In 1825, the information highway ran on iron rails, in Britain at least. In 1824 and 1825, prospectuses were issued for 624 railroad companies, so in early 1825, the famous London merchant banker Francis Baring declared that “a gambling mania has seized upon all classes and is spreading in all parts of the country.”

In its March 1825 issue, The Quarterly, a London publication, also proclaimed, “Nothing now is heard of but the railroads. The daily papers teem with notices of new lines in every direction; pamphlets are thrown before the public eye recommending nothing [else] throughout the Kingdom.”

This high-technology market bubble predictably topped out in July 1825 in England, and many companies were in stock liquidation by late 1825, when the first British commercial railroads began operations.

Meanwhile, across the ocean, after America prevailed in two wars of Independence with Britain (the second in 1812), we trailed Britain in technology, with many frontiers to conquer. The proposed Erie Canal would link the Hudson River to the Great Lakes, in a series of locks 363 miles long, falling 555 feet in 83 locks. It was 40 feet wide and only four feet deep and was dug out entirely by hand.

On the nation’s 41st birthday, July 4, 1817, New York Governor DeWitt Clinton turned the first shovelful of dirt on that great undertaking, one of the great early NYSE-funded efforts in nation building. At the time, everyone thought the canal would take decades to build, but that Clinton politician of old sounded like JFK in 1961 when he said, “The day will come in less than 10 years when we will see Erie water flowing into the Hudson.” Like our 1960s moon-shot, the finished canal happened in eight years.

Related: Navellier to SpaceX buyers: wait for escape velocity

America’s new stock market helped kick-start that technology boom, as the building of the Erie Canal created a mania in canal securities, generating capital inflow from Europe. When opened in late 1825, the Canal was quite profitable, but canal digging was no way to transport raw and manufactured goods over the long distances of an expanding nation. After the Civil War, railroads began to proliferate, along with hundreds of bridges spanning rivers to deliver goods across America. As with many other industries, the Panic of 1873 – which lasted until 1878 – interrupted this growth, but the 1880s were boom years.

In fact, it was on July 3, 1884, that journalists Charles Dow and Edward Jones published their first stock price index. That first index was mostly composed of railroads, the dominant sector at the time. (The Dow Jones Industrial Index was not launched until 1896, and it was also dominated by railroads.)

American history can be told in terms of each dominant technology

Turning to the dominant technologies of the day – in 50-year cycles – Britain began ahead of us:

1825: Railroads and the industrial revolution dominated Britain, as America built the Erie Canal

1875: Railroads began to dominate America, as reflected in most early stock market indexes.

1925: Automobiles began to push trains aside, while radio dominated mass communications.

1975: Computers in business, and soon personal computers, began to transform businesses.

2025: Artificial intelligence (AI) begins to dominate business practices, boosting productivity.

Just as railroad stocks crashed in Britain in 1825, so they crashed in America in the 1870s and again in the 1890s, but they kept growing throughout the 1800s (reflected in blue, above). Then came cars, industrials and materials, computers, hardware then software and information tech, in waves of creative destruction.

But stocks went nowhere in several odd decades, like the 1890s, 1930s and 1970s. Few businesses could survive the choking off of liquidity by the Federal Reserve in 1930-32 – the greatest cause of The Great Depression. Starving for cash, Americans soon began starving for food and shelter some 90+ years ago.

In 1932, 25% of American workers were unemployed, and another 25% were severely underemployed. Wages (for those who worked) were 60% below 1929 levels. Stock dividends were 57% lower than in 1929, and the GDP had shrunk in half. The stock market reached its 20th-century nadir on July 8, but on July 2, 1932 (a Saturday), Franklin D. Roosevelt became the Democratic nominee for President, and the stock market began to come off its lows. After reaching its 20th-century low of 41.22 on Friday, July 8, the Dow Jones index rose 26.7% in the rest of July 1932 and gained almost fivefold by 1937, to 194.4.

As bad as things may seem today, when people compare today to the 1930s, they reveal gaps of ignorance about our history, but the great lesson is that America bounces back and creates great fortunes yet again. 

Related: Wall Street has a new problem, and it's not the technology

Camping remains one of the most accessible types of trips, whether it's a weekend getaway at a nearby campground, a family vacation, or an adventure on the trails. Compared to other types of travel, camping can be an affordable way to explore new places while spending time in nature. A quality tent can be the foundation of any successful camping trip, providing shelter, protection from the elements, and a comfortable place to rest after a day outdoors. Choosing the right tent for your occasion can make a significant difference in comfort and convenience.

Tents are available in a wide range of sizes and designs to suit different styles, from large, house-shaped tents that can fit full blow-up mattresses for glamping, to lightweight one-person tents for backpacking trips. The best option depends on how many people will be using the tent, how often it will be transported, and the type of camping planned. While that may sound like a lot, we're here to help simplify the choosing process so you can pick the best tent for your needs.

Many campers also view a quality tent as a long-term investment. A well-chosen tent can be used for years of camping trips, helping reduce the cost of vacations while providing a reliable place to stay. Tents are great for camping, but they can also offer a sleeping option for longer road trips, festivals, and more! They can even help make a fun overnight 'backyard vacation' for summer weekends. 

Family tents

These are designed with space and comfort in mind. They're typically larger and offer enough room for multiple people to sleep comfortably, while also providing space for gear, coolers, and other camping essentials. Many models feature taller ceilings that allow adults to stand up inside, making it easier to move around and get organized during extended trips. For families with children or groups of friends, the additional room can help make a campsite feel more functional and comfortable. 

Many of these tents also include features for organization and privacy, such as room dividers, multiple doors, storage pockets, and vestibules that help keep campers' belongings organized while still allowing for enough room. These can be useful for multi-day trips where the tent won't just be for sleeping, but also for changing, relaxing, and winding down after a long day. For campers who prioritize comfort and space, family tents often provide a home base for a more relaxed outdoor experience. 

Lilypelle 4-6 Person Inflatable Glamping Tent House

Cobizi 8 Person Camping Tent

Edx 8-Person Camping Tent

Pop-up tents

Setting up camp is often one of the first challenges campers face after arriving at their destination. Instant tents are designed to simplify that process by reducing setup time and minimizing the number of steps required. Many models feature pre-attached poles or quick-deploy systems that allow the tent to be assembled in a few minutes, which can be particularly appealing for beginners, casual campers, or people arriving at the campsite after a long day of travel. 

I even swapped to a pop-up tent a few years ago after getting caught in the dark, rainy nights, trying to set up my tent one too many times after traveling all day. If you tend to drive quite a ways for your campsite, are using a tent as a means to sleep during longer road trips, or just often forget to set up the tent until later at night, once everyone is going to sleep, pop-up tents can be super beneficial. 

