
Oil Ticks Higher After Two-Day Slump as Traders Assess Ceasefire
Oil edged higher — after a double-digit percentage slump over two days — as traders assessed the Iran-Israel ceasefire, and an industry report showing falling US stockpiles.
US benchmark West Texas Intermediate added 1.2% to $65.16 a barrel in early Asian trading, after Brent closed more than 6% lower on Tuesday. Israel and Iran appeared to be honoring a ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump, reducing risks to supplies.
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Fast Company
35 minutes ago
- Fast Company
These are the top 10 emerging technologies of 2025, according to the World Economic Forum
Breakthroughs happen all the time in the tech world, but only a select few manage to make a lasting impact. Predicting which innovations will shape the future is always a challenge. On Tuesday, the World Economic Forum (WEF) released its list of the top 10 emerging technologies of 2025, highlighting those expected to influence global challenges within the next three to five years. The list, compiled with the help of Frontiers Media, a publisher of peer-reviewed scientific journals, avoids naming specific companies. Instead, the WEF focuses on concepts that are both novel and nearing maturity, with the potential to deliver meaningful benefits to society. Here's what the WEF sees as being on the path to a breakthrough in 2025. Advanced nuclear tech Demand for nuclear energy is on the rise, with the Trump administration pledging to fast-track permits for nuclear projects. The WEF predicts that smaller nuclear designs and alternative cooling systems will offer safer, cleaner energy at a lower cost. These reactors, it says, 'could play a key role in building reliable, zero-carbon power systems.' Structural battery composites The weight of batteries has been a pain point for things like cars and planes, impacting their efficiency. New materials that store energy and support weight can make these vehicles lighter, improving both their performance and their environmental impact. Collaborative sensing Speaking of vehicles, networking connected sensors can let vehicles share information in real time with each other, as well as with cities and emergency services. In the case of an incident, this can reduce traffic, increase response times, and improve safety, the WEF says. Generative watermarking As artificial intelligence becomes even more widespread, distinguishing original content from AI-generated material will be critical. Generative watermarking adds an invisible tag to AI content, helping combat misinformation and build consumer trust. Green nitrogen Producing fertilizer today requires fossil fuels, which leads to pollution and carbon emissions. Green nitrogen, which relies on electricity instead, could offer 'a more sustainable way to grow food,' the WEF says. GLP-1 drugs for neurodegenerative diseases GLP-1 drugs are currently used to treat obesity and diabetes. The WEF notes they are also showing promise in treating other diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Autonomous biochemical sensing Smart sensors capable of continuously monitoring environmental changes or human health without wires could unlock numerous possibilities. The medical field may use them for early disease detection, while scientists can apply them to track pollution and atmospheric trends. Nanozymes Naturally occurring enzymes help clean pollution and are used in medical diagnostics. Lab-made versions, called nanozymes, are stronger and cheaper, which could expand their use in a variety of applications. Engineered living therapeutics Long-term medical care is expensive and often inconsistent in its results. Scientists, according to the WEF, are developing therapies that use beneficial bacteria to deliver treatments from within the body. This approach could lower costs and improve success rates. Osmotic power systems This renewable energy source, which uses the pressure difference that occurs when freshwater and saltwater mix, produces a cleaner form of electricity. That can be especially helpful in coastal areas where special care must be taken to protect both the environment and wildlife.
