Falcon Finance, a cutting-edge synthetic dollar protocol, has today announced the integration of Fireblocks Off Exchange, significantly enhancing the security framework of its platform.

This move represents a major leap forward in protecting user assets and reducing risks associated with centralized exchanges.

Unlike traditional custodial solutions, which transfer counterparty risk to centralized clearing parties, Fireblocks takes a technology-first approach.

Through its innovative Off Exchange model, Falcon Finance now offers enhanced protection by programmatically locking funds in secure Multi-Party Computation (MPC)-based shared wallets.

This means that all assets are safeguarded away from exchange hot wallets, ensuring a higher level of security and minimizing exposure to exchange-related vulnerabilities.

All trading activities on Falcon Finance now utilize mirrored positions, where the underlying assets remain securely stored in cold storage.

This strategy significantly reduces the risks that have historically plagued the industry, such as exchange hacks, mishandling of funds, or other potential breaches. With this new integration, Falcon Finance aims to provide its clients with a safer and more secure environment for synthetic dollar transactions.

Fireblocks, a world leader in digital asset infrastructure, powers the integration with its trusted platform.

Known for its scalability, security, and comprehensiveness, Fireblocks serves as the backbone for secure custody, tokenization, payment, settlement, and trading operations across the largest ecosystem of exchanges, custodians, banks, payment providers, and stablecoin issuers.

“User asset security is our absolute priority at Falcon Finance,” said Andrei Grachev, Managing Partner at Falcon Finance.

By building on Fireblocks’ institutional-grade custody technology and off-exchange solution, we’ve created a secure environment where assets never touch exchange hot wallets, eliminating a critical vulnerability in the custody chain.

The integration of Fireblocks Off Exchange brings three key security advantages to Falcon Finance users:

1. Off Exchange Asset Protection: All user deposits are secured by Fireblocks, with Falcon’s trading operations conducted through mirrored positions. This structure ensures users retain full ownership of their assets while remaining shielded from exchange-related risks.
2. Greater Insulation from Exchange Risk: With assets securely separated from exchange hot wallets, users are less vulnerable to security breaches and incidents at exchange-level platforms.
3. Institutional-Grade Security: Leveraging Fireblocks’ advanced MPC technology, Falcon Finance distributes cryptographic key shards across multiple secure nodes, eliminating single points of failure and ensuring robust transaction integrity.

This integration marks a pivotal moment in Falcon Finance’s ongoing commitment to building a transparent, secure, and reliable platform for digital asset management.

Looking ahead, Falcon Finance plans to continue strengthening its security infrastructure and innovating to protect user assets while driving sustainable yields.

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Costco Wholesale Corp (NASDAQ: COST) is in focus this morning after coming in shy of earnings estimates for its fiscal second quarter.

But there was hardly anything in its earnings release that should prove to be a back-breaker for investors, according to famed investor Jim Cramer.

The retail giant earned $4.02 a share in its recently concluded quarter versus analysts at $4.11.

However, much of that weakness was related only to currency headwinds.

Investors could still take heart in the fact that Costco improved its EPS by 2.6% even though its year-ago quarter included a little under $100 million worth of tax benefit.

Why is Jim Cramer bullish on Costco stock?

Cramer remains positive on Costco despite the earnings miss as it’s “the best-run retailer in the world,” he told members of his Investing Club on Friday.

The retailer offers a collection of assortments that may not be as extensive as the one you can find at a Walmart, but it sells it at a price that’s super hard to beat.

It’s a strategy that could particularly shine now that Trump tariffs are threatening a resurgence in inflation and pressure on the US economy.

As the price-sensitive consumer looks for budget-friendly avenues for shopping amidst the new macro environment, it’s reasonable to believe that a Costco will become their go-to destination.

How will COST navigate Trump tariffs?

Ron Vachris, the chief executive of Costco, reassured investors on the earnings call last night that his company is strongly positioned to navigate the new tariffs.

The retail behemoth, he confirmed, is open to replacing items that may be slapped with aggressive tariffs with alternatives that will be less exposed to the new levies.

On the call, the Nasdaq-listed firm also revealed no change so far in member behavior in the wake of Trump tariffs.

Traffic to its stores was up 5.7% year-on-year in the second financial quarter.

Plus, a dividend yield of 0.45% tied to Costco stock at writing makes it a bit more attractive to own for the long-term as well.