The ease of setup also makes these tents practical for short trips and weekend getaways. Instead of spending significant time putting up a tent, you can focus on other activities like hiking, fishing, or exploring. While these tents come in a variety of sizes, the primary advantage remains convenience, offering a popular option for people who want an easier and straightforward experience. 

Coleman Skylodge 4-Person Instant Tent

Coleman 4-Person Instant Cabin Tent

Londtren 4-Person Easy Pop-Up Tent

Lightweight tents

For people who plan to travel farther from their vehicle, weight becomes an important consideration. Lightweight tents are designed to minimize bulk while still providing a reliable shelter. The compact size makes them easier to carry while hiking and backpacking, on cycling trips, or in any other outdoor activities where gear needs to be transported. By reducing pack weight, these tents can help make travel more manageable and less physically demanding. 

Despite the lighter construction, many of these tents still offer weather protection and practical features for overnight stays. Advances in materials and designs offer tents that balance portability with durability. For solo campers, backpackers, and outdoor enthusiasts who prioritize mobility, lightweight tents can provide a convenient shelter option without adding extra weight. 

XL 2-Person Backpacking Tent

Bisinna 2-Person Backpacking Tent

Alps Mountaineering Lynx 1 Tent

What's the best tent for your adventures?

The type of tent you choose can vary a good deal depending on the type of travel you enjoy. If you want to get the whole family together for an overnight camping trip by the lake, choosing a larger and more established tent would be the best fit, so you can keep changes of clothes, towels, a cooler, and set up privacy walls. If you're a solo traveler interested in doing some hiking, a smaller, lightweight tent might be the best choice for you. 

Group size, travel style, and comfort preferences all play a role in which option works well for you. Pricing also plays a role; while tents running upwards of $600 or more will most likely last longer or offer more features, it's probably not worth it unless you plan to be camping every weekend. Generally, as someone who has been camping my whole life, I've always opted for mid-range tents between $90 to $200 that have always worked well for overnight and weekend vacations. They also offer tent accessories like footprints, rainflies, and more that you can add as an addition later on to help prolong your tent's life and raise the comfort level. 

TheStreet Shopping is your guide for shopping insights and advice. We look beyond the price tag to find the best value in home, tech, and wellness gear based on product features and real-world use.

Why we love this deal

Getting around town, commuting to work, or exploring local trails sometimes means choosing between convenience and effort. While driving can work, sometimes it's not the best choice, and some may not have the means. Traditional biking can provide exercise and flexibility, but lacks efficiency or convenience. If you're looking to go longer distances, up steep hills, or over rough terrain, or just need to get somewhere quickly and don't want to worry about paying for parking, an electric bike (e-bike) can play a major role. 

If you're looking to amp up your urban exploring or find a quicker way to work besides walking or sitting in traffic, the Askgo 1500W Electric Bike is a great option. This 7-speed e-bike is on sale for $350, which is a huge $300 off the original price of $650. 

Askgo 1500W Electric Bike, $350 (was $650) at Walmart

Why do shoppers love it?

This bike is built with a 1500W high-speed motor that can handle a variety of conditions. With a top speed of 30 miles per hour, it offers enough power for daily commutes while also being capable of tackling more demanding routes. The motor can take you up hills with an incline of up to 30 degrees, and the fat tires can handle muddy roads and dirt paths, as well as float on sandy or snowy paths. For those who are looking for a bike that can transition between city streets and off-road paths, this versatility offers what you need. The LCD screen displays speed and mileage.

Related: REI is selling a $3,199 electric bike for 50% off that offers a '5-star experience'

The lithium battery provides a range of up to 65 miles in pedal assist mode on a single charge. The removable battery design makes charging more convenient, allowing riders to recharge at home or in the office without moving the whole bike. Charging typically takes between five and six hours, making overnight or workday charging a practical option. The battery is waterproof, and the bike can hold up to 365 pounds thanks to the alloy steel frame. The bike is delivered 80% pre-assembled, offering an easier installation at home. 

The pros and cons of this deal

Pros

• Impressive range: This bike can go up to 65 miles on one charge.
• Top speed: It has a top speed of 30 miles per hour, which makes it great for commutes. 

Cons 

• It's heavier than a traditional bike: Because of the larger battery, e-bikes are heavier than a normal bicycle. 
• The charging may require planning: Unless you plan to charge the bike overnight, you may need to time out charging versus riding time. 

"I don't usually ever come back to leave reviews, but this bike is amazing," said one reviewer. "The assembly was very easy, and I couldn't stop riding it today. It goes so fast. The battery seems to last pretty well."

Another shopper said, "This bike is a monster! It's powerful and fast. I've been riding it for three days, about 26 miles so far, and it still has over 50 percent battery left."

Shop more deals

• 5th Wheel Fat Tire Bike, $570 (was $1,000) at Walmart
• Salsa Moraine Cues Electric Mountain Bike, $3,500 (was $5,000) at REI
• Bell Mips Bike Helmet, $48 (was $60) at Walmart

Whether you're looking to make your commute easier or want to ride trails for fun, the Askgo 1500W Electric Bike is a solid choice. With a 365-pound capacity and up to 65 miles on one charge, this bike works for almost anyone. It fully charges in up to six hours, and it's 46% off right now at Walmart. Shoppers can get this e-bike for $350.

Based on all the leaks we’ve seen, Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 Pro series looks like its predecessors. Now, a post on Weibo by tipster Ice Universe suggests that even the dimensions of the iPhone 18 Pro Max will be identical to last year’s model as well.

iPhone 18 Pro Max dimensions leaked

According to the post, the iPhone 18 Pro Max has the same dimensions as its predecessor. In terms of thickness, we’re looking at 8.75mm, which is identical to the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Like we said, we can’t say we’re too surprised. Apple doesn’t change up the design of its iPhones that often. Sometimes newer versions might be slightly thicker or thinner, but for the most part, it looks the same.

But what’s interesting is that just last month, there was a rumor and leaked photos that suggested the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max could be taller and narrower compared to their predecessors. It seemed a little suspicious at that time, especially since there was never any indication of that before this. However, the latest leaks and rumors seem to have dispelled that.

So, what do these dimensions mean for iPhone buyers? In a video posted on YouTube last month, Max Tech shared dummy units of the phones and revealed that some existing iPhone 17 cases might actually fit the iPhone 18. However, your mileage may vary.

Coming this September

Apple is expected to host an event this September to announce its new iPhones. This year will be special. This is because for the first time ever, Apple will skip the cheaper models. Instead, the event will focus on the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. It also marks the first time that Apple is stepping into the foldables ring with the iPhone Ultra.

