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GameStop shareholders approved a routine-sounding item on Tuesday: more authorized Class A shares.The timing complicates that read. Six days earlier, Sony confirmed it will stop manufacturing physical PlayStation game discs starting in January 2028, closing the book on the exact product category GameStop was built to sell.Sony’s move wasn’t really a surprise. Nearly four in five full-game purchases on PS4 and PS5 already happen digitally, based on Sony’s own disclosures cited by TheStreet.Physical video game spending fell to $1.5 billion in 2025, the lowest total since Circana began tracking the category in 1995.Related: Ryan Cohen passes on GameStop payday to keep pushing one acquisitionGameStop has spent two years adjusting to that decline. Collectibles and trading cards made up 41.8% of first quarter revenue in fiscal 2026, up from 28.9% a year earlier, according to a GameStop SEC filing.The company also closed 430 stores across 42 states in January 2026 alone, shrinking a footprint built for a disc business that keeps shrinking with it.GameStop’s first eBay bid ran into a wallThat pivot doesn’t touch GameStop’s other big project. In May, GameStop submitted a non-binding proposal to acquire all of eBay at $125 per share in cash and stock, a 46% premium to eBay’s pre-bid price.eBay’s board rejected the offer nine days later, calling it “neither credible nor attractive” in a letter from chairman Paul Pressler, according to CNBC.The board’s stated concern was financing. GameStop’s plan leaned on roughly $9.4 billion in cash and liquid assets plus up to $20 billion in third-party financing, a structure that left several analysts unconvinced, according to CNN.GameStop kept building its position anyway. The company directly owns 4.3 million eBay shares and holds options tied to another 39 million, according to a Reuters report, giving Cohen leverage regardless of whether a deal ever closes.

GameStop shareholders approved expanding authorized Class A shares to 2.5 billion, giving the retailer more currency to pursue its stalled eBay bid.Brandon Bell / Getty Images

Tuesday’s vote wasn’t really about the boardAll five GameStop directors were re-elected Tuesday, and shareholders approved executive pay and the company’s auditor, according to a Seeking Alpha report.Those items were never in doubt. The share count was the one that mattered.The approved amendment expands GameStop’s authorized Class A common stock to 2.5 billion shares, according to Proactive. That gives the company room to issue new stock as currency in an eBay deal without asking shareholders again.Final results, with the exact new share ceiling, go to the SEC in a Form 8-K.The stock didn’t celebrate. GameStop (GME) closed Tuesday down 2.46% at roughly $22.20, per the Seeking Alpha report, before edging up about 0.5% in after-hours trading once the vote results posted.Shares slipped further in early Wednesday trading, changing hands near $22.10, according to data from TheStreet. A capital structure fix doesn’t move a stock the way a signed merger agreement would.More Retail:60-year-old retailer closes over 240 locations across 35 statesRetail giant exits U.S. fashion after multi-million-dollar scandal79-year-old fast-fashion retailer closes 128 storesA retail survival plan that depends on someone else’s companyGameStop’s two stories are really one story. The disc business that funded the company for two decades is winding down on a fixed date, and collectibles alone won’t replace it at scale.The eBay bid is Ryan Cohen’s answer to that math, a bet that owning a marketplace matters more than owning shelf space.Tuesday’s vote didn’t buy eBay. It bought GameStop the paperwork to make an offer eBay’s board can’t dismiss on financing grounds alone.Whether that’s enough to get a deal done, or just extends a standoff already three months old, is the question GameStop still has to answer.Related: PlayStation is walking away from something gamers grew up on

Broadcom (AVGO) got some cold water poured on it on July 7. Just one day after, the stock jumped on news that Apple (AAPL) had extended its chip supply agreement through 2031 in a deal expected to exceed $30 billion.Erste Group analyst Hans Engel, who ranks 1,995 out of 12,375 Wall Street Analysts and has a 58% success rate, downgraded AVGO from Buy to Hold, according to TipRanks data. His reasoning was blunt, and the rally has already priced in most of the upside.The timing is honestly unexpected, surprising, and striking. A $30 billion Apple commitment, production of more than 15 billion U.S.-made chips, and a $1.5 billion capital expenditure expansion at Broadcom’s Fort Collins, Colorado facility, and one of Wall Street’s top-ranked analysts still said hold.That tension is worth sitting with.Also Read: Broadcom Inc. Latest News and StoriesWhat the Apple deal actually means for Broadcom’s revenue floorBefore getting to the valuation debate, the Apple agreement deserves its own moment. This isn’t a routine contract renewal.Apple announced the deal as its largest commitment under its American Manufacturing Program, launched last year to accelerate domestic silicon production.Under the agreement, Broadcom will design and produce custom silicon components and advanced wireless connectivity technologies, including FBAR filters and radio frequency components, at its Fort Collins facility, according to the Apple statement.More Wall Street:Wall Street has a new problem, and it’s not the technologyWall Street’s biggest banks just landed the AI IPO of the yearWall Street’s top analysts just doubled down on 3 stocksThe numbers are significant. More than 15 billion U.S.-made chips. A commitment expected to exceed $30 billion. A $1.5 billion capital expenditure investment by Broadcom to expand and modernize the Colorado plant. And a supply relationship now locked in through 2031, giving Broadcom multi-year revenue visibility that most chip companies can only dream about.My read on this is this. The Apple deal is not just a revenue story, but a margin-quality story. Locked-in, long-duration contracts with the world’s most valuable company reduce earnings volatility in a way that justifies a premium to the broader semiconductor peer group. Looking at that $30 billion commitment stretched across five years, I see a revenue floor, not a ceiling, as most may think.Why Engel downgraded, and where I think he has a pointEngel’s downgrade wasn’t a bearish call on Broadcom’s business. No. He remains bullish on the long-term AI outlook, according to TipRanks data. His concern is purely about price relative to value at current levels.Looking at Broadcom’s valuation metrics as of early July 2026, according to Yahoo Finance data:Trailing P/E: 59.98 timesForward P/E: 19.27 timesPrice/Sales: 23.30 timesEnterprise Value/EBITDA: 41.54 timesPEG ratio: 0.41That PEG ratio is actually the most interesting number in the set. At 0.41, it suggests Broadcom’s earnings growth trajectory more than justifies its current multiple. That’s a point the bulls would make forcefully. But the trailing P/E is near 60 times, and price-to-sales above 23 times reflect a stock in which sentiment and momentum have done much of the work recently.Related: Top Broadcom insider unloads eye-popping number of sharesI think Engel has a legitimate point on near-term valuation. After a 44.05% one-year return, according to Yahoo Finance, and a stock trading at $388 as of this report, the margin for error on execution has narrowed considerably. At the same time, downgrading to Hold the day before a major $30 billion Apple deal gets announced honestly feels like pulling the fire alarm on the way out of a party that’s still going strong. The long-term supply visibility that the deal creates is exactly the kind of fundamental support that tends to keep premium multiples intact longer than skeptics expect.