Is it worth buying Costco shares today?

Jim Cramer agreed that Costco shares are not inexpensive to own at 55 times forward earnings, but cited eight consecutive quarters of operating margin expansion, better-than-expected comps, and a sequential increase in membership renewal rates for keeping bullish.

The retail giant ended its Q2 with a total of 78.4 million paid memberships – a 6.8% increase versus the same quarter last year but down about 300,000 versus Street expectations.  

But Costco opened only one store in the second quarter but has plans of opening a few more in the coming weeks.

Once it does, the membership number will improve as well, argued the former hedge fund manager.  

Note that Costco is growing its advertising business as well, revenue from which will be reinvested in the business to keep prices low, according to its chief of finance, Gary Millerchip.

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Walgreens Boots Alliance will be taken private by Sycamore Partners in a $10 billion deal, the companies announced Thursday, marking the end of nearly a century of public trading for the US pharmacy giant.

The move comes after years of financial turbulence that saw Walgreens’ market value plummet from a peak of $100 billion to just $9.3 billion.

Sycamore will pay $11.45 per share, an 8% premium over Walgreens’ closing price of $10.60 on Thursday.

In addition, shareholders could receive up to $3 per share in cash from future monetization of Walgreens’ stake in primary-care provider VillageMD.

The total transaction, including debt and payouts, is valued at approximately $23.7 billion, according to investment bank Leerink Partners.

Amazon, Walmart, eat into Walgreens’ share

Walgreens has struggled to keep pace with changes in the retail pharmacy landscape, losing ground to competitors such as Amazon and Walmart.

While rivals diversified into insurance and prescription management, Walgreens pursued an aggressive expansion strategy, investing billions into acquiring other pharmacy chains, including European giant Alliance Boots.

However, the shift away from brick-and-mortar retail left the company exposed to declining foot traffic and shrinking drug margins.

The company’s market capitalization has fallen by 90% since 2015, and its debt burden has swelled to nearly $30 billion.

Walgreens reported a net loss of $8.6 billion for the 2024 fiscal year, nearly three times the previous year’s losses.

While the company recently surpassed earnings and revenue expectations in its most recent quarter, analysts say the turnaround remains a long-term challenge.

“You have a business that is shrinking, and then you layer on losses and cash burn, all of that was the perfect recipe for what we are seeing today,” said Brian Tanquilut, a healthcare services research analyst at Jefferies in a Reuters report.

Strategic missteps by leadership compounded woes

Walgreens has spent years exploring potential buyers for parts of its business.

In 2019, private equity firm KKR reportedly offered $70 billion to take the company private, but the talks did not advance.

Now, Sycamore’s acquisition comes at a fraction of that valuation.

The company has also suffered from strategic missteps under former CEO Stefano Pessina, its largest single shareholder.

During his tenure, Walgreens’ market capitalization shrank by nearly half, and its expansion strategy failed to yield long-term gains.

The costly $5.2 billion investment in VillageMD, once seen as a path to healthcare diversification, has now become a financial drain and a potential divestment target for Sycamore.

Meanwhile, Walgreens’ main competitor, CVS, has successfully diversified its business beyond retail, acquiring health insurer Aetna for nearly $70 billion in 2018.

Walgreens reportedly considered buying insurer Humana but ultimately abandoned the idea, a move analysts now see as a missed opportunity.

Sycamore’s turnaround strategy

Sycamore, a private equity firm known for acquiring struggling retail brands, has a history of extracting value through cost-cutting measures, store closures, and asset sales.

The firm has previously acquired brands such as Staples, Talbots, and Nine West, often restructuring their operations to improve profitability.

Analysts expect Sycamore to follow a similar playbook with Walgreens, possibly selling off non-core assets like Boots, its UK-based pharmacy chain, and reducing operational costs across its retail footprint.

“Going private makes sense on paper,” said Ann Hynes, an analyst with Mizuho Bank, adding that Walgreens’ operational challenges would likely be better handled without commitments to shareholders.

Deal structure and potential roadblocks

The transaction includes a 35-day “go-shop” period, allowing Walgreens to solicit alternative bids.

However, analysts believe a competing offer is unlikely given the complexity of the deal.

“Given the size and number of moving parts involved—a potential split of the US business, Boots, and Health—we don’t expect a competing bid to emerge,” said Michael Cherny, an analyst at Leerink Partners.

