Key Takeaways
- US Central Command (CENTCOM) launched a fifth consecutive night of airstrikes against Iranian military targets, focusing on degrading capabilities in the Strait of Hormuz as regional tensions escalate.
- Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) shares fell 2.3% following reports that the launch of its flagship Gemini 3.5 Pro AI model has been delayed due to failure to meet internal performance goals, particularly in coding.
- US Lawmakers are pressuring Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to maintain strict bans on Chinese memory chips, specifically targeting CXMT, citing critical national security risks and supply chain dependencies.
- Dassault Systèmes (DSY) is reportedly in advanced talks to acquire drug trial software firm ArisGlobal for approximately $2 billion, marking a significant expansion into life sciences technology.
- AXA (AXA) announced the sale of its remaining 10% stake in private equity firm Ardian, with existing shareholders ACM and Wafra increasing their holdings to 23% and additional capital respectively.
US-Iran Conflict Intensifies with Fifth Night of Strikes
The United States military continued its campaign against Iran on Thursday, conducting a new wave of strikes at 2 p.m. ET. According to CENTCOM, the operations targeted command centers, air defense sites, and missile infrastructure near the Strait of Hormuz and the port city of Bandar Abbas. The strikes aim to degrade Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping, though Iranian authorities report at least 35 civilian casualties since the start of the week.
Alphabet Shares Retreat Amid Gemini AI Setbacks
Shares of Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) closed lower after reports surfaced that the company is months behind schedule on its Gemini 3.5 Pro model. Internal sources indicate that recent training runs failed to produce the desired improvements in coding capabilities, allowing rivals like OpenAI and Anthropic to maintain their lead in the enterprise AI sector. Engineers are reportedly frustrated by multiple layers of internal stakeholders that have slowed the model's path to release.
Lawmakers Target Chinese Memory Chip Procurement
House Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar and Congressman George Whitesides have urged the Department of Commerce to block U.S. companies from purchasing memory products from Chinese manufacturers. The warning specifically highlights Apple Inc. (AAPL) and its reported interest in sourcing from CXMT during global shortages. Lawmakers argue that easing these restrictions would directly subsidize the People's Liberation Army and undermine U.S. semiconductor independence.
Dassault Systèmes Eyes $2 Billion Life Sciences Deal
French software giant Dassault Systèmes (DSY) is in negotiations to acquire ArisGlobal from Nordic Capital. The deal, valued at roughly $2 billion, would be the company's largest since its $5.8 billion purchase of Medidata in 2019. ArisGlobal generates approximately $200 million in annual revenue, with half attributed to AI-driven drug safety and clinical development services.
AXA Exits Ardian Stake in Strategic Realignment
AXA (AXA) is set to finalize its exit from Ardian by selling its final 10% stake, ending a partnership that dates back to the firm's founding in 1996. Assurances du Crédit Mutuel (ACM) will raise its stake to 23%, while Wafra Inc. will also increase its investment. While AXA is divesting its equity, it intends to remain a principal fund investor in Ardian’s products through 2027.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.