According to FactSet data as of July 2, 2026, the Semiconductors and Semiconductor Equipment industry is projected to report 131% year-over-year Q2 earnings growth.David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images

What rest of Wall Street think about AVGO right nowEngel’s downgrade stands out precisely because it is so isolated. The rest of the analyst community remains firmly in the bull camp, according to TipRanks and TheStreet’s sources:Evercore ISI: Outperform, $582 price target from $490, according to TipRanksJPMorgan: Overweight, $580 from $365.02, according to TheStreetBernstein: Buy, $550 from $525, citing multi-year hyperscaler pipeline security past 2027Bank of America: Buy, $530 from $450, pointing to margin safety and AI networking dominanceDeutsche Bank: Buy, $515 from $430Goldman Sachs: Buy, added to its U.S. Conviction ListMizuho: Buy, $530 from $480, according to Investing.comThe one other skeptic in the group is D.A. Davidson, which holds a neutral view at a $400 price target, arguing AI growth is already fully priced in. A position similar to Engel’s, according to TipRanks.The semiconductor sector backdrop supports the broader bull case. According to FactSet data as of July 2, 2026, the Semiconductors and Semiconductor Equipment industry is projected to report 131% year-over-year Q2 earnings growth. That’s the largest contributor to Information Technology sector earnings growth and 75% revenue growth, the highest of any industry in the sector.Why Broadcom’s next earnings call will settle the valuation debateAVGO shares closed up 4.83% at $388.69 on July 8. The stock has returned 44.05% over the past year and 375.90% over three years, according to Yahoo Finance data. The S&P 500 returned 20.19% and 70.10% over those same periods.Broadcom’s next earnings report, estimated on Sep 3, 2026, will be the real referendum on this debate.Related: Broadcom gets major OpenAI boost in AI chip raceIf AI semiconductor revenue continues the trajectory CEO Hock Tan described last quarter — over 200% year-over-year growth heading into Q3 — the forward P/E of 19.27 times will look cheap in retrospect, and Engel’s Hold call will look premature.If execution slips or hyperscaler spending shows any signs of moderation, a trailing P/E near 60 times leaves very little cushion. That’s the honest tension in this stock right now. And one downgrade from one analyst, however well-timed, doesn’t resolve it either way.Related: JPMorgan’s latest Broadcom outlook sends key signal

Retailers have always been secretive about the security measures used in stores, because if you tell the bad guys how you’re fighting them, they can plan to evade those measures. “Retailers commit an incredible amount of resources to keep stores safe for employees and customers. But combating the growing problem of organized retail crime has been tremendously challenging, particularly as criminals become more brazen and sophisticated in their operations and exploit online marketplaces to sell stolen goods,” Retail Communities Foundation Lisa LaBruno told the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA).Retail theft is real, and it’s something stores have struggled with. Still, preventing theft in your store is entirely different than handing data to law enforcement that leads to people getting arrested for crimes not committed there.What are Lowe’s and Home Depot doing?Both Home Depot and Lowe’s have been using something called Flock Safety at select stores.”Flock Safety’s automated license plate reader system captures vehicle data at retailers in Ohio and shares it with law enforcement for various purposes, including theft investigations and immigration enforcement. Flock’s AI-powered cameras scan and log license plate numbers, vehicle make, model, color, and physical markers, creating a searchable database accessible to law enforcement agencies,” according to Gadget Review.Home Depot and Lowe’s share data from hundreds of Flock cameras with police, according to 404 Media’s investigation.More Retail:60-year-old retailer closes over 240 locations across 35 statesRetail giant exits U.S. fashion after multi-million-dollar scandal79-year-old fast-fashion retailer closes 128 storesCivil rights groups have expressed deep concerns over the technology.”Our biggest concerns lie with government use, but we are also deeply worried about unregulated and unfettered access by government and law enforcement to data first obtained via non-government sources,” the ACLU of Ohio’s legislative director told The American Prospect.Flock has pushed backFlock itself does not sell data. That, however, is kind of a technicality because its customers can.“One hundred per cent of data, which is the photo of the public license plate, is owned by our customers,” Flock’s Public Relations Manager Kerry McCormack told The Guardian. “So, you own that data. It is never sold. We don’t have that in our model. It is written into your contract. We do not sell data.”Much of the controversy has been around data being shared with ICE to aid immigration enforcement.“We’re not limiting their access essentially to searches… associated [with] their case,” replied Patrick Krieg of the Dunwoody, Georgia, police. “Say that the agency has a representative who is assigned to a unit that is associated with said ICE, would they be able to search our database? Most likely.”In a website post in January, Flock said it did not work with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or any other sub-agency of the Department of Homeland Security, noting that it had concluded pilot programs with federal agencies in August.

