Advanced Flower Capital Expands Revolving Credit Facility with $20 Million Additional Commitment from Existing FDIC-Insured Banking Partner
'This expanded commitment from a long-standing banking partner underscores the strength of our platform and strategy. This facility remains a core component of our financing approach, and we look forward to further strengthening this partnership as we scale our lending capabilities,' said Brandon Hetzel, AFC's Chief Financial Officer.
About Advanced Flower Capital Inc.
Advanced Flower Capital Inc. (Nasdaq: AFCG) is a leading commercial mortgage REIT that provides institutional loans to state law compliant cannabis operators in the U.S. Through the management team's deep network and significant credit and cannabis expertise, AFC originates, structures and underwrites loans ranging from $10 million to over $100 million, typically secured by quality real estate assets, license value and cash flows. It is based in West Palm Beach, Florida. For additional information regarding the Company, please visit advancedflowercapital.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that reflect our current views and projections with respect to, among other things, future events and financial performance. All statements, other than historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Words such as 'believes,' 'expects,' 'will,' 'intends,' 'plans,' 'guidance,' 'estimates,' 'projects,' 'anticipates,' and 'future' or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements regarding the anticipated use of the Credit Facility are subject to the inherent uncertainties in predicting future results and conditions and are not guarantees of future performance, conditions or results. Certain factors, including the ability of our manager to locate suitable loan opportunities for us, monitor and actively manage our loan portfolio, and implement our investment strategy, the demand for cannabis cultivation and processing facilities and dispensaries, management's current estimates of expected credit losses and current expected credit loss reserves, and other factors, could cause actual results and performance to differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements. More information on these risks and other potential factors that could affect our business and financial results is included in AFC's filings with the SEC, including in the 'Risk Factors' and 'Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations' sections of AFC's most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings. New risks and uncertainties arise over time, and it is not possible to predict those events or how they may affect AFC. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Investor Relations Contact
Robyn Tannenbaum561-510-2293 ir@advancedflowercapital.com
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Stock market today: Dow rises, S&P 500, Nasdaq slide as tech stocks slip again amid rate-cut uncertainty
US stocks mostly slid on Wednesday, continuing a bruising stretch for tech stocks as investors weighed the latest retail earnings and assessed Federal Reserve minutes for clues on interest-rate cuts. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) closed slightly higher, while the S&P 500 (^GSPC) slipped 0.2%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) led the losses, declining about 0.7%. The Nasdaq had been down nearly 2% earlier in the session before recovering. After a nearly 10% drop on Tuesday, Palantir (PLTR) fell another 1% in afternoon trade after slipping as much as 9% earlier in the day. The tech-led sell-off has put markets on edge, as investors rotate out of riskier stocks into previously lagging sectors amid concerns about the AI boom's staying power. Meanwhile, Wednesday's release of minutes from the Fed's July meeting showed the two policymakers who voted against the decision to leave rates unchanged appeared largely alone in that opinion. Investors are eager for a sense of where policymakers stand on interest rate cuts after economic data this month revealed they face a tricky dilemma between a weakening labor market and stubborn inflation. Attention is also on the latest batch of big retail earnings, with Target's (TGT) results the highlight on Wednesday. Target eked out a profit beat and held to its guidance, but pressures from tariffs and a squeezed consumer added up to another downbeat quarter — and will pose challenges for newly announced CEO Michael Fiddelke. Its shares sank 6%. Next up are Walmart (WMT) earnings on Thursday, watched for further signs of how companies and consumers are handing President Trump's tariffs. Read more: The latest on Trump's tariffs The main event for Wall Street lands on Friday, when Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell will deliver remarks at the Jackson Hole symposium in Wyoming. Tech, chip stock sell-off continues as AI bubble fears mount Yahoo Finance's Laura Bratton reports: Tech stocks fell for a second day on Wednesday as investors sold off a slew of tech names amid concerns over the sustainability of the AI boom and a recent market rotation away from some of this year's biggest winners. Among the Magnificent Seven Big Tech stocks, Nvidia (NVDA) was down about 0.3%, and Alphabet (GOOGL, GOOG) stock fell more than 1%. Amazon (AMZN) and Apple (AAPL), shares fell over 1%. Chip stocks Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and Broadcom (AVGO) both fell less than 1%; Micron (MU) shares plummeted nearly 4%. Read more here. Retail traders double down on Palantir despite recent stock slide Palantir (PLTR) shares dropped another 1% on Wednesday following a sharp 9% slide on Tuesday. But retail investors saw the drop as a buying opportunity. 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The stock, listed in the US and Australia, saw its biggest one-day drop since 1973, according to Bloomberg data. The company's profit declined 28% year over year during its fiscal first quarter. Net sales tumbled 9% over the same period. "Uncertainty is a common thread throughout conversations with customer and contractor partners," CEO Aaron Erter said during the company's earnings call. James Hardie pointed to "softer demand," citing a slowdown in single-family construction activity, especially in the southern part of the US. Read more here. Fed minutes show majority of officials more concerned about inflation than employment Minutes from the Federal Reserve's July meeting showed the "majority" of officials were more concerned about the upside risk to inflation than downside risks to the Fed's mandate for maximum employment. 