHoka shoes are widely known (and loved) for their comfortable footwear that can be used for walks, runs, and everyday wear. The brand is packed with styles that provide comfort and features that can help reduce pain and complement active lifestyles, some of which have earned an American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance. However, they don’t come cheap. Many Hoka running shoes land within the $120 to $180 range, but there are some options that are nearly $300. I was a dedicated Hoka fan for years and have easily spent hundreds of dollars on the brand, paying full price for many of its Bondi and Clifton styles. While I think the comfort is worth the price, if you’re interested in Hokas, any sale is worth checking out.Right now, REI Outlet is slashing the prices of select Hoka shoes, and it feels like a secret gold mine for shoe lovers. The outlet page at REI is a secret section where you can get discounts on Hoka running shoes with up to 20% off and up to $35 in savings in both men’s and women’s sizes. Check out our favorites below.Hoka Gaviota 5 Men’s Road-Running Shoes, $140 (was $175) at REI

Courtesy of REI

Shop at REIHoka’s Gaviota 5s are currently 20% off, saving you $35 on these road-running shoes. These shoes are equipped to handle your outdoor runs, thanks to stride-stabilizing H-frame technology, cloud-like cushioning, and an early-stage MetaRocker design for smooth heel-to-toe transitions. It’s available in three colorways, with sizes selling out fast.Hoka Women’s Transport Shoes, $120 (was $150) at REI

Courtesy of REI

Shop at REIOn sale for $120, Hoka’s Transport Shoes are $30 off, and they’re a stylish pick that you can wear casually, for walks, and for runs. Its neutral Eggnog hue can match practically any outfit, whether it’s with a sun dress or full-on running gear. In addition to its design, it has abrasion-resistant uppers and grippy Vibram outsoles that make it as durable as it is stylish.Hoka Clifton 10 Men’s Road-Running Shoes, $125 (was $155) at REI

Courtesy of REI

Shop at REIThe Clifton 10s are $30 off in both men’s and women’s sizes. They’re built for racking up everyday miles, with a comfortable design that feels light on your feet. The shoes have breathable uppers that don’t trap heat, Smooth MetaRockers that promote a natural movement from heel to toe, along with a Rearfoot-focused Active Foot Frames that provide stability and support. Related: Walmart’s bestselling retro Skechers sneakers are 52% offHoka Bondi 9 Women’s Road-Running Shoes, $141 (was $175) at REI

Courtesy of REI

Shop at REILast but not least are the Hoka Bondi 9s. At one point in time, Hoka’s Bondi line was the only thing I would wear, so seeing these discounted is like a dream come true. They have maximum cushioning that feels plush on your feet, whether you’re walking or running. They’re currently 19% off, saving you $34. If you’ve been waiting for the perfect time to buy new shoes, REI’s Hoka shoes sale is it. But with sizes selling out fast, you’re going to want to add them to your cart before they sell out.Shop more dealsOn Cloudsurfer Max Road-Running Shoes, $126 (was $180) at REISaucony Guide 18 Road-Running Shoes, $121 (was $150) at REIAltra FWD VIA Road-Running Shoes, $128 (was $160) at REI

