The AI Exec Who Isn't Trying to Become God
He has long been in the forefront of artificial intelligence. Yet when you listen to him talk about the moment we are in with its rapid development, he can almost sound like Eeyore compared with rivals.
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8 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Health insurance companies have a problem — people are using their plans more
When medical insurance provider Centene (CNC) opened its books to investors on Friday, the company reported a surprising loss and an uptick in usage. The latter is a broader problem for the industry. In the second quarter, Centene reported an adjusted loss of $79 million and a "health benefits ratio" of 93%. Its benefits ratio, or the amount of its revenue derived from premiums that it pays out for medical care, jumped from 87.6% in the same quarter last year. Moves in that figure can have outsized effects on health insurers' financial performance. "Because of the narrow margins of our health plan business, relatively small changes in our HBR can create significant changes in our financial results," Centene wrote in its Q2 earnings report. And the problem is not isolated to Centene. Elevance Health (ELV), which offers plans including Blue Cross and Blue Shield, reported a similar jump in its "benefit expense ratio" to 88.9% in the second quarter, up from 86.3% in the same quarter last year. Both Centene and Elevance attributed the jump especially to their government-subsidized offerings under the Medicaid and Medicare programs. Molina Healthcare (MOH), which reported Q2 earnings earlier this month, reported a similar outlook, attributing its lowered earnings guidance to the same trend facing other medical insurers. "The short-term earnings pressure we are experiencing results from what we believe to be a temporary dislocation between premium rates and medical cost trend which has recently accelerated,' Molina CEO Joseph Zubretsky said in a statement. Elevance stock dropped by roughly 12% after its report earlier this month, while Molina stock dropped by roughly 8%. Both stocks have remained depressed since. Health Care (XLV) is the worst-performing sector in the S&P 500 this year. Centene stock dropped by roughly 15% in premarket trading after its earnings release before recovering to a positive gain of roughly 6% by the closing bell on Friday. The buoy was led by CEO Sarah London's announcement that Centene was reinstating earnings guidance after pulling this forecast earlier in the month. The company also reported revenue of $48.7 billion, which topped estimates for $44.2 billion, and said it expects to be able to raise the payments it gets from states for Medicaid plans, which would improve its margins. UnitedHealth's MCR challenge The premium-to-cost ratio will be closely watched at UnitedHealth Group (UNH), which refers to this measure as its "medical care ratio" (MCR) and is slated to release Q2 earnings next week. After seeing its medical care ratio rise to 85.1% in the second quarter last year, UnitedHealth is expected to see its ratio jump to 89.3% this year, according to Bloomberg consensus estimates. An increase like that would mean tighter margins and less overhead for a company that already slashed its forecast earlier this year. That news sent its stock price down by 22%, its biggest drop in a single day since 1998. "Management noted care activity trends continue to run ahead of its previous expectations driven by a greater than expected impact at UHC from new members, further acceleration of [Medicare Advantage] utilization and indications of potential broadening trend among adjacent, complex populations," Truist Securities analysts wrote in a May analyst note about UnitedHealth. Closely watched by investors and analysts will also be how UnitedHealth leadership addresses its disclosure Thursday morning that the insurer is facing and complying with a criminal and civil investigation by the Department of Justice over potential fraudulent billing practices in the insurer's Medicare Advantage program. The stock dropped 4.7% through Thursday trading after the disclosure. The probe comes after reporting by the Wall Street Journal earlier this year that documented the potentially fraudulent activity by UnitedHealth, among other medical insurers, which included insurers' staff doctors and nurses adding diagnoses to patients' profiles on top of those documented by the patients' doctors. UnitedHealth may have to answer investor inquiries about the investigation on its earnings call on Tuesday, though these are far from the only challenges facing the insurance giant. According to former federal prosecutor Scott Hogan, the DOJ's Medicare probe will be looking to establish a prolonged pattern of wrongdoing by the insurer. "If everything comes back good for the company, if the department [closes its investigation], I think the company will be able to reassure the marketplace," Hogan, who specialized in fraud investigations, told Yahoo Finance on Friday. Even if UnitedHealth is eventually cleared of wrongdoing, he said, "If the investigation takes next steps, whether it's a lawsuit or prolonged investigation, I don't think there are many companies that desire those kinds of headlines." Jake Conley is a breaking news reporter covering US equities for Yahoo Finance. Follow him on X at @byjakeconley or email him at Click here for in-depth analysis of the latest stock market news and events moving stock prices 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
8 minutes ago
- Yahoo
3 Quantum Computing Stocks That Wall Street Is Most Bullish About Right Now
