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Google Gemini hits 950 million users, closing in on ChatGPT's 1 billion
Edgen Stock·Jul 22 2026, 21:18Share to
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[1] Google's Gemini app nips at ChatGPT's heels as it nears 1 billion users (https://www.businessinsider.com/google-q2-202 ...)[2] Gemini’s Growth Cools as Its App Reaches 950M Users (https://www.unite.ai/geminis-growth-cools-as- ...)[3] Google says Gemini now has 950 million monthly users. (https://www.theverge.com/tech/969624/google-s ...)[4] 950 Million People Now Use Gemini Each Month As Alphabet Posts Earnings Beat (https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2026/ ...)
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Jul 22 2026, 23:07
Union Pacific, CN sign July 22 MOU on rail access for merger
**CN secured rail access rights as Union Pacific's merger with Norfolk Southern faces intensifying regulatory scrutiny.** Union Pacific and CN signed a binding agreement July 22 that grants Canada's largest railroad competitive access rights, a preemptive move to address monopoly concerns as Union Pacific's proposed merger with Norfolk Southern advances. "The MOU establishes a framework that preserves competitive options for customers while the merger is reviewed," a spokesperson for CN said in the joint statement. The Surface Transportation Board has already mandated Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern to publicly disclose employee-impact data by July 27, requiring detailed exhibits on projected job eliminations, new roles and employee relocations. The decision supports labor unions seeking transparency in the proceedings. The Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern combination would reshape the North American rail landscape, creating the largest U.S. railroad by revenue. CN's access agreement reduces the risk of regulatory rejection but introduces operational complexity that may affect service reliability and pricing for shippers across the continent. **Regulatory Hurdles Mount** The STB's transparency mandate follows a separate lawsuit filed by Kansas and Colorado farmers accusing Union Pacific of monopolizing grain shipping. The dual pressures — regulatory scrutiny and litigation — show the challenges facing the proposed merger, which requires approval from the STB, the primary regulator for railroad consolidations. The last major U.S. railroad merger — the 1996 Union Pacific-Southern Pacific combination — took 18 months to clear regulatory review and was followed by years of service disruptions that drew congressional hearings. **What's at Stake for Shippers** The MOU between CN and Union Pacific addresses a central concern: that the merger would reduce competition in key corridors. By securing access rights, CN preserves its ability to serve customers in markets where Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern currently compete. The agreement could serve as a template for other railroads seeking competitive protections in future consolidation deals. Rail shippers, including agricultural producers and energy companies, have historically opposed large mergers, citing higher rates and reduced service options. The Association of American Railroads estimates the industry moves about $700 billion worth of freight annually. **Forward Outlook** The companies must submit their merger application with the required employee-impact exhibits by July 27. Analysts expect the STB review process to take 12 to 18 months, with a final decision potentially arriving in late 2027 or early 2028. Investors in all three railroads — UNP, NSC and CNI — face uncertainty as the regulatory timeline unfolds. Union Pacific shares have moved in a tight range this year as the market prices in the merger's uncertain outcome, while Norfolk Southern has traded at a premium reflecting the expected deal value. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
Jul 22 2026, 22:45
SEI Investments beats Q2 estimates with record revenue of $641.6M
SEI Investments reported record Q2 revenue of $641.6 million and adjusted EPS of $1.66, beating consensus estimates. "The quarter is less about what happened during the last three months and more a reflection of the changes we have made over the past few years," Chief Executive Officer Ryan Hicke said. Revenue rose 15% from $559.6 million a year earlier, while adjusted operating profit climbed 36% and adjusted EPS grew 38%. Analysts surveyed by Zacks had expected EPS of $1.45. The company generated $43 million in sales events during the quarter, bringing the year-to-date total to $110 million. | Metric | Actual | Consensus | Beat/Miss | |--------|--------|-----------|-----------| | Revenue | $641.6M | $638.0M* | +0.6% | | Adj. EPS | $1.66 | $1.45 | +14.5% | *Zacks consensus estimate SEI ended the quarter with nearly $400 million in cash and repurchased $112 million of stock at an average price of $87. Shares have gained 19.1% year to date, outpacing the S&P 500's 9.7% advance. Growth was broad-based. Investment Managers Services revenue rose 17%, Private Banking increased 11% and Advisors jumped 30%, benefiting from higher market values and the Stratos platform. Institutional was the exception, with operating profit roughly flat as the company invested in asset management initiatives. Stratos contributed $21 million of revenue, up 11% from the first quarter, with EBITDA exceeding $9 million. Hicke said SEI's private markets retail initiative could generate more than $100 million of annual run-rate revenue within five years. The company's ETF lineup has grown to more than $8 billion in assets from $3 billion over the past 12 months. Chief Financial and Chief Operating Officer Sean Denham said the earnings growth reflected mid-teens revenue growth, 500 basis points of margin expansion and a 3% reduction in share count. He said SEI expects repurchases to increase from second-quarter levels. The results show management expects demand to remain strong across multiple segments. Investors will watch for continued conversion of the company's sales pipeline into revenue in the second half of the year. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
Jul 22 2026, 22:43
Kinder Morgan beats Q2 estimates by 19% as natural gas demand rises
Kinder Morgan reported Q2 earnings of $0.37 a share, topping the $0.31 consensus estimate by 19%, according to Zacks Investment Research. "The results reflect continued strength in natural gas demand across our pipeline network," the company said in its earnings release. Earnings rose 32% from $0.28 per share in the same period a year ago. Revenue figures for the quarter were not yet disclosed. The Houston-based midstream operator benefited from higher natural gas transport volumes, driven by rising power generation demand and LNG export activity. Natural gas consumption in the US power sector has climbed as utilities add gas-fired capacity to support data center growth and electrification. | Metric | Actual | Consensus | Beat/Miss | |--------|--------|-----------|-----------| | EPS | $0.37 | $0.31 | +$0.06 | | Revenue | not yet disclosed | not yet disclosed | — | The beat marks the second consecutive quarter of upside for KMI, which operates about 83,000 miles of pipeline across North America. The company's performance aligns with broader strength in the midstream energy sector, where rising natural gas consumption for data center power and industrial use has boosted throughput volumes. Peer pipeline operators including Williams Companies and Energy Transfer have also reported higher transport volumes this earnings season. The earnings beat shows that Kinder Morgan's core pipeline assets continue to generate strong cash flow as natural gas demand remains elevated. Investors will watch for updated full-year guidance and commentary on LNG export project timelines on the company's earnings call. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.