Lowe’s and Home Depot parking lots have become part of the political debate over immigration enforcement. Shutterstock

Flock’s technology has been used in controversial waysNot every use of Flock’s technology has been controversial because it relates to the politically hot-button topic of immigration. As of April, police officers had used Flock and other ALPR cameras in 16 instances to “keep tabs on their [own] romantic interests, including current partners, exes, and even strangers who unwittingly caught their eye in public,” the Institute for Justice reported. Last year, Texas cops used Flock to search 83,000 cameras nationwide, including in states where abortion is legal, hunting for a woman they said had performed a self-administered abortion, 404 Media reported.In another instance, the same news outlet found that Flock’s sales workers ran a pitch by accessing the company’s cameras in an Atlanta suburb, including “in a children’s gymnastics room, a playground, a school, a Jewish community center, and a pool.”The concern is not limited to law enforcement. Privacy advocates generally argue that any organization that collects large amounts of location or surveillance data — whether a retailer, a technology company, or a government agency — creates the possibility that someone with authorized access could use that information in ways that were never intended.I’ve seen a version of that dynamic play out before. In the late 1990s, a technology employee at a company where I worked improperly used internal access to learn that his girlfriend was cheating on him. He was fired, but the incident underscored a broader point: When people have access to sensitive information, misuse is always a risk.Home Depot and Lowe’s have downplayed concernsHome Depot shareholders voted down a shareholder proposal to produce a report on Flock’s use, after board members recommended voting against it, according to Biz Journals.Lowe’s has also faced pressure over using the technology.”In an April 1 letter addressed to CEO Marvin Ellison and other Lowe’s executives, which was viewed by Fast Company, 38 organizations including Fight for the Future, Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), the American Federation of Teachers, and more, demanded the company drop its contract with Flock,” Fast Company reported.The letter states that the country is “at a serious inflection point” where “repercussions of mass surveillance have life-altering consequences for the life and liberty of everyday people.” It continued, “Time and again, we’ve seen how automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras have exposed individuals to danger and persecution, whether they be protesters, legal observers, those seeking reproductive and gender-affirming care, or communities of color who are frequently profiled and harassed.”The groups assert that Lowe’s has a responsibility to act in the best interest of the greater public, and that the partnership with Flock aligns the company with “brutal immigration” policies and “authoritarian rule.”Lowe’s, at the time of the Fast Company article’s publication, had not responded.Related: Costco quietly makes a key credit card change

If you have ever caught yourself doom scrolling on Instagram or Facebook for hours on end and felt bad, don’t; the technology is working exactly how it was intended to. Everything from the length and style of the Reels to the algorithms’ encyclopedic knowledge of your likes and dislikes is designed to keep you on the social media platforms.The addictive features of social media have been the topic of intense study for years. In 2019, scientists published a study, showing that the addictive nature of smartphones and the apps on them has numerous detrimental mental effects, with links to anxiety disorder and depression.Those issues have been found to be even more acute in children and teenagers. While most might assume that personal responsibility is the only way to break the cycle and reclaim one’s mental health, at least four states are suing Meta Platforms (META), claiming that the company is making its number one product addictive on purpose, to the detriment of public health. Four states sue Meta for a combined $1.4 trillionMeta Platforms, the parent company behind Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, is facing penalties of up to $1.4 trillion stemming from lawsuits brought by California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey on behalf of their citizens. This week, Meta submitted a court filing responding to the state attorneys general’s filings on how penalties should be calculated should the states win the trial. “A sanction of that size has no analog in the history of consumer protection enforcement,” Meta said in the filing, according to Reuters. Meanwhile, in a statement to Reuters, Meta says that “the plaintiffs’ outlandish calculations have no basis in fact or law.”Meta’s entire market capitalization is about $1.4 trillion. While the state’s filings are sealed ahead of an August trial date in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, the attorneys general have said that they are calculating penalties by multiplying the number of violations by fine amounts set by state law.Last month, the court fully denied an attempt by Meta to obtain a summary judgment that would have terminated the lawsuit, which alleges that Meta “designed and deployed harmful features on its platforms that addict children and teens to their severe mental and physical detriment, all while misleading the public regarding the existence and severity of these risks.”Meta has also been sued by another 29 states, with most of them alleging that the company violated the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act by collecting data from children without proper parental consent. The August trial will address all claims brought under that law, plus the four states alleging that the company violated their state laws as well, according to Reuters. Meanwhile, Meta has denied the allegations and says that the states have no evidence that it misled consumers about its platforms’ alleged addictiveness because “social media addiction” is not an established psychiatric condition.