Now, this doesn’t mean that Apple is forsaking its cheaper iPhones. The rumors suggest that Apple could push it to early 2027, where the base iPhone 18 could launch alongside the iPhone 18e. Either way, we should have more details in the coming months. Until then, take it with a grain of salt.

The post iPhone 18 Pro Max Could Be the Same Size as Last Year, and That's Actually Good News appeared first on Android Headlines.

Google wants to help publishers and content creators reach new viewers and current viewers more often with a new features for Search that it’s calling Search Profiles. These new Search Profiles are a lot like the profiles you’d find for people you follow on platforms like X, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, and other social media platforms.

Google says that its plan with Search Profiles is to help with discovery of content. These profiles are a “sharable space to highlight content across platforms, and help audiences find accurate, up-to-date information about sources on Search.”

By clicking on a Search Profile, you’ll be able to find a collection of information about a particular publisher or content creator. This can include links to the website, other social medial profiles like on TikTok or X, and a variety of different content such as videos and articles. It’s essentially a one-stop shop for everything about that publisher or creator. There’s even a button at the top to follow them on Google if that isn’t something you already do.

Google says that Search Profiles will start with publishers and creators that have a “sizable following”

Google seems to have a plan to eventually offers this option for a huge number of publishers and content creators. But it’ll be starting smaller with groups or people that have a “sizable following.” Google says that there will need to be a large following on at least one social platform. So that could be YouTube, TikTok, X, Instagram, maybe even Twitch.

For publishers and content creators that meet the requirement, they can “claim their profile” and then customize it in a variety of ways. This includes adding an avatar, a bio, and other notable details like website and social media info. Google also says that claiming a profile may “trigger the creation of a knowledge panel.”

The post Google's new publisher profiles for Search aim to expand viewership appeared first on Android Headlines.

It seems Samsung wants to fast-track its next generation of software releases. A fresh report indicates that the South Korean technology giant has officially kicked off internal development. More specifically, Samsung would already be testing One UI 9.0 on its previous-generation flagship hardware, the Galaxy S25 series. Based on Android 17, this major software revision is moving through the production pipeline significantly faster than past rollouts.

Beating the traditional timeline

Well-known tech tipster Tarun Vats spotted a fresh, hidden firmware file directly on Samsung’s over-the-air (OTA) update servers. The exact software version remains heavily encrypted—preventing onlookers from extracting granular details from the build number. Still, the footprint confirms active software deployment for the Galaxy S25 family.

What makes this finding particularly interesting for Galaxy enthusiasts is the unexpected timing. Vats pointed out that Samsung’s software engineers are running roughly two weeks ahead of the schedule they established last year (via Android Authority). For context, the very first internal One UI 8 build for the Galaxy S24 lineup did not surface on corporate servers until June 19. This suggests that Galaxy S25 owners might gain access to an open beta program as early as this month or next.

The flagships take priority

Unsurprisingly, this rapid deployment strategy creates a bit of a divide among older device owners. When asked if previous hardware generations would join this accelerated path, Vats suggested that Galaxy S24 users will likely have to wait. Signs of active One UI 9 development for the S24 family are not expected to pop up until at least next month. Samsung’s current priority centers on solidifying the software for its non-foldable flagships before expanding the trial parameters.

One UI 9 is expected to bring a healthy mix of visual overhauls and practical utility tweaks. Early reports revealed a redesigned Quick Panel interface and deep integration of artificial intelligence tools. Native Samsung apps like Notes and Contacts could also get structural updates.

Samsung keeps its internal testing phase behind closed doors. So, we must take early timeline estimates with a healthy grain of salt until an official public beta calendar arrives. However, given the company’s solid track record of accelerating its global software rollouts over the past few years, Galaxy S25 users should prepare their devices for an early taste of Android 17.

The post Samsung Begins One UI 9 Testing for Galaxy S25 Earlier Than Expected appeared first on Android Headlines.

The post Latest Generation Kindle Scribe Receives New AI Features first appeared on Good e-Reader.

If you have been enjoying a brief financial shield from Google‘s latest subscription adjustment, consider this your official public service announcement. The grace period for existing YouTube Premium members is officially wrapping up. Starting with the June 2026 billing cycles, current YouTube Premium subscribers in the United States will finally see the previously announced price increases reflected on their bank statements.

YouTube Premium prices from June 2026 after latest hike

Google initially rolled out the higher pricing tier back in April. From that moment on, the company applied the changes immediately to anyone signing up for a fresh account. However, long-term users received a temporary pass. That buffer disappears this month, specifically starting with billing cycles on or after June 7.

To help you double-check your upcoming monthly expenses, here is exactly how the new subscription tiers break down:

• Individual Plan: Shifting to $15.99 per month, up from the previous $13.99 rate.
• Family Plan: Shifting to $26.99 per month, marking a four-dollar jump from $22.99.
• Lite Plan: Shifting to $8.99 per month, rising from its previous $7.99 spot.
• Music Premium: Shifting to $11.99 per month, up from $10.99.

This is YouTube Premium’s first major price correction since 2023. While an extra two or four dollars a month might seem manageable in isolation, it arrives at a time when nearly every major streaming app is asking for a larger piece of your monthly budget.

Evaluating your options

It seems like a great time to audit your digital subscriptions and decide if the platform still earns its keep. If you love the background playback feature and offline downloads but find the new standard fee a bit too steep, the scaled-down Premium Lite tier could serve as a solid middle ground. It keeps annoying ad breaks at bay without breaking the bank. By the way, if you’re not aware, YouTube Premium Lite is now a perk on Google’s AI Pro plan.

Alternatively, you can always revert to the standard, ad-supported tier if you prefer to save the cash entirely.

Whichever path you choose, make sure to look over your upcoming account settings before your next automatic billing date triggers. This way, you won’t encounter any unwelcome surprises on your financial statement.

The post PSA: The YouTube Premium Price Hike Officially Hits This Month appeared first on Android Headlines.

Epic Games is not thrilled with the Apple petition to reverse injunction rulings in its case against the company. So, it’s trying to get that petition denied by submitting its own petition. On June 5, Epic submitted a petition to the US Supreme Court asking it to deny Apple’s petition that was submitted back in May.

The long drawn out case was likely thought to be over by many. An understandable assumption, given that it was ruled years ago that Apple would have to allow developers to link outside of the App Store so that they could offer users alternative ways to pay for in-app purchases. Apple complied with this ruling, but it ended up charging a 27% fee for linking out to other methods. Epic then brought this to the court, suggesting that Apple was in violation of the ruling. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez agreed, ruling that Apple would now be prohibited from charging any fees.

