H World Unveils $2.5 Billion Buyback, Nvidia Guarantees $105 Billion OpenAI Data Centre, and Raytheon Secures $22.9 Billion Defence Contract

Mumbai, Aug 18: A flurry of corporate announcements swept through US markets today, with H World Group reporting strong second-quarter earnings and announcing a new $2.5 billion shareholder return plan, Nvidia agreeing to provide a guarantee of up to $105 billion for OpenAI’s Ohio data centre, and Raytheon securing a $22.9 billion Tomahawk missile contract.  

Meanwhile, Fulcrum Therapeutics and Slate Medicines announced a merger, HomeTrust Bancshares agreed to acquire Blue Ridge Bankshares for $448.1 million, and multiple companies including BitFuFu, Cloudastructure, Adial Pharmaceuticals, NRx Pharmaceuticals, AMC Robotics, AMASS Brands, LGL Group, Freightos, Pioneer Power Solutions, INVO Fertility, Vivos Therapeutics, and Ionics reported quarterly earnings. 

H World Group Revenue Rises 10.8% to RMB 7.1 Billion as $2.5 Billion Buyback Plan Announced 

H World Group Limited (NASDAQ: HTHT; HKEX: 1179), one of the world’s leading hotel groups, reported strong second-quarter 2026 financial results, delivering robust profitability and announcing a new three-year shareholder return plan worth $2.5 billion. The company’s shares rose 1.49% following the earnings beat and margin expansion. 

For the quarter ended June 30, 2026, H World reported revenue of RMB 7.1 billion, up 10.8% year-on-year, while hotel GMV increased 13.2% to RMB 30.5 billion. Adjusted EBITDA rose 20.0% to RMB 2.7 billion, supported by continued growth in its asset-light model. 

Manachised and franchised (M&F) revenue increased 25.2% to RMB 3.6 billion, while gross operating profit from the segment rose 18.5% to RMB 2.2 billion. As of June 30, H World operated 13,539 hotels with 1,335,445 rooms, alongside a pipeline of 3,089 hotels. The company opened 498 new hotels in China during the quarter. 

Blended H World China ADR increased 2.6% year-on-year, helping blended RevPAR rise 1.1%, driven by product upgrades and revenue-management initiatives. 

H World remains on track to meet its full-year target of opening 2,200–2,300 hotels. After completing its previous US$2 billion shareholder return programme ahead of schedule, the Board approved a new three-year US$2.5 billion shareholder return plan through dividends and share repurchases. The company also raised its 2026 revenue growth guidance to 4%–8%. 

Nvidia to Provide $105 Billion Guarantee for OpenAI’s Ohio Data Centre as Chipmaker Commits $1.5 Billion to SB Energy 

Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) has agreed to provide a guarantee of up to $105 billion to support OpenAI’s lease of a major data centre in Pike County, Ohio, being developed by SoftBank-owned SB Energy. The deal also includes a planned $1.5 billion investment in SB Energy. 

OpenAI will pay the lease costs, while Nvidia’s guarantee covers a portion of lease and power payments and helps ensure the facility maintains a minimum value. If OpenAI defaults, Nvidia would cover the difference between the guaranteed value and what the owner can recover by re-leasing or selling the site. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said the arrangement is intended to support long-term infrastructure for Nvidia-powered computing. 

The facility will have capacity of up to 8 gigawatts, with the first 800 megawatts expected to come online in 2028. OpenAI will lease the site for 20 years, with Nvidia serving as its exclusive chip provider. 

Huang said the initial 4.25-gigawatt facility could generate up to $200 billion in Nvidia revenue. Overall, Nvidia could generate as much as $600 billion in revenue from OpenAI by 2030 by supplying 16 gigawatts of computing capacity. 

SoftBank and SB Energy also plan to build at least 10 gigawatts of new power generation and invest $4.2 billion in regional grid infrastructure. The project is expected to create around 35,000 construction jobs through 2032 and approximately 2,500 long-term operating jobs. Nvidia shares fell 0.25% to $225.73, trading between a low of $225.02 and a high of $227.92. 