Key Points Sealsq and Arqit Quantum focus on protecting systems against threats posed by quantum computers. Quantum Computing Inc. is a leader in integrated photonics and nonlinear quantum optics. Analysts think all three stocks can continue to soar, but they remain risky, speculative bets. 10 stocks we like better than Quantum Computing › Warren Buffett believes in only buying stocks within his circle of competence. Peter Lynch has been a longtime proponent of buying what you know. I doubt that either legendary investor would think for a second about buying quantum computing stocks. And I suspect that many nonlegendary investors who have jumped on the quantum computing bandwagon truly understand the underlying technology they're betting on. However, some Wall Street analysts are paid big bucks to research quantum computing companies in-depth. To do their jobs, they must have a solid understanding of exactly what those companies are doing. It stands to reason, therefore, that investors who want to profit from quantum computing but don't fully understand it might want to pay attention to what analysts think. With that in mind, here are the three quantum computing stocks that Wall Street is most bullish about right now. 1. Sealsq Sealsq (NASDAQ: LAES) isn't a run-of-the-mill quantum computing stock. The Geneva, Switzerland-based company isn't even developing a quantum computer. Instead, it offers products and services intended to protect data and systems against the threats posed by quantum computers. In particular, Sealsq makes quantum-resistant chips targeted for use in defense, finance, and industrial applications, as well as Internet of Things devices. The company also built post-quantum root-of-trust and public key infrastructure (PKI) services for digital signatures, email security, and secure communications. Even though Sealsq's share price has skyrocketed around 380% over the past 12 months, Wall Street thinks the stock can go much higher. The 12-month price target for this quantum computing stock is nearly 79% above the current share price, according to LSEG (OTC: LNST.Y). I should note, though, that price target reflects the view of only one analyst. Investing in Sealsq is a risky proposition despite this analyst's optimism. The company continues to lose money. It expects to generate revenue of only $16 million to $20 million this year. With a market cap of around $408 million, much of Sealsq's growth prospects are already baked into the share price. 2. Arqit Quantum You might feel a tinge of déjà vu with the next quantum computing stock on the list. Like Sealsq, Arqit Quantum (NASDAQ: ARQQ) focuses on protecting against quantum computers rather than developing quantum computers. The company is also headquartered across the Atlantic, but in London, England, instead of Geneva, Switzerland. Arqit has three products. Its SKA-Platform (the SKA stands for symmetric key agreement) is a scalable platform for quantum-safe networking. NetworkSecure is a software application for protecting VPN (virtual private network) communications. Encryption Intelligence is Arqit's encryption risk advisory service that helps customers assess their encryption risks. There are more similarities with Sealsq, too. Arqit stock has delivered huge gains over the past 12 months, soaring more than 320%. Like Sealsq, LSEG surveyed only one analyst who covers Arqit. However, that lone analyst is quite bullish about the stock. The price target for Arqit reflects an upside potential of 35%. Want more déjà vu? Arqit is losing money hand over fist. The company isn't generating much revenue, either -- only $67,000 in the first half of fiscal year 2025. That translates to a premium valuation for the stock with Arqit's market cap hovering around $518 million. Like Sealsq, this stock offers a high-risk, but potentially high-reward, proposition. 3. Quantum Computing Inc. Yes, we do have a bona fide developer of quantum computers in the group. The aptly named Quantum Computing Inc. (NASDAQ: QUBT) markets QCi DIRAC-3, an entropy quantum computer that the company calls "the world's most powerful quantum analog machine." Quantum Computing Inc.'s primary focus is on integrated photonics and nonlinear quantum optics. The main things you need to know about this technology are that it uses particles of light for computing and is highly promising. Again, LSEG received input from only one analyst for Quantum Computing Inc. But that analyst really likes the stock and set a 12-month price target that's nearly 32% higher than the current share price. If Quantum Computing Inc. indeed moves higher, it will add to a jaw-dropping 2,450% gain over the past 12 months. Unlike Sealsq and Arqit Quantum, Quantum Computing Inc. reported a profit in its latest quarter. Don't get too excited, though: It was mainly due to a non-cash gain on the mark-to-market valuation of the company's warrant liability resulting from its merger with QPhoton three years ago. Without that benefit, Quantum Computing Inc. would have posted a net loss. This stock, like the other two on our list, is a speculative bet for investors. However, the company's thin film lithium niobate (TFLN) wafers hold tremendous potential in photonic quantum computing. If this potential is realized, Quantum Computing Inc. could grow much larger than its current market cap of around $2.6 billion. Should you buy stock in Quantum Computing right now? Before you buy stock in Quantum Computing, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Quantum Computing wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $636,628!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,063,471!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,041% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 183% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of July 21, 2025 Keith Speights has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 3 Quantum Computing Stocks That Wall Street Is Most Bullish About Right Now was originally published by The Motley Fool Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
8 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Tesla Shares Tumble. Is It Time to Buy the Dip or Run for the Hills?