With Walgreens set to go private, the future of its sprawling global operations remains uncertain.

While Sycamore’s takeover provides an opportunity for restructuring, questions remain about whether the firm’s strategy will lead to long-term growth or simply a short-term financial overhaul.

Investors and industry watchers will be closely monitoring the next steps as one of America’s most storied pharmacy chains transitions to a new chapter under private ownership.

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Broadcom reported first-quarter earnings on Thursday that exceeded analysts’ expectations, driven by strong AI-related revenue growth.

The semiconductor giant also provided an upbeat revenue forecast for the current quarter, sending its stock over 10% higher in extended trading.

Broadcom’s Q1 earnings

The company posted adjusted earnings per share of $1.60, surpassing the consensus estimate of $1.49.

Revenue came in at $14.92 billion, exceeding the expected $14.61 billion.

Broadcom’s second-quarter revenue guidance of approximately $14.9 billion also came in ahead of Wall Street’s forecast of $14.76 billion.

Revenue for the latest quarter grew 25% from $11.96 billion in the same period last year.

Net income rose to $5.5 billion, or $1.14 per share, up significantly from $1.33 billion, or 28 cents per share, in the year-ago period.

Broadcom’s stock had been down about 23% in 2025 before the earnings report, partly due to investor concerns over President Donald Trump’s tariff policies.

Broadcom recorded $4.1 billion in AI-related revenue in the first quarter, reflecting a 77% year-over-year increase.

AI sales are included in the company’s semiconductor solutions segment, which reported an 11% annual growth to $8.21 billion.

Broadcom CEO Hock Tan stated that the company anticipates “continued strength in AI semiconductor revenue.”

The company projects AI revenue to reach $4.4 billion in the second quarter, representing a 44% year-over-year growth.

In December, Broadcom announced it was developing custom AI chips with three large cloud customers.

Tan added on Thursday that the company has since “deeply engaged” with two additional hyperscalers and is working with four other potential customers on custom AI chip development.

Wall Street analysts on Broadcom

KeyBanc Capital Markets raised its price target on Broadcom to $275 from $260, maintaining an Overweight rating. A

Analysts cited Broadcom’s AI revenue strength, which exceeded expectations by $300 million, driven by robust networking demand.

Bernstein reaffirmed its Outperform rating with a price target of $250, noting Broadcom’s strong gross margins of 79.1% and lower-than-expected operating expenses.

While the core networking and storage businesses saw slower recovery, AI semiconductor sales offset those weaknesses.

Raymond James analyst Srini Pajjuri maintained a Market Perform rating, expressing caution despite Broadcom’s strong execution and customer engagement.

Pajjuri highlighted competition from Nvidia in the custom ASIC market, warning that potential customers may not move forward with large-scale deployments.

Broadcom’s earnings report and upbeat AI outlook signal strong demand for its semiconductor solutions, but ongoing competition and broader market conditions remain factors to watch.

CFRA also maintained a Buy rating on Broadcom Limited, citing the potential for AI semiconductor revenue to enhance Broadcom’s business model over the next three years.

CFRA also expects continued strong performance in the software segment, particularly following the one-year anniversary of the VMware acquisition.

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Electric vehicle (EV) adoption in Europe is increasing. One would expect that Tesla would be one of the biggest winners of such news.

But the company’s sales are falling across most of its key markets.

The latest figures from Norway, Germany, France, Sweden, and Denmark paint a clear picture: consumers are turning their backs on Tesla in favour of European, Japanese, and even Chinese competitors.

The company that once dominated EV markets is struggling to maintain its position.

This is a situation that not only worries the company’s shareholders, but it also highlights some key insights about the economy and the trajectory of global EV adoption.

The data tells the story

The European EV market is expanding, with battery electric vehicles (BEVs) accounting for 15% of total EU car sales in January 2025, up from 10.9% in January 2024.

BEV sales surged by 34%, with strong growth in Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

Hybrid-electric vehicles now make up 34.9% of new car sales in the EU, making them the most popular choice among buyers.

Plug-in hybrid EVs (PHEVs), however, are in decline, down 8.5% in January, as consumers move toward full electrification.

In Norway, where EVs accounted for 96% of all new passenger car sales in early 2025, Tesla’s sales dropped by nearly half.

The company sold just 1,606 units in January and February, down from 2,887 during the same period in 2024.