Since then Apple has been trying to reverse this ruling. First trying to submit appeals, and then finally leading to the petition last month. Epic is of course trying to shut that down as well.

Epic says the court should refuse to hear the case from Apple

In its own petition, Epic is laying out a pretty clear explanation of Apple’s deliberate attempt to skirt the law imposed by Judge Gonzalez. Noting that the company knowingly decided to charge a 27% fee for purchases made outside the App Store because after additional fees from payment processors, it would be more expensive than the 30% to Apple.

Epic then shows that “Apple then hired an economic consulting firm to prepare a presentation to try to retroactively justify the 27% figure on other grounds,” the petition reads. While there’s no clear indication yet if the US Supreme Court will hear Apple’s case, Epic seems prepared to present its own case if it comes to that.

The post Epic responds to Apple's Supreme Court petition with a denial request appeared first on Android Headlines.

John Furner, who took over as Walmart's chief executive in February 2026, was speaking to reporters during the company's annual shareholder week in Bentonville, Arkansas. And what he said about the American consumer was direct.

That's really the stress point, is the price of fuel. 

"Hopefully, we see some relief on energy prices," Furner told reporters, according to a Bloomberg report.

Walmart serves more than 270 million customers weekly across the United States, spanning every income level and every zip code, according to Walmart's stock profile. It is the closest thing the U.S. economy has to a real-time consumer barometer. 

When its CEO identifies a stress point, it is worth taking seriously because Walmart sees it in the data before most economists do.

Also read: History of Walmart: Timeline and Facts

What Furner's "stress point" comment reveals about the American consumer

Furner was not speaking in abstractions. He was describing a specific, observable pattern in Walmart's customer data.

Higher-income consumers, he said, continue to spend at Walmart — buying more items and shopping more frequently. That cohort is not the concern. 

More Walmart:

• Walmart’s new partner brings iconic brand to the retail giant
• Walmart makes a change to be more like Costco
• Amazon and Walmart can’t stop a $12 billion theft problem

The concern is lower-income households, where the math of a fill-up at $4.305 per gallon for regular gasoline — up $1.178 from a year ago, according to EIA data — is directly competing with grocery and household spending.

The Iran war's disruption to the Strait of Hormuz has kept oil prices elevated throughout the spring. National average retail gasoline prices reached $4.475 per gallon in mid-May, according to the EIA's most recent weekly petroleum status report. 

For a household filling a 15-gallon tank twice a month, that is approximately $129 in monthly gasoline spending compared to roughly $93 a year ago. That’s a $36 monthly budget hit that comes directly from discretionary spending.

Furner noted that Walmart has kept its own price increases to approximately 1%, Transport Topics noted. That’s below the headline inflation rate, absorbing much of the cost pressure to maintain competitive pricing. 

But he warned that if gas prices remain at current levels, that buffer has limits. Products could get more expensive in the coming months if energy costs stay elevated.

Walmart's Q1 FY27 results showed the business holding up

Walmart's first-quarter fiscal 2027 results, reported May 21, told a story of a business executing well in a difficult environment:

• Revenue of $177.8 billion, up 7.3% year over year
• Global e-commerce sales up 26%, led by store-fulfilled delivery and marketplace
• Global advertising revenue up 37%, with Walmart U.S. advertising up 36%
• Membership fee revenue up 17.4% globally — record first-quarter net adds
• Operating income up 5.0% year over year
• Adjusted EPS of $0.66
  Source: Walmart First-Quarter Results

The fuel cost pressure Furner described showed up in the gross profit line. Gross profit grew 29 basis points, but the company noted higher fuel costs as an offset, explicitly flagging the energy environment as a headwind to margins, Walmart's earnings release revealed.

Walmart's inventory rose 8.9% year over year, partly reflecting strong unit demand in grocery categories and the timing of receipts. 

That was a sign that consumers are still buying essentials at volume, even as discretionary spending tightens at the lower-income end.

What Walmart's Q2 guidance signals about the second half of 2026

For the second quarter of fiscal 2027, Walmart guided for net sales growth of 4.0% to 5.0% on a constant-currency basis and operating income growth of 7.0% to 10.0%, with adjusted EPS of $0.72 to $0.74, according to Walmart’s outlook. 

That represents a slight deceleration from Q1's pace, and is consistent with Furner's caution about fuel cost pass-through risk in the months ahead.

Related: Walmart CEO addresses the concerns of many longtime shoppers

The guidance implies Walmart is managing the energy cost headwind rather than being overwhelmed by it.

The company's scale and its ability to move product at lower margins than competitors while still turning a profit are precisely the structural advantages that drive consumer behavior in the direction Furner described: households across income levels gravitating toward Walmart when budgets tighten.

Walmart's stock performance has been positive

WMT is up 6.10% year to date against the S&P 500's 10.79% gain, according to Yahoo Finance. That’s a modest outperformance for a defensive consumer staples stock in a market that has been reaching for risk. 

The one-year return of 19.73% reflects a company that has been consistently delivering, even as the macro environment complicates the picture.

Also read: Walmart Inc. Latest News

For investors watching the consumer health debate, Furner's "stress point" comment is a leading indicator worth flagging. Walmart's data precedes the official economic data by weeks. 

When its CEO says fuel is the one thing squeezing lower-income Americans right now and hopes, out loud, for relief, that is not idle commentary. It is a real-time read on where the consumer is, delivered by the person with the best view in the country.

Related: Walmart makes a move to challenge Lowe's and Home Depot

The majority of power banks out there are powered by lithium-ion batteries, but occasionally you do come across super cheap power banks that basically hide regular batteries inside the shell. However, the folks at BMX (not to be confused with the bicycle) have released new SolidSafe power banks that are made using semi-solid-state batteries.

BMX launches new SolidSafe power banks

BMX has three new SolidSafe power bank models on Amazon right now. This includes the SolidSafe Air 5K, SolidSafe 5K, and SolidSafe 10K. Prices start at $59.99, which puts them in the same ballpark as other power banks from competing brands.

The BMX SolidSafe Air is the standout of the bunch. Unveiled it at CES 2026, its selling point is that it measures 6.8mm at its thinnest point. That’s incredibly slim for a 5,000mAh Qi2 power bank. It supports 15W Qi2 magnetic wireless charging and 20W USB-C wired output, all in a titanium-reinforced body. It also meets international airline carry-on limits.

The SolidSafe 5K and 10K are chunkier but come with more features. Both have Qi2 15W magnetic wireless charging and up to 30W USB-C fast charging, plus a full-color LCD display and a built-in USB-C lanyard cable. The 10K also comes in a version with a microSD slot. All models are available in black, orange, blue, and silver.