Key Points For a second straight quarter, Tesla posted weak auto deliveries and revenue. The company once again hyped its robotaxi and robot ambitions. The stock is largely valued based on future bets paying off, making it risky to own. These 10 stocks could mint the next wave of millionaires › Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) has long been a stock that's traded more on the vision of its founder Elon Musk than on its actual fundamentals. However, with the stock sinking following Tesla's lackluster second-quarter earnings report -- despite more big promises around robotaxis and robots -- reality might finally be catching up to it. Musk has done a lot of brand damage to Tesla over the past six months or so. His funding of President Donald Trump's campaign and overseeing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) angered many liberal-leaning consumers. He then later got in a very public feud with the President he helped get elected, alienating himself and Tesla from many conservatives, as well. The fallout could be seen in Tesla's Q2 numbers, while tariffs also stung the company. Meanwhile, it will soon see an even potentially bigger headwind due to the expiration of the U.S. electric vehicle (EV) credit by the end of third-quarter 2025. Its core auto business is struggling For the second straight quarter, Tesla saw big declines in its core auto business. After a 13% drop in deliveries in the first quarter, deliveries fell by the same amount in Q2. Model 3 and Model Y deliveries decreased by 12%, while other models plunged by 52%. Tesla's auto revenue plunged 16% to $16.7 billion in the quarter. Within its auto revenue, its regulatory credits, which are pure gross margin, fell by more than half to $429 million. Not surprisingly, this affected Tesla's profitability in the quarter. Even worse for the company is that many of these regulatory credits will soon be going away. Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" will eliminate the current federal $7,500 EV tax credit at the end of September. As a result, Musk admitted that the company could be in for a "few rough quarters" ahead. Overall, Tesla's revenue fell 12% to $22.5 billion. Its energy generation and storage revenue dropped 7% to $2.8 billion, while its service revenue climbed 17% to nearly $3.1 billion. Adjusted earnings per share sank 23% to $0.40, while its adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) declined by 7% to $3.4 billion. Tesla's cash flow is also starting to take a hit. Its operating cash flow sank 30% to $2.5 billion, while its free cash flow cratered by 89% to $146 million. More big promises Given Tesla's poor operating results, it was not surprising that Musk and the rest of management directed the conversation toward Tesla's big bets on autonomous driving and robotics. Musk claimed that Tesla will expand its autonomous ride-hailing service to cover half of the U.S. population by the end of this year, pending regulatory approval. Now, of course, such a statement makes little sense. The company is currently only testing a small geofenced area in Austin, Texas, with safety drivers, and it has already had a number of safety issues in this small pilot. Its technology appears nowhere close to ready to be adopted in cities countrywide. But let's say, for argument's sake, that the technology and regulatory approvals work out. The company would then need hundreds of thousands of Level 4 autonomous driving vehicles on the road (not its current Level 2 vehicles). Beyond that, it would also need service and cleaning centers, as well as charging infrastructure in place to handle a fleet of that size. It would also need to have a consumer-facing platform that can handle things like pre-trip pricing, dynamic fare calculations, disputes, and refunds. There is no evidence that Tesla has any of this in place. Meanwhile, Musk continued to sing the praises of his Optimus robot, saying it will be Tesla's biggest product ever. He said Optimus 3 has an "exquisite" design with no significant flaws. He's looking to have a prototype of the new robot by the end of this year and then scale production next year. He then wants to be able to produce 1 million Optimus robots a year within five years. Once again, this seems ambitious. Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) is currently an AI robotics leader, and companies like Boston Dynamics have showcased robots with advanced mobility, so robots can be hugely useful. However, all Tesla has ever demonstrated is a humanoid robot that could only do carefully choreographed tasks. Today, most factory automation is done by specialized, fixed-purpose robots. The use case for a humanoid robot is still very questionable. Should investors buy the dip? Even after the stock pullback, Tesla's stock trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of over 170x based on 2025 analyst estimates, while its profitable auto peers -- like Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis -- generally have multiples of 10 or less. With its core auto business struggling, this indicates that the bulk of Tesla's market cap is predicated on ambitions that may or may not pan out. Given the company's track record of overpromising and under-delivering, this is not a bet I'd make. Should you buy stock in Tesla right now? The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $636,628!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,063,471!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,041% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 183% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of July 21, 2025 Geoffrey Seiler has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon and Tesla. The Motley Fool recommends General Motors and Stellantis. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Tesla Shares Tumble. Is It Time to Buy the Dip or Run for the Hills? was originally published by The Motley Fool Sign in to access your portfolio
