Governance watchdogs take fright as ‘zombies’ stalk US boardrooms

Sonic Automotive (NYSE:SAH) reported Q2 2025 earnings on July 24, revealing adjusted earnings per share of $2.19 and revenue of $3.7 billion, exceeding analyst expectations. Despite strong performance in its EchoPark used car network and a higher dividend, the company faced a net loss due to a significant non-cash impairment charge, highlighting ongoing cost and asset challenges. Want More Context? 🔎

Nasdaq (NASDAQ:NDAQ) reported Q2 2025 results on July 24, achieving GAAP revenue of $1.31 billion and non-GAAP EPS of $0.85, exceeding estimates. The company experienced 9% growth in recurring revenue and strong operating income driven by client demand, although rising costs and longer sales cycles in regulatory technology are areas of concern. Want More Context? 🔎

Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) recently reached $500, driven by AI growth, a strong partnership with OpenAI, and significant momentum in Azure, with potential to hit $600. However, the investor notes that there are risks involved and highlights a key signal to monitor before increasing Microsoft shares, as discussed in the accompanying video published on July 24, 2025. Want More Context? 🔎

The stock of fuel and chemicals conglomerate TotalEnergies (NYSE: TTE) fell nearly 3% after the company reported second-quarter earnings, revealing net revenue of just under $44.7 billion, down from approximately $49.2 billion in the same period of 2024. In contrast, the S&P 500 index managed a slight gain on the same day. Want More Context? 🔎

Many cryptocurrencies have experienced significant gains recently, with XRP rising 60%, Ethereum more than doubling, and Bitcoin increasing by 27%. However, Polkadot, despite launching a next-generation technology upgrade, has only grown 19% in three months and remains down 40% over three years, suggesting it may present a more attractive investment opportunity compared to its peers. Want More Context? 🔎

Investing in dividend stocks provides a way to earn regular income with minimal effort, especially when opportunities arise to purchase quality stocks at discounted prices. The article highlights two undervalued dividend stocks suitable for long-term investment over the next decade. Want More Context? 🔎