Chinese tech and e-commerce giant Alibaba has sued the U.S. Department of Defense for designating it as a "Chinese military company." Alibaba asserts that these determinations lack factual or legal basis, highlighting its independent board without military affiliations and that its products are for retail, logistics, and enterprise IT, not defense. The U.S. had previously added Alibaba, Baidu, BYD, and NIO to a list of companies believed to be aiding Beijing's military.

Merrill Lynch has hired Jairzinho “Jazz” Skair, a former Morgan Stanley branch manager, to lead a new market comprising offices in Connecticut, western Massachusetts, and parts of New York. Skair, who previously worked at UBS, will report to William Cholawa. This move is part of Merrill's broader strategy to enhance recruiting, also evidenced by the recent hiring of two father-son teams with combined client assets of $560 million from Wells Fargo Advisors and Baird Private Wealth Management.

Omnicom and Disney Advertising have partnered to launch a new connected TV (CTV) solution aimed at reducing ad repetition and enhancing personalization in streaming video across VOD and live sports. The technology leverages identity data, AI, and creative sequencing to deliver varied ad messages within viewing sessions, thereby improving viewer experience and marketing effectiveness. This initiative is currently live in the US, with plans for rollouts in EU and LATAM by late 2026.

Omnicom Media and Disney Advertising have partnered to launch a new CTV advertising solution powered by Innovid, designed to reduce ad repetition and enhance personalization in streaming content. This collaboration aims to improve frequency management and sequential storytelling, delivering relevant advertising messages to consumers in both video-on-demand and live sports and entertainment. The initiative is a response to consumer frustration with repetitive ads, leveraging AI, machine learning, and identity solutions to create a more engaging and effective advertising experience.

A Missouri appeals court has declined to send Abbott Laboratories' appeal of a $495 million verdict to the Missouri Supreme Court, leaving the 2024 verdict regarding its preterm baby formula in place for now. Abbott plans to appeal directly to the state's highest court, maintaining the safety of its products. The verdict was awarded to an Illinois mother whose infant developed necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) after consuming Abbott's cow's milk-based formula.

Nordson Corporation has sustained a constructive analyst consensus, with analysts underscoring the company's backlog growth and consistent dividend increases. Following a Q2 earnings beat, Nordson received "Buy" ratings and price targets exceeding its closing Nasdaq price. Key factors contributing to this positive outlook include an 18% year-over-year backlog increase and revised EPS forecasts by analysts, reinforcing confidence in the company's financial trajectory.

The growing demand for electricity to power AI data centers is transforming electric utilities into attractive growth stocks on Wall Street, driving significant mergers and acquisitions. This shift is primarily motivated by increasing corporate profits and investor interests rather than residential electricity needs. Customers may ultimately bear the financial burden as utilities strategically invest in infrastructure and influence regulations to maximize earnings for their shareholders.

Exelon Corp. has outlined a cautious but clear 2026 earnings and dividend framework, emphasizing its profile as a regulated utility. The company's shares, trading under EXC on NASDAQ, are seen as an income-oriented option for long-term investors due to the stability provided by regulated returns and dividends. Analyst consensus highlights the stock's balanced risk-reward, with regulatory certainty being a key factor influencing its valuation.

Glancy Prongay Wolke & Rotter LLP is urging AeroVironment, Inc. (AVAV) shareholders who suffered losses between June 25, 2025, and March 10, 2026, to contact them regarding a securities fraud lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges that AeroVironment made misleading statements and failed to disclose material adverse facts about the company's business prospects, particularly concerning its contract with the U.S. Space Force and the SCAR program. This comes after multiple stock price drops following a stop-work order, termination of the SCAR contract, and a significant operating loss due to a goodwill impairment.

Barclays' equity derivatives business is experiencing a significant wave of departures, with multiple senior individuals and others leaving despite the bank's stated focus on this area. While equity derivatives revenues saw a 16% year-on-year increase in Q1, insiders suggest reasons for the exits include high turnover in a volatile market and a perception of patchy commitment to the franchise. Two more people, Andreas Konomis and Pascal Sahli, are now also off the desk, though their absences are reportedly unrelated.