I have been tracking SanDisk’s numbers. It’s one of my favourites. Why? Its performance, and the reason behind the big numbers. And the numbers keep doing something unusual for sure. They keep getting bigger than the already-big numbers that preceded them.If you didn’t know, SanDisk (SNDK) is the top-performing S&P 500 stock in 2026, up 707.11% year-to-date, according to SlickCharts. It has lapped Micron almost three times. It has lapped Dell, which sits in second position. It has lapped everything. It has honestly been incredible.And on July 5, Goldman Sachs did something that made even veteran semiconductor watchers stop and look twice. Goldman nearly doubled its SanDisk price target, maintaining its Buy rating in a note shared with me at TheStreet.The 38-year-old SNDK closed July 9 at $1,858.27, up 7.59% on the session, according to Yahoo Finance. The new target, around $2,200, implies roughly 18% further upside from that close.But the number itself is almost secondary to what Goldman is actually saying. The firm’s non-GAAP earnings per share estimate for calendar year 2026 is more than 30% above the Street consensus, as noted. That gap between Goldman’s view and the market’s is the real story here. Let’s look at it.Also Read: SanDisk Corp. Latest News and StoriesWhat Goldman is seeing that most analysts are not On July 9, I covered Goldman’s AMD earnings preview from the same source, noting that the server CPU story wins the earnings. My colleague broke down AMAT, citing expected DRAM strength to drive best-in-class growth in 2026. Today, it is SanDisk’s turn, and the setup Goldman describes is even more bullish.The firm raised its 12-month target to $2,200 from $1,200, based on a 20 times price-to-earnings multiple applied to a normalized EPS estimate of $110, significantly higher than the prior estimate of $55, Goldman wrote in the note shared with me.We expect a very strong quarter driven by continued NAND supply tightness.More SanDisk:Bernstein’s SanDisk forecast reboot sparks massive target upgradeVeteran Wall Street trader sharply raises SanDisk stock price targetSandisk future hinges on powerful AI shift, says Morgan StanleyThe target methodology is worth reading carefully. Goldman reduced its multiple from 22 times to 20 times on a higher earnings base, and the EPS estimate doubled. That is not a valuation inflation story. It is a fundamental earnings power revision driven by NAND pricing data that Goldman believes the Street has not yet fully incorporated.The firm expects SanDisk to deliver significant upside to fourth quarter results and guidance when it reports on August 5, with additional investor attention on long-term agreements and NAND pricing commentary following Micron’s strong results. Goldman specifically noted that positioning heading into the print appears bullish given “extremely strong Q2 guidance” and positive management commentary in recent weeks.My read of that setup is that Goldman is essentially saying the quarter will be strong, the guidance will be strong, and the LTA disclosures could be the catalyst that forces a broader re-rating.Here’s the NAND supply story Goldman is betting onGoldman sees tight supply-and-demand conditions in NAND persisting longer than in DRAM, driven by limited supply additions across the industry, according to the note. SanDisk is simultaneously improving its product mix through ramping eSSD design wins at key hyperscaler customers. More than one-third of fiscal year 2027 bit output is already committed under New Business Model agreements.Related: Bank of America revamps Sandisk stock price targetThe LTA disclosure story is the item Goldman flagged most specifically as a potential stock mover on the August 5 call. Following the number of new agreements recently announced by Micron, Goldman said the scope and number of new LTA disclosures from SanDisk will be a key focal point for investors.Each new hyperscaler commitment locks in pricing and volume, removing the cyclical pricing risk that has historically capped memory stock multiples.Goldman also acknowledged a few downside hazards. A structural change in NAND pricing failing to materialize, Chinese competitor YMTC iterating on its roadmap, and SanDisk failing to gain eSSD traction. But the firm’s conviction is that none of those risks are imminent, and that supply remains structurally constrained well into 2027.

SanDisk (SNDK) is the top-performing S&P 500 stock in 2026, up 707.11% year-to-date, as of this reporting.Jin Lee/Bloomberg via Getty Images

SanDisk’s Q3 results and Q4 guidance frame what August 5 needs to deliverThe Q3 fiscal 2026 results, reported on April 30, set the financial foundation that Goldman is building on.Revenue of $5.95 billion, up 97% above Q2 sequentially and 251% above the year-ago quarterDatacenter revenue grew 645% year over year, and 233% quarter over quarterGAAP net income was $3.615 billion, up 287%  year over year, with a non-GAAP EPS of $23.41. Five New Business Model agreements were signed during and immediately after the quarter.For Q4 fiscal 2026, SanDisk anticipated revenue of $7.75 billion to $8.25 billion and non-GAAP EPS of $30.00 to $33.00. That guidance range, at the midpoint, would represent another massive sequential step from an already historic Q3.This quarter marks a fundamental inflection point for SanDisk.Continued CEO David Goeckeler in the Q3 earnings release, “We are advancing to a new business model built on multi-year customer engagements backed by firm financial commitments. This transformation is driving structurally higher and more durable earnings power.”July 10, 2026, FactSet data confirms that SanDisk is among the largest contributors to Information Technology (IT) sector earnings growth since March 31, alongside Micron, Nvidia, and Apple.Related: Goldman Sachs doubles down on Applied Materials stock targetThe semiconductor sector is expected to report 131% year-over-year earnings growth in Q2, and SanDisk is one of the primary engines of that growth. Excluding the industry, the estimated earnings growth rate for the IT sector would fall to 25.8% from 63.3%.SanDisk’s investor day on August 13 follows just eight days after earnings, providing another near-term catalyst window for management to quantify the multi-year LTA pipeline and long-term financial targets.Remember, SNDK has already returned 707% year-to-date, a $2,200 Goldman target, and an EPS estimate 30% above consensus. To me, that means the move is not over. August 5 will tell us whether everybody else is ready to agree.Related: Goldman Sachs issues major prediction for US housing market