Oscar Wong / Getty Images

Meta isn’t the only social media company being suedSince the pandemic, TikTok has surpassed Instagram and Facebook in popularity among young people, and that platform is seemingly just as addictive as Meta’s. Recently, TikTok settled with a Florida teen who sued the company over the social media platform’s addictive nature, which he claimed harmed his mental health. The 15-year-old boy accused TikTok, along with Meta, YouTube and Snapchat of designing their platforms to be addictive through features like infinite scroll and autoplay. “He’s still a kid. He is still in high school and evaluating the impact that social media has had on his very young life,” Emily Jeffcott, his attorney, told NBC News. “I think that should really be a lens that’s worth paying attention to.”YouTube also settled with him, leaving Meta and Snap as the only two defendants left to face the jury in a trial expected to start July 27 in Los Angeles County Superior Court. Related: Meta just picked a fight with Amazon’s cash cow

The Iran War, tariffs and the demand-driven AI-investment boon could add up to create inflationary conditions where Federal Reserve policymakers would need to consider interest-rate hikes later this year.But not just yet. According to the minutes of the June Federal Open Market Committee meeting, policymakers at the central bank were concerned about high inflation but needed more data before making a move on the benchmark Federal Funds Rate.The data could also signal that rates should continue to hold for a while or even go lower sooner than many expected.The minutes do not name participants so Fed watchers need to closely read the words in the 15-page document released July 8 as well as read between its lines.LPL Financial Chief Economist Jeffrey Roach said the minutes suggest the FOMC had a “good family fight” over the various scenarios under review — a difficult situation with a wide range of outcomes.  “One thing is certain: future policy is heavily contingent on the political situation in the Middle East. If we can tease out any forward guidance from the minutes, it would be the committee is working through a wide range of scenarios and will not commit to a specific scenario until the incoming data provides necessary clarity,’’ he said.Roach added that he didn’t expect the FOMC to make a change in either direction at the July 28-29 meeting.Fed’s dual mandate requires a tricky danceThe Fed’s dual mandate from Congress requires maximum employment and stable prices.Lower interest rates support hiring but can fuel inflation. This risks fueling further inflation, potentially leading to an inflationary spiral.Higher rates cool prices but can weaken the job market. This increases the cost of borrowing and further stifles economic activity.

Fed holds interest rates steady thus far this year The rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee voted unanimously last month to hold its benchmark Federal Funds Rate target in a range of 3.5% to 3.75%. Policymakers had cut rates by 25 basis points at its last three meetings of 2025 to shore up the softening labor market. These “insurance” cuts stopped after the majority of policymakers decided the risk from higher prices was outweighing signs that the jobs market was stabilizing.The funds rate is the interest rate that the Federal Reserve charges other banks overnight. A change in the funds rate triggers moves in borrowing costs ranging from credit cards to auto loans and influences long-term mortgage rates.It is one of several tools the Fed could use to maintain a balanced economy that is neither overheating nor cooling down.Warsh says inflation risk is droppingFederal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh said July 1 that inflation risks have come down in recent weeks although he didn’t offer data or other numbers to support his argument.Instead, speaking at the European Central Bank’s annual gathering of international policymakers and economists in Sintra, Portugal, the new Fed chair doubled down on his hawkish pledge from the June FOMC meeting that the Fed will focus on delivering “price stability.” Warsh emphasized the Fed’s commitment to getting inflation back down to its 2% target — a level it has missed for the last five years.Related: BofA flips the script with bombshell Fed interest-rate outlook“If there were people in households or the business sector or the financial markets who thought that this central bank was going to be comfortable with an inflation objective above 2%, well, I guess they’d be disappointed,” he said.“We’re going to deliver price stability in the U.S.,” Warsh said, adding that “the tactics, the strategy and the rest, that’s still to come.”June FOMC minutes show Fed split on interest-rate outlookThe FOMC debated multiple scenarios June 16-17 on how the U.S. economy could evolve through the end of the year.In a scenario featuring moderating inflation, “most” participants said they expected the central bank would “maintain or eventually lower the target range for the Federal Funds Rate.”But “most” participants said that “some policy firming would likely be warranted” if inflation remains elevated.What’s ahead for interest rates?Following the July 7 release of the June FOMC meetings, the CME Group FedWatch Tool estimated there will be at least one 25 basis point rate hike this year with more potentially to come in 2027.New York Fed President John Williams said July 7 that monetary policy was well positioned and that he expected Headline PCE, the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge that’s been hitting close to 4%, will dip over the next several months as energy prices stabilize.  Vinny Amaru, Global Investment Strategist at J.P. Morgan Wealth Management, told TheStreet in an email following the June jobs report on July 2 that the U.S. economy remains resilient overall. “Slightly weaker payroll gains and mild wage growth reinforce our view that the Fed will remain on hold this year as neither signal the need to hike interest rates to cool an overheating labor market,’’ Amaru said.Related: Warsh drops inflation bombshell that could reset interest-rate bets