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Raytheon Secures $22.9 Billion Navy Tomahawk Contract to Boost Annual Production Beyond 1,000 Missiles 

Raytheon, an RTX (NYSE:RTX) business, has secured a $22.9 billion, seven-year contract from the U.S. Navy aimed at sharply increasing production of Tomahawk cruise missiles, the Department of War announced. The agreement is designed to support a production ramp to more than 1,000 Tomahawk missiles annually, alongside associated support requirements, as the U.S. seeks to expand supplies of critical long-range weapons. RTX shares rose 0.11% to $223.22, reached $224.61, and touched $222.75, following the contract award. 

The contract was awarded under the Department of War’s Arsenal of Freedom initiative, aimed at accelerating the production and delivery of critical defence systems. RTX has already tripled Tomahawk missile deliveries in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025. 

Raytheon plans to further expand production capacity and work with hundreds of US-based small and medium-sized suppliers. The seven-year agreement provides long-term visibility as RTX invests in additional employees, manufacturing facilities, technology and supply-chain resilience. The contract is also expected to increase production throughput and reduce procurement lead times. 

BitFuFu Revenue Plunges 62.9%, Cloudastructure Recurring Revenue Surges 164%, and Adial Reports $52 Million Net Loss 

BitFuFu Inc. (NASDAQ: FUFU) reported second-quarter revenue of $42.8 million, down 62.9% from $115.4 million in the same period of 2025. Cloud Mining Solutions revenue fell 73.6% to $24.9 million, while self-mining revenue was $14.0 million versus $14.8 million a year earlier. The company reported a net loss of $20.5 million, compared with net income of $47.1 million, while adjusted EBITDA was negative $18.4 million. Total hashrate decreased 57.7% to 15.3 EH/s as power capacity fell to 273 MW. Shares rose 4.48% to $1.38. The stock opened at $1.23 and reached $1.38. 

Cloudastructure Inc. (NASDAQ: CSAI) reported second-quarter revenue of approximately $1.58 million, up 13% year-over-year. Recurring subscription revenue surged 164% to approximately $764,000, accounting for 62% of total revenue versus 27% a year earlier. Gross profit rose 51% to approximately $610,000, while gross margin improved to 49%. Operating loss widened to $2.1 million, while net loss improved to approximately $1.8 million from $2.2 million. Shares fell 3.59% to $5.50, reached $5.71, and touched $5.08 during the session. 

Adial Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADIL) reported a $52.0 million net loss, primarily due to a $46.2 million non-cash acquired in-process research and development charge related to the Azora Therapeutics acquisition. The company added AT177 to its pipeline and closed the initial $32 million tranche of an up to $64 million private placement. Cash and equivalents stood at $28.7 million as of June 30, 2026, versus $4.6 million on March 31, 2026. R&D expenses declined to $440,000, while G&A expenses rose to $5.4 million. Shares were up 13.82% following the result announcement. 

NRx Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: NRXP) reported a second-quarter GAAP EPS of -$0.44, missing the consensus estimate of -$0.113, with revenue of $1.1 million The company advanced its ANDA for preservative-free ketamine, initiated commercial-scale manufacturing targeting 5 million doses and was selected by DARPA as prime contractor for SPARC-TMS, with anticipated non-dilutive funding exceeding $11.5 million. NRx also raised $22.3 million in gross proceeds through a public offering. Cash and equivalents stood at approximately $26.7 million as of June 30, 2026. The shares traded between $3.10 and $3.42 during the session. 

AMC Robotics Corporation (Nasdaq: AMCI) reported second-quarter revenue of $937,000, down from $1.4 million, reflecting a shift away from lower-margin product sales. Recurring AI and cloud revenue-sharing arrangements grew 54%. Gross profit was $0.8 million, with gross margin expanding to 80% from 19%. Operating loss narrowed to $157,000 and net loss to $176,000. The company also announced a Vietnam manufacturing facility for NovaArm production and invested $1.0 million in Etronium AI Inc. Shares were trading at around $4.84 in the latest available market data following the results. 