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While the size of tech in the index is pulling down the overall S&P 500 there are actually still 265 stocks in positive territory with a little over two hours left in the trading session. For now the rotation in the market isn't shaking a bullish stance from Kaiser who remains positive on US equities with a "quality preference." Below is a look at the sector action thus far in Wednesday's trade. Google unveils latest Pixel phones, including foldable Pixel 10 Pro Fold Yahoo Finance's Dan Howley reports: Google (GOOG, GOOGL) announced its latest line of Pixel smartphones on Wednesday as part of its Made By Google event in New York City on Wednesday. The Pixel 10 lineup includes four phones: the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold. The company also showed off its newest smartwatch, the Pixel Watch 4. The devices get Google's latest Gemini AI capabilities, including the company's new Magic Cue for its smartphones and enhanced smart replies for the watch. 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Starting today, customers can search Amazon Autos to browse, finance, and purchase from thousands of used Hertz fleet vehicles from brands like Ford, Toyota, Chevrolet, Nissan, and others. Hertz Car Sales, the rental car firm's used car sales arm, will be the first fleet dealer on Amazon Autos. Hertz said sales will begin in the Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, and Seattle metro areas, with plans to expand to Hertz Car Sales' 45 locations nationwide. After customers complete their purchase online, they can pick up the vehicles at Hertz locations in those cities. Read more here. KeyBanc warns China headwinds could prompt an Nvidia earnings miss Yahoo Finance's Francisco Velasquez reports: Read more here. Big Tech is getting hammered again Tuesday's market action was all about isolated selling in some of the market's biggest winners. Wednesday's early session has brought more of the same, as Big Tech is clearly leading the selling action once more. After a nearly 10% drop on Tuesday, Palantir (PLTR) fell another 7% in early trade. Meanwhile, AI chip leaders Nvidia (NVDA) and Broadcom (AVGO) each dropped more than 3%. Trump says Fed governor Cook 'must resign' as pressure campaign on central bank continues President Trump on Wednesday called on Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook to resign as the public pressure on the central bank continues to build. "Cook must resign, now!!!" Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social Wednesday morning with a link to a Bloomberg report on a letter sent by Bill Pulte. The Federal Housing Finance Agency head has reportedly urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate Cook over a pair of mortgages. Pulte wrote in a letter dated Aug. 15 that Cook 'falsified bank documents and property records to acquire more favorable loan terms, potentially committing mortgage fraud under the criminal statute.' The President's call for Cook to resign comes as pressure on the Fed continues amid ongoing changes on the Fed's Board of Governors. Read more here. Nasdaq leads indexes lower again at the open US stocks were mixed on Wednesday after a bruising day for tech stocks, as investors weighed the latest retail earnings and waited for Federal Reserve minutes to provide clues to interest rate cuts. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) was up about 0.1%, while the S&P 500 (^GSPC) slipped about 0.2%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) fell roughly 0.4%, after weakness in the likes of Palantir (PLTR) and Nvidia (NVDA) dragged on the broader market on Tuesday. Post-earnings market movers: Target and La-Z-Boy stocks dive, Lowe's rises Here's a look at how Wall Street is reacting to a burst of earnings reports ahead of the opening bell on Wednesday: Target (TGT) stock dived more than 10%, facing its worst sell-off since early April. The retailer cleared a low bar of earnings expectations, but comparable sales continued to fall during the quarter. Lowe's (LOW) stock rose 2.5%. The home improvement retailer reported a return to same-store sales growth, echoing positive results from Home Depot (HD) on Tuesday. Home Depot stock fell 1.3% before the bell. Estée Lauder (EL) shares fell 5%. The beauty company's annual profit forecast disappointed and executives said they expect a $100 million headwind from tariffs. Baidu (BIDU) shares edged 0.2% lower. The Chinese search engine company reported a drop in second quarter revenue as strong growth in cloud services was offset by weakness in its core advertising business. Toll Brothers (TOL) stock added 0.45%. The homebuilder reported an earnings and revenue beat on Tuesday afternoon, though new orders were less than analysts' expected. La-Z-Boy (LZB) stock tanked 20% after the company missed estimates amid soft demand. Sales for its Joybird furniture brand declined 14%. Read more live coverage of corporate earnings here Hertz to sell used cars on Amazon, stock jumps Hertz (HTZ) stock rose over 10% after the car rental company announced it is teaming up with Amazon (AMZN) to sell pre-owned vehicles. Customers will be able to browse Hertz used car sales on Amazon, purchase vehicles online, and then pick them up at select Hertz locations. It will initially be offered in Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, and Seattle, with plans to expand to 45 locations nationwide. Hertz sells pre-owned cars in addition to renting them out. The company is in the midst of a turnaround, and shares have outperformed this year with a 42% year-to-date rise. Read more here. Intel's advantages from a Trump deal could be worth as much as the money What would it take for Intel (INTC) to turn its business around? Yahoo Finance's Hamza Shaban digs into that question in today's Morning Brief. Read more here. This summer's hottest trend on Wall Street: 'Private for longer' Continuation funds have become hugely popular among America's biggest private fund managers this year. Yahoo Finance's David Hollerith breaks down why, and exactly how they work: Read more here. Palantir stock on track to extend losing streak Palantir stock (PLTR) looks like it may extend its losing streak to six trading days after reaching an all-time high. Shares fell 3% in premarket trading on Wednesday after a 9% decline on Tuesday. Since hitting $186.97 per share on Aug. 12, the stock is now trading around $153, putting it 18% off its record closing high. Investors rotating out of large-cap tech names and a bearish report from short seller Citron Research have weighed on the stock. Read more here. Target stock sinks after earnings eke out a beat, but sales keep falling Target's (TGT) results on Wednesday morning weren't as shockingly bad as for the first quarter, but the retailer is still struggling to find its place in the new economic norm of more discerning shoppers. Shares in the US retail giant sank 10% in premarket trading as the announcement of a new CEO still left investors wanting more. Yahoo Finance's Brian Sozzi reports: Read more here. Good morning. Here's what's happening today. Economic data: FOMC Minutes (July 30-31 meeting); MBA weekly mortgage applications Earnings: Target (TGT), Baidu (BIDU), Lowe's (LOW), TJX Companies (TJX), Estée Lauder (EL) Here are some of the biggest stories you may have missed overnight and early this morning: Target earnings miss the mark as sales keep falling Target will have a new CEO for the first time since 2014 Intel's Trump