KLA Corporation (KLAC) shares have surged 96.2% over the last year, outperforming the broader tech sector, driven by its leadership in process control, strong AI infrastructure investments, and growth in advanced packaging. The company's prospects are further bolstered by robust demand for leading-edge logic, high-bandwidth memory (HBM), and expected significant growth in advanced packaging revenues. With a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) and a Growth Score of B, KLA is well-positioned for continued momentum.

InterDigital (IDCC) shares fell about 7.3% following news of an officer's proposed sale of 1,000 shares and ongoing legal battles, specifically a patent dispute with Amazon. The company's business relies heavily on patent licensing, making court rulings and policy shifts critical. Investors are closely watching the Amazon patent dispute, the upcoming dividend record date, and early-February earnings.

PayPal Holdings, Inc. (PYPL) has launched its Transaction Graph Insights & Measurement Program, initially available in the U.S. with plans to expand to the UK and Germany. Additionally, PayPal introduced new advertising solutions at CES 2026, signaling its expansion into the digital advertising sector.

Abidur Chowdhury, formerly an Apple Inc. designer who contributed to the iPhone Air, has been appointed head of design at AI startup Hark. This move is part of Hark's aggressive recruitment strategy to attract top Silicon Valley talent, with the company already having hired engineers from tech giants like Google, Meta Platforms, and Amazon. Hark, founded by serial entrepreneur Brett Adcock, is self-funded with $100 million and aims to expand its engineering team significantly while developing its first AI model for release in summer 2026.

AMD shares fell 3.1% after showcasing new AI products at CES, putting its AI chip roadmap in focus against competitors like Nvidia and Intel. The company announced its next earnings report for February 3rd, and investors are closely watching for proof that new accelerator chips are translating into sustained sales. The broader market rose, but AMD faces pressure to show faster traction in AI deployments given Nvidia's continued rapid advancements.

Nio's CEO, William Li, has warned of "significant" cost pressures in 2026 due to surging memory chip prices, which are impacting the entire automotive sector. These chips are crucial for Nio's own Shenji chips, as well as Nvidia and cockpit chips used in its vehicles, with demand from AI players and computing centers driving up costs. Despite the rising expenses, Nio currently has no plans to pass these costs on to vehicle prices, affirming its ability to manage the situation through its gross margin.

Apple shares fell 1.8% to $262.34 following signals of the slowest App Store revenue growth in 11 quarters, according to BofA. Investors are closely monitoring Apple's services performance, especially as the company's valuation relies heavily on growth beyond hardware sales. Upcoming events include the U.S. December jobs report on January 9 and Apple’s fiscal Q1 results on January 29, which will provide further clarity on the company's financial trajectory.

Crown Castle Inc. operates the cell towers and fiber infrastructure essential for mobile phone signals and 5G in the US. The article explores whether the stock, structured as a REIT with a significant dividend, is a valuable long-term income play or a potential value trap for investors. It discusses the company's business model, its competitive landscape against American Tower, and provides a "Cop or Drop" verdict for potential investors interested in infrastructure and passive income.

T-Mobile USA has increased its revolving credit facility from $7.5 billion to $10 billion and extended its maturity date to January 5, 2031, through a new credit agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank. The agreement outlines interest rates based on benchmark rates plus margins and includes a $1.5 billion letter of credit sub-facility and a $500 million swingline loan sub-facility. T-Mobile US, the parent company, guarantees these obligations, and the agreement incorporates standard restrictions and a leverage ratio requirement.

Shares of Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:PLTR) increased after Truist Securities initiated a "Buy" rating on the data analytics software company, setting a price target of $223. Truist highlighted Palantir's accelerating revenue growth, expanding operating margins, and its crucial role in generative AI adoption, particularly with its Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP). The brokerage firm also noted strong performance in U.S. government revenue and favorable financial comparisons to other software companies.