Markets

New Mountain Finance Corporation (NMFC) reported Q2 2025 net investment income of $0.32 per share and declared a Q3 distribution of $0.32 per share. The net asset value was $12.21 per share, down from $12.45 in the previous quarter. Approximately 95% of the portfolio is internally rated green. NMFC increased its senior-oriented asset mix to 78% and repurchased $9.6 million of shares. The company also received a third SBIC license. The investment portfolio stood at $3,014.2 million across 124 companies.

Magnera Corporation (NYSE: MAGN) will participate in the 2025 UBS Global Materials Conference in New York City on September 3, 2025. CEO Curt Begle, CFO Jim Till, and EVP Robert Weilminster will engage with investors through one-on-one consultations and small group meetings. Magnera is a materials solutions provider serving over 1,000 customers globally with a diverse portfolio including components for hygiene products, building and construction, and the food & beverage industry. The company operates 46 global production facilities and employs over 9,000 people.

Optex Systems Holdings (OPXS) will release its fiscal 2025 third-quarter financial results on August 12, 2025, followed by an earnings conference call. The company, a manufacturer of precision optical sighting systems for military and commercial applications, will make the earnings release available on its investor relations website. Optex’s products are used in U.S. military vehicles and also include periscopes and rifle sights.

On August 4th, a 10-year-old girl in Ningqiang County, Shaanxi, China, became trapped in a postal station’s high-speed conveyor belt while playing. Her arm was pulled into the machinery, suspending her in the air. Firefighters successfully rescued her in a 14-minute operation using hydraulic tools. The girl was then transported to a hospital; her condition is unknown. Authorities urge increased parental supervision and stricter safety measures in logistics environments, including protective barriers and warning signs around hazardous machinery.

AMD is set to release its Q2 earnings, anticipating strong results and potentially record-breaking revenue. The company is projected to generate approximately $32 billion in revenue this year, nearing Intel’s level for the first time. While Intel’s Q2 revenue was $12.9 billion, its profitability declined, leading to reduced full-year guidance. AMD’s stock performance is strong, with market capitalization exceeding $280 billion, while Intel’s remains around $80 billion. AMD’s revenue is now more than half of Intel’s, a significant shift given AMD’s reliance on external foundries.

Mainz Biomed (MYNZ) has priced a $3.0 million follow-on offering at $1.35 per unit, consisting of 2,222,222 units. Each unit includes one ordinary share (or pre-funded warrant) and one Series A warrant exercisable at $1.35, expiring in five years. Maxim Group LLC is the sole placement agent. The offering is expected to close around August 5, 2025, subject to customary conditions. The offering provides minimal capital and potential shareholder dilution.

A former TSMC employee in the U.S. has aired grievances on Reddit, highlighting a culture clash between TSMC’s Asian corporate practices and American workplace norms. Criticisms include disorganized training in Taiwan, long working hours (14-16 hours daily) in the U.S. fabs, potential biases in hiring practices, and alleged discrimination. The post describes a “toxic” environment with dysfunctional management, leading to high employee turnover. While TSMC offers attractive compensation, cultural differences and demanding work schedules may create a difficult experience for American employees.

Baidu’s Apollo Go and Lyft are partnering to launch driverless taxi services in Europe, starting in Germany and the UK by 2026. The plan involves deploying thousands of Apollo Go’s autonomous vehicles, leveraging Lyft’s operational expertise. This collaboration follows a similar alliance with Uber and aims to expand Apollo Go’s global reach, building on its existing fleet of over 1,000 autonomous vehicles operating in 15 cities. The goal is to provide safer, greener, and more efficient transportation options to European riders.

Foresight Autonomous Holdings secured I4F approval and $5 million in funding for a joint drone development project with Big Bang Boom Solutions, commencing September 2025. The 24-month project aims to create autonomous industrial inspection drones with visible-light and thermal sensors for GPS-denied environments. Big Bang projects potential revenue of $32 million by 2031, targeting industries driving the drone inspection market, expected to reach $21.3 billion by 2027. The ruggedized drones will enhance safety and efficiency in sectors like oil & gas and mining.

WeChat warns of a new online shopping scam where buyers receive incorrect items. Scammers provide QR codes for “customer service,” leading to phishing attempts. Victims are lured into downloading apps and transferring funds through promises of compensation or task rewards. WeChat advises using official platform customer service for after-sales issues and cautions against trusting excessive compensation offers or prepayment requests.