AMASS Brands reported second-quarter revenue of approximately $5.6 million, up 2%, with core brands generating $3.9 million, up 12%. Non-alcoholic and functional revenue increased 132% to approximately $409,000, while direct-to-consumer and e-commerce revenue jumped about 480%. Gross margin was 26.7%, while net loss was $7.5 million and adjusted EBITDA loss was $1.7 million. Shares rose 5.83% to trade at $1.08. Management expects at least $8.7 million in second-half revenue and $18.5 million for the full year. 

LGL Group (NYSE: LGL) reported second-quarter EPS of -$0.06, missing the $0.02 estimate, while revenue was $1.15 million versus the $600,000 consensus estimate. Shares were trading around $7.52, compared with a previous close of $7.43. 

Freightos (NASDAQ: CRGO) reported revenue of $7.7 million, up 3%, with adjusted EBITDA loss narrowing to $2 million. Platform revenue increased 19% and transaction volume rose 16%. The company expects fourth-quarter adjusted EBITDA breakeven, cash generation by mid-2027, and 2026 revenue of $30.4 million to $31.0 million. Shares rose about 14% following the results. 

Pioneer Power Solutions (Nasdaq: PPSI) reported revenue of $5.0 million, down from $8.4 million, and a net loss of $2.1 million. Backlog rose 32% sequentially to $18.4 million, while management reiterated second-half revenue guidance of approximately $15.0 million. Shares were trading around $3 in the latest available session data. 

INVO Fertility (NASDAQ: IVF) reported a 17% increase in second-quarter revenue to $2.18 million, with clinic-level adjusted EBITDA rising to approximately $333,000 from $164,000 in Q1. Net income was $0.9 million, including an approximately $2.5 million remeasurement gain related to the Birmingham acquisition. Adjusted EBITDA deteriorated to negative $1.0 million from negative $0.6 million a year earlier. INVO Fertility Inc (NASDAQ: IVF) surged 88.68% to $1.80 on 17 August. The stock opened at $2.26, hit $2.80, and fell to $1.64. 

Vivos Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: VVOS) reported second-quarter revenue of $5.15 million, up 35%, but below the $5.57 million consensus estimate. Adjusted loss per share was -$0.31 versus expectations of -$0.37. Gross margin increased to 57% from 55%, while operating losses remained at $4.9 million. Vivos Therapeutics Inc rose 9.76% to $0.31 and traded between $0.30 and $0.32 following the announcement. 

Ionics, Inc. reported second-quarter sales of $37.6 million compared to $26.09 million a year ago, with net income of $1.7 million compared to $0.718 million a year ago. For the six months, sales were $68.72 million compared to $53.07 million a year ago, with net income of $2.94 million compared to $1.58 million a year ago. 

Madison Air Buys ebm-papst for $5.4 Billion, HomeTrust Acquires Blue Ridge Bankshares for $448.1 Million, Fulcrum and Slate Medicines Merge 

Madison Air Solutions (NYSE: MAIR) said it would acquire German fan maker ebm-papst in a $5.4 billion deal, expanding its air-quality and ventilation business and strengthening its position in the growing data-centre cooling market. The transaction will see ebm-papst’s three shareholder families transfer their stakes to Madison Air, part of billionaire Larry Gies’ Madison Industries. Ebm-papst employs more than 13,000 people and generated turnover of €2.24 billion ($2.6 billion) in the fiscal year ended in March. Madison Air Solutions shares declined 6.39% to $29.28, trading between a day’s low of $28.78 and high of $32.80. 

HomeTrust Bancshares, Inc. (NYSE: HTB) announced it will acquire Blue Ridge Bankshares, Inc. (NYSEAM: BRBS) in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $448.1 million. Blue Ridge shareholders will receive 0.086 of a HomeTrust share for each Blue Ridge share. Based on HomeTrust’s five-day volume-weighted average price of approximately $49.82 per share on August 14, 2026, the transaction values Blue Ridge shares at $4.28 each.  

