Lockheed Martin has announced a significant increase in its venture capital fund, Lockheed Martin Ventures, from $400 million to $1 billion. This 250% boost is intended to accelerate the development of critical national security technologies, including AI and quantum computing, and transition them into the Defense Industrial Base. Since 2007, the fund has invested over $500 million in more than 120 companies, with many becoming key suppliers for Lockheed Martin.

American Express has launched an agentic commerce developer kit and committed to purchase protection for erroneous transactions made by registered AI agents. This move signals their entry into the evolving AI-driven payments space, addressing concerns about AI agent errors which have limited adoption despite interest from Silicon Valley and Wall Street. Luke Gebb, American Express executive vice president, stated that while agentic commerce has seen more press releases than transactions, the company believes it will gain traction, especially within specific use cases, and is positioning itself to manage the inherent risks by leveraging existing dispute resolution processes.

American Express is launching new tools to facilitate agentic shopping, where AI agents can buy on behalf of consumers. This initiative includes a developer kit to integrate shopping capabilities into AI agents and a purchase protection program for agent-driven transactions. American Express joins other financial institutions like Mastercard and PayPal in anticipating the mainstream adoption of AI-driven commerce.

Palo Alto Networks has completed its acquisition of Koi, introducing a new category called Agentic Endpoint Security (AES) to address the expanded attack surface created by agentic AI tools. By integrating Koi's technology with Prisma AIRS, Palo Alto Networks aims to extend visibility and security to AI on the endpoint, offering a unified control plane and a new module for Cortex XDR to identify and remediate AI software risks. This strategic move enables enterprises to leverage AI innovation securely, without compromising on protection.

Philip Morris International's U.S. business (PMI U.S.) has released a white paper titled "The Forgotten Smoker," asserting that America has not solved the smoking problem and urging a renewed public health focus on adult smokers. A national survey cited in the paper reveals that 79% of Americans believe more action is needed to combat smoking-related harm, with widespread misinformation existing about nicotine and the relative risks of smoke-free alternatives. PMI U.S. proposes policy recommendations including expanding access to FDA-authorized smoke-free products, combating nicotine misinformation, and implementing risk-based taxation to encourage smokers to switch.

Lunt Capital Management Inc. significantly increased its stake in Texas Pacific Land (TPL) by 167.6% in Q4, making it their 10th largest position valued at $7.095 million. Wall Street analysts maintain a "Hold" rating with an average price target of $639, following a recent upgrade by KeyCorp. TPL also reported strong quarterly earnings, exceeding estimates, and raised its quarterly dividend.

Expedia Group's "The AI Trust Gap" report reveals that while travelers are increasingly using AI for trip planning and inspiration, a significant majority (68%) still prefer to book with trusted travel brands rather than AI chatbots or agents. The report highlights concerns regarding loss of control, data privacy, and potential poor customer service if something goes wrong, indicating that trust, not just technology, is crucial for transactions in the travel industry. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the travel ecosystem to integrate AI-powered experiences while maintaining strong customer trust and support.

Cincinnati Financial (US1720621011) is highlighted as a strong option for investors seeking steady returns due to its disciplined underwriting, agency-focused model, and conservative investment strategy amidst rising catastrophe risks and stabilizing interest rates. The company's focus on property and casualty insurance, particularly in less volatile US regions, along with its consistent dividend growth and robust risk management, positions it as a defensive play. Analysts generally view the stock favorably, emphasizing its resilience and potential for investment income growth.

Third View Private Wealth LLC has acquired a new stake of 38,334 shares in Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE) during the fourth quarter of 2025, valued at approximately $3.38 million. This investment signals confidence in Sempra's long-term growth prospects and the stability of the utility sector. Sempra Energy is a major utility provider in the U.S., delivering electricity and natural gas.

Amazon is acquiring Globalstar to integrate its direct-to-device (D2D) satellite services into the Amazon Leo network, aiming to extend cellular coverage to remote areas globally. Concurrently, Amazon and Apple have announced an agreement for Amazon Leo to power satellite features on iPhones and Apple Watches, including emergency services. This move is part of Amazon's strategy to enhance global connectivity and provide more reliable services for consumers, enterprises, and governments.