Author: [email protected]

Release – ISG to Study UKG Pro Ecosystem Service Providers

Posted on by [email protected]

Upcoming ISG Provider Lens® report will evaluate providers that modernize workforce operations with AI, data integration and continuous optimization

STAMFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Information Services Group (ISG) (Nasdaq: III), a global AI-centered technology research and advisory firm, has launched a research study examining service providers helping enterprises adopt more data-centric, AI-enabled approaches to workforce management through the UKG Pro ecosystem.

The study results will be published in a comprehensive ISG Provider Lens® report, called UKG Pro Ecosystem, scheduled to be released in October 2026. The report will cover companies offering transformation, deployment, integration and performance and optimization services for UKG Pro environments.

Enterprise buyers will be able to use the report’s insights to evaluate their current vendor relationships, identify potential new engagements and compare available offerings. ISG advisors will use the research to guide clients through increasingly complex transformation and platform investment decisions.

Organizations increasingly are adopting AI-enabled HR capabilities, unified workforce data architectures and continuous optimization models to improve workforce intelligence, operational efficiency and employee experiences. As enterprises seek providers that support long-term transformation, AI readiness, organizational change management and post-deployment HCM platform optimization, the UKG Pro service partner ecosystem is evolving beyond implementation-focused engagements to deliver more intelligent, integrated and data-driven workforce operations.

“Enterprises are looking beyond core HCM deployments and focusing on intelligent, continuously evolving workforce operations,” said Namratha Dharshan, chief business leader, ISG. “Providers with UKG Pro expertise, AI readiness and data strategy capabilities will help organizations realize greater value from workforce technology investments.”

ISG has distributed surveys to approximately 50 UKG Pro ecosystem providers. Working in collaboration with ISG’s global advisors, the research team will produce three quadrants representing the UKG Pro services the typical enterprise is buying, based on ISG’s experience working with its clients. The three quadrants are:

  • Transformation Services, evaluating providers that guide enterprises through HCM transformation strategy, operating model redesign, organizational change management and AI readiness planning for UKG Pro environments.
  • Deployment and Integration Services,assessing providers that design, configure and deploy UKG Pro solutions while integrating them with broader enterprise technology ecosystems through scalable architectures and migration frameworks.
  • Performance and Optimization Services, covering providers that help enterprises sustain, optimize and continuously improve UKG Pro environments through application management, analytics development, managed services and AI-enabled operational enhancements.

This report produced from the study will cover the global UKG Pro ecosystem market and examine products and services available in the U.S. ISG analyst Gaurang Pagdi will serve as the author of the report.

A list of identified providers and vendors and further details on the study are available in this digital brochure. Companies not listed as UKG Pro ecosystem service providers can contact ISG and ask to be included in the study.

All 2026 ISG Provider Lens evaluations feature expanded customer experience (CX) data capturing real-world enterprise feedback on specific provider services and solutions, based on ISG’s continuous CX research.

About ISG

ISG (Nasdaq: III) is a global AI-centered technology research and advisory firm. A trusted partner to more than 900 clients, including 75 of the world’s top 100 enterprises, ISG is a long-time leader in technology and business services that is now at the forefront of leveraging AI to help organizations achieve operational excellence and faster growth. The firm, founded in 2006, is known for its proprietary market data and research, in-depth knowledge and governance of provider ecosystems, and the expertise of its 1,500 professionals worldwide working together to help clients maximize the value of their technology investments.

Press Contacts:

Laura Hupprich, ISG
+1 203-517-3132
[email protected]

Erik Arvidson, Matter Communications for ISG
+1 978-518-4542
[email protected]

Source: Information Services Group, Inc.

Release – Snail Games Highlights Progress and Development from Strategic Polish Studio Partnerships

Posted on by [email protected]

May 22, 2026 at 8:30 AM EDT

PDF Version

Bellwright, Above The Snow, and Honeycomb: The World Beyond showcases the value of Snail Games’ work with Polish studio partners

CULVER CITY, Calif., May 22, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Snail, Inc. (Nasdaq: SNAL) (“Snail Games” or the “Company”), a leading global independent developer and publisher of interactive digital entertainment, and its subsidiary Wandering Wizard, today highlighted the progress made through its existing partnerships with three Polish development teams. Through collaborations with Above The Desk, creators of Above the Snow; Donkey Crew, the team behind Bellwright; and Frozen Way Games, who are currently developing Honeycomb: The World Beyond, Snail Games continues to expand its content pipeline, deepen its international development network, and demonstrate the value of working with high-potential studios in Poland.

