Author: arthursheikin@gmail.com

[ad_1] Startup Battlefield 200 at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 is almost here, and the pressure has never been higher. With $100,000 on the line, the top 20 early-stage startups know they must deliver their very best on the Disrupt stage from October 27-29 at San Francisco’s Moscone West. Meanwhile, our VC judges will bring sharp questions, deep experience, and a discerning eye to distinguish the promising from the truly exceptional. Founders can gain invaluable insights into what makes a winning pitch and a sustainable startup from these seasoned VCs. Investors can discover pitch-ready, impactful startups to add to their pipeline. Everyone else can witness the intense startup showdown, where the top 20 TechCrunch-vetted startups pitch for the equity-free prize…

[ad_1] (Jeffrey Hirsch, investor and editor of the Stock Trader’s Almanac , is profiling some “Ground Floor Stocks” for CNBC PRO.) Here’s a Ground Floor pick that Wall Street has yet to fully embrace: StoneX Group (SNEX) . My ground floor criteria require accelerating revenue and earnings (both sequentially and year-over-year), reasonable valuation relative to the market, and solid technical action. I only want reasonably priced stocks growing sales and earnings while flying somewhat under the radar with only a limited number on Wall Street paying close attention to them StoneX is a full-stack global financial services network operating at…

[ad_1] Japanese investing conglomerate SoftBank Group is buying a robotics company as the financial behemoth says physical AI is its next frontier.   SoftBank announced on Wednesday that it has acquired Zurich, Switzerland-based ABB Group’s robotics business unit for $5.375 billion. The deal is subject to regulatory approval; SoftBank predicts the deal will close in mid-to-late 2026 according to a press release. Sami Atiya, the head of the division, will exit the company once the acquisition is complete, per ABB Group. ABB’s robotics business employs roughly 7,000 people and sells a variety of robots and equipment, designed for tasks like picking, cleaning, and painting. The company made $2.3 billion in revenue in 2024, representing 7% of ABB’s overall revenue. ABB announced plans to spin out its robotics group…

[ad_1] On Wednesday, Google officially launched a new feature for its command-line AI system, Gemini CLI, allowing outside companies to integrate directly into the AI product. Called Gemini CLI Extensions, the feature is launching with extensions from Figma, Stripe, and other companies.  The announcement comes just two days after OpenAI’s launch of apps in ChatGPT, which also integrated third-party systems into an AI environment. But while app access to ChatGPT is tightly curated, Gemini CLI extensions can be published with no endorsement or participation from Google. Available extensions will be hosted in public repositories on GitHub and installed manually by…

[ad_1] Former NBA champion, fintech entrepreneur, and AI founder Tristan Thompson is bringing a different kind of game to TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, taking place October 27-29 at San Francisco’s Moscone West — one that blends athletic grit, entrepreneurial instinct, and cutting-edge AI. After more than a decade lighting up the NBA, Thompson has shifted focus from the hardwood to the innovation arena. His latest venture, TracyAI, applies advanced artificial intelligence to sports analytics — turning real-time data into predictive insights that empower athletes, teams, and fans alike. Don’t miss this fireside chat where sports meets tech. Register now to save…

[ad_1] After months on pause, a key student-loan forgiveness program is back.Over the past week, student-loan borrowers on income-based repayment plans have started to receive emails from the Department of Education notifying them that they’ve met the payment threshold and qualify for debt cancellation.The emails, multiple of which were reviewed by Business Insider, had the subject line: “You’re eligible to have your student loan(s) discharged.” It said that the department is working with the borrower’s servicer to process the relief “over the next several months,” and the department will send the borrower’s discharge information to the servicer after October 21.Income-based…

[ad_1] Google is bringing its AI-powered conversational search feature, Search Live, to India — launching in English and Hindi — and expanding AI Mode to seven new Indian languages, as the company strengthens its presence in one of its fastest-growing markets. First introduced in the U.S. in July, Search Live builds on Google’s Project Astra technology and is available through the company’s AI Mode. The feature lets users point their phone camera at objects to get real-time assistance, supporting back-and-forth conversations that draw on the visual context from the camera feed. With this launch, India becomes the second market after…

[ad_1] Northrop Grumman is setting itself up for a strong future, according to Deutsche Bank. The bank upgraded the aerospace and defense stock to buy from hold. It also raised its price target to $700 from $575, implying a gain of 13%. NOC YTD mountain NOC YTD chart Analyst Scott Deuschle pointed to strong expected free cash flow growth after 2028. This should happen after the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider stealth bomber flips from cash losses to cash profit around 2029 and 2030. The Northrop Grumman Sentinel program will also move to higher margin and growth production, he said. “Further…

[ad_1] A strong drug pipeline could boost shares of Ionis Pharmaceuticals in the future, JPMorgan says. Analyst Jessica Fye upgraded the biotech company, which develops human therapeutic drugs using antisense technology, to an overweight rating from neutral, and boosted her 12-month price her 12-month price target on the stock to $80 from $49. Shares of Ionis Pharmaceuticals have nearly tripled in just the past six months, soaring 170%. JPMorgan’s updated forecast is about 16% above where Ionis closed Tuesday. IONS YTD mountain IONS YTD chart As a catalyst, Fye touted several drugs that Ionis is currently developing. “Yes, IONS shares…

[ad_1] (This is a wrap-up of the key money moving discussions on CNBC’s “Worldwide Exchange” exclusive for PRO subscribers. Worldwide Exchange airs at 5 a.m. ET each day.) Investors are looking for ways to play the potential softening of the labor market and consumer spending. Plus, a look at how retail traders are viewing AI-related stocks. ‘Worldwide Exchange’ pick: Costco (COST) Lee Baker of Claris Financial likes Costco despite the stock being flat year to date. Baker sees the big-box retailer as a potential beneficiary of a slowdown in the labor market and consumer spending. “When they (consumers) don’t have more…