deal perks may rival the money Buffett effect still holds as UnitedHealth soars through August This summer's hottest trend on Wall Street: 'Private for longer' US housing warning sparks worst James Hardie selloff since 1973 US treasury chief says status quo with China 'working pretty well' Sales of foreign-branded phones in China down 31.3% in June: Data China exports of key rare-earth EV magnets hit 6-month high Target will have a new CEO... and he will not have it easy Target (TGT) is tapping a homegrown talent as its next CEO at one of the most pivotal moments in its 63-year history. The discounter announced that longtime CEO Brian Cornell's heavily groomed No. 2, Michael Fiddelke, will take over as CEO on Feb. 1, 2026. Cornell, who has been CEO of Target since August 2014, will slide into the executive chair position for an undetermined period of time. Fiddelke joined Target in 2003 as an intern and rose through the ranks to CFO and then COO. "I've had this conversation with the board for a number of years, and I've been in the role for 11 years. I'm going into my 12th now. I will actually turn 67 early next year, and I think it's time for me to step back, recharge, spend a lot more time with my family, a lot fewer nights in hotels, and be a great supporter of Michael and the team for the rest of my life," Cornell told me by video call while sitting next to Fiddelke at the company's Minneapolis headquarters. Fiddelke added, "I bleed Target red after 20 years here, and there's nothing more important to me than working with the incredible team that we have to chart the next chapter for Target. I mean, I've seen us in that 20 years at our best. I've seen us not at our best. When we're at our best, we are pretty darn tough to beat." To students of Target history such as myself, this decision isn't a surprise. For one, Fiddelke has been Cornell's right-hand man for several years now. It has become quite apparent over the past year that he was grooming Fiddelke to take over while also working behind the scenes to get board buy-in. I have gotten to know Fiddelke in recent years. He is a nice fella and has indeed earned the opportunity to sit in the CEO seat. If this was any other time for Target, the decision would probably be celebrated. It's not often an intern at a company becomes its CEO. The only comparable story I can think of is Walmart (WMT) CEO Doug McMillon going from truck loader at the retailer to CEO. But Fiddelke will unlikely have a honeymoon period, seeing as he has been there at Target during its past 24 months of struggles (which includes a weak second quarter). People I have talked to wanted an outsider as Target's next CEO, fresh eyes to come in and fix what is wrong (not unlike when Cornell was brought in back in 2014 — his career was mostly spent at Walmart and PepsiCo (PEP)). Fiddelke will be seen as a continuation of a strategy that hasn't been working. I asked him on the call how candid he plans to be in the early going on the strategy review, which is what all new leaders do. He sounded like he was ready to divert from Cornell's playbook and shake things up. He will have to do just that, and quickly, to win over a likely skeptical Wall Street. US tech stocks hit by concerns over future of AI boom Wall Street is digging into the factors behind this week's selloff in tech stocks, with many seeing it as a timely rotation out of riskier names. There are a few potential triggers, the Financial Times reports: Read more here (premium) Tech, chip stock sell-off continues as AI bubble fears mount Yahoo Finance's Laura Bratton reports: Tech stocks fell for a second day on Wednesday as investors sold off a slew of tech names amid concerns over the sustainability of the AI boom and a recent market rotation away from some of this year's biggest winners. Among the Magnificent Seven Big Tech stocks, Nvidia (NVDA) was down about 0.3%, and Alphabet (GOOGL, GOOG) stock fell more than 1%. Amazon (AMZN) and Apple (AAPL), shares fell over 1%. Chip stocks Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and Broadcom (AVGO) both fell less than 1%; Micron (MU) shares plummeted nearly 4%. Read more here. Yahoo Finance's Laura Bratton reports: Tech stocks fell for a second day on Wednesday as investors sold off a slew of tech names amid concerns over the sustainability of the AI boom and a recent market rotation away from some of this year's biggest winners. Among the Magnificent Seven Big Tech stocks, Nvidia (NVDA) was down about 0.3%, and Alphabet (GOOGL, GOOG) stock fell more than 1%. Amazon (AMZN) and Apple (AAPL), shares fell over 1%. Chip stocks Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and Broadcom (AVGO) both fell less than 1%; Micron (MU) shares plummeted nearly 4%. Read more here. Retail traders double down on Palantir despite recent stock slide Palantir (PLTR) shares dropped another 1% on Wednesday following a sharp 9% slide on Tuesday. But retail investors saw the drop as a buying opportunity. According to data provided to Yahoo Finance from Vanda Research, small investors poured over $59 million into Palantir during Tuesday's sell-off, marking the biggest single-day retail inflow in a week. That came on top of another $40 million in inflows the day before. The surge in retail demand highlights a classic 'buy the dip' mentality that has dominated markets since the April bottom. In the days leading up to the sell-off, retail flows had been steady but more modest, averaging in the $20 to $30 million range, according to Vanda. The jump in activity suggests everyday traders were not scared off by the stock's sudden slide. Instead, they leaned in. But even with retail piling in, the stock still fell hard. That divergence underscores a familiar market reality: while retail can be a powerful force, institutional selling pressure often sets the tone. "Retail has gotten to be such a huge percentage of the market in terms of day-to-day trading," Interactive Brokers chief strategist Steve Sosnick told Yahoo Finance on Wednesday. "But if a series of institutions decide to reallocate their portfolio holdings, you're standing in the way of a much larger piece of momentum." "Collectively, a whole lot of small traders can push back, but if [institutions] are relentless about the selling, that's going to move the market lower.' Sosnick called Palantir's 9% plunge a 'shocking move down,' but also pointed out that the stock's meteoric rise has left it trading at "about as expensive of a stock as we've seen." Palantir (PLTR) shares dropped another 1% on Wednesday following a sharp 9% slide on Tuesday. But retail investors saw the drop as a buying opportunity. According to data provided to Yahoo Finance from Vanda Research, small investors poured over $59 million into Palantir during Tuesday's sell-off, marking the biggest single-day retail inflow in a week. That came on top of another $40 million in inflows the day before. The surge in retail demand highlights a classic 'buy the dip' mentality that has dominated markets since the April bottom. In the days leading up to the sell-off, retail