FTSE 100 today: Pound lower; Magnum debuts, Smith & Nephew sets new goals

Investing.com -- Google has informed advertising clients that it plans to introduce advertisements to its AI chatbot Gemini, with a targeted rollout in 2026.

According to Adweek, Google representatives have held separate calls with at least two advertising clients to discuss the upcoming ad placements. The information comes from agency buyers familiar with these conversations, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

One buyer clarified that this advertising initiative is distinct from advertisements in AI Mode, Google’s AI-powered search experience that launched in March.

Details about the ad formats, pricing structure, and testing procedures for Gemini remain unclear. Google has not shared prototypes or technical specifications about how these advertisements would appear within the Gemini interface.

These discussions represent the first time advertising buyers have heard directly from Google about plans to monetize Gemini.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Investing.com -- nCino Inc (NASDAQ:NCNO) stock rose 2.5% on Monday after the banking software provider announced a new $100 million share repurchase program.

The Wilmington, North Carolina-based company said its Board of Directors has authorized the buyback of up to $100 million of its outstanding common stock, following the full utilization of its previous repurchase authorization.

"We have continued to execute at a high level, and with our prior stock repurchase authorization fully utilized, this new buyback reflects our confidence in the strength of our business, strategy, and outlook, and in our commitment to deploying capital in ways that drive stockholder value," said Sean Desmond, Chief Executive Officer of nCino.

The company said it may conduct the repurchases through various methods including open market purchases, block trades, privately negotiated transactions, or accelerated stock repurchase transactions. The program has no time limit and can be modified, suspended, or discontinued at the discretion of nCino’s Board of Directors.

nCino plans to fund the repurchase program from existing cash and cash equivalents, credit facility capacity, and/or future cash flows. The volume, price, and timing of the repurchases will be determined by the company based on market conditions and other factors.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Investing.com -- Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTI) stock tumbled 15.5% on Monday after the company announced a $2 million private placement priced at-the-market under Nasdaq rules.

The Thornton, Colorado-based company entered into a definitive agreement to sell 1,025,643 shares of common stock (or pre-funded warrants) along with accompanying warrants at a purchase price of $1.95 per share. The deal includes series A warrants and short-term series B warrants to purchase up to an additional 1,025,643 shares each, with an exercise price of $1.70.

If fully exercised on a cash basis, the warrants could bring in approximately $3.5 million in additional gross proceeds, though the company noted there is no assurance the warrants will be exercised. The private placement is expected to close around December 8, 2025, subject to customary closing conditions.

H.C. Wainwright & Co. is serving as the exclusive placement agent for the offering. Ascent Solar plans to use the net proceeds for general working capital needs.

The series A warrants will expire five years from the effective date of the Resale Registration Statement, while the short-term series B warrants will expire after eighteen months.

Ascent Solar specializes in photovoltaic technology and manufactures flexible thin-film solar panels. The stock’s decline reflects investor reaction to the potential dilution from the new share issuance and warrant structure.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Investing.com -- Ulta Beauty received an upgrade at TD Cowen on Monday, with analysts raising the stock to Buy from Hold and lifting the price target to $725 from $600, saying the retailer is entering “a more dynamic and visible phase” of its growth story.

Analyst Oliver Chen highlighted “steely comps & margin upside,” arguing that CEO Kecia Steelman, who moved into the role at the beginning of this year, and a refreshed leadership team are creating catalysts through “stronger merchandising, disciplined promos, & global/tech growth.” 

The firm believes Ulta’s long-term prospects are “dewy,” supported by a 46 million–plus loyalty program and a resilient multicategory beauty market.

Analysts now model operating margins of 12.4% and 12.8% in FY25/26, noting that Ulta is set to anniversary an “investment year” while valuation remains attractive at 21x versus a 23x target multiple. 

According to TD Cowen, these dynamics “offer upside as progress builds.”

The upgrade also reflects confidence in Steelman’s operational approach. TD Cowen writes that her “deep operational expertise and customer-centric leadership are driving measurable improvements in store execution, supply chain consistency, and cross-functional go-to-market alignment.”

Looking further out, TD Cowen frames the “Ulta long-term call” around three pillars. First, its position as a “leading specialty beauty retailer” with margins in the low-teens to mid-teens percent; second, its scale advantage rooted in its loyalty program and ~29,000 SKUs; and finally, the potential for “technology-driven growth levers” as Ulta becomes “significantly international.”