T-Mobile is facing backlash for revoking a privilege that customers used when chatting with customer support representatives in the T-Life app. The change comes as the carrier has been making customers increasingly reliant on the app to handle account changes in recent months. For example, in October, T-Mobile began requiring customers to use its T-Life app to organize pay arrangements for past-due account balances. By December, it added its “Easy Switch” tool to the app, allowing consumers from rival carriers to switch to its network digitally. In March, T-Mobile rolled out an in-app feature that allows customers to compare wireless plan prices.In a memo to employees in May, T-Mobile Chief Operating Officer Jon Freier said that the company’s T-Life transformation is driving increased customer satisfaction and more changes are underway. “Our T-Life transformation is, at the highest order, about perfecting the customer experience and modernizing ways of serving customers and finally graduating those old worn out 1990s legacy systems,” said Freier in the memo.T-Mobile disables screenshots of customer support chatsWhile T-Mobile has recently added features to its T-Life app, it has also quietly disabled one that allowed customers to take screenshots of conversations with customer support representatives. A T-Mobile customer flagged the change in a recent Reddit post, showing that their phone screen goes blank when they try to take a screenshot of their chat with customer support. They also said that screen recording doesn’t work either. In the comment section under the post, some T-Mobile customers said the change makes the carrier less trustworthy, as screenshots provide evidence and hold the company accountable for its team members’ claims. Related: T-Mobile warns customers that a key service will double in price“I’m supposed to be getting free phones for all 4 lines after the trade in value and the installments but am only getting 2 free and paying over $410 net for the next two years for the other two. They flat out lied to me in the upgrade process and I tried to screenshot the convesation but it no longer allows you to do that, Tmobile is now a very unethical company that cant be trusted,” shared one customer. “Blocking screenshots in a customer support chat where billing promises, promo credits, plan changes, and reps’ representations are made seems less like ‘security’ and more like ‘please don’t preserve the evidence,’” wrote another.“T-Mobile clearly doesn’t want you holding them accountable for what they say in chat. I currently only use T-Mobile as my isp. If there is ever a problem, I’m switching,” wrote another T-Mobile customer. 

T-Mobile customers can no longer take screenshots of customer support chats in the T-Life app. Bloomberg / Getty Images

How T-Mobile customers can get around the new restrictionIt is no surprise that concerns about the change are arising, especially since T-Mobile embedded an always-on artificial intelligence assistant into the app last year to help customers address account issues or questions about offerings. AI doesn’t always get it right, and this was demonstrated in March last year when T-Mobile’s AI assistant mistakenly informed customers that a free line offer for Go5G Plus and Go5G Next plans would remain free for 24 months, when it is actually free for as long as the customer maintains eligibility. More T-Mobile News:T-Mobile adds new internet plan restriction customers will feelT-Mobile drops new free perks for customers as pressure buildsT-Mobile quietly expands a convenient service for customersIf T-Mobile customers want a record of their messages with customer support, they have a few options. First, they can use another device to take an image of their phone screen. Second, they can contact T-Force, T-Mobile’s social media customer service team, on X or Facebook.  Customers used to be able to contact customer support via Apple Messages, but T-Mobile stopped allowing this after Dec. 31. The carrier instead encourages customers to chat with representatives using the T-Life app.T-Mobile’s latest T-Life change comes amid a critical time for customersThe T-Life update comes as T-Mobile is discontinuing several legacy wireless plans and is transitioning impacted customers onto newer ones, resulting in higher monthly bills for some. It is also pulling the plug on its KickBack discount, which helps customers save money each month on wireless lines that use less than 2GB of data.These changes are most likely causing an influx of customers contacting customer support to discuss their wireless plan options. In a statement to TheStreet, RTMNexus CEO Dominick Miserandino said that T-Mobile’s decision to disable screenshots inside of its T-Life support chat is “a terrible look for a company that built its brand on transparency.”“When consumers talk to customer care about billing errors, plan changes, or promotional credits, screenshots are their only receipts,” said Miserandino. “T-Mobile might try to wrap this change in the guise of security or protecting personal data, but it feels like a deliberate move to erase accountability.”“By blocking the ability to save transcripts, they ensure that if a representative makes a promise that isn’t honored, the consumer has zero hard evidence to back up their claim,” he added. The change to T-Life comes after a recent report by Roger Entner, a lead analyst at Recon Analytics, revealed that millions of T-Mobile customers engage with the app monthly.“Twenty-four million of 34 million T-Mobile customer relationships use T-Life at least four times a month,” said Entner. “That’s roughly 70% engaging with the app multiple times weekly. Seventy-three percent of postpaid upgrades flowed through T-Life in Q4 2025 (39% with no person involved).”Related: Verizon acquires 35-year-old wireless carrier as it shuts down

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 dealWhether completing online assignments for school, sending work emails, or streaming Netflix in your downtime, a tablet is a reliable choice for numerous activities, especially if it’s equipped with a time-saving Bluetooth keyboard. The addition of this wireless accessory transforms a basic tablet into a budget-friendly laptop that’s ultra-portable and lightweight. You don’t even need to break the bank to invest in this top-notch tech, because Walmart’s limited-time sale on the Aeezo 2-in-1 Laptop and Tablet brings the total cost to under $80. This bestselling Android 14 tablet is on sale for 31% off with a deal, and comes in your choice of black or white. The tablet, which offers “great performance and value,” according to one buyer, comes upgraded with a Bluetooth keyboard, wireless mouse, stylus pen, and protective case. This bestselling tablet and accessory bundle was already a steal at its usual price of $110, but it’s an unbeatable deal now at just $76. Aeezo 2-in-1 Laptop and Tablet, $76 (was $110) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at WalmartWhy do shoppers love it?Outfitted with everything you need for everyday computing tasks, this two-in-one laptop and tablet is user-friendly and reliable. It runs on the Android 14 operating system and has an octa-core processor for a fast and secure performance. The Google Play Store comes preinstalled on the device, so you can quickly download your favorite apps, like YouTube, Facebook, and WhatsApp. There’s plenty of space to add these go-to apps, as well as for your favorite movies and e-books, as the tablet comes with 20 gigabytes (GB) of RAM and 64 GB of ROM, which is expandable up to 1 terabyte (TB).Related: Amazon has a 2-in-1 laptop and tablet for only $59 that comes with a 5-piece accessories bundleDesigned for on-the-go functionality, the tablet has a 5000-milliampere-hour battery that offers up to 10 hours of playtime on a single charge. If you’re stuck at the airport or working at the coffee shop, this means you won’t need to stay near an outlet to stay powered up. Since the tablet comes with a spacious 10.1-inch high-definition touchscreen display, the viewing experience has stunning visuals that are easier on the eyes compared to a small smartphone screen. Additionally, the device has a 5-megapixel front camera and an 8-megapixel rear camera, so you can take photos and answer video calls.Pros and cons of the Aeezo 2-in-1 laptop and tabletPros:It’s a two-in-one device. Instead of buying a tablet and a laptop separately, you can switch between both with the Bluetooth accessory bundle.It’s an excellent value. It’s uncommon to find a tablet without any accessories for under $80, let alone one that is decked out this much.The keyboard adds efficiency.  One shopper raved, “It’s lightweight, easy to carry, and the keyboard makes typing much faster.”Cons:It’s meant for basic tasks. If you need an electronic for advanced gaming or processing large data files, you’ll want something else.It’s a smaller tablet. When it comes to tablet screens, this one is in the smaller range.Shop more dealsFitifun 10-Inch Android 14 Tablet, $53 (was $100) at WalmartPutecch 2-in-1 Laptop and Tablet, $95 (was $169) at WalmartFitifun 2-in-1 Laptop and Tablet, $82 (was $140) at WalmartThe Aeezo 2-in-1 Laptop and Tablet is a stellar bargain for just $76 at Walmart, especially since it’s loaded with handy accessories, like the wireless keyboard and mouse. Before the deal sells out, be sure to add this convenient device to your cart. 

