Stifel Bits

Summary

• Former Dallas Federal Reserve President Robert Kaplan stated that being six weeks late is a manageable risk for keeping interest rates unchanged.
• Candy and gum prices increased by 44% over five years, compared to a 22.5% increase for food eaten at home.
• The sold-out iPhone Duo, Apple's first foldable phone, was reported at a price of $2,000.
• South Africa's Transnet conducted a test run of the longest freight train ever, measuring 4.7 miles in length.
• 72 million Americans watched at least one episode of "Seinfeld" during the first eight months of 2026.
• Campaigns & political action groups spent $137 million on artificial intelligence-generated ads for the U.S. midterm elections.
• Alphabet shares fell more than 12% after its earnings report due to concerns over rising AI spending, weaker revenue, & cash flow impacts despite cloud growth.
• Technology stocks face pressure as investors demand evidence that heavy AI infrastructure investments will translate into stronger profits & cash flow.
• Steelguard 951, a fire-resistant coating for data centers, is seeing surging demand due to the AI boom.
• Mike Valladao, a cybersecurity engineer, has spent four decades creating pumpkin masterpieces as "Farmer Mike."
• Harvard freshmen are enrolling in booming Humanities 10 courses because some lessons cannot be automated by AI.
• A Nanotyrannus fossil sold for over $47 million.
• Nvidia is investing $3 billion in Meta's equity offering, adding to over $50 billion in major AI investments.
• SpaceX aims to become America's fourth major wireless carrier.
• McDonald's is hosting a reservation-only tasting menu in NYC.
• Casey's General Stores is rolling out new pan pizzas after two years of development.
• General Motors is moving its listing to the Nasdaq.
• Coca-Cola is experiencing a diet soda revival among Gen Z consumers.