flows had been steady but more modest, averaging in the $20 to $30 million range, according to Vanda. The jump in activity suggests everyday traders were not scared off by the stock's sudden slide. Instead, they leaned in. But even with retail piling in, the stock still fell hard. That divergence underscores a familiar market reality: while retail can be a powerful force, institutional selling pressure often sets the tone. "Retail has gotten to be such a huge percentage of the market in terms of day-to-day trading," Interactive Brokers chief strategist Steve Sosnick told Yahoo Finance on Wednesday. "But if a series of institutions decide to reallocate their portfolio holdings, you're standing in the way of a much larger piece of momentum." "Collectively, a whole lot of small traders can push back, but if [institutions] are relentless about the selling, that's going to move the market lower.' Sosnick called Palantir's 9% plunge a 'shocking move down,' but also pointed out that the stock's meteoric rise has left it trading at "about as expensive of a stock as we've seen." James Hardie stock collapses 35% as US housing slump hits building materials Yahoo Finance's Ines Ferre reports: James Hardie (JHX) stock tumbled 35% on Wednesday as the maker of high-end home siding pointed to a weak US housing market and homeowners reluctant to spend on big projects. The stock, listed in the US and Australia, saw its biggest one-day drop since 1973, according to Bloomberg data. The company's profit declined 28% year over year during its fiscal first quarter. Net sales tumbled 9% over the same period. "Uncertainty is a common thread throughout conversations with customer and contractor partners," CEO Aaron Erter said during the company's earnings call. James Hardie pointed to "softer demand," citing a slowdown in single-family construction activity, especially in the southern part of the US. Read more here. Yahoo Finance's Ines Ferre reports: James Hardie (JHX) stock tumbled 35% on Wednesday as the maker of high-end home siding pointed to a weak US housing market and homeowners reluctant to spend on big projects. The stock, listed in the US and Australia, saw its biggest one-day drop since 1973, according to Bloomberg data. The company's profit declined 28% year over year during its fiscal first quarter. Net sales tumbled 9% over the same period. "Uncertainty is a common thread throughout conversations with customer and contractor partners," CEO Aaron Erter said during the company's earnings call. James Hardie pointed to "softer demand," citing a slowdown in single-family construction activity, especially in the southern part of the US. Read more here. Fed minutes show majority of officials more concerned about inflation than employment Minutes from the Federal Reserve's July meeting showed the "majority" of officials were more concerned about the upside risk to inflation than downside risks to the Fed's mandate for maximum employment. "Regarding upside risks to inflation, participants pointed to the uncertain effects of tariffs and the possibility of inflation expectations becoming unanchored," the minutes read. "In addition to tariff-induced risks, potential downside risks to employment mentioned by participants included a possible tightening of financial conditions due to a rise in risk premiums, a more substantial deterioration in the housing market, and the risk that the increased use of AI in the workplace may lower employment." Read more about the Fed minutes here. Minutes from the Federal Reserve's July meeting showed the "majority" of officials were more concerned about the upside risk to inflation than downside risks to the Fed's mandate for maximum employment. "Regarding upside risks to inflation, participants pointed to the uncertain effects of tariffs and the possibility of inflation expectations becoming unanchored," the minutes read. "In addition to tariff-induced risks, potential downside risks to employment mentioned by participants included a possible tightening of financial conditions due to a rise in risk premiums, a more substantial deterioration in the housing market, and the risk that the increased use of AI in the workplace may lower employment." Read more about the Fed minutes here. Eight sectors are outperforming the S&P 500 on Wednesday Citi head of US equity trading strategy Stuart Kaiser noted on Tuesday that the recent pain the stock market has "remained localized." And that's holding true on Wednesday too despite a roughly 1% decline in the Nasdaq Composite. The pain is mostly in technology and other related areas of the market with eight of 11 sectors in the S&P 500 (^GSPC)outperforming the benchmark index. While the size of tech in the index is pulling down the overall S&P 500 there are actually still 265 stocks in positive territory with a little over two hours left in the trading session. For now the rotation in the market isn't shaking a bullish stance from Kaiser who remains positive on US equities with a "quality preference." Below is a look at the sector action thus far in Wednesday's trade. Citi head of US equity trading strategy Stuart Kaiser noted on Tuesday that the recent pain the stock market has "remained localized." And that's holding true on Wednesday too despite a roughly 1% decline in the Nasdaq Composite. The pain is mostly in technology and other related areas of the market with eight of 11 sectors in the S&P 500 (^GSPC)outperforming the benchmark index. While the size of tech in the index is pulling down the overall S&P 500 there are actually still 265 stocks in positive territory with a little over two hours left in the trading session. For now the rotation in the market isn't shaking a bullish stance from Kaiser who remains positive on US equities with a "quality preference." Below is a look at the sector action thus far in Wednesday's trade. Google unveils latest Pixel phones, including foldable Pixel 10 Pro Fold Yahoo Finance's Dan Howley reports: Google (GOOG, GOOGL) announced its latest line of Pixel smartphones on Wednesday as part of its Made By Google event in New York City on Wednesday. The Pixel 10 lineup includes four phones: the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold. The company also showed off its newest smartwatch, the Pixel Watch 4. The devices get Google's latest Gemini AI capabilities, including the company's new Magic Cue for its smartphones and enhanced smart replies for the watch. Starting at $799, the entry-level Pixel 10 now comes with three rear cameras, up from two. That includes a 5x telephoto camera. Inside, the 6.3-inch phone gets Google's latest Tensor G5 processor, 12GB of RAM, and upwards of 256GB of storage. The Pixel 10 Pro starts at $999 and gets a sharper 6.3-inch display and more-advanced triple-camera setup. And while the phone packs the same Tensor G5 processor as the standard Pixel 10, the Pro sports 16GB of RAM rather than 12GB and offers up to 512GB of storage. Read more here. Yahoo Finance's Dan Howley reports: Google (GOOG, GOOGL) announced its latest line of Pixel smartphones on Wednesday as part of