Tesla investors who have bet on Elon Musk and his electric vehicle company have been rewarded for their faith time and again. The stock seems immune to prolonged downturns, even when Tesla (TSLA) fails to deliver on one of Musk’s grandiose promises. And when he does deliver, the stock also pushes higher. But one of the main promises of Tesla’s stock right now is the very real possibility that down the road, the company will merge with SpaceX, Musk’s trillion-dollar space exploration company. When that happens, investors who have been backing the company will receive a “takeout premium” that could allow a few to retire early. However, analysts at BNP Paribas have a warning for those investors looking to up their stakes now: You may have to wait a while for that takeout offer.Tesla, SpaceX cash burn complicates potential mergerInvestor sentiment has improved greatly amid widespread SpaceX merger speculation, BNP Paribas analysts led by James Picariello said in a note viewed by TheStreet. Still, the firm said it is maintaining its underperform rating and $280 price target due to concerns over Tesla’s cash burn over the next two years.Additionally, the firm said SpaceX’s own cash burn makes it unlikely a merger will happen in the near future.”We believe a potential SpaceX-Tesla merger is complicated by significant cash burn at both companies and meaningful regulatory risks. SpaceX consensus points to cash burn of $216 billion in ’26E-31E, combined with TSLA’s multi-year burn cycle beginning this quarter and with multiple downside scenarios,” the analysts added.”Meanwhile, the need for multi-jurisdiction approvals (involving defense work) and Tesla shareholder support suggests any deal will take time.”Tesla revealed earlier this year that it is increasing its expected capital expenditure budget this year to an eye-watering $25 billion. BNPP analysts expect the company to average spending up to $23 billion a year through 2030 as it looks to ramp up its Optimus humanoid robot and Robotaxi platforms.

BNP Paribas said a potential SpaceX-Tesla merger is complicated by significant cash burn at both companies.Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Tesla cash burn plan has a few obstaclesWhile Tesla investors back Elon Musk’s vision where the company will be producing a million humanoid robots per year, it’s going to take more than a $25 billion per year cash burn to make that happen. BNPP analysts said they “fear the company will face daunting KPIs (key performance indicators) at its Robotaxi and Optimus businesses over the next two years, bringing downside risks to core operations before any SpaceX merger could realistically materialize.”If Tesla fails to hit its KPIs over the next year and a half, BNPP sees significant downside risk to its $280 price target, which is already well below the company’s $407.76 closing price from Friday, July 10.However, if that does happen, the firm also believes it is more likely that a merger occurs to rescue the company.”Under this framework, a +30%-40% takeout premium would still only justify fair value of $360-$390 per share. We of course should then assign a probability of a SpaceX-Tesla merger to that takeout premium, which at (let’s say) ~50% likelihood, cuts the premium in half,” BNPP said.That would imply a takeout range between $320-$335 per share, which is again, much lower than the stock’s current trading levels. But if the merger does go through, investors will have a whole new set of problems to worry about. “SPCX cash flow is sharply negative, with the company currently expected to burn ~$30 billion this year, with ~$194 billion burned through 2030. While we have little concern the combined entity would be able to raise additional capital if/when needed, it most certainly would further dilute current Tesla shareholders,” BNPP said. Related: Tesla stock gets a surprising SpaceX reset

A single failed trial can undo years of work in one trading session, and Ionis Pharmaceuticals (IONS) just went through both consecutively.Ionis Pharmaceuticals lost nearly a quarter of its value on July 9 after its heart drug Wainua failed to meet the primary goal of a late-stage trial. The next day brought a second blow from a different corner of Ionis’ drug lineup.For anyone holding the stock or watching the wider Healthcare space, the two-day fall is a reminder of how quickly a biotech project can change.Why Ionis stock crashed after the Wainua trial failureThe trigger was clear. On July 9, Ionis and partner AstraZeneca (AZN) said their Phase 3 CARDIO-TTRansformtrials of eplontersen, sold as Wainua, failed to meet their primary goal in patients with ATTR-CM.ATTR-CM is a heart disease in which misfolded proteins build up in the heart muscle, making it harder for the heart to pump blood. It is a large and fast-growing market, which is why the miss stung so much.More Health Care Stocks:BridgeBio stock jumps after rival heart drug fails key trialEli Lilly’s hottest drugs face a quiet new threatBiotech stock sends Wall Street asurprising signalThe study tested whether adding Wainua to standard care reduces cardiovascular deaths and recurrent heart events over 140 weeks. Unfortunately, it did not, Ionis confirmed in its official release.The stock fell about 24% that day, sliding from a prior close near $86 toward $64.