The combined entity will have more than $7 billion in assets and over 60 locations across the Southeast. HomeTrust shareholders will own approximately 65% of the combined company, while Blue Ridge shareholders will own approximately 35%. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2027, with HomeTrust estimating the deal will be accretive to earnings per share by approximately 30%.  HomeTrust Bancshares shares declined 3.92% to $48.02, after trading between a day’s low of $46.68 and high of $48.19 

Fulcrum Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: FULC) and Slate Medicines, Inc. announced a definitive agreement to combine in an all-stock transaction, with the resulting entity focused on advancing Slate’s pipeline, including SLTE-1009, a clinical-stage subcutaneous anti-PACAP/VIP monoclonal antibody for migraine prevention. The combined company plans to operate as Slate Medicines, Inc. and trade on Nasdaq under the ticker “SLTE.” Slate has secured commitments for an oversubscribed $245 million private placement led by Frazier Life Sciences.  

The combined company’s cash balance at closing is expected to fund operations into 2029. Pre-merger Fulcrum shareholders are expected to own 5.0%, while Slate shareholders will own 95.0%. Fulcrum is expected to contribute approximately $20.3 million in net cash and pay an estimated $270.0 million cash dividend immediately before closing. Fulcrum shares rose approximately 1.87% during trading following the announcement. 

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Vogenx Raises $81.3 Million in Nasdaq IPO, Advasa Holdings Lists on Nasdaq Global Market 

Vogenx, Inc. (VOGX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on therapeutics for diseases related to human metabolism dysfunction, completed an $81.3 million initial public offering on Aug. 13, 2026. The offering consisted of 6,250,000 shares of common stock priced at $13.00 per share, at the high end of the proposed range. All shares were offered by Vogenx. Gross proceeds, before underwriting discounts, commissions, and other expenses, totalled approximately $81.3 million. JonesTrading served as the sole book-running manager for the transaction. Vogenx’s shares began trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market on Aug. 12, 2026 under the ticker symbol “VOGX,” with the stock rising 8.94% to $16.10. 

Advasa Holdings, Inc., a fintech payment holding company providing Earned Wage Access (EWA) and next-generation financial infrastructure solutions through its Japanese operating subsidiary ADVASA Co., Ltd., announced that its registration statement on Form S-1 was declared effective by the SEC and that its common stock has been approved for listing on the Nasdaq Global Market. The company’s common stock is expected to begin trading on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol ”ADBT” on or about August 18, 2026. Advasa operates “FUKUPE,” an EWA platform that allows employees to receive wages they have already earned in real-time, leveraging a global patent strategy across markets including Japan, the United States, South Korea, and Singapore. The company plans to expand from Japan into global markets including Indonesia and the UAE. 

Dynatrace Plans $1.25 Billion Note Offering, Vulcan Outlines $39.4 Million PIPE, and Wrap Technologies Prices $12 Million Offering 

Dynatrace LLC, a subsidiary of Dynatrace, Inc. (NYSE:DT), intends to offer $1.25 billion in Exchangeable Senior Notes due 2031 through a private placement to qualified institutional buyers. The notes will be senior, unsecured obligations guaranteed by Dynatrace and will mature on September 1, 2031. Initial purchasers will have an option to buy an additional $187.5 million in notes. Dynatrace plans to use a portion of proceeds to pay for exchangeable note hedge transactions and approximately $200 million to repurchase common stock from certain note purchasers in privately negotiated transactions. 

Vulcan Infrastructure and Power (NASDAQ: VIP) published an investor presentation outlining a proposed $39.4 million PIPE and 654 MW of potential capacity at owned sites. Vulcan expects that more than 100 MW will become available for AI/HPC opportunities over the next year. Vulcan intends to use the PIPE proceeds to redeem $33.1 million of 8.50% senior notes due October 2026, with total debt falling from $36.9 million to $3.7 million after the planned redemption. Machine Investment Group, Atlas Holdings, Conversant Capital and other investors are participating in the proposed financing. Vulcan identified its operating 104 MW power plant in Dresden, New York, as its main near-term development opportunity, which generated $22 million in power and capacity revenue during 2025. The company also plans to commercialise 40 MW at a 34-acre site in Columbus, Mississippi, by the third quarter of 2027. 