its Made By Google event in New York City on Wednesday. The Pixel 10 lineup includes four phones: the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold. The company also showed off its newest smartwatch, the Pixel Watch 4. The devices get Google's latest Gemini AI capabilities, including the company's new Magic Cue for its smartphones and enhanced smart replies for the watch. Starting at $799, the entry-level Pixel 10 now comes with three rear cameras, up from two. That includes a 5x telephoto camera. Inside, the 6.3-inch phone gets Google's latest Tensor G5 processor, 12GB of RAM, and upwards of 256GB of storage. The Pixel 10 Pro starts at $999 and gets a sharper 6.3-inch display and more-advanced triple-camera setup. And while the phone packs the same Tensor G5 processor as the standard Pixel 10, the Pro sports 16GB of RAM rather than 12GB and offers up to 512GB of storage. Read more here. Hertz stock jumps on deal to sell its used cars on Amazon Yahoo Finance's Pras Subramanian reports: Rental car firm Hertz (HTZ) struck a deal with Amazon Autos (AMZN) on Wednesday to sell some of its used car inventory. The company said this will make it easier for customers to purchase cars from its fleet. Starting today, customers can search Amazon Autos to browse, finance, and purchase from thousands of used Hertz fleet vehicles from brands like Ford, Toyota, Chevrolet, Nissan, and others. Hertz Car Sales, the rental car firm's used car sales arm, will be the first fleet dealer on Amazon Autos. Hertz said sales will begin in the Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, and Seattle metro areas, with plans to expand to Hertz Car Sales' 45 locations nationwide. After customers complete their purchase online, they can pick up the vehicles at Hertz locations in those cities. Read more here. Yahoo Finance's Pras Subramanian reports: Rental car firm Hertz (HTZ) struck a deal with Amazon Autos (AMZN) on Wednesday to sell some of its used car inventory. The company said this will make it easier for customers to purchase cars from its fleet. Starting today, customers can search Amazon Autos to browse, finance, and purchase from thousands of used Hertz fleet vehicles from brands like Ford, Toyota, Chevrolet, Nissan, and others. Hertz Car Sales, the rental car firm's used car sales arm, will be the first fleet dealer on Amazon Autos. Hertz said sales will begin in the Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, and Seattle metro areas, with plans to expand to Hertz Car Sales' 45 locations nationwide. After customers complete their purchase online, they can pick up the vehicles at Hertz locations in those cities. Read more here. KeyBanc warns China headwinds could prompt an Nvidia earnings miss Yahoo Finance's Francisco Velasquez reports: Read more here. Yahoo Finance's Francisco Velasquez reports: Read more here. Big Tech is getting hammered again Tuesday's market action was all about isolated selling in some of the market's biggest winners. Wednesday's early session has brought more of the same, as Big Tech is clearly leading the selling action once more. After a nearly 10% drop on Tuesday, Palantir (PLTR) fell another 7% in early trade. Meanwhile, AI chip leaders Nvidia (NVDA) and Broadcom (AVGO) each dropped more than 3%. Tuesday's market action was all about isolated selling in some of the market's biggest winners. Wednesday's early session has brought more of the same, as Big Tech is clearly leading the selling action once more. After a nearly 10% drop on Tuesday, Palantir (PLTR) fell another 7% in early trade. Meanwhile, AI chip leaders Nvidia (NVDA) and Broadcom (AVGO) each dropped more than 3%. Trump says Fed governor Cook 'must resign' as pressure campaign on central bank continues President Trump on Wednesday called on Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook to resign as the public pressure on the central bank continues to build. "Cook must resign, now!!!" Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social Wednesday morning with a link to a Bloomberg report on a letter sent by Bill Pulte. The Federal Housing Finance Agency head has reportedly urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate Cook over a pair of mortgages. Pulte wrote in a letter dated Aug. 15 that Cook 'falsified bank documents and property records to acquire more favorable loan terms, potentially committing mortgage fraud under the criminal statute.' The President's call for Cook to resign comes as pressure on the Fed continues amid ongoing changes on the Fed's Board of Governors. Read more here. President Trump on Wednesday called on Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook to resign as the public pressure on the central bank continues to build. "Cook must resign, now!!!" Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social Wednesday morning with a link to a Bloomberg report on a letter sent by Bill Pulte. The Federal Housing Finance Agency head has reportedly urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate Cook over a pair of mortgages. Pulte wrote in a letter dated Aug. 15 that Cook 'falsified bank documents and property records to acquire more favorable loan terms, potentially committing mortgage fraud under the criminal statute.' The President's call for Cook to resign comes as pressure on the Fed continues amid ongoing changes on the Fed's Board of Governors. Read more here. Nasdaq leads indexes lower again at the open US stocks were mixed on Wednesday after a bruising day for tech stocks, as investors weighed the latest retail earnings and waited for Federal Reserve minutes to provide clues to interest rate cuts. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) was up about 0.1%, while the S&P 500 (^GSPC) slipped about 0.2%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) fell roughly 0.4%, after weakness in the likes of Palantir (PLTR) and Nvidia (NVDA) dragged on the broader market on Tuesday. US stocks were mixed on Wednesday after a bruising day for tech stocks, as investors weighed the latest retail earnings and waited for Federal Reserve minutes to provide clues to interest rate cuts. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) was up about 0.1%, while the S&P 500 (^GSPC) slipped about 0.2%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) fell roughly 0.4%, after weakness in the likes of Palantir (PLTR) and Nvidia (NVDA) dragged on the broader market on Tuesday. Post-earnings market movers: Target and La-Z-Boy stocks dive, Lowe's rises Here's a look at how Wall Street is reacting to a burst of earnings reports ahead of the opening bell on Wednesday: Target (TGT) stock dived more than 10%, facing its worst sell-off since early April. The retailer cleared a low bar of earnings expectations, but comparable sales continued to fall during the quarter. Lowe's (LOW) stock rose 2.5%. The home improvement retailer reported a return to same-store sales growth, echoing positive results from Home Depot (HD) on Tuesday. Home Depot stock fell 1.3% before the bell. Estée Lauder (EL) shares fell 5%. The beauty company's annual profit forecast disappointed and executives said they expect a $100 million headwind from tariffs. Baidu (BIDU) shares edged 0.2% lower. The Chinese search engine company reported a drop in second quarter revenue as strong growth in cloud services was offset by weakness in its core advertising business. Toll Brothers (TOL) stock added 0.45%. The homebuilder reported an earnings and revenue beat on Tuesday afternoon, though new orders were less than analysts' expected. La-Z-Boy (LZB) stock tanked 20% after the company missed estimates amid soft demand. Sales for its Joybird furniture brand declined 14%. Read more live coverage of corporate earnings here Here's a look at how Wall Street is reacting to a burst of earnings reports ahead of the opening bell on Wednesday: Target (TGT) stock dived more than 10%, facing its worst sell-off since early April. The retailer cleared a low bar of earnings expectations, but comparable sales continued to fall during the quarter. Lowe's (LOW) stock rose 2.5%. The home improvement retailer reported a return to same-store sales growth, echoing positive results from Home Depot (HD) on Tuesday. Home Depot stock fell 1.3% before the bell. Estée Lauder (EL) shares fell 5%. The beauty company's annual profit forecast disappointed and executives said they expect a $100 million headwind from tariffs. Baidu (BIDU) shares edged 0.2% lower. The Chinese search engine company reported a drop in second quarter revenue as strong growth in cloud services was offset by weakness in its core advertising business. Toll Brothers (TOL) stock added 0.45%. The homebuilder reported an earnings and revenue beat on Tuesday afternoon, though new orders were less than analysts' expected. La-Z-Boy (LZB) stock tanked 20% after the company missed estimates amid soft demand. Sales for its Joybird furniture brand declined 14%. Read more live coverage of corporate earnings here Hertz to sell used cars on Amazon, stock jumps Hertz (HTZ) stock rose over 10% after the car rental company announced it is teaming up with Amazon (AMZN) to sell pre-owned vehicles. Customers will be able to browse Hertz used car sales on Amazon, purchase vehicles online, and then pick them up at select Hertz locations. It will initially be offered in Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, and Seattle, with plans to expand to 45 locations nationwide. Hertz sells pre-owned cars in addition to renting them out. The company is in the midst of a turnaround, and shares have outperformed this year with a 42% year-to-date rise. Read more here. Hertz (HTZ) stock rose over 10% after the car rental company announced it is teaming up with Amazon (AMZN) to sell pre-owned vehicles. Customers will be able to browse Hertz used car sales on Amazon, purchase vehicles online, and then pick them up at select Hertz locations. It will initially be offered in Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, and Seattle, with plans to expand to 45 locations nationwide. Hertz sells pre-owned cars in addition to renting them out. The company is in the midst of a turnaround, and shares have outperformed this year with a 42% year-to-date rise. Read more here. Intel's advantages from a Trump deal could be worth as much as the money What would it take for Intel (INTC) to turn its business around? Yahoo Finance's Hamza Shaban digs into that question in today's Morning Brief. Read more here. What would it take for Intel (INTC) to turn its business around? Yahoo Finance's Hamza Shaban digs into that question in today's Morning Brief. Read more here. This summer's hottest trend on Wall Street: 'Private for longer' Continuation funds have become hugely popular among America's biggest private fund managers this year. Yahoo Finance's David Hollerith breaks down why, and exactly how they work: Read more here. Continuation funds have become hugely popular among America's biggest private fund managers this year. Yahoo Finance's David Hollerith breaks down why, and exactly how they work: Read more here. Palantir stock on track to extend losing streak Palantir stock (PLTR) looks like it may extend its losing streak to six trading days after reaching an all-time high. Shares fell 3% in premarket trading on Wednesday after a 9% decline on Tuesday. Since hitting $186.97 per share on Aug. 12, the stock is now trading around $153, putting it 18% off its record closing high. Investors rotating out of large-cap tech names and a bearish report from short seller Citron Research have weighed on the stock. Read more here. Palantir stock (PLTR) looks like it may extend its losing streak to six trading days after reaching an all-time high. Shares fell 3% in premarket trading on Wednesday after a 9% decline on Tuesday. Since hitting $186.97 per share on Aug. 12, the stock is now trading around $153, putting it 18% off its record closing high. Investors rotating out of large-cap tech names and a bearish report from short seller Citron Research have weighed on the stock. Read more here. Target stock sinks after earnings eke out a beat, but sales keep falling Target's (TGT) results on Wednesday morning weren't as shockingly bad as for the first quarter, but the retailer is still struggling to find its place in the new economic norm of more discerning shoppers. Shares in the US retail giant sank 10% in premarket trading as the announcement of a new CEO still left investors wanting more. Yahoo Finance's Brian Sozzi reports: Read more here. Target's (TGT) results on Wednesday morning weren't as shockingly bad as for the first quarter, but the retailer is still struggling to find its place in the new economic norm of more discerning shoppers. Shares in the US retail giant sank 10% in premarket trading as the announcement of a new CEO still left investors wanting more. Yahoo Finance's Brian Sozzi reports: Read more here. Good morning. Here's what's happening today. Economic data: FOMC Minutes (July 30-31 meeting); MBA weekly mortgage applications Earnings: Target (TGT), Baidu (BIDU), Lowe's (LOW), TJX Companies (TJX), Estée Lauder (EL) Here are some of the biggest stories you may have missed overnight and early this morning: Target earnings miss the mark as sales keep falling Target will have a new CEO for the first time since 2014 Intel's Trump deal perks may rival the money Buffett effect still holds as UnitedHealth soars through August This summer's hottest trend on Wall Street: 'Private for longer' US housing warning sparks worst James Hardie selloff since 1973 US treasury chief says status quo with China 'working pretty well' Sales of foreign-branded phones in China down 31.3% in June: Data China exports of key rare-earth EV magnets hit 6-month high Economic data: FOMC Minutes (July 30-31 meeting); MBA weekly mortgage applications Earnings: Target (TGT), Baidu (BIDU), Lowe's (LOW), TJX Companies (TJX), Estée Lauder (EL) Here are some of the biggest stories you may have missed overnight and early this morning: Target earnings miss the mark as sales keep falling Target will have a new CEO for the first time since 2014 Intel's Trump deal perks may rival the