“At Snail Games we’ve been eager to support emerging game dev markets and have seen tremendous creative talent and ideas coming from Poland,” said Hai Shi, CEO of Snail Games. “Our partnership and work with these three studios reflect the value of our international network. Each offers wildly different visions of gaming, spanning across different genres in the industry. From an alpine resort sim game, to a medieval survival, to an exploration adventure about crossbreeding alien life forms, we want to ensure that Snail is ahead of the curve in supporting a wide range of global talent.”

Poland has emerged as one of the fastest-growing and most established development regions in the global gaming industry, with a strong track record of producing commercially successful and critically acclaimed PC and console titles. According to The Game Industry of Poland Report 2025, the country’s game development sector continues to scale, with more than 40 franchises surpassing 1 million units sold, reflecting its ability to generate globally competitive, export-oriented intellectual property. This includes Snail Games and Donkey Crew’s Bellwright, which has already surpassed 1 million units sold globally during its early access phase on Steam, underscoring the commercial performance of titles developed within the region.

This week’s Digital Dragons conference in Kraków, Poland further highlights the strength and continued momentum of the country’s game development ecosystem, serving as a key industry gathering for leading studios, publishers, and development talent across the region. As part of this ecosystem, Above The Desk, the developer of Above the Snow, participated in the event, engaging with peers and industry partners within one of Europe’s most active development hubs. Their presence at Digital Dragons underscores Snail Games’ broader strategy of maintaining close alignment with regional development communities and supporting studios with both local relevance and global ambitions. Events of this nature continue to play an important role in strengthening visibility, fostering collaboration, and identifying long-term partnership opportunities within Snail Games’ expanding international publishing network.

These ongoing partnerships highlight Snail Games’ broader global expansion strategy. With corporate operations headquartered in the United States, development partnerships across Europe, and an established presence throughout Asia, the Company continues to expand its international publishing network into key emerging regions and talent hubs. This includes its previously announced strategic exploration of opportunities in Latin America, further reflecting Snail Games’ intent to build a truly global development and publishing footprint. This global approach enables Snail Games to access a wider range of development expertise, strengthen cross-market collaboration, and identify new publishing opportunities.

Snail Games and Wandering Wizard remain actively focused on identifying additional partnership opportunities with independent developers and studios worldwide.

For developers interested in partnership opportunities please reach out to [email protected]

For content creators interested in collaborating please reach out to [email protected]

About Snail, Inc.
Snail, Inc. (Nasdaq: SNAL) is a leading global independent developer and publisher of interactive digital entertainment for consumers around the world, with a premier portfolio of premium games designed for use on a variety of platforms, including consoles, PCs, and mobile devices. For more information, please visit: https://snail.com/

About Above the Desk
Above The Desk is an independent game studio built by a small but passionate team – a mix of seasoned industry veterans and bold new talent. We believe that this blend of perspectives, skills, and creative energy is our greatest strength. Our mission is to craft games that stand out with original ideas, engaging mechanics, and a sharp sense of humor. We don’t cut corners – we focus on originality, quality, and fresh takes on familiar formulas. For more information, visit https://abovethedesk.games/.

About Donkey Crew
Donkey Crew is an independent studio made up of talented, experienced developers from every corner of the world. Starting as a small team of passionate gamers working together within a large Mount & Blade modding community, the group grew into a professional company developing indie titles. Based in Wroclaw, Poland, Donkey Crew continues their journey as an indie developer while growing and expanding. For more information, visit www.donkey.team/.

About Frozen Way Games
Frozen Way Games is a group of over 80 cheerful people from Cracow, Poland with a passion for video games. Gamedev is our lifestyle and philosophy, so there’s nothing better than seeing our creations bring a lot of joy to the community. For more information, visit frozenway.games.

About Wandering Wizard
Wandering Wizard is passionately committed to championing indie game developers. We provide a platform for fresh voices, revolutionary ideas, and daring experiments within the indie gaming realm. Embracing the inherent risks of indie game development, we partner with creators worldwide to enrich the global gaming community with inclusive, inspiring, and innovative gaming experiences. For more information, visit wanderingwizard.com.

Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements. Many of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “expect,” “should,” “plan,” “intend,” “may,” “predict,” “continue,” “estimate” and “potential,” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of Snail’s business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, plans and objectives. Forward-looking statements appear in a number of places in this press release and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Snail Games continuing to expand its content pipeline, deepening its international development network, and demonstrating the value of working with high-potential studios in Poland; ensuring that Snail is ahead of the curve in supporting a wide range of global talent; Poland’s game development sector continuing to scale; the ability of Poland’s game development sector to generate globally competitive, export-oriented intellectual property; the Digital Dragons conference in Kraków, Poland highlighting the strength and continued momentum of the country’s game development ecosystem; Snail Games’ broader strategy of maintaining close alignment with regional development communities and supporting studios with both local relevance and global ambitions; strengthening visibility, fostering collaboration, and identifying long-term partnership opportunities within Snail Games’ expanding international publishing network; Snail Games’ broader global expansion strategy; continuing to expand Snail Games’ international publishing network into key emerging regions and talent hubs; strategic exploration of opportunities in Latin America; building a truly global development and publishing footprint; the global approach enabling Snail Games to access a wider range of development expertise, strengthen cross-market collaboration, and identify new publishing opportunities; remaining actively focused on identifying additional partnership opportunities with independent developers and studios worldwide; and assumptions underlying any of the foregoing.

Further information on risks, uncertainties and other factors that could affect Snail’s financial results and business include Snail’s ability to strengthen its gaming portfolio’s visibility; Snail’s ability to expand and grow its franchise and increase its revenue; Snail’s ability to establish new partnerships within its international publishing network; Snail’s ability to establish a truly global development and publishing footprint; and the risks that are included in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) from time to time, including its annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed, or to be filed, with the SEC. You should not rely on these forward-looking statements, as actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements as a result of such risks and uncertainties. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to Snail, and Snail does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements provided to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

Investor Contact:
John Yi and Steven Shinmachi
Gateway Group, Inc.
949-574-3860
[email protected]

The Most Pessimistic American Consumer Sentiment in 74 Years Just Sent the Market a Warning

Posted on by [email protected]

The University of Michigan released its final May Consumer Sentiment reading Friday morning and the number landed well below even the most pessimistic forecasts. The index came in at 44.8 — a new all-time record low in a survey that has been tracking American consumer attitudes since 1952. The reading missed the consensus estimate of 48.2 by a wide margin, fell five full points from April’s already-depressed 49.8, and marked the third consecutive month of decline. No monthly reading in the survey’s 74-year history has ever been lower.

To place that in context: this reading is worse than June 2022 at the peak of post-pandemic inflation. Worse than the depths of the 2008 financial crisis. Worse than the early 1980s when Paul Volcker was hiking rates into double digits to break inflation. The American consumer, by this measure, has never been less confident about the economy than they are right now.

What’s Driving It

The culprits are not subtle. One-third of survey respondents spontaneously cited gasoline prices — unprompted — as a primary concern. Roughly 30% mentioned tariffs. The Iran conflict, now in its twelfth week, has pushed the national gas average to $4.56 per gallon according to AAA, up more than 50% since hostilities began February 28, and GasBuddy projects the summer average could reach $4.80 per gallon with $5 possible if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.

Inflation expectations are deteriorating further rather than stabilizing. Year-ahead inflation expectations climbed from earlier in the month while long-run expectations rose from 3.5% in April to 3.9% in May — the highest reading since the Iran conflict began and well above the 2.8% to 3.2% range that prevailed throughout 2024. Surveys director Joanne Hsu noted that consumers appear to be moving beyond viewing the inflation pressure as temporary, increasingly worried it will spread beyond fuel prices and persist over the long run.

The demographic breakdown adds another layer. Lower-income consumers and those without college degrees — groups most sensitive to gas and grocery price increases — posted the sharpest sentiment declines. Independents and Republicans reached their lowest readings of Trump’s second term. The breadth of the deterioration, cutting across income levels, age groups, and political affiliations, signals this is not a narrow or politically driven reading. It is a broad-based erosion of consumer confidence.

The Direct Small Cap Implication

Consumer sentiment is a leading indicator — it tells you where spending is headed before the spending data confirms it. And for small and microcap investors, the message embedded in Friday’s reading is direct: companies that depend on discretionary consumer spending are heading into Q2 earnings season with the wind at their back nowhere.