International Business Machines (IBM) has spent years trying to convince investors that it deserves a new label.For Wall Street, IBM long looked like a legacy hardware and consulting company with limited upside. As IBM shifts deeper into higher-margin software, AI infrastructure, and free cash flow, it becomes increasingly difficult to justify that perspective.Bank of America Global Research now anticipates that shift gaining momentum.The brokerage reaffirmed its buy rating on IBM and boosted its price target to $330 from $315. That suggests there’s around 14% upside from IBM’s $289.52 pricing on July 6, according to the research note.The headline number counts, but behind that is the greater investor tale.BofA expects IBM to have a good fiscal second quarter and slightly raise its fiscal 2026 guidance, thanks to better software trends, Red Hat performance, Confluent integration, and stronger transaction-processing demand related to the z17 mainframe cycle.That alone makes IBM more than just an earnings preview story.IBM’s blend of software may be giving investors a stronger reason to think less of the business as a slow-growing technology name and more as a resilient cash-flow compounder with artificial intelligence upside.“IBM is mixing up higher-margin software, driving strong free cash flow, and optionality from quantum,” BofA wrote.IBM’s software business is changing the stock debateFor IBM’s comeback, the mix has always been crucial.Not all segments need to grow quickly for the organization. It needs to make software a bigger part of the business because software has better margins, greater recurring revenue, and more strategic value than legacy hardware.The trend is expected to show up again in the second quarter, BofA said.IBM’s software revenue for the June quarter is $8.26 billion, up 11.8% from a year ago. It also forecasts software revenue growth of 11.3% in constant currency.That would make software expand faster than the corporation as a whole at IBM.BofA expects overall second-quarter sales to be $18.0 billion, up 6% from a year ago, and non-GAAP earnings of $3.05 a share. It also expects IBM to report free cash flow of $3.36 billion for the quarter, an increase of 18.1% from the year-ago period.Related: IBM handed two major wins within 24 hoursThere are many moving aspects to the software tale.Red Hat is still the basic engine and is expected to expand 10% in constant currency in the second quarter, helped by stronger consumption and bookings, BofA said.Automation must also be resilient. BofA sees 11% constant-currency growth in the second quarter before declining later in the year as IBM laps HashiCorp-related advantages.The biggest gain from data should go to Confluent. BofA expects Confluent to add roughly $340 million in the second quarter, or about 5% of software growth.That’s important because Confluent gives IBM a more powerful data streaming asset at a time when enterprises demand cleaner, quicker data pipelines to power AI applications.BofA sees IBM guidance moving higherBofA’s call is not based on just one quarter.The company anticipates IBM improving fiscal 2026 expectations somewhat on sales and free cash flow. It boosted its fiscal 2026 sales estimate to $71.4 billion from $71.1 billion and its earnings projection to $12.47 per share from $12.10.BofA also raised its 2027 earnings projection to $13.02 from $12.67 and its 2028 prediction to $14.06 from $13.64.Those estimate increases bolster the greater price aim.BofA now values IBM at 21 times its anticipated enterprise value to free cash flow for calendar 2027, which equates to the new $330 target.Its second-quarter model gives a reason why it feels there is justification for confidence. BofA sees IBM’s non-GAAP operating income at $3.9 billion, up 7.1% from the prior year. It also forecasts an operating margin of 21.7% and a pre-tax income margin of 19.3%.More Tech:Microsoft may be done making Xbox cheapIBM handed two major wins within 24 hoursSpaceX’s 32% crash may force Musk into radical moveThe full-year model for IBM also suggests improving profitability.BofA sees gross margin at 60% in fiscal 2026, up 52 basis points year over year. It estimates an operating margin of 21.7%, up 78 basis points, and a pre-tax income margin of 19.7%, up 89 basis points.That’s the part investors need to watch.IBM doesn’t need explosive growth for the stock to work. It requires consistent revenue growth, improved margins, and sufficient free cash flow to fund dividends, investments, and acquisitions.BofA expects IBM to generate $15.77 billion in free cash flow in fiscal 2026, up 7% from a year earlier.

