Professional Diversity Network stock falls after strategic investment in AI token

Investing.com -- Sellas Life Sciences Group Inc (NASDAQ:SLS) stock surged 16.9% on Monday after the company provided an update on its Phase 3 REGAL trial evaluating GPS as a maintenance therapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients.

The late-stage clinical biopharmaceutical company reported that 72 events (deaths) had occurred in the trial as of December 26, fewer than the 80 events needed to trigger the final analysis that was previously expected before year-end. The company remains blinded to all efficacy and survival data outcomes.

The slower-than-anticipated event rate could potentially be viewed positively, as it may suggest patients in the study are living longer than initially projected. The REGAL trial is evaluating galinpepimut-S (GPS) as a maintenance therapy for AML patients who have achieved second complete remission.

"We appreciate the continued dedication of the patients, families, and investigators participating in the pivotal Phase 3 REGAL trial where survival times, fortunately for patients and caregivers, appear longer than expected," said Angelos Stergiou, President and CEO of SELLAS.

Dr. Yair Levy, a member of the REGAL Steering Committee, noted that patients unable to undergo transplant typically have a median overall survival of around eight months with current standard treatments.

The company will announce when the 80th event occurs, which will trigger the final analysis of the trial. SELLAS is focused on developing novel therapies for various cancer indications, with GPS representing one of its lead candidates.

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

Investing.com-- U.S. stocks fell in early Monday trade as investors approached another holiday-shortened trading week with caution after a strong run-up in equities toward the end of the year.

"There are signs of profit taking in certain momentum corners of the market," Vital Knowledge’s Adam Crisafulli said in the morning note.

S&P 500 fell 18 points to 6,912.20, or down 0.2% on the day. Nasdaq 100 dropped 86 points, or 0.3%, to 25,505.80 points by 09:45 ET (14:45 GMT). Dow Jones slipped 127 points to 48,574.64 points, also down 0.3% on the day.

Trading volumes were expected to remain thin, with many market participants away from their desks ahead of the New Year holidays, limiting directional moves.

Wall Street ended last week on a strong note, with the S&P 500 hitting a record high on Friday, extending gains driven largely by a rebound in technology shares.

Big-cap growth stocks, which had come under pressure earlier in the month, regained momentum as investors returned to sectors seen as long-term beneficiaries of artificial intelligence and easing financial conditions.

Sentiment has also been supported by expectations that the Federal Reserve is nearing the end of its tightening cycle, with markets continuing to price in interest rate cuts next year. Softer inflation data in recent weeks has reinforced bets that the central bank could begin easing policy in 2026, providing a tailwind for risk assets.

The late-December rally has kept attention on the so-called “Santa Claus rally,” a seasonal pattern referring to gains typically seen in the final five trading sessions of the year and the first two sessions of January.

(Ayushman Ojha contributed to this report.)

Investing.com-- The S&P 500 fell in early Monday trade as tech took a breather after a strong run-up toward the end of the year.

"There are signs of profit taking in certain momentum corners of the market," Vital Knowledge’s Adam Crisafulli said in the morning note.

At 1:36 p.m. ET (18:36 GMT), the S&P 500 fell 0.3%, the Nasdaq 100 dropped 0.6%, the Dow Jones slipped 0.4%, or 190 points.

Trading volumes were expected to remain thin, with many market participants away from their desks ahead of the New Year holidays, limiting directional moves.

Wall Street ended last week on a strong note, with the S&P 500 hitting a record high on Friday, extending gains driven largely by a rebound in technology shares.

Big-cap growth stocks, which had come under pressure earlier in the month, regained momentum as investors returned to sectors seen as long-term beneficiaries of artificial intelligence and easing financial conditions.

Sentiment has also been supported by expectations that the Federal Reserve is nearing the end of its tightening cycle, with markets continuing to price in interest rate cuts next year. Softer inflation data in recent weeks has reinforced bets that the central bank could begin easing policy in 2026, providing a tailwind for risk assets.

The late-December rally has kept attention on the so-called “Santa Claus rally,” a seasonal pattern referring to gains typically seen in the final five trading sessions of the year and the first two sessions of January.

(Ayushman Ojha contributed to this report.)

Investing.com -- Auto parts retailers face a challenging landscape ahead of 2026, with industry headwinds creating both risks and opportunities for investors. According to WarrenAI analysis using Investing Pro metrics, several stocks in this sector offer compelling value propositions despite market uncertainty.

LKQ Corporation emerges as the standout performer among auto parts retailers, with multiple factors supporting its top position. The company presents a rare combination of growth potential and value, WarrenAI says, with shares trading significantly below their fair value.

Use WarrenAI for top stock analysis -

1. LKQ Corporation (NASDAQ:LKQ) - Trading at $30.54, LKQ offers remarkable fair value upside of 36.4% according to WarrenAI analysis. The stock’s forward P/E of just 9.8x and PEG ratio of 0.61 suggest investors are undervaluing its 19.6% projected EPS growth. Technical indicators show strength on both hourly and daily charts, while a 3.4% dividend yield provides income support. Analysts maintain a "Strong Buy" consensus with price targets suggesting 36.1% potential upside.

LKQ Corporation reported a third-quarter 2025 earnings beat with an adjusted EPS of $0.84, though revenue slightly missed expectations. The company also extended the maturity dates for its credit and term loan agreements and announced it will be replaced in the S&P 500 index.

2. Genuine Parts Company (NYSE:GPC) - At $124.32, the Dividend King offers a 3.5% yield alongside 6.2% fair value upside potential. With a forward P/E of 16.4x and PEG ratio of 0.93, GPC provides reasonable value relative to its 18.3% projected EPS growth. Investors should monitor credit risk, as Moody’s has expressed concerns about the company’s debt/EBITDA ratio of 3.5x. However, an ongoing global restructuring plan could unlock additional value.

In a recent update, Genuine Parts Company posted mixed third-quarter 2025 results, missing EPS forecasts but exceeding revenue expectations. Following the report, Moody’s changed the company’s outlook to negative, while Goldman Sachs upgraded the stock to Neutral from Sell.

3. AutoZone (NYSE:AZO) - Despite its market leadership position and impressive 22.3% EBITDA margin, AutoZone’s current price of $3,415.25 appears overvalued, with WarrenAI estimating 17% downside to fair value. Recent earnings misses and a 19.3% three-month decline raise caution flags, though analyst targets remain bullish in the $4,100-$4,800 range. Technical indicators currently register as "strong sell," suggesting potential volatility ahead.

AutoZone’s first-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings per share fell short of consensus expectations due to margin pressures. Consequently, several investment firms, including UBS, Jefferies, and BMO Capital, lowered their price targets on the company’s stock.

4. O’Reilly Automotive (NASDAQ:ORLY) - Priced at $91.80, O’Reilly demonstrates strong operational execution with 11.2% forward EPS growth and a 22.2% EBITDA margin. However, valuation metrics appear stretched, with a forward P/E of 30.6x and PEG ratio of 4.66. Recent sector downgrades and concerns about price deflation create additional headwinds despite positive earnings revisions.

O’Reilly Automotive’s board of directors authorized a $2.0 billion increase to its share repurchase program. The company also received an upgrade to Outperform from Raymond James and initiated coverage with an Outperform rating from Baird.

5. Monro, Inc. (NASDAQ:MNRO) - At $20.59, Monro represents a high-risk, high-reward proposition. The stock offers 11.7% fair value upside and an exceptional 8.1% dividend yield. Activist investor Carl Icahn’s involvement has helped drive a 64% share rebound, but fundamental challenges remain, including shrinking revenue (-6.4%) and negative return on equity. A forward P/E of 37.8x appears expensive despite projected EPS growth of 350.4%, making this suitable primarily for speculative positions.

Monro, Inc. announced second-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings that surpassed EPS forecasts, though revenue was below estimates. The company also appointed Peter Fitzsimmons as its permanent President and CEO and adopted a limited duration shareholder rights plan.

As the auto parts retail sector navigates economic uncertainties heading into 2026, WarrenAI suggests that investors may find the best opportunities in undervalued companies with strong fundamentals rather than industry leaders trading at premium valuations.

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

Investing.com -- Arizona Sonoran Copper Company Inc (TSX:ASCU) stock tumbled 7.5% on Monday after the company announced plans to discuss an early termination of its option to joint venture agreement with Nuton LLC, a Rio Tinto Venture, regarding the Cactus Project.

The companies have agreed to commence discussions in January about an "amicable early termination" of their partnership, according to a statement from Arizona Sonoran. Following this development, the company intends to advance the Cactus Project independently, continuing work on its standalone Definitive Feasibility Study targeted for completion in the second half of 2026.

Arizona Sonoran said it aims for a potential final investment decision as early as the fourth quarter of 2026. The company will also continue advancing permitting amendments, project financing work, and various early development activities to be defined in the new year.

The copper developer noted that it does not plan to provide further updates regarding discussions with Nuton until there is a definitive development. The company cautioned that there is no certainty about the duration of negotiations or whether a mutually satisfactory outcome will be reached.

The announcement follows Arizona Sonoran’s recently completed positive standalone Pre-Feasibility Study for the Cactus Project.

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

Investing.com -- iPower Inc (NASDAQ:IPW) stock tumbled 18% on Monday after the company announced its first investments in cryptocurrency as part of its new Digital Asset Treasury strategy.

The significant drop came after iPower revealed it had purchased 15.1 Bitcoin at an average price of $87,686.33 per BTC and 301.1 Ethereum at an average price of $2,934.67 per ETH. The transactions, completed on Friday, December 26, 2025, represent a total investment of approximately $2.21 million, with Bitcoin accounting for about $1.33 million and Ethereum for roughly $884,000.

"We view this initial deployment as an important milestone in executing our broader crypto strategy," said Lawrence Tan, CEO of iPower. "These purchases reflect a disciplined and measured approach to building digital asset exposure, supported by defined custody and control arrangements."

The company stated that the cryptocurrency purchases were made through a subsidiary account maintained at BitGo. iPower also indicated it may make additional digital asset purchases in the coming weeks, depending on market conditions and capital availability.

The market’s negative reaction suggests investors may be concerned about the company’s new direction into cryptocurrency investments, which represent a departure from iPower’s core business operations. The stock decline reflects significant shareholder skepticism about the Digital Asset Treasury strategy announced by the company.

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