Consumer-facing small caps in casual dining, specialty retail, leisure travel, and discretionary goods are the most exposed. Unlike large cap consumer companies with global revenue diversification and balance sheet depth to absorb volume softness, smaller operators have limited buffers. Margin compression from elevated input and fuel costs combined with softening top-line demand is a particularly difficult combination for companies already operating on thin margins.

The record low also raises the stakes for the Federal Reserve. Weak consumer confidence alongside elevated inflation expectations is the definition of a stagflationary signal — and a Fed led by incoming Chair Kevin Warsh that leans hawkish has limited room to provide relief. Rate cuts that smaller companies have been counting on to refinance variable-rate debt are moving further off the table with every data point like this one.

Seventy-four years of data. The American consumer has never felt worse. That number belongs in every small cap portfolio conversation happening right now.

Seanergy Maritime (SHIP) – Adjusting 2026 Estimates

Posted on by [email protected]


Friday, May 22, 2026

Mark Reichman, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Lowering 1Q26 estimates. We have reduced our 1Q26 revenue, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders, and EPS estimates to $42.9 million, $23.5 million, $9.5 million, and $0.45, respectively, from prior estimates of $43.9 million, $24.8 million, $10.1 million, and $0.48. The revisions primarily reflect a modest reduction in operating days to 1,696 from 1,700, a lower average daily TCE rate of $24,200 versus $25,100, and higher voyage and G&A expenses, including non-cash stock compensation.

FY26 estimates are mostly unchanged. We now project FY26 revenue, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders, and EPS of $182.1 million, $106.7 million, $50.4 million, and $2.40, respectively, compared with prior estimates of $183.2 million, $105.2 million, $50.4 million, and $2.40.


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Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.

This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Resolution Minerals Ltd (RLMLF) – Off to a Strong Start

Posted on by [email protected]


Friday, May 22, 2026

Mark Reichman, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Strong Early Indicators. Resolution Minerals reported encouraging results from the first three holes of its 2026 Golden Gate drilling program in Idaho, with all holes intersecting sulphide mineralization associated with strong alteration, shearing, brecciation, and quartz veining. The mineralized zones contain pyrite and arsenopyrite within altered granites that share geological features observed in previous high-grade gold and tungsten intercepts at Golden Gate North and South, supporting the potential for additional mineralized extensions.

Deploying a Second Drill Rig. The company has completed 763 meters of drilling across three holes and is accelerating exploration activities with the arrival of a second diamond core rig. The broader 2026 campaign includes up to 13,700 meters of planned drilling across 45 holes and is designed to evaluate the scale and continuity of gold and tungsten mineralization throughout the Golden Gate system, including extensions near historical mining areas and coincident gold and tungsten soil anomalies.


Get the Full Report

Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.

This Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

InPlay Oil (IPOOF) – InPlay Renews Share Buyback Program

Posted on by [email protected]


Friday, May 22, 2026

Mark Reichman, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

TSX approves share repurchase program. InPlay Oil Corp. announced that the Toronto Stock Exchange has approved its normal course issuer bid (NCIB), allowing the company to repurchase and cancel up to 1.79 million common shares, representing 10% of its public float. Purchases may be made through the TSX and other Canadian trading systems beginning May 25, 2026, and ending May 24, 2027, subject to daily purchase limits and applicable securities regulations.

Automatic repurchase plan provides flexibility. An automatic share purchase plan allows for repurchases to continue during self-imposed blackout periods. Outside of blackout periods, management will retain discretion over the timing and amount of share repurchases. Any shares acquired under the program will be canceled, reducing the company’s overall share count.


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Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.

This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Eledon Pharmaceuticals (ELDN) – Tegoprubart Data Update Scheduled For June 2026

Posted on by [email protected]


Friday, May 22, 2026

Robert LeBoyer, Senior Vice President, Equity Research Analyst, Biotechnology, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Data Updates To Be Presented In June 2026. Eledon has announced that additional data will be presented at the American Transplant Congress on June 22, 2026. The presentations will include long-term data from patients in the Phase 2 BESTOW trial and its extension study. We expect to see longer follow-up periods from additional patients than previously seen, showing outcomes, side-effect profiles, and organ survival in comparison with the standard of care, tacrolimus.

