TLDR
- Intel plans to raise $15 billion through a new share offering to fund its manufacturing turnaround
- Berkshire Hathaway rose after strong results and signs new CEO Greg Abel is deploying cash reserves
- Barrick Mining fell on weak earnings despite high gold prices, but secured a $1.95 billion Newmont deal
- Meta launched a new open-weight AI model as part of its push into artificial intelligence
- JPMorgan raised its S&P 500 year-end target to 8,000, citing strong earnings and AI investment
Intel is raising roughly $15 billion through a new share sale. The chipmaker plans to use the money to fund its ongoing manufacturing expansion as it tries to compete with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company in advanced chip production.
The share offering caused Intel stock to dip on dilution concerns. Intel has still had a strong 2026, driven by optimism around its restructuring and growing demand for AI-related computing.
Berkshire Hathaway Rises on Strong Results
Berkshire Hathaway climbed after posting better-than-expected operating results. New CEO Greg Abel also showed signs he is willing to put the company’s large cash reserves to work.
Berkshire resumed share buybacks, which gave investors another reason to buy the stock. The conglomerate continues to generate steady cash across its insurance, railroad, energy and manufacturing businesses.
Investors have been watching closely to see how Abel manages the company since Warren Buffett stepped down as CEO.
Barrick Mining Slips Despite Gold Rally
Barrick Mining fell after reporting quarterly earnings that missed Wall Street forecasts. Higher operating costs hurt profitability even though gold prices remain historically strong.
Barrick did announce a major deal with Newmont tied to their Nevada Gold Mines joint venture. Newmont will pay Barrick around $1.95 billion as part of the settlement.
The agreement removes a long-running source of uncertainty between the two companies. It could also help clear the path for Barrick to list some of its North American gold assets.
Investors will be watching whether Barrick can bring down production costs and turn strong gold prices into better earnings.
Meta Steps Up AI Push With New Model Launch
Meta launched a new open-weight AI model, continuing CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s push to make the company a major force in artificial intelligence. The move puts Meta in more direct competition with OpenAI, Alphabet and Anthropic.
Meta has been spending heavily on AI infrastructure including data centers and chips. It is also building AI tools into Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.
The company’s large advertising business gives it an edge. Meta already has billions of users and a profitable platform to roll out new AI products.
JPMorgan Raises S&P 500 Target to 8,000
JPMorgan raised its year-end S&P 500 target from 7,800 to 8,000. The bank pointed to stronger-than-expected corporate earnings and continued investment in AI and cloud computing.
JPMorgan also lifted its 2026 earnings-per-share forecast for the S&P 500 to $365. That suggests corporate America is in better shape than many expected at the start of the year.
The near-term risk is inflation. This week’s Consumer Price Index, Producer Price Index and retail sales data could shift expectations for Federal Reserve rate policy.
Strong earnings and AI enthusiasm continue to support U.S. stocks for now.
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