Meanwhile, Volkswagen saw a 224.1% increase in sales, Toyota surged by 97.6%, and Nissan grew by 31.3%.

The best-selling EV in Norway was no longer a Tesla but the Toyota bZ4X, followed by the Volkswagen ID.4.

Tesla’s top-selling Model Y saw a staggering 64.4% decline.

Germany, the EU’s largest car market, saw overall BEV sales grow by 53.5% in January.

However, Tesla’s presence has weakened as German automakers ramp up production.

Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz are all gaining ground, particularly as Tesla struggles with the impact of Germany’s subsidy cuts in 2024.

In France, Tesla’s year-to-date sales are down 44%.

The Model Y, which was the country’s best-selling EV in 2024, has fallen to 27th place in 2025, trailing behind the Peugeot 208, Renault 5, and Citroën e-C3.

Meanwhile, overall EV sales in France have remained stable, with domestic automakers benefiting from government incentives.

Sweden and Denmark also show a similar pattern.

Sweden’s BEV market share rose to 31.9% in February, but Tesla sales dropped 42%, with the Model Y down 52.1%.

In Denmark, EVs accounted for 65% of all new cars sold in February, a 72% year-on-year increase, but Tesla’s sales fell by 48%.

These figures make it clear: the European EV market is expanding, but Tesla is heading towards the opposite direction.

What’s really driving Tesla’s decline?

Tesla’s struggles in Europe are not just about numbers. The company is facing multiple challenges that are making it harder to compete.

First, there is more competition than ever. Volkswagen, BMW, Peugeot, Renault, and Toyota are all producing high-quality, affordable EVs that directly compete with Tesla’s lineup.

Many of these models are priced lower, making them attractive to buyers who once defaulted to Tesla.

Government incentives also play a role.

France, for example, has structured its subsidies to favour domestic automakers, making Tesla a less attractive option.

Germany’s abrupt subsidy cuts in 2024 hurt EV demand in general, but Tesla was particularly affected as many buyers had relied on these incentives to make Tesla’s higher-priced models more affordable.

Consumer perception is another major factor.

A recent survey in Norway found that 67% of consumers now have a more negative view of Tesla than before, largely due to Elon Musk’s political beliefs.

While Tesla’s early buyers were attracted to the brand’s innovation and exclusivity, that appeal is fading.

Tesla is no longer a niche brand. It is just another carmaker in a crowded field, and competitors are catching up. Brand fatigue is a real thing.

The brand’s reputation has also taken a hit due to service and reliability concerns.

Tesla ranks poorly in Norway’s Consumer Council and NAF reports, with frequent complaints about customer service and repair times.

Many buyers who once saw Tesla as the best option for an EV now have alternatives that offer better support.

Musk’s growing political controversies are also playing a role. His support for right-wing figures such as Germany’s AfD party and his influence through U.S.

President Donald Trump is alienating European buyers.

Unlike in the US, where Musk’s political influence might not affect Tesla’s market, European consumers are showing signs of disengagement from the brand.

Protests at Tesla dealerships in multiple countries suggest that public perception of the company is deteriorating, and quickly.

Can Tesla recover in Europe?

The company is certainly going to try its best to regain Europe’s trust. Tesla is set to release an updated Model Y, known as “Juniper,” in March 2025.

Historically, March has been a strong sales month for Tesla, and the company is hoping that the refreshed model will help reverse its decline.

However, it remains uncertain whether a facelift alone will be enough to turn things around.

Tesla also stands to benefit from new EU policies.

The European Commission is set to introduce an automotive action plan that includes incentives for electrifying company fleets and new funding for battery manufacturing in Europe.

If Tesla can align with these incentives, it may regain some lost ground.

However, the company still faces major challenges.

Competition will only increase, and European automakers are aggressively expanding their EV lineups. Tesla’s biggest problem is no longer supply; it’s demand.

The European market is changing, and Tesla is no longer the only compelling option.

If Tesla wants to recover, it will need to do more than release updated models. It needs to lower prices, improve service quality, and repair its brand image in Europe.

Otherwise, the decline seen in early 2025 may only be the beginning of a longer-term trend.

History shows that once a brand’s image gets tarnished, it’s incredibly difficult to rebuild.

The fact that Europeans are now embracing EVs while disassociating from the Tesla brand is enough proof that the company has a mountain to climb.

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