Conference Call Has Been Scheduled To Discuss Data. Eledon will hold a conference call at 8 AM on June 22 to discuss the data. This will be after the Saturday, June 20, poster presentation titled,” Phase 2 BESTOW Extension Trial Evaluating Tegoprubart’s Long-Term Safety and Efficacy in Preventing Kidney Transplant Rejection”, and before the Monday, June 22, oral presentation titled “Phase 2 BESTOW Trial: Evaluating Tegoprubart’s Safety and Efficacy in Preventing Kidney Transplant Rejection” at 12 PM.


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Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.

This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Conduent (CNDT) – Portfolio Reset Gains Momentum

Posted on by [email protected]


Friday, May 22, 2026

Michael Kupinski, Director of Research, Equity Research Analyst, Digital, Media & Technology , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Jacob Mutchler, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

The sale of the Public Transit business is viewed favorably. The agreement to sell the Public Transit business to Modaxo for approximately $164 million is expected to strengthen financial flexibility and provide additional balance sheet optionality. Management previously indicated that divestiture proceeds could support debt reduction, restructuring initiatives, strategic reinvestment opportunities, and potential shareholder return programs, while also improving the company’s overall capital allocation profile.

A strategic move. Public Transit divestiture advances Conduent’s previously announced portfolio optimization strategy and appears consistent with management’s “fix, sell, or grow” operating framework, which focuses on simplifying the business, improving operational focus, and enhancing long-term profitability. 


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Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.

This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Cardiff Oncology (CRDF) – 1Q26 Announced With Onvansertib Progress Toward Phase 3

Posted on by [email protected]


Friday, May 22, 2026

Robert LeBoyer, Senior Vice President, Equity Research Analyst, Biotechnology, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Cardiff To Present Data At ASCO. Cardiff Oncology reported a 1Q26 loss of  $12.4 million or $(0.18) per share. Important developments during the quarter include scheduling presentation of the Phase 2b trial, discussed in our Research Note on January 28, at the ASCO Annual Meeting from May 29 to June 2. A meeting with the FDA was held in April, with the Phase 3 trial still expected to begin in late FY2026. Cash on March 31, 2026, was $46.1 million.

End-of-Phase-2 Meeting With The FDA Completed. During 1Q26, the company held an End-of-Phase-2 Meeting with the FDA to obtain guidance on the Phase 3 design and regulatory approval requirements. As expected, the trial will enroll patients with RAS-mutated metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), treated with a combination of FOLFIRI with bevacizumab (Avastin) and the 30 mg dose of onvansertib. This is the regimen that produced the strongest results in the Phase 2b trial.


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Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.

This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

$4.56 a Gallon and Climbing — The Iran War Just Turned Memorial Day Into a Small Cap Stress Test

Posted on by [email protected]

Americans hitting the road this Memorial Day weekend are paying the highest prices at the pump in nearly four years — and the bill is coming due for small and microcap companies across the consumer economy whether they are behind the wheel or not.

The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline reached $4.56 on Thursday according to AAA, up more than $1.38 from this time last year and more than 50% since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28. Every single US state has now crossed the $4 threshold. Seven states are posting averages above $5, with California topping the national rankings at $6.16 per gallon. The last time Memorial Day fuel costs were this elevated was 2022, in the wake of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, when the national average peaked at $4.61.

The summer outlook is not encouraging. GasBuddy projects the national average will run at approximately $4.80 per gallon across the full summer driving season from Memorial Day through Labor Day — and warns prices could test the all-time record of $5.02 per gallon if the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed deep into the season. GasBuddy’s head of petroleum analysis attributes more than 90% of the year-over-year gap at the pump directly to the Iran conflict and the resulting disruption to the strait, which normally handles roughly one-fifth of global oil supply and has now been compromised for twelve consecutive weeks.

Record Travel, Real Costs

The timing could not be more pointed. AAA projects a record 45 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles this Memorial Day weekend — up from 44.8 million in 2025 and nearly 5% above pre-pandemic 2019 levels. Of those travelers, 87% will be driving. Gasoline demand ticked higher last week to 8.76 million barrels per day even as total domestic supply fell to 214.2 million barrels and production slipped to 9.3 million barrels per day. Demand rising into a tightening supply picture is not a recipe for relief at the pump.

The Small Cap Exposure

For investors in the sub-$2 billion market cap space, this is not an abstract macro story — it is an active margin event playing out across multiple sectors simultaneously. Regional trucking companies, last-mile delivery operators, and logistics providers are absorbing diesel costs that have risen sharply alongside gasoline, with limited ability to push surcharges through in a competitive environment. Consumer-facing small caps in food service, casual dining, and retail are getting squeezed from two directions: higher distribution and operating costs on one side, and a consumer with less disposable income after filling the tank on the other.