Amazon’s AI investment boom comes with a bigger bill.Bloomberg / Getty Images

IBM still has weak spots investors need to watchIBM’s setup looks better, but it’s not pretty across the board.The most obvious pressure point remains infrastructure. BofA sees IBM’s infrastructure sales down 1.5% in constant currency in the second quarter and down 2.1% for fiscal 2026. The corporation cites a challenging comparison from the z17 mainframe launch cycle.That is a drag on the entire story. But BofA also sees upside potential from demand for power and storage as firms construct infrastructure for AI workloads. That could help alleviate some weakness from the z17 comparison.Consulting remains a slow-growth business.BofA expects consulting revenue growth of 1.5% in the second quarter and 1.7% for fiscal 2026 in constant currency. It fits a low single-digit growth profile but doesn’t have the same upside as software.IBM stock key takeawaysBofA Global Research reiterated its buy rating on IBM.The firm raised its IBM price objective to $330 from $315.BofA expects IBM to report fiscal second-quarter revenue of $18.0 billion and earnings of $3.05 a share.The firm expects IBM to raise fiscal 2026 guidance modestly.Software remains the key driver, with BofA modeling 11.8% second-quarter software revenue growth.Red Hat, Confluent, and transaction processing should support stronger software trends.Infrastructure remains a risk as IBM laps the z17 mainframe cycle.BofA sees IBM generating $15.77 billion in free cash flow in fiscal 2026.The concern is that IBM’s software gains won’t outweigh deterioration elsewhere.If Red Hat slows, Confluent synergies take longer to materialize or infrastructure drops more than projected, investors would ask whether IBM deserves a higher multiple.Some optimism is also already priced in the stock.IBM is trading at around 23 times BofA’s fiscal 2026 earnings forecast and 20.4 times its fiscal 2028 projection. That valuation doesn’t look extreme against faster-growing software names, although it does require IBM to continue to prove its mix shift can hold up.IBM’s next test is proving software can carry the storyBofA’s increased price target is a clear statement.IBM’s tale is no longer about whether the corporation can escape its legacy image but whether software can continue to move the business ahead.Red Hat guides IBM to hybrid cloud success. Confluent is a better data platform. The z17 cycle could increase transaction processing. As company dollars go into AI infrastructure, power and storage might benefit.Those pieces don’t make IBM a high-growth cloud play. They become a more focused technological company with stronger margins and a clearer route to cash flow growth, and that difference matters for investors.IBM doesn’t need to be the next Nvidia (NVDA) to work. It must continue to evolve into software, defend its margins, and demonstrate that its AI and data assets can support sustainable enterprise demand.BofA believes that is happening. The earnings report on July 22 will be the next proving point for investors.If IBM lifts its forecast and software trends improve as BofA expects, Wall Street may have to keep reconsidering what kind of stock IBM has become.Related: IBM stock just got powerful new price target from Wall Street

Tesla’s (TSLA) fresh bull case lands at a strange moment for the stock.Investors were anxiously waiting for a demand reset after concerns of some major EV competition, sluggish margins, and lackluster growth. However, in a surprise turn of events, Tesla then beat Q2 delivery estimates by a wide margin, giving bulls a rare hard-data win before the next earnings test.RBC Capital’s Tom Narayan is not stopping there. In his latest price target revamp of Tesla stock, he shifts the focus from what Tesla just delivered to what it could become if SpaceX enters the valuation debate.For perspective, over the past couple of years, Tesla has no longer been judged purely on vehicle sales, Robotaxi timing, or energy storage growth. The stock market is being asked to price the possibility of a much larger Musk-controlled ecosystem.However, given Tesla stock’s “battleground” nature, does that make it more valuable, or simply more speculative? Tesla’s new bull case is bigger than cars According to TheFly, RBC Capital’s top analyst, Tom Narayan, just reframed Tesla as much closer to an AI infrastructure platform, with vehicles, batteries, chips, Robotaxis, humanoids, and possibly SpaceX all feeding into one massive Musk-led ecosystem.Narayan raised his Tesla price target to $500 from $475 and kept a buy rating, arguing that recent talk of a potential Tesla-SpaceX combination has compelled investors to contemplate what a merged company could look like, especially if SpaceX acquired Tesla in an all-stock deal at a premium.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 betFor context, Narayan has a 65% success rate on Tesla stock, TipRanks confirmed, based on 79 ratings. That would not be merely a financial transaction. In Narayan’s opinion, the logic would come from shared operations, chip development, Megapacks for data-center power needs, AI training capacity, fleet services, and deeper vertical integration.In essence, Tesla becomes less of a carmaker and more like a hub for Musk’s AI and energy ambitions. Nevertheless, Narayan still sees global EV demand jumping and Tesla as the key brand in the space, but the upside case stretches beyond cars.That makes the stock story bigger but also harder to value.Speaking of value, based on Seeking Alpha data, Tesla stock looks stretched by almost any traditional earnings yardstick. Its forward non-GAAP P/E ratio sits near 190, according to TradingView, more than 1,000% above the sector median, while its GAAP forward multiple is at a dizzying 296.