money Buffett effect still holds as UnitedHealth soars through August This summer's hottest trend on Wall Street: 'Private for longer' US housing warning sparks worst James Hardie selloff since 1973 US treasury chief says status quo with China 'working pretty well' Sales of foreign-branded phones in China down 31.3% in June: Data China exports of key rare-earth EV magnets hit 6-month high Target will have a new CEO... and he will not have it easy Target (TGT) is tapping a homegrown talent as its next CEO at one of the most pivotal moments in its 63-year history. The discounter announced that longtime CEO Brian Cornell's heavily groomed No. 2, Michael Fiddelke, will take over as CEO on Feb. 1, 2026. Cornell, who has been CEO of Target since August 2014, will slide into the executive chair position for an undetermined period of time. Fiddelke joined Target in 2003 as an intern and rose through the ranks to CFO and then COO. "I've had this conversation with the board for a number of years, and I've been in the role for 11 years. I'm going into my 12th now. I will actually turn 67 early next year, and I think it's time for me to step back, recharge, spend a lot more time with my family, a lot fewer nights in hotels, and be a great supporter of Michael and the team for the rest of my life," Cornell told me by video call while sitting next to Fiddelke at the company's Minneapolis headquarters. Fiddelke added, "I bleed Target red after 20 years here, and there's nothing more important to me than working with the incredible team that we have to chart the next chapter for Target. I mean, I've seen us in that 20 years at our best. I've seen us not at our best. When we're at our best, we are pretty darn tough to beat." To students of Target history such as myself, this decision isn't a surprise. For one, Fiddelke has been Cornell's right-hand man for several years now. It has become quite apparent over the past year that he was grooming Fiddelke to take over while also working behind the scenes to get board buy-in. I have gotten to know Fiddelke in recent years. He is a nice fella and has indeed earned the opportunity to sit in the CEO seat. If this was any other time for Target, the decision would probably be celebrated. It's not often an intern at a company becomes its CEO. The only comparable story I can think of is Walmart (WMT) CEO Doug McMillon going from truck loader at the retailer to CEO. But Fiddelke will unlikely have a honeymoon period, seeing as he has been there at Target during its past 24 months of struggles (which includes a weak second quarter). People I have talked to wanted an outsider as Target's next CEO, fresh eyes to come in and fix what is wrong (not unlike when Cornell was brought in back in 2014 — his career was mostly spent at Walmart and PepsiCo (PEP)). Fiddelke will be seen as a continuation of a strategy that hasn't been working. I asked him on the call how candid he plans to be in the early going on the strategy review, which is what all new leaders do. He sounded like he was ready to divert from Cornell's playbook and shake things up. He will have to do just that, and quickly, to win over a likely skeptical Wall Street. Target (TGT) is tapping a homegrown talent as its next CEO at one of the most pivotal moments in its 63-year history. The discounter announced that longtime CEO Brian Cornell's heavily groomed No. 2, Michael Fiddelke, will take over as CEO on Feb. 1, 2026. Cornell, who has been CEO of Target since August 2014, will slide into the executive chair position for an undetermined period of time. Fiddelke joined Target in 2003 as an intern and rose through the ranks to CFO and then COO. "I've had this conversation with the board for a number of years, and I've been in the role for 11 years. I'm going into my 12th now. I will actually turn 67 early next year, and I think it's time for me to step back, recharge, spend a lot more time with my family, a lot fewer nights in hotels, and be a great supporter of Michael and the team for the rest of my life," Cornell told me by video call while sitting next to Fiddelke at the company's Minneapolis headquarters. Fiddelke added, "I bleed Target red after 20 years here, and there's nothing more important to me than working with the incredible team that we have to chart the next chapter for Target. I mean, I've seen us in that 20 years at our best. I've seen us not at our best. When we're at our best, we are pretty darn tough to beat." To students of Target history such as myself, this decision isn't a surprise. For one, Fiddelke has been Cornell's right-hand man for several years now. It has become quite apparent over the past year that he was grooming Fiddelke to take over while also working behind the scenes to get board buy-in. I have gotten to know Fiddelke in recent years. He is a nice fella and has indeed earned the opportunity to sit in the CEO seat. If this was any other time for Target, the decision would probably be celebrated. It's not often an intern at a company becomes its CEO. The only comparable story I can think of is Walmart (WMT) CEO Doug McMillon going from truck loader at the retailer to CEO. But Fiddelke will unlikely have a honeymoon period, seeing as he has been there at Target during its past 24 months of struggles (which includes a weak second quarter). People I have talked to wanted an outsider as Target's next CEO, fresh eyes to come in and fix what is wrong (not unlike when Cornell was brought in back in 2014 — his career was mostly spent at Walmart and PepsiCo (PEP)). Fiddelke will be seen as a continuation of a strategy that hasn't been working. I asked him on the call how candid he plans to be in the early going on the strategy review, which is what all new leaders do. He sounded like he was ready to divert from Cornell's playbook and shake things up. He will have to do just that, and quickly, to win over a likely skeptical Wall Street. US tech stocks hit by concerns over future of AI boom Wall Street is digging into the factors behind this week's selloff in tech stocks, with many seeing it as a timely rotation out of riskier names. There are a few potential triggers, the Financial Times reports: Read more here (premium) Wall Street is digging into the factors behind this week's selloff in tech stocks, with many seeing it as a timely rotation out of riskier names. There are a few potential triggers, the Financial Times reports: Read more here (premium)
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Tesla shareholder group urges probe, ‘appropriate remedial action' from Nasdaq over Elon Musk's $29 billion pay package
In the latest twist in a long-running battle over Elon Musk's compensation at Tesla, the SOC Investment Group has requested that Nasdaq formally investigate 'and take appropriate remedial action' against Tesla for its recent $29 billion equity grant to the CEO. In a letter to Nasdaq, the group raised concerns about compliance with executive compensation rules and shareholder transparency. The SOC Group, formerly known as the CtW Investment Group, works with pension funds sponsored by a coalition of unions representing over 2 million members; many of those funds are Tesla investors. In a letter dated Aug. 19, 2025, addressed to Erik Wittman, deputy general counsel and head of enforcement at Nasdaq, SOC expressed 'serious concerns' about Musk's new compensation package. Specifically, SOC said it was concerned that Tesla's board circumvented Nasdaq listing rules when awarding Musk a '2025 CEO Interim Award,' disclosed earlier this month. The group claims this equity award should have required a shareholder vote, as stipulated under Nasdaq's rules, given that it materially amended compensation plans. Tesla's board approved Musk's new equity package under the company's 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, largely as compensation for his previously awarded—and overturned—$56 billion options package from 2018, known as the '2018 CEO Performance Award.' That older award was (twice) overturned by the Delaware Chancery Court owing to questions regarding board independence—a decision currently being appealed at the Delaware Supreme Court. Fortune's Shawn Tully reported that the new package will only apply if Musk and Tesla lose on appeal in Delaware. He also noted that unlike with the $56 billion award, the newer $29 billion award includes restrictions that protect shareholders: The shares vest on the second anniversary of the grant, or early August 2027, only if Musk serves for the entire period as CEO or chief of product development or operations. Musk can't sell any of those vested shares until five years later, or on Aug. 3, 2030. Fortune's Amanda Gerut reported that, such restrictions notwithstanding, the package lacks hard performance targets for Musk. Brian Dunn, director of the Institute for Compensation Studies at Cornell University, told Fortune that experts sometimes refer to these as 'fog-the-mirror grants.' In other words: 'If you're around and have enough breath left in you to fog the mirror, you get them.' The objections lobbied by SOC Investment Group in its letter have nothing to do with either feature of the grants. The group argues that the Tesla board dodged shareholder approval for the package, in contravention of Nasdaq listing policy. Tejal Patel, executive director of the SOC Investment Group, told Fortune in an interview that the 'real issue is the fact that the original plan … was pretty clear in the disclosures that the company did not intend to include Elon Musk in that plan.' Acknowledging that such issues are usually raised with the Securities and Exchange Commission, she added: 'Admittedly, this is the first time I've flagged something like this to Nasdaq, [and that's] because it was a very specific listing standard.' Her understanding of the Nasdaq standard is that 'this is exactly what it was designed to avoid.' Shareholders likely 'did not believe' they were voting to approve a new Musk package The SOC Investment Group emphasizes that when Tesla shareholders approved the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, company disclosures explicitly excluded Musk from eligibility, stating that his compensation would be exclusively tied to the extraordinary 2018 award. 'When shareholders voted on the 2019 Plan it is likely that, based on the available disclosures and research, they did not believe they were voting on an equity plan that would cover compensation to Mr. Musk,' the SOC letter notes, 'precisely because of the 'truly extraordinary' nature of the 2018 CEO Performance Award.' The SOC letter also notes that Tesla's 2019 proxy statement repeated multiple times that the 2019 plan was not intended to cover awards to Musk. Furthermore, the letter mentions that major proxy advisory firms indicated that the 2018 CEO Performance Award was 'intended to be the sole means of compensation for Mr. Musk, relying on the Company's disclosures.' Therefore, SOC writes, the 2025 CEO Interim Award 'appears to expand the class of participants under the 2019 Plan in manner that would be sufficiently material to require a separate shareholder vote.' The letter also warns that Tesla's board has indicated further interim awards could follow, potentially bypassing shareholder votes while the Delaware case, the so-called Tornetta litigation, is pending. The SOC letter urges Nasdaq to act to 'restore 'the rightful balance between shareholder and management's interests,'' prevent dilution, and ensure executive compensation transparency. SOC has 'real concerns over director independence,' Patel told Fortune. 'This is sort of the outcome of having a board that is not independent.' She said her group is concerned with issues over a lack of director independence and the juggling of responsibilities by Elon Musk, and matters have 'come to a head in the last several months.' This timeline overlaps with Musk's brief engagement as a special advisor to the White House, including extensive involvement with the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. The new compensation plan, if anything, 'was an opportunity for the board to get Musk to focus on Tesla, and instead' they've arrived at this package, she said. She also noted that the conditions under which Musk would receive the same pay, even if he was a chief of product development or operations, is 'pretty unheard-of.' A vocal, active shareholder SOC Investment Group has a long and active history of engagement with Tesla, focusing on issues such as executive compensation, governance, board independence, and labor rights. The group has repeatedly opposed large pay packages for Musk—including leading campaigns to encourage shareholders to vote against Musk's $56 billion option award and calling for votes against related awards, especially when it believed proper shareholder approval procedures were circumvented or governance standards were not met. The group has also urged Tesla shareholders to vote against the reelection of certain directors, such as Kimbal Musk and James Murdoch, citing concerns about lack of board independence from Elon Musk and alignment with shareholders' interests. Similar to its current letter to Nasdaq, it has requested investigations by regulators into Tesla's governance practices, arguing that the company's board favors Musk's interests over those of public shareholders. For example, the group asked the SEC to probe Tesla's plan to shrink its board in 2022. The group has also joined with other investors in co-filing shareholder resolutions calling for Tesla to adopt comprehensive labor rights policies, including noninterference with worker organizing and compliance with global labor standards. SOC has been involved in webinars and resolutions highlighting risks related to Tesla's approach to unions and labor issues across several countries. Tesla has not publicly responded to the letter and did not immediately respond to Fortune's request for comment. For this story, Fortune used generative AI to help with an initial draft. An editor verified the accuracy of the information before publishing. This story was originally featured on Sign in to access your portfolio