Travel-adjacent small caps — regional hospitality operators, independent hotel brands, and leisure-focused consumer companies — face a more nuanced picture. Record travel volumes represent a genuine demand tailwind, but margin pressure from elevated fuel and labor costs can quickly offset volume gains for operators without significant pricing power.

The companies best positioned on the other side of this trade remain domestic energy producers. With WTI holding above $100 and summer demand accelerating into a supply-constrained market, independent oil and gas operators in the small cap space continue to benefit from a price environment that shows no structural signs of easing before fall.

The pump price this weekend is $4.56. If the Strait of Hormuz stays closed, it may look cheap by August.

The Federal Government Just Bet $2 Billion on Quantum Computing — and Several of the Winners Are Small Caps

Posted on by [email protected]

The Trump administration moved Thursday to establish the United States as the dominant force in quantum computing, announcing $2 billion in equity investments across nine domestic companies as part of a coordinated push to accelerate the technology’s development and close the gap with China. The move sent shares in several of the recipients surging between 6% and 31% on the day — and for investors paying attention to the small and microcap names in the deal, the signal goes well beyond a single-session pop.

The investments will be funded through incentives under the CHIPS and Science Act, originally signed by former President Biden, and represent the latest instance of the Trump administration taking direct equity stakes in strategic technology companies — a model it has already deployed with Intel and rare-earth mining company MP Materials.

Who Gets What

IBM is the largest recipient, securing $1 billion to establish a new company called Anderon in New Albany, New York — which the administration is positioning as America’s first dedicated quantum chip manufacturing facility. IBM will contribute $1 billion alongside intellectual property, assets, and workforce, with plans to bring in additional private investors as the venture scales. Contract chipmaker GlobalFoundries received $375 million and launched a new division called Quantum Technology Solutions, with the government taking approximately a 1% equity stake in the company.

The remaining funding flows directly into smaller players. D-Wave, Rigetti Computing, and Infleqtion each received approximately $100 million, while Diraq received up to $38 million to address specific technical hurdles around error rates — one of the central engineering challenges still limiting quantum computing’s practical performance. PsiQuantum, which raised $1 billion in private funding last year from investors including Nvidia’s venture capital arm, is also among the recipients.

Rigetti Computing shares surged more than 25% Thursday. Infleqtion jumped nearly 29%. Both are among the smaller names in the cohort and carry market capitalizations well within ChannelChek’s coverage universe.

Why This Matters Beyond the Headlines

Quantum computers are designed to process information exponentially faster than conventional supercomputers, with potential applications spanning drug discovery, financial modeling, logistics optimization, and cryptography. The technology has faced persistent skepticism around timelines — Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang suggested last year that practical quantum computers could be two decades away — but Thursday’s announcement carries a specific weight that speculation does not.

The US government has demonstrated through its CHIPS Act deployment that it does not take equity positions in technologies it considers speculative. The CEO of Infleqtion made that point directly Thursday, arguing that this level of federal commitment signals the technology is advancing faster than the broader market appreciates.

For small and microcap investors, that framing is the critical takeaway. Government equity validation in early-stage technology companies has historically served as a powerful de-risking signal that accelerates institutional interest and compresses the timeline to commercialization. Several of the quantum computing companies receiving funding today were, as recently as 18 months ago, viewed primarily as speculative bets.

Thursday’s announcement reframes that narrative — and the market reaction suggests investors are adjusting their positioning accordingly.

Release – ISG Event to Explore How Enterprises Are Delivering Strategic Value From AI

Posted on by [email protected]

STAMFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Information Services Group (ISG) (Nasdaq: III), a global AI-centered technology research and advisory firm, will welcome enterprise leaders to the 2026 ISG AI Impact Summit to share strategies for delivering measurable, sustainable business value from AI initiatives.

Leaders from DraftKings, State Street, Pfizer, New York Life Insurance Company, Novartis, CVS Health, Bank of America, National Grid, SharkNinja and more will join the event, June 2 – 3 at the Wyndham Boston Beacon Hill. The summit agenda will focus on strategies for realizing value from AI and overcoming the challenges of fragmented operating models, inadequate governance and data architectures and unclear accountability for humans and AI systems.