So What’s a Semi-Solid-State Battery?

Regular lithium-ion batteries rely on liquid electrolytes inside the cell. That liquid is partly what makes them prone to swelling, overheating, or catching fire when something goes wrong. Semi-solid-state batteries swap most of that liquid out for a more stable, mostly solid material. The result is a battery that handles heat and physical stress a lot better.

But does it live up to its claims? Well, BMX has put its batteries through the ringer. The company runs the SolidSafe power banks through some pretty aggressive testing. We’re talking about drilling, cutting, and nail puncture. We’ve been watching solid-state battery tech work its way into consumer products for a while, and the SolidSafe power banks are one of the few options available out there.

The post BMX SolidSafe Power Banks Are Now Available, and the Battery Tech Inside Is a Big Deal appeared first on Android Headlines.

Sonali Basak
Yeah, it's good to be here. Thanks for having me today.

Caroline Woods
Well happy Friday. The S&P 500 only about you know, it's down about 1% today. Only about 1.5% away from record high Sonali. But this rally has really been driven by a pretty narrow group of AI related stocks. How healthy is this market underneath the surface?

Sonali Basak
Very good question. That is one of the bigger things that does concern us, the lack of breath in the market, the fact that you're seeing such concentrated trades. The other thing that concerns us a little bit is not just that you're seeing just those kind of eye focused names of late that had gotten a huge bid. But the fact that we think that some of this is really momentum driven, it is, a little bit speculative.

Sonali Basak
Remember, there are a lot of names out there that are tied to double, triple levered ETFs. You know, while there were a lot of animal spirits in the last month or two, let's say. We do think that some of that air is going to be popped out of the balloon. Now, what we mean by that is not that we can't trade higher from here.

Sonali Basak
We do think that things could get a little volatile, because we do think that some chips will be taken off the table. You certainly saw some of that this week when it came to some of those hardware names in the broader market. But with that said, we do think that pullbacks could start to create some opportunities here. And when you look at the broader market, we urge investors to really look at areas like financials, like industrials, areas of the market that may not have kept up with some of these areas that have just rallied so hard in the last month or two.

Caroline Woods
Okay. So let's break that down in terms of that air coming out of the balloon. How big of a pullback do you think we could see.

Sonali Basak
We don't think it needs to be extreme really. We just think that this year is going to be a volatile one. And it's for a few reasons remember. One really interesting dynamic is you saw a lot of retail investors really dive into the market after tax day. We had a very robust set of refunds that have met many individual pockets.

Sonali Basak
And so we have seen that turnaround, right. People have had money on the sidelines sustained. But we were seeing, as you see do a lot of the macro data. We are seeing savings rates start to decline as well. People are feeling the pinch of inflation continuously. Just kind of given how high oil prices and other types of pricing has stayed high for so long.

Sonali Basak
You think these prices, you think housing prices, you think mortgage rates. There are a lot of areas of the economy that are still seeing some meaningful price pressure that could impact the ability for people to use that additional spend. The second half of the year could be volatile. There's some market structure reasons for that. To remember the first part of the year, you had the fed really supporting the Treasury market with a fair bit of liquidity, buying short term debt.

Sonali Basak
So we just think that the second half of the year, some of the forces between tax refunds and the Federal Reserve that provided liquidity for the first part of the year are starting to see those tailwinds start to fade in the second half. And for us, what that means is a more volatile market. So maybe not a major correction or a dried out.

Sonali Basak
I don't really see the reason to believe that yet. We don't think that sentiment is so negative. But we do expect volatility.

Caroline Woods
Okay. So the S&P 500 is currently up about 10% year to date if you round up. So we're now looking at a third straight year of double digit gains for stocks. Do you think by year's end will still be in that double digit percentage gains for stocks or do you think will be lower?

Sonali Basak
You know, interesting question. We could be, in the double digits. That's not really our base case right now. We are still thinking the high single digits. Perhaps. But, you know, if it's 11% or 9%, I don't know that it matters so much and that we've seen a really tremendous run up in equity markets the last few years.

Sonali Basak
And certainly the macro environment is complex right now. Now, if you look at Wall Street consensus estimates, we just came off a tremendous earnings season. And the expectations are for earnings to be a little more compressed than what we saw in the most recent quarter. So will we still have that same earnings tailwind. That is my question. Because if we do we can continue to see robust growth in the equity markets.

Sonali Basak
I think also that's something is underappreciated. Is that in a market like this where, inflation is a little elevated here, you do have a scenario in which equities look good relative to other asset classes. Bond investors don't love inflation, and equities tend to perform generally better in periods of moderate to high inflation. So we do think that equities, generally speaking have a meaningful lift though.

Sonali Basak
We would also add that diversifying here still makes sense. Just given that we haven't seen those tremendous run ups like we had been talking about before. Outside of the I related trade.

Caroline Woods
And we'll talk about preparing our portfolios for potential volatility and potentially a pullback. But before we get to that, I also want to mention we have the May jobs report that came in much better than expected. Stocks are under pressure today at least at this morning. But does a strong labor market help this rally or does it actually complicate things for the fed and for the stock market.

Sonali Basak
Well, today clearly it's complicated, right. Because you do see those expectations for a rate hike starting to bake into the market. Now we don't believe that the fed necessarily has to hike rates this year. But certainly if they do, that will be a challenging story for the equity market, particularly some of the smaller cap stocks. You think about the Russell 2000 and the bid that it got this year.

Sonali Basak
Will that become compromised if we see interest rates remain high or higher from here? Now, again, remember the other thing that's challenging about high interest rates is we were just talking about how mortgage rates remain elevated. If we see a rate hike, you would certainly see, even higher mortgage rates. Right. The ten year yield would also likely trade higher on the heels of that or the ten year trade lower, and the yields would be higher.

Sonali Basak
So we do think that this creates a complicated dynamic. Now with that said, we have been saying since October, November of last year that the labor market had been stabilizing. We have been saying all year long that a lot of the worries around the job market and I have been overblown. There is a real chance here that I could go a very long way, actually, in terms of not just supporting growth at a lot of companies, but also making sure that, that the employment situation and the GDP situation, across the United States remains robust.

Sonali Basak
Remember, a lot of the reason we're seeing growth is business spend. And we are, I think, interestingly enough, seeing companies spend or trying to spend a little less money on I right now rather than, more money without seeing the ROI.

Caroline Woods
Well, and we're also starting to see some investors take profits in I related names. If you take a look at the the weekly performance, Intel is obviously up huge this year but down 8% this week. And we have Broadcom down significantly. We have obviously some of the Meg seven down. Is that just normal consolidation or or is there something bigger changing beneath the surface.