Ionis shares fell sharply after back-to-back pipeline setbacks in July 2026.SOPA Images / Getty Images

How the Roche exit deepened the Ionis selloffOne bad day can be shrugged off. But two in a row is hard to ignore.According to BioPharma Dìve, Roche said it was ending two Huntington’s disease programs it ran with Ionis on July 10, including the antisense drug tominersen. Ionis shares fell about another 8% after the news.Roche said the tominersen study did not meet its performance goal, and a second early-stage program was stopped over a safety signal from animal testing.Stacked together, the two days erased months of gains. By the July 10 close, IONS sat near $58, down about 29% over five sessions, 24/7 Wall St noted.What Wall Street analysts did to Ionis’ price targetsAnalysts moved fast, and almost all of them cut their target. However, most kept their Buy ratings, which tells you they see the damage as contained rather than fatal.Recent Ionis price target changes:Jefferies: $113 to $90, Investing.com reported (Buy)TD Cowen: $108 to $94 (Buy)Oppenheimer: $110 to $92 (Outperform)BofA Securities: $111 to $90 (Buy)Needham: $105 to $86 (Buy)According to Stocktwits, BofA Securities called the failure a big surprise and tied it to a shifting treatment landscape, as more patients now start on stabilizer drugs early.Which rivals gain the most from the Ionis setbackA drug failure at one company often turns into a win for its competitors. That played out immediately here.Shares of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (ALNY) and BridgeBio (BBIO) jumped, since the miss reduces near-term competition in the ATTR-CM market.Both companies and Pfizer (PFE) Inc. already sell approved heart therapies, so the Wainua trial failure leaves them more room to grow prescriptions, Benzinga reported.Why the broader Ionis business is not broken yetHere is the part people panicking tend to skip. Wainua itself is not going away.The drug is already approved and generating revenue in more than 20 countries for a separate nerve condition, Yahoo Finance reported. The failed study was about expanding it into heart disease, not defending its current use.Ionis also posted first-quarter revenue of $246 million, and its management guided 2026 revenue to a range of $875 million to $900 million.What Ionis investors should watch over the next few monthsIonis and AstraZeneca plan to present the full CARDIO-TTRansform dataset at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in August, 24/7 Wall St reported.That presentation will show whether a patient subgroup benefited enough to matter.A prespecified subgroup on Wainua alone did show a small but meaningful risk reduction, so the August readout could reset expectations either way.Two later regulatory decisions on other Ionis drugs are also due before year-end, and each one gives the company a chance to prove the franchise runs deeper than one heart trial.Key takeaways for Ionis investors:The Wainua ATTR-CM trial failure, not a business collapse, drove the initial 24% drop.The Roche Huntington’s exit added a second shock and pushed the five-day loss near 29%.Most analysts cut targets but kept buy ratings, signaling contained damage.Watch the August European Society of Cardiology (ESC) data and two year-end regulatory decisions for the real reset.None of this makes IONS a clear bargain or a stock to avoid. The next few catalysts decide what happens with the stock going forward.Related: Lilly quietly hands Chinese partner its cancer drug