“Organizations are confronting deeper operational questions around accountability, governance, ROI and infrastructure readiness, as AI evolves from a productivity tool into an autonomous operating layer,” said Loren Absher, director and Americas lead, ISG AI Advisory, and host of the ISG AI Impact Summit Boston. “The next phase of enterprise AI is about redesigning how business gets done.”

On the first day of the summit, Brian Walker, senior vice president of AI and Operations at DraftKings, will deliver a keynote session, “Building the AI-Native Operation: Lessons From Inside DraftKings,” on how AI is reshaping engineering, product and operational workflows, offering insights on how to decide whether to build, buy or partner for AI at scale.

The “Closing the AI ROI Gap: Why Investment is Outpacing Impact” panel discussion will feature Barbara Widholm, vice president, emerging technologies, State Street; Vivek Mukhatyar, GenAI medical engagement lead, Pfizer, and Abhishek Kumar, corporate vice president, New York Life Insurance Company, discussing the widening disconnect between AI spending and measurable business outcomes, including challenges related to governance, value attribution and scaling AI adoption.

Scott Bradley, vice president, AI & Innovation, Novartis; Radha Kuchibhotla, lead director, AI solutions design, CVS Health, and Maharaj Mukherjee, senior AI architect and senior vice president, Bank of America, will join the “Accountability by Design (not by Accident)” panel discussion to discuss governance, decision rights and accountability frameworks for human-AI operating models.

Day one will conclude with the ISG Startup Challenge, featuring Ajay Joshi, CEO, CipherSonic AI; Madhu Kumar, CEO, Amadis Technologies, and Shrey Sambhwani, chief product officer, Linc AI, pitching their innovative AI solutions to a panel of judges for an audience vote.

On day two of the summit, Bethany Singer-Baefsky, chief privacy and data governance officer, National Grid, will deliver the keynote presentation, “Governance is Not a Four-Letter-Word (but T-Rex is): Responsible AI as Competitive Advantage,” demonstrating how AI governance and data protection can drive innovation and enterprise differentiation.

Elaine Desmond, senior director, Shared Services for BJ’s Wholesale Club, will join the “New Economics of AI: Build, Buy, and the Cost Models Behind Scaling” panel discussion, and Akiba Stern, partner with Loeb & Loeb, LLP, will share practical takeaways for negotiating, in “Rewriting the Rules: What AI Is Doing to Your Contracts (and Your Leverage).”

The “Production-Ready Data: Bridging the Gap Between Insight and Action” panel discussion will feature Rohit Arora, senior director, Privacy and AI Governance, SharkNinja, and Vipul Maheshwari, vice president, Technology, Pacific Life, examining why analytics-grade data often fails to support autonomous AI decision-making and what organizations must do to create auditable, explainable and production-ready data environments.

Additional summit sessions will explore the changing economics of enterprise AI, the trade-offs and architectural implications of AI platform and tooling decisions, and how enterprises can balance autonomy, flexibility and sustainable cost management.

Accenture, Wipro and Infosys are sponsors of the ISG AI Impact Summit. Additional information and registration are available on the event website.

About ISG

ISG (Nasdaq: III) is a global AI-centered technology research and advisory firm. A trusted partner to more than 900 clients, including 75 of the world’s top 100 enterprises, ISG is a long-time leader in technology and business services that is now at the forefront of leveraging AI to help organizations achieve operational excellence and faster growth. The firm, founded in 2006, is known for its proprietary market data and research, in-depth knowledge and governance of provider ecosystems, and the expertise of its 1,500 professionals worldwide working together to help clients maximize the value of their technology investments.

Press Contacts:
Laura Hupprich, ISG
+1 203-517-3132
[email protected]

EriK Arvidson, Matter Communications for ISG
+1 978-518-4542
[email protected]

Source: Information Services Group, Inc.

Release – Conduent Appoints Adam Demuyakor to Board of Directors

Posted on by [email protected]

May 20, 2026

Conduent Incorporated (Nasdaq: CNDT), a global technology-driven business solutions and services company, today announced the appointment of Adam Demuyakor to its Board of Directors, effective June 1, 2026. Mr. Demuyakor brings experience in technology, strategic investing, and business transformation, with a track record of advising organizations on innovation, enterprise modernization, and growth.

Mr. Demuyakor is Founder and Managing Partner of Wilshire