Sonali Basak
You know I think Caroline you know there's more than anybody that what people tend to do is chase rallies. And we remind people constantly try to buy low, sell high or buy low and hold. Right. Because right now what you're seeing is a lot of people getting into a lot of trades kind of late in the game. And really those opportunities of sell offs create meaningful opportunities to look at the stock again and say, where is the price to earnings ratio now on this?

Sonali Basak
What does that look like historically? Which is why I pointed out to sectors outside of I, because you are still seeing very historically high multiples within certain sectors and certainly within certain names within those sectors. So if you look at the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index, what's been interesting all year is that there's a lot of names that have seen, you know, not double digit percentage increases, the triple digit percentage increases.

Sonali Basak
So more than doubling or even tripling in some cases, whereas Nvidia actually hasn't risen that much this year because of concerns around competitive pressures. So actually we just urge investors to not look at a stock that's run up two, 300% and say, let's keep chasing, especially because people are starting to cough out. Retail allocations are still near record highs right now.

Sonali Basak
But look at the things that are actually undervalued. This is the perfect moment to do that, because so many of those names have been left to the side.

Caroline Woods
So you mentioned financials. You mentioned industrials. Dig into what we should be doing, to prepare our portfolios a bit more, where you're finding value and how we should prepare for this volatility. That could be ahead.

Sonali Basak
Sure. I think the one big challenge investors have had is diversification. How do you diversify away from this eye trade, because there are so many parts of the economy that I trade hits. One thing I say is think about financials. Financials right now are trading kind of in line with where consumers, consumer focused stocks have been headed.

Sonali Basak
Really weak sentiment there. We're a little worried about the consumer sector just because we don't quite know yet how it's going to shake out given how much inflation is now elevated. But financials have other things that play to the I related story. All of these IPOs, all of these mergers and acquisitions, all of the spend you're seeing behind data centers, all of the bond market activity.

Sonali Basak
I think just this week, Google went out to raise $80 billion in a single fundraise. That's more than the market cap of some of the financial companies that are in the market today. How amazing is that? And so remember, a lot of these financial companies are either providing that debt or raising the money for these companies. So it's a little inconceivable to me that a lot of these financial names would be benefiting from the same thing that the technology sector is.

Sonali Basak
Those financial companies are not getting that same love from investors, because investors seem to be so concerned about the consumer that they're missing the other areas that these banks and other types of financial companies are winning out from, from this boom that we're seeing.

Caroline Woods
Yeah. You mentioned the the upcoming IPOs. We have space and potentially open eye, all potentially coming public. Some investors worry though that money could rotate out of existing stocks to fund those purchases because there's a lot of FOMO we know in this market. Is that something investors should be concerned about? Do you look at this as a sign of confidence in the market, these these names coming to market at such huge valuations?

Caroline Woods
Or do you see them as a sign of froth?

Sonali Basak
Let me try to best explain why that's happening, because I think it will help explain, why it's not as scary as a challenge. So we're looking at what the indexes are doing. Some of them will be including space acts early on. And as we had heard from the S&P, they're not going to have an index inclusion right away.

Sonali Basak
And so for the index inclusion, the fact that we're not seeing it across every index is actually kind of positive for that rotation story. But generally speaking, investors are going to have to rebalance to some degree to to fit space into their portfolios to fit eventually anthropic into their portfolios should anthropic get the same treatment. And so, it's a little bit structural.

Sonali Basak
With that said, it doesn't mean people are choosing one stock over the other. One thing, Caroline, that we believe though, is that among the companies that are going public this year, investors will choose. Because right now when you think about I see there are semis, right? There are the leading providers. There are different parts of the software companies.

Sonali Basak
They're different parts of the food chain. So when these three companies go public, which one is going to command the most dollars in terms of how much investors get in after the fact is going to be really important. Remember also that there are lockouts associated with these IPOs. So I would say the bigger concern, at least from the big money, is not about that rebalancing story money moving from other stocks into space X, OpenAI and anthropic.

Sonali Basak
The bigger concern is what happens when the lockups expire for the existing investors. And how much do those in this existing investors plan to sell?

Caroline Woods
So best advice for the everyday retail investor who's listening in right now thinking, if only I got in when Amazon went public, or look what Tesla has done since it went public. And they as they think about taking part in some of these IPOs, what's your best advice for them?

Sonali Basak
You look back and remember some of the hottest IPOs over the last few decades. And just remember how long they took to pay off. It's not really about the IPO moment. It's about the long term trajectory of the company. And this year can be volatile, especially for the earnings cycles that come right after the IPOs, because these companies burn a lot of cash, and they're probably going to have to go back and raise more money through stocks and bonds.

Sonali Basak
So if you're getting into these IPOs, it might not be a super easy ride at the beginning, especially if you think it's going to be the Amazon of the future or the Google of the future. You know, it took years for Uber to get back above its IPO price. So if you really believe in any of these companies and you really believe that they're going to be the next Amazon, just remember that to get that sort of payoff, it could take a long time.

Sonali Basak
And in this certain these certain situations even more so because we have never in American history seen companies go public that are this large.

Caroline Woods
Okay. I think this is a great time to pivot to our rapid fire round. We have quick questions. Quick answers. Are you ready Charlie?

Sonali Basak
Yeah.

Caroline Woods
Here we go. IPO market healthy or frothy? Healthy in space IPO game changer or overhyped.

Sonali Basak
Game changer. Definitely a game changer.

Caroline Woods
AI spending opportunity or risk.

Sonali Basak
Can I say both. Is that fair?

Caroline Woods
We'll give you a both market in the second half. Stronger or bumpier? Bumpier stocks or bonds for the rest of 2026. Stocks highest conviction sector for the rest of 2026. Financials area of the market you'd be most cautious on.

Sonali Basak
Hardware. I see.

Caroline Woods
This one trend investors aren't paying enough attention to that.

Sonali Basak
Because some tokens tend.

Caroline Woods
One risk that could surprise markets in the second half.

Sonali Basak
Last token spend.

Caroline Woods
One thing investors are too worried about right now.

Sonali Basak
A bubble.

Caroline Woods
Eye bubble.

Sonali Basak
Yeah, absolutely. I is here to stay.

Caroline Woods
Jobs report market tailwind or fed headache.

Sonali Basak
Market tailwind.

Caroline Woods
More fed cuts in 2026. Yes or no.

Sonali Basak
No.

Caroline Woods
One word to describe how you're feeling about the market for the rest of 2026. Constructive S&P 500 price target by year end.

Sonali Basak
We think fair value is between 75 and 7800. So not far off from where we are here.