Wrap Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: WRAP) announced the pricing of a registered direct offering with a fundamental institutional investor and an existing investor, consisting of 8,571,609 shares of common stock at an offering price of $1.40 per share. The gross proceeds to the company from the offering are estimated to be approximately $12.0 million. Maxim Group LLC is acting as the sole placement agent. The offering is expected to close on or about August 18, 2026. 

Alliance Laundry Systems (ALH) announced a 20.5 million share secondary offering by BDT Capital. Dermata Therapeutics (DRMA) announced a $3.4 million private placement. Mosaic Company (NYSE: MOS) announced the final results of its tender offers to purchase certain outstanding debt securities, accepting $395,103,000 of 4.050% Senior Notes due 2027, $38,931,000 of 7.30% Debentures due 2028, $275,878,000 of 5.375% Senior Notes due 2028, and $161,074,000 of 4.350% Senior Notes due 2029. 

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American Rare Earths Signs MoU with Novex, Solitude Pipeline System Reaches FID, Axe Compute and Duos Technologies Sign 55 MW Data Centre Deals 

American Rare Earths (ARR) entered into a memorandum of understanding with Novex, a US-based company, to establish a framework for converting rare earth oxides (REOs) produced at the Halleck Creek Project in Wyoming into metals used in permanent magnets. Under the agreement, Novex will receive neodymium-praseodymium oxide from ARR’s demonstration plant for conversion into rare earth metal. The companies will also collaborate on process optimisation and the design of a domestic rare earth metal production facility. The collaboration aims to support a US-based mine-to-magnet supply chain. Halleck Creek has an estimated mineral resource of 2.63 billion tonnes and has received federal and state support, including a non-binding letter of interest for up to $456 million in potential funding from the US Export-Import Bank. 

WhiteWater and Devon Energy Corporation, MPLX LP, Diamondback Energy, Inc. and Western Midstream Partners, LP, through their Solitude Pipeline System joint venture, reached a Final Investment Decision to construct two 48-inch natural gas pipelines from the Permian Basin to Katy, Texas. The project has secured long-term firm transportation agreements, primarily with investment-grade shippers. Solitude is expected to provide initial capacity of approximately 2.25 Bcf/d in late 2029, followed by an additional 2.25 Bcf/d in 2030. The joint venture is owned by WhiteWater (50%), Devon Energy (25%), MPLX (10%), Diamondback Energy (7.5%) and Western Midstream Partners (7.5%). 

Axe Compute Inc. and Duos Technologies Group announced agreements for up to 55 MW of AI data centre capacity across multiple US locations, representing more than $500 million in expected aggregate payments. The agreements add to a 10 MW deployment in Georgia. Initial project readiness is targeted for late 2026 and early 2027. 

OmniAb, Inc. announced a global collaboration and licence agreement with Eli Lilly and Company for a new ion channel programme. OmniAb will receive an upfront payment and is eligible for up to $370 million in research, development and commercial milestone payments, plus tiered royalties on global net sales. 

Nucor Corporation will invest $59 million to expand its Vulcraft Indiana manufacturing facility in St. Joe, Indiana, adding steel grating production capabilities. The investment is expected to create 20 full-time jobs and adds to more than 300 employees at the facility. 

Today’s corporate announcements reflect a broad spectrum of strategic activity across technology, defence, hospitality, healthcare, and industrial sectors. H World’s substantial shareholder return programme and raised guidance signal operational strength, while Nvidia’s infrastructure guarantee highlights the scale of AI-related capital commitments. Defence spending continues to drive large-scale contracts, and consolidation activity remains robust across banking and biotechnology sectors. The diverse range of earnings reports demonstrates mixed sectoral performance, with recurring revenue models gaining traction while commodity-exposed businesses face headwinds. 

Source 

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• https://www.nasdaq.com/market-activity/index/sox 

• https://www.cboe.com/tradable_products/vix/