The weakest point in financial security may not be a brokerage account password but a far less obvious vulnerability.Vanguard warned in a recent report that modern fraudsters exploit fear, urgency, and romantic trust to override rational thinking in investors. The firm’s behavioral economics team identified the specific psychological traps that make even experienced investors vulnerable to targeted emotional manipulation.U.S. consumers reported a record $15.9 billion in fraud losses in 2025, up from $12.5 billion in 2024, according to Federal Trade Commission data disclosed in March 2026 congressional testimony.Adults aged 60 and older filed more than 201,000 complaints and reported $7.7 billion in losses in 2025, a 37% jump in complaints and about 59% higher losses than in 2024, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s 2025 Internet Crime Complaint Center Annual Report showed.How scammers hijack the brain’s natural defensesHuman brains are wired to process emotions before logic, and scammers exploit this biological sequence to manipulate financial decisions, Andy Reed, Vanguard Head of Behavioral Economics Research, explained in the Vanguard report. Two competing systems shape financial decisions: a fast emotional process and a slower rational one that evaluates risk. Because the emotional response activates first, criminals can exploit the brief window before rational thinking overrides the initial impulse, the report indicated.A threatening email he received included a photograph of his home and demanded money, triggering an immediate visceral panic response, Reed said.He eventually recognized it as a mass-market scam built from publicly available data, but the initial panic was the exact response criminals engineered.Crossover fraud schemes combine tactics over months to steal billionsA Vanguard analysis, “Spotting and stopping more sophisticated scams,” describes how criminals blend multiple fraud techniques into elaborate schemes that unfold across weeks, months, or years.In a typical scheme, the fraudster initiates contact through an unsolicited pop-up window, phishing email, or social media message before escalating the attack.More Vanguard:Vanguard names 401(k) oversights that hurt your retirementVanguard drops playbook on retirement incomeVanguard warns workers losing thousands in 401(k)sThe victim is then transferred to accomplices impersonating fraud investigators from banks, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, or the U.S. Treasury, the firm explained. Investment scams continued to top all fraud categories by total dollar losses, with consumers reporting over $7.9 billion lost to such schemes in 2025, according to the FTC testimony before the Joint Economic Committee.The criminals behind crossover schemes are calculated and relentless, Vanessa Richards, global head of Vanguard Fraud Prevention and Physical Security, warned.”The reality is that these scammers are con artists who prey on the victims’ fears and needs in persuading them to act,” Richards said.

Scammers mix phishing, fake investigators, and investment fraud into long-term schemes that stole over $7.9 billion from victims in 2025.Witthaya Prasongsin/Getty Images

Older investors face the steepest financial toll from scam artistsBaby boomers hold more than $85 trillion in combined wealth, making them a prime target for scammers, Reed explained. Seniors often face heightened vulnerability because loneliness, particularly after losing a  loved one, creates a powerful emotional need for social connection, John Ginelli, Vanguard Head of Investor Protection, noted in the report.Older Americans frequently treat money as deeply private, making them less likely to alert family members when suspicious strangers initiate contact, Reed noted. “Criminals know that when we’re faced with a situation that puts us into a heightened emotional state, our brains are wired to act and not to stop and think logically,” said Kathy Stokes, director of fraud prevention programs with the AARP Fraud Watch Network. Guilt and shame after victimization create a second crisis because the emotional toll can be more devastating than the financial damage itself, Ginelli warned. Unreported cases also prevent law enforcement from identifying trends that could help stop future fraud schemes targeting older investors, Ginelli added.Secrecy gives criminals time to drain every available resourceScammers deliberately isolate victims from their families and financial institutions, using enforced secrecy to prevent outside intervention before funds are transferred, the report indicated. Reed shared a personal story about his 102-year-old grandfather, who was targeted by multiple scammers a few years ago. Reed’s family still does not know how many scams the grandfather fell for or how much money he lost, Reed said.The criminals coached his grandfather to purchase a burner phone and make cash drops, all while demanding he keep every detail hidden from family. Reed’s family attempted to intervene, but his grandfather trusted the scammers over his own wife, son, and grandson because of the depth of manipulation.FBI Special Agent Ron Miller, assigned to the Washington Field Office, worked a case in which the victim was a criminology professor with extensive knowledge of victimology, according to a May 2026 FBI News report.Almost anyone can be a victim. These guys are just that goodCriminals are patient and will use every available resource to convince victims to take out loans, max out credit cards, and accumulate debt, Ginelli stressed.Red flags Vanguard says investors should watch forVanguard says the clearest red flags are pressure to act quickly, requests to keep a transaction secret, and instructions to move money into cash or cryptocurrency. The firm adds that Vanguard will never ask clients to keep a transaction secret from family or be dishonest about it.That advice is not unique to Vanguard. The AARP Fraud Watch Network also urges investors to pause before responding and independently verify suspicious contacts. Rather than using the phone number, email, or link provided in a message, investors should contact the financial institution directly.Related: FTC survey: Older Americans getting hammered by scams