Caroline Woods
Sonali Basak Chief investment strategist, ICapital. Thank you so much. Really appreciate it.

Sonali Basak
Thank you.

Caroline Woods
If you enjoyed this street talk check out our full interview with Tiffany McGhee. She thinks the S&P 500 could go as high as 8200.

But its CEO said he won’t.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (CSMC) Chief Executive Officer, C.C. Wei, used the company’s annual shareholder meeting in Hsinchu, Taiwan, on June 4 to separate his pricing strategy from the one fueling the hottest trades in chips right now.

He did it while warning that the global chip supply will trail AI demand for years, even after TSMC finishes its giant U.S. buildout.

The comments landed as the wider semiconductor sector sold off, pulling TSMC’s U.S.-listed shares (TSM) lower before the opening bell.

For anyone trying to figure out the future of AI chip profits, Wei’s restraint is the detail worth sitting with.

Why TSMC’s Wei won’t copy memory chip makers on pricing

Asked at the meeting whether TSMC could raise prices, Wei said he would like to, given how hard demand is running. He then ruled out the abrupt increases that have rocked the memory market.

I envy their 80% gross margins, but I would never do that

His comment had a clear target.

Memory makers Micron (MU), SK Hynix, and Samsung have turned a brutal shortage into record profit, and Wei signaled he could do the same but won’t.

TSM stock slipped about 2% in premarket trading on June 4, Yahoo Finance data showed, as chip names broadly retreated.

How a memory shortage made Micron, SK Hynix and Samsung the AI trade

Memory chips became the market's obsession because the AI boom turned them into one of the most profitable products in tech almost overnight.

DRAM prices jumped about 90% in the first quarter of 2026 from the prior quarter, TrendForce and other trackers reported.

High-bandwidth memory, the stacked chips that feed AI accelerators, earns several times more per wafer than standard memory, which pushed all three makers to convert lines and starve the consumer market.

Micron exited consumer memory altogether, Network World reported.

More AI stocks:

• TSMC predicts semiconductor market will reach $1.5 trillion by 2030
• Cathie Wood dumps more semiconductor stocks in blindsiding move
• Bank of America resets Nvidia stock price target for 2026

The payoff was historic.

Micron, SK Hynix and Samsung each crossed a $1 trillion market value in May, TechTimes reported, a combined $3 trillion no memory trio had ever reached.

Micron stock is up more than 200% in 2026, dwarfing TSMC’s roughly 40% gain. TSMC runs a 66% gross margin and still wants no part of the memory playbook.

What TSMC's supply warning means for AI chip buyers

The restraint matters because the squeeze is not ending.

Wei said it will take a very long time to fully serve American customers, even as new U.S. capacity comes online.

Related: TSMC executive drops blunt message on AI chip’s next frontier

TSMC is spending $165 billion on its Arizona buildout, and Wei said two land parcels there should cover its needs for about a decade, Reuters reported.

Three things keeping AI chips scarce

• Hyperscalers are on track to spend roughly $725 billion on AI infrastructure in 2026.
• TSMC makes most of the world’s advanced AI chips and cannot expand quickly enough to clear the backlog.
• Permit delays and a shortage of construction workers are slowing its US plans, according to Reuters.

That backlog ripples outward. Every new fab cluster pulls in more power, which is why utilities with data center exposure keep showing up in the AI conversation.

What still has to go right for TSM stock

Wei reaffirmed TSMC’s target of more than 30% revenue growth for 2026, raised from 25% in January, alongside a 56% gross margin shown in TSMC filings.

The stock has run about 40% higher this year, which leaves little cushion if AI orders cool.

GuruFocus flags the shares as "Significantly overvalued," and Cathie Wood’s ARK has been trimming chip positions into the strength.

Patient investors should watch three things:

• Whether 2nm capacity stays sold out,
• If US permitting frees up,
• and whether memory's price spike starts denting demand for the devices that TSMC's chips go into.

However, none of it is guaranteed.

Wei is betting that steady pricing keeps customers loyal long after the shortage fades, while other memory makers are betting the shortage lasts.

Either way, whether Wei's steady pricing or the memory makers' approach wins depends on the orders each side books in the months ahead.

Related: Barclays resets AMD stock price target

The Xbox platform and its corresponding hardware need exclusive games. It’s a point that many players have been making for a while. And now it seems that new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma is agreeing with the players. Sharma hasn’t yet defined what a return to exclusives would mean, as that decision hasn’t yet been made. As it stands right now, Xbox games won’t just be coming an Xbox console. Some games like the upcoming Fable are still listed as coming to PC and PS5 as well.

It seems odd to think about an Xbox game on a competing console platform if you grew up with the older consoles. Since time immemorial, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo have all had their own games. If you wanted to play them, you needed to own that console.

Then Xbox ditched that plan several years ago and started its campaign to bring games to as many players as possible. Regardless of the screen they were playing them on. Phones, computer monitors, TVs, it didn’t matter. Xbox’s goal was to ensure availability for the gamer. This meant you could play your games in the cloud across devices. More recently, it’s meant playing games like Forza Horizon 5 on a PS5 console. That may be changing though.

Xbox CEO says platforms “must have exclusive content and services”

Although Xbox doesn’t have much if any exclusive content right now, there’s no doubt that it will eventually. Sharma’s statements during a recent interview with Bloomberg Tech seem to more or less confirm that. At the very least, it seems like Xbox is considering making a return to some exclusive content. “Look, we’re the number two publisher in the world, and in order to be a great publisher, you must have your games reach large audiences to play. At the same time, were increasingly becoming a platform. In order to be a platform, you must have exclusive content and services. And so were looking at that very closely,” Sharma said.

That’s not a direct confirmation that Xbox is going to pull back on games across platforms like Sony is doing, but it’s not confirmation that it won’t be doing that either. It also seems possible that Sharma could decide that some Xbox games would be exclusive while others would not. Similar to what Sony will be doing with live-service multiplayer games that it publishes.

The post Xbox CEO acknowledges that Xbox needs exclusive games appeared first on Android Headlines.

If you’ve been holding out on a proper pair of noise-cancelling earbuds, Amazon just made the decision a whole lot easier. The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are currently $149, down from their $279 list price. That’s $130 off, and it’s one of the better audio deals we’ve seen in a while.

Now, these aren’t the brand-new Ultra Gen 2 buds. But here’s the thing. The QC Earbuds II still pack Bose’s CustomTune tech, which scans your ear canal and personalizes both the noise cancellation and the sound profile actually to fit you. Most earbuds slap on a one-size-fits-all EQ and call it a day. Bose tunes itself to your ears every time you put them in.

And the ANC? Let’s be real, this is still some of the best active noise cancellation you can strap into your ears. Whether you’re stuck on a flight, dealing with a loud office, or just trying to drown out the snow blowers in the neighborhood (Michigan winters, am I right?), these things genuinely shut the world out.

You’re getting up to 6 hours per charge, another 18 hours from the case, IPX4 sweat resistance, and a touch interface that doesn’t make you fumble for your phone every five seconds. The fit kit with three ear tips and three stability band sizes means you can actually dial in a comfortable seal.

At $149, these are now sitting in the same price range as some solid mid-tier wireless earbuds, except you’re getting flagship-tier ANC. If you’ve been eyeing premium buds but couldn’t stomach paying full freight, this is your moment.

You’ll want to grab these soon, as this deal is not going to last long. And we doubt that they’ll drop any further for Prime Day. This is already nearly half off, which is unheard of for Bose.

The post Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Just Crashed to $149, And That's Hard to Ignore appeared first on Android Headlines.

Upgrading your TV experience only takes one item: a soundbar. Soundbars have the ability to enhance audio from slim TV speakers to a movie-theater experience with deep bass and clear sound. They can give you a surround-sound feel without having to shell out hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars for a full system. To top it off, soundbars don't need any tricky installation process, as you can place them on a TV stand. But if you prefer to mount it on the wall, many soundbars come with the hardware to make it happen.

And they're not just ideal for movie nights and Netflix binges. Soundbars are a great addition to a home if you like to entertain. Many modern soundbars can be used to play music, amping up any gathering. Even better, many have different connectivity options, with Bluetooth being the easiest to connect to your phone, tablet, or laptop to manage your party playlist.

Why buy a soundbar ahead of Prime Day?

Prime Day is one of the best times to stock up on smart buys that can enhance all aspects of your life. If you aren't afraid to do a little digging, there are plenty of early Prime Day deals you can shop before the four-day shopping event starts, which officially kicks off on Tuesday, June 23. 

In addition to emergency-ready portable power stations, we've spotted some solid discounts on soundbars that can save you big on a versatile home essential. Soundbars can range in price, from budget-friendly and under $100 to name-brand options that cost nearly $1,000. But with early Prime Day deals, you can get a soundbar for up to 45% off.

Budget-friendly soundbars

Budget-friendly soundbars are typically under $100, which means that with early Prime Day deals, you can get them for even less. While they might lack big-name brands of more expensive models, they still offer enhanced sound, and many come with extra features that are surprising for the price points.

Many soundbars under $100 typically come with the soundbar itself. However, some come with subwoofers, giving you premium bass and a surround-sound vibe that you'd expect from pricier options. Others come with wireless microphones, which is the perfect bundle for people who like to entertain and especially love a little karaoke session during a get-together. Although these options might not have all the bells and whistles comparable to a luxury high-end model, for the person who just wants to enhance their TV-watching or music-listening experience beyond the quality that built-in speakers can provide, it's a worthwhile spend. You and your guests will notice an enjoyable difference. 

SunTrok Soundbar with Subwoofer and Wireless Karaoke Mics

WebsLand 2-in-1 Soundbar

Ultimea Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer

Assistrust Soundbar

Name-brand soundbars

If your budget is a little higher and you're willing to spend extra on a solid soundbar, there are even more noteworthy early Prime Day deals worth checking out. There are deals on soundbars from trusted audio brands, like Sony, Bose, and Samsung, that can level up your entertainment experience. These are great for the person who wants to make a major upgrade to their system, but doesn't want to commit to a full-on surround sound system. 

Even though there are notable soundbar brands on sale ahead of Prime Day, the discounts aren't as deep as some budget-friendly options. We're looking at discounts up to just over 30%, which is still a good deal compared to paying full price. They'll offer premium sound quality, but at a price that's worth the investment.

Sony S100F Soundbar

Bose Smart Ultra Dolby Atmos Soundbar

Samsung B-Series Soundbar

LG S40T Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer

JBL Bar All-in-One Soundbar

TheStreet Shopping is your guide for shopping insights and advice. We look beyond the price tag to find the best value in home, tech, and wellness gear based on product features and real-world use.

As an example, the criminal conviction of short seller Andrew Left, who used to lead Citron Research for a “long-running market manipulation theme,” has thrown cold water on short selling. I was certainly no fan of Citron Research, which attacked Super Micro Computer (SMCI) and Sezzle (SEZL) before the short seller shut down. 

The primary reason that I rode through the gyrations that Citron Research caused for SMCI and SEZL was that the analyst community never cut their earnings estimates for these stocks, and the fundamental attacks were bogus. 

Citron Research tied to prick bubbles in stocks that were going parabolic with bogus innuendos and alleged insider information. Since Citron Research predominantly used social media to spread its lies, the conviction of Left is a landmark case that will likely cause most short sellers to retreat, which is good news for the market, and that means good news for investors.

Related: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang delivers sharp message to major customer

The bull case gets stronger

One thing that doesn’t fit with the bearish narrative is the latest manufacturing data. The Institute of Supply Management (ISM) announced that its manufacturing index rose to a healthy 54% in May, up from 52.7% in April, the fifth consecutive monthly increase in the ISM manufacturing index. Fully 16 of the 17 manufacturing industries that ISM surveyed reported an expansion.

The other thing we have to look forward to is the anticipation of 5% to 6% annual GDP growth that should arrive no later than the third quarter. As evidence of accelerating GDP growth, the Commerce Department recently announced that durable goods orders surged 7.9% in April, up from a 1.3% increase in March. Economists were expecting a 3.5% annual surge, so the April durable goods report was much stronger than anticipated. Transportation orders surged 21.5% in April. Excluding transportation, durable goods orders rose at a robust 1.1% pace in April, which was much stronger than economists’ consensus estimate of a 0.5% increase.

The booming order backlog for companies associated with data centers exploded in the first quarter, so it now looks like the AI-related data center boom will persist for at least the next three years. This data center boom, combined with the onshoring boom for semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and the auto industry, bodes well for explosive GDP growth. 

The trade deficit is shrinking due to booming energy exports, and this is also expected to boost GDP growth. Retail sales have been promising in the past couple of months, so that is another positive GDP boost. But by far, the biggest boost to GDP growth is productivity that should be at least 3% per year and may rise to 4% in 2027 and beyond, as AI makes America more productive. 

We remain in the best investment environment for growth stocks since the Internet boom back in 1999. Use dips as an opportunity to buy fundamentally strong stocks. This is not the time to be sitting on the sidelines. This is a wonderful time to be an investor, so hang on and enjoy the ride.

Related: Louis Navellier sees major stock catalyst coming in June