Tesla stock gained a new SpaceX angle in a bullish valuation call.jetcityimage

Tesla’s SpaceX-linked bull case gets harder to ignoreTesla now owns SpaceX shares: Tesla’s filing said its planned $2 billion xAI investment converted into SpaceX Class A stock, according to Yahoo Finance.The core business just gave bulls cover: Tesla said it delivered 480,126 vehicles and deployed 13.5 GWh of storage in Q2, beating estimates by a huge margin, Yahoo Finance added.AI compute is the new link: As MarketWatch reported, Musk announced Tesla would work with SpaceX on a one-terawatt compute hardware factory.Commercial ties are already real: Tesla disclosed $143.3 million in 2025 revenue from SpaceX-related agreements, Electrek noted.Capex shows the pivot: Tesla expects to spend more than $25 billion in 2026 on AI infrastructure, batteries, CyberCab, and Optimus, Reuters confirmed.Robotaxi is still clearest Tesla-only upside storyThe SpaceX angle is clearly the flashier part of the call, but Robotaxi is perhaps the clearest Tesla-only reason for the stock to work in the long term. Narayan views the Robotaxi as Tesla’s strongest long-term opportunity, even before any SpaceX premium is added. It’s essentially a clean way for investors to value Tesla using something within the company’s control, rather than a possible all-stock merger that has not been formally proposed.Narayan’s framework points to a $4.2 trillion Robotaxi market, where Tesla would not need to dominate the entire category to create meaningful value. Even a small share could be enough to support the lofty valuation metrics at which Tesla is trading, provided it can scale its fleet, prove the technology, and turn autonomy into a recurring revenue stream. Interestingly, he’s not the only one beating the drum on Tesla’s autonomous future.Cathie Wood’s ARK Invest is even more aggressive, forecasting that Robotaxis might account for nearly 90% of Tesla’s enterprise value and earnings by 2029. On top of that, Tesla’s Robotaxi business could potentially be worth a massive standalone value driver, with revenue reaching $250 billion by 2035 and potentially supporting $2.75 trillion in equity value, according to Investing.com, citing Wolfe Research analyst Emmanuel Rosner. Wall Street price targets for Tesla stockWedbush: $600: Dan Ives maintained an outperform rating, with Tesla’s AI and autonomy push central to the bull case.JPMorgan: $475: Rajat Gupta upgraded Tesla to neutral from underweight, citing autonomy, robotics, and a broader hardware-software valuation reset.Bank of America: $460: Analyst Alexander Perry has a buy rating, tied largely to Tesla’s potential lead in Robotaxis and autonomous mobility.Morgan Stanley: $415. The firm maintained an equal-weight rating following Tesla’s Robotaxi expansion, signaling a more cautious stance near current levels.Goldman Sachs: $375: Goldman maintained a neutral rating, even after raising its Q2 delivery expectations before Tesla’s delivery beat.
Sources: Wedbush, JPMorgan, Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, and Goldman Sachs price targets from Benzinga, Barron’s/Yahoo Finance, Investing.com, and TradingView/GuruFocus reports
Related: Goldman Sachs revamps SpaceX stock price target for 2026

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 dealNow that it’s summer, you’re probably already thinking about cleaning your home for the new season. That’s because the hectic holidays are long gone and the long hot summer is still underway. What better way to bridge the gap than by getting your home as neat and organized as possible? One of the best ways to start the process is by making the most of dresser drawers throughout the house. Thanks to Walmart, you can add more drawers to the mix with one of its most affordable mini dressers, that’s available for an even better price than usual at the moment.The Concetta 2-Drawer Mini Dresser is on sale for just $19. You don’t have to spend like royalty to have an organized home, and this dresser is the perfect example of that rule.Concetta 2-Drawer Mini Dresser, $19 at Walmart

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Shop at WalmartWhy do shoppers love it?This little dresser is so convenient, in part, because it has so many potential uses. While it’s perfect for standard clothing storage in your bedroom closet or corner, it’s able to do so much more. The small size and neutral design of this piece lends it to use almost anywhere in the home. It can be an entryway table, a living room end table next to the sofa, or even as a bedside nightstand. With that in mind, this versatile little piece of furniture can be purchased in a two-pack as well because it works so wonderfully as part of a set.The frame is made from lightweight and durable powder-coated stainless steel. That construction means that the dresser’s skeleton is rustproof and corrosion-resistant. Longevity is key when it comes to everyday use furniture like this, so the steel frame design is a big plus. What’s more, the fabric-sided drawers are also relatively lightweight, making the entire unit easy to move around as needed. The drawers have a triple-layer design with an MDF panel in the center, giving them a soft feel on the outside but a rigid structure. This also makes them easy to open and close.The dresser also has an attractive and sturdy manufactured wood tabletop. It’s waterproof and easy to clean with any solvent-based cleaner. Each of the four legs has an adjustable foot, making it easy to keep an even keel, even on an imperfect flooring surface. The overall dimensions of the dresser are 18 inches long by 11.8 inches wide by 20 inches high, which is why it’s perfectly portable and pleasantly practical. It’s also available in seven beautiful color variants.Related: Walmart is selling a $90 lightweight dresser for $32Details to knowDimensions: 18 inches long by 11.8 inches wide by 20 inches high.Materials: Powder-coated stainless steel, MDF, fabric, and engineered wood.Color variants: Seven colors.Countertop: Woodgrain engineered wood.Walmart shoppers were very pleased with this diminutive piece. One claimed “it’s perfect,” before adding, “It’s big enough to hold lots of socks and small items. It looks like wood, it’s cute, and super easy to put together…These are great for small spaces.”Shop more deals Accver Lightweight 9-Drawer Dresser, $32 (was $90) at WalmartCostway 3-Drawer Mini Dresser, $105 (was $353) at TargetIf you’re ready to pump up your home organization, then the Concetta 2-Drawer Mini Dresser is exactly what you need. The fact that you can currently get it for just $19 is your sign that today is the day to add one to your home.