Technology

CNBC is now accepting applications for the 2026 Disruptor 50 list, focusing on AI companies deploying technology at scale for tangible business value. Submissions are due February 23rd. Companies founded after January 1, 2011, are eligible. The selection process will evaluate scalability, growth, and technology implementation, reflecting a shift towards pragmatic, enterprise-centric disruption and public market readiness, even for capital-intensive ventures.

Ambarella will host a Product and Technology Briefing on January 6, 2026, to discuss advancements in edge AI semiconductors. The event will cover innovations in areas like ADAS, autonomous driving, and robotics, focusing on their CVflow AI SoC architecture. Investors can expect insights into the company’s strategic direction and how it plans to leverage the growing demand for AI processing at the edge. A live webcast will be available.

While AI dominated Wall Street, defense and space stocks soared. Companies like Planet Labs and EchoStar saw significant gains due to renewed interest in national security, lunar exploration, and the burgeoning “orbital economy.” Government investment in defense, alongside commercial ventures in satellite imagery, connectivity, and drone technology, fueled this growth, demonstrating lucrative opportunities beyond traditional tech hubs.

Gatekeeper Systems Inc. reported lower revenue and a loss for fiscal 2025 due to a non-recurring contract, but core business grew. Strategic investments in sales and technology are fueling expansion, evidenced by significant new contracts like the $27M MTA deal. The company raised $25M, strengthening its financial position. Despite increased expenses impacting profitability, Gatekeeper is transforming into a Platform-as-a-Service model with a focus on recurring revenue and global growth.

Wall Street rallies into a shortened week, extending holiday gains and approaching record highs. Investors eye Federal Reserve minutes amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and a significant winter storm impacting travel. The tech sector sees strategic licensing deals, while restaurants focus on value to retain customers. Markets look for economic signals to shape the new year.

The November U.S. jobs report presented a mixed picture, with an unexpected rise in unemployment and slowing job creation, yet also strong November job growth. This ambiguity led to a cautious market reaction, with slight adjustments to interest rate cut expectations. While some see economic cooling, others highlight continued resilience. Technology stocks, like Tesla, outperformed, signaling ongoing investor interest in innovation, even amidst broader market fluctuations. The report underscores a bifurcated market, where headline figures may not capture dynamism in specific growth sectors.

Walmart’s Nasdaq move signifies a major tech transformation, leveraging purpose-built AI and proprietary platforms like Element. The retail giant is deploying specialized AI agents for tasks like fashion production, customer support, and supply chain optimization, demonstrating measurable ROI in data operations, efficiency, and customer experience. While addressing workforce shifts through reskilling, Walmart seeks tech company valuations, though market reception remains divided on the extent of its genuine tech-centricity versus traditional retail operations.

First Trust Advisors announced that its First Trust Income Opportunities ETF (FCEF) will make a $0.1350 per‑share monthly cash distribution, with an ex‑dividend and record date of Dec 11, 2025 and payable on Dec 31, 2025. The fund, managed by First Trust Advisors, targets income‑focused investors through a diversified mix of dividend‑paying equities, REITs, and short‑duration bonds, leveraging algorithmic creation/redemption for tax efficiency. Investors should consider market, sector, liquidity and cybersecurity risks before investing. Source: First Trust Advisors L.P.

Broadcom (AVGO) shares surged, fueled by investor enthusiasm for AI-linked stocks, particularly due to its key role in enabling Alphabet’s (GOOGL) AI ambitions. As a supplier of application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) for hyperscale computing, Broadcom is benefiting from Google’s increasing demand for custom AI chips like Tensor Processing Units (TPUs). Analysts are raising price targets, citing the growing importance of ASICs in AI infrastructure as companies seek performance and efficiency gains beyond general-purpose GPUs.

GE HealthCare (GEHC) declared a Q4 2025 cash dividend of $0.035 per share, payable February 13, 2026, to shareholders of record on January 9, 2026. This decision reflects the company’s commitment to shareholder value amidst increasing demand within the healthcare industry and technological advancements. GE HealthCare, a $19.7 billion global leader, focuses on medical technology, pharmaceutical diagnostics, and AI-enabled solutions. The company aims to optimize hospital efficiency and improve patient outcomes.