BUSINESS

Tim Cook is now stepping down as Apple's CEO, but he will still remain involved in Apple's business despite having a replacement named.

Elon Musk proposes a federal "universal high income" to address AI job losses, sparking debate among economists and tech leaders.

NEW YORK — As the S&P 500 navigates a volatile 2026 marked by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and persistent focus on artificial intelligence infrastructure, investors are hunting for resilient large-cap names with strong growth potential. Wall Street strategists project the benchmark index to finish the year between 7,100 and 7,800, implying roughly 9% to 14% upside from spring levels, driven by solid corporate earnings and continued AI adoption.

Artificial intelligence is completely changing how we sell online. Find out how to choose the right online store builder to easily grow your business.

CARLSBAD, California — MaxLinear Inc. (NASDAQ: MXL), a provider of radio frequency, analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits, trades with mixed signals in April 2026 as investors weigh its push into high-speed AI data center connectivity against ongoing losses, analyst caution and a consensus price target implying downside from recent levels.

REDMOND, Wash. — Microsoft Corp. shares are trading near $423 as investors debate whether to buy or sell ahead of what analysts call a pivotal year for the tech giant's artificial intelligence and cloud ambitions. Wall Street's consensus leans heavily toward buying the stock, with average 12-month price targets around $578 to $600 implying roughly 37% to 42% upside from current levels.

NEW YORK — NVIDIA Corp. shares hover near $200 in mid-April 2026, trading as the world's most valuable company with a market capitalization topping $4.9 trillion, as Wall Street analysts overwhelmingly recommend buying the stock amid unrelenting demand for its artificial intelligence chips.

AUSTIN, Texas — Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur behind Tesla, SpaceX and xAI, has sparked intense debate with a bold prediction that artificial intelligence will usher in an era of "universal high income" funded by direct government payments, ultimately triggering deflation rather than inflation as productivity explodes.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Albemarle Corporation shares exploded higher on April 16, 2026, closing at $215.62 after a stunning 16.31 percent single-day gain on heavy volume, as lithium prices continued their sharp 2026 rebound and bullish analyst actions reinforced optimism for the world's largest lithium producer.

Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings will step down from the board in June, closing a historic chapter as the streaming giant enters a new leadership era.

SYDNEY — As artificial intelligence continues to reshape global industries in 2026, investors seeking exposure within the ASX 200 have turned their attention to Australian companies providing the critical infrastructure, data solutions and software platforms that power the AI boom.

LONDON — Investors hunting for artificial intelligence exposure within the FTSE 100 in 2026 face a challenge: the UK blue-chip index remains dominated by traditional sectors such as energy, financials and consumer staples rather than pure tech giants. Yet several established constituents have embedded AI deeply into their operations, creating indirect but compelling opportunities for those seeking diversified, often dividend-paying plays on the ongoing AI boom.

Bloomberg faces a lawsuit alleging a senior manager used internal chats for sexual harassment, with claims the company failed to act on complaints.

SAN MATEO, Calif. — Upstart Holdings Inc. shares have tumbled roughly 44 percent year-to-date in 2026, trading near $28 to $33 in mid-April after a volatile start to the year, raising a sharp debate among investors: Is the AI-powered lending platform a bargain ahead of its May 5 first-quarter earnings, or should holders sell into recent strength before persistent funding and regulatory risks weigh on results?

NEW YORK — SoundHound AI Inc. shares jumped more than 12 percent to close at $7.85 on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, as traders bet on a potential short squeeze ahead of the company's first-quarter earnings report expected in early May, reigniting debate over whether investors should buy the voice and conversational AI specialist or take profits amid persistent losses and lofty valuations.

TORONTO — Xanadu Quantum Technologies Ltd. shares have skyrocketed nearly 195 percent year-to-date as of mid-April 2026, turning the newly public photonic quantum computing pioneer into one of the hottest — and most volatile — names in a sector still years from widespread commercial payoff.

NEW YORK — Starbucks Corp. shares have climbed more than 15 percent year-to-date in 2026, trading near $98 in mid-April as investors weigh early signs of a turnaround under new CEO Brian Niccol against lingering pressures from cautious consumers and a complex China market.