Yahoo
36 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Middle Eastern Penny Stocks: 3 Picks With Market Caps Over US$50M
The Middle Eastern stock markets have recently experienced a positive shift, buoyed by the Iran-Israel ceasefire, which has improved investor sentiment and risk appetite across the region. As investors navigate these evolving conditions, penny stocks continue to capture attention due to their potential for growth at lower price points. Despite being considered a somewhat outdated term, penny stocks represent an investment area where smaller or newer companies with strong financials can offer significant opportunities for returns. Name Share Price Market Cap Financial Health Rating Terminal X Online (TASE:TRX) ₪4.959 ₪629.82M ★★★★★★ Menara Ventures Xl - Limited Partnership (TASE:MNRA) ₪2.716 ₪12.48M ★★★★★★ Thob Al Aseel (SASE:4012) SAR3.99 SAR1.6B ★★★★★★ Alarum Technologies (TASE:ALAR) ₪4.693 ₪329.39M ★★★★★★ E7 Group PJSC (ADX:E7) AED1.09 AED2.16B ★★★★★★ Katmerciler Arac Üstü Ekipman Sanayi ve Ticaret (IBSE:KATMR) TRY1.83 TRY1.97B ★★★★★☆ Dubai National Insurance & Reinsurance (P.S.C.) (DFM:DNIR) AED3.14 AED403.1M ★★★★★★ Dubai Investments PJSC (DFM:DIC) AED2.46 AED10.5B ★★★★☆☆ Sharjah Cement and Industrial Development (PJSC) (ADX:SCIDC) AED0.769 AED467.75M ★★★★★★ Tgi Infrastructures (TASE:TGI) ₪2.50 ₪185.86M ★★★★★★ Click here to see the full list of 79 stocks from our Middle Eastern Penny Stocks screener. Here we highlight a subset of our preferred stocks from the screener. Simply Wall St Financial Health Rating: ★★★★★★ Overview: Apex Investment PSC is engaged in the manufacturing, distribution, and sale of clinkers and cement products both within the United Arab Emirates and internationally, with a market capitalization of AED13.61 billion. Operations: The company's revenue is derived from catering (AED600.69 million), contracting (AED40.20 million), manufacturing (AED222.78 million), and facility management services (AED107.89 million). Market Cap: AED13.61B Apex Investment PSC, with a market capitalization of AED13.61 billion, recently reported a net loss of AED25.6 million for Q1 2025 despite generating sales of AED196.41 million. The company has managed to remain debt-free and maintains strong liquidity with short-term assets significantly exceeding liabilities. However, its profit margins have declined from 17.6% to 5.4% over the past year, impacted by a large one-off loss of AED79.7 million in the last twelve months ending March 31, 2025. Despite these challenges, Apex's experienced board and stable weekly volatility offer some stability amidst negative earnings growth. Take a closer look at Apex Investment PSC's potential here in our financial health report. Gain insights into Apex Investment PSC's historical outcomes by reviewing our past performance report. Simply Wall St Financial Health Rating: ★★★★☆☆ Overview: Ihlas Gazetecilik A.S. operates in the publishing industry by producing and distributing newspapers, books, encyclopedias, brochures, and magazines both in Turkey and internationally, with a market cap of TRY1.08 billion. Operations: The company generates revenue of TRY1.76 billion from its newspaper publishing segment. Market Cap: TRY1.08B Ihlas Gazetecilik A.S., with a market cap of TRY1.08 billion, has recently become profitable, though its earnings growth is challenging to compare due to past losses. The company reported Q1 2025 sales of TRY481.26 million but faced a net loss of TRY62 million, down from TRY111.3 million the previous year. While its debt-to-equity ratio has significantly improved over five years and short-term assets cover both short- and long-term liabilities, negative operating cash flow indicates that debt isn't well covered by cash flow alone. Despite these challenges, the board's experience provides some governance stability amidst financial volatility. Get an in-depth perspective on Ihlas Gazetecilik's performance by reading our balance sheet health report here. Review our historical performance report to gain insights into Ihlas Gazetecilik's track record. Simply Wall St Financial Health Rating: ★★★★★★ Overview: Tgi Infrastructures Ltd, with a market cap of ₪185.86 million, operates in Israel's automotive industry by producing, processing, assembling, and marketing mechanical assemblies made of magnesium through its subsidiary. Operations: TASE:TGI generates revenue through its Infrastructure and Energy segment, which accounts for ₪82.70 million, and The Metal and Electrical Industries segment, contributing ₪81.87 million. Market Cap: ₪185.86M Tgi Infrastructures Ltd, with a market cap of ₪185.86 million, operates in Israel's automotive industry and has demonstrated robust earnings growth, surpassing the Auto Components industry's average. The company's recent quarterly results show increased sales of ₪43.04 million and net income rising to ₪5.49 million from last year's figures. Tgi's financial health is supported by strong short-term asset coverage over liabilities and satisfactory debt management, as evidenced by a reduced debt-to-equity ratio over five years. However, its 8.64% dividend yield isn't well covered by earnings or cash flows, indicating potential sustainability concerns for investors seeking stable income sources from this stock. Unlock comprehensive insights into our analysis of Tgi Infrastructures stock in this financial health report. Assess Tgi Infrastructures' previous results with our detailed historical performance reports. Embark on your investment journey to our 79 Middle Eastern Penny Stocks selection here. Want To Explore Some Alternatives? The end of cancer? These 24 emerging AI stocks are developing tech that will allow early idenification of life changing disesaes like cancer and Alzheimer's. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include ADX:APEX IBSE:IHGZT and TASE:TGI. This article was originally published by Simply Wall St. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
36 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Apple stock has severely lagged the rest of the Mag 7. BofA says a rumored AI deal could turn it around.
Apple is rumored to be conducting internal talks about acquiring AI startup Perplexity. Thus far, Wall Street has been unimpressed by Apple's AI strategy. An AI acquisition could be a lifeline for Apple's stock, which has tumbled this year, says BofA. It's been a rough year for Apple stock, but there might be hope for a rebound with a rumored AI acquisition. Apple has been the worst-performing Magnificent Seven stock in 2025, with shares down 20% year-to-date. On top of weak iPhone sales and tariff concerns, the company has lagged in the AI race among its mega-cap tech peers. At Apple's WWDC earlier this month, the company failed to ease Wall Street's concerns about its Apple Intelligence product, with investors bemoaning the company's lack of a new killer app. However, Apple executives could be eyeing a purchase of AI startup Perplexity, Bloomberg reported last week. While Perplexity has denied any M&A discussions and Apple has declined to comment, Wall Street didn't ignore the buzz. Bank of America believes a deal could throw a lifeline to Apple's thus-lacking AI strategy and turn the stock around. If you can't make your own special AI sauce, buying it might be the next best option, according to BofA. The bank said that, in the near-term, "we think any positive developments around AI initiatives would be positive for the stock that has largely been seen as an AI laggard." Perplexity is an AI-powered search engine that responds to queries with cited responses, as opposed to a Google search that returns links. If completed, the acquisition would provide Apple with a more comprehensive AI offering instead of building one out in-house over years. A strategic partnership, as opposed to an outright acquisition, could also help Apple to a lesser degree. "Any such deal (we do not have any direct knowledge of the probability of such a deal) would likely be positive for shares that are currently in the penalty box given Apple is largely viewed as an AI laggard (deep Siri integration delayed and no cutting edge models)," Wamsi Mohan, technology research analyst at Bank of America, wrote. An acquisition would give Apple access to Perplexity's search and answering capabilities, fresh AI talent, product synergies with Siri and other Apple offering, and exposure to non-Google search, Mohan highlighted. Specifically, Perplexity could revitalize Siri's capabilities, which have struggled to keep up with developments in chatbots. Perplexity could also be integrated with not just Safari but also system-wide, helping Apple build AI into its services and hardware. All of these factors could fetch a higher valuation for Apple stock. Most importantly, an acquisition would provide Apple with a clear AI strategy and prevent Perplexity from being acquired by a competitor. Competition in the AI space is fierce, and Apple certainly isn't alone in pursuing a potential M&A or acquihire strategy. As Big Tech companies scramble to grab market share in the rapidly developing AI industry, growing through inorganic means is becoming more common. Before Meta invested $14.3 billion into data annotation startup Scale AI, it also tried to acquire Perplexity and another AI startup called Safe Superintelligence. But that's not to say that locking down a hot AI startup like Perplexity would solve all of Apple's problems. Integrating a young startup into a larger, more-established company comes with its fair share of organizational challenges, and Mohan pointed to some of Apple's previous M&A ventures, such as Siri or Laserlike, as examples of acquisitions that experienced delays or roadblocks. Apple will need to customize parts of Perplexity's platform to fit into its existing ecosystem and scale up to Apple's much larger user base. There are also legal risks: Perplexity is facing a copyright infringement case, which Apple would need to take on in the case of an acquisition. Buying Perplexity could also jeopardize Apple's existing partnership with Google, creating a potential headwind to earnings. Even with these concerns, Mohan is cautiously optimistic on the payoff of a potential acquisition: "From an investor's vantage point, a deal would offer a high-reward but high-risk proposition," he wrote. "However, execution, in our view, is paramount: Apple would need to break from some of its old habits (siloed development, extreme secrecy, slow rollout) to fully capitalize on Perplexity's fast-paced innovation," Mohan added. If completed, the acquisition would be Apple's biggest ever, as Perplexity is currently valued at $14 billion. It would also be a marked departure from the company's traditional free cash flow strategy of conducting stock buybacks and paying dividends. Bank of America believes Apple could certainly afford to shell out for a deal of this size, as the company posted profits of $24.8 billion in Q1 2025. A Perplexity deal would signal to investors that Apple is willing to shift its capital allocation strategy to compete in the AI race. "Given the transformative potential of AI, many analysts believe that not investing aggressively in AI is the bigger risk, even for a company as successful as Apple," Mohan wrote. Read the original article on Business Insider