Tech

DoorDash (DASH) Q3 revenue beat estimates, but earnings missed due to planned 2026 spending, causing a 9% stock drop. Revenue grew 27%, with total orders surging to 776 million. Investment focuses on a new global tech platform and automation, including the “Dot” robot. DoorDash projects Q4 Adjusted EBITDA below analysts’ expectations. The recent Deliveroo acquisition for $3.9 billion marks a significant international expansion, with anticipated contribution to EBITDA in Q4 and 2026.

Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan suggests the recent Bitcoin dip, driven by retail investor “desperation,” may signal a market bottom. Despite a “crypto winter” atmosphere, institutional interest remains strong, fueled by crypto ETFs and advisor support. Hougan notes a shift towards an institutionally driven market, less reactive to short-term volatility. He believes Bitcoin could reach new all-time highs by year-end, driven by diminishing selling pressure and continued buying interest, potentially even reaching Michael Saylor’s $150,000 target.

Jim Cramer of CNBC argues that Wall Street’s focus on the valuations of select high-growth tech stocks, especially in AI, obscures broader market opportunities. He cites Palantir’s recent decline despite strong earnings as an example of investors overly targeting speculative stocks due to market expensiveness concerns. Cramer suggests overlooking the potential of other stocks with reasonable valuations is a mistake, and urges investors to examine individual company fundamentals and growth prospects instead of dismissing entire sectors. He believes Palantir’s situation might just be a need for the stock to “cool off.”

Nvidia joins the India Deep Tech Alliance (IDTA) as a founding member, committing to train and mentor Indian startups, leveraging its expertise in AI. This move aligns with a $2 billion commitment from private equity and venture capital investors to fuel deep tech companies in India. Nvidia will provide technical expertise through its Deep Learning Institute, focusing on AI model development and responsible deployment. India, supported by government initiatives and a growing AI market, is poised to become a global deep tech hub, hosting the AI Impact Summit next year.

Toyota has revised its full-year operating profit forecast upward to 3.4 trillion yen, despite a 1.45 trillion yen hit from U.S. tariffs. The September quarter’s operating profit, however, fell short of analyst estimates due to these tariffs, with a nearly 28% year-over-year decline in quarterly profit despite increased revenue. Toyota is exploring exporting U.S.-made vehicles to Japan in response to trade agreements. Analysts expect continued pressure on profitability, with potential recovery contingent on trade stability and currency fluctuations amidst growing EV competition.

Xpeng is aggressively expanding beyond EVs, unveiling a new humanoid robot and planning a robotaxi service launch next year. The robotaxis will utilize internally developed AI chips with substantial computing power, supported by Alibaba’s mapping expertise. Initial applications for the humanoid robot will focus on roles like tour guides. This move positions Xpeng against Tesla as a broader technology firm and reflects an industry trend towards integrating AI for new revenue streams in autonomous mobility.

Cybersecurity startup Armis, specializing in connected device security, raised $435 million, valuing the company at $6.1 billion. Led by Goldman Sachs Alternatives, the funding will fuel growth and address the increasing demand for IoT, OT, and medical device security. Armis’ platform helps organizations discover, secure, and manage connected devices, providing threat detection and mitigation. CEO Yevgeny Dibrov sees Goldman Sachs as an ideal partner for a future IPO, targeted for late 2026 or early 2027, with a near-term goal of reaching $1 billion in ARR.

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy is transforming the company into the “world’s largest startup” by flattening the organizational structure and cutting costs through layoffs, impacting multiple divisions. This drive, affecting over 27,000 jobs since late 2022, aims to increase efficiency and agility. While facing challenges in cloud computing competition, employee morale, and AI integration, Amazon is investing heavily in AI and new growth areas. Employees express concerns about increased workloads and the impact of AI on job security.

Stocks sold off on AI valuation concerns, led by Palantir. Democrats saw election success in NY, NJ, and VA. McDonald’s earnings missed expectations, while Cava cut its forecast. Layoffs are sweeping across companies, with some questioning if it’s truly AI-driven or “AI-washing.” Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters” boosted the K-pop industry significantly. Despite Meta’s investment, Scale AI’s CFO confirms the company’s business is still growing.

Lyft and United Airlines have partnered to allow Lyft users to earn MileagePlus miles on rides. Users earn miles per dollar, with higher rates for premium rides and airport trips. This follows Lyft’s split with Delta Air Lines, highlighting the competitive loyalty program landscape. United sees the partnership as part of its customer-centric strategy, aiming for deeper tech integration and future features like using miles for Lyft rides within the app. New users can earn bonus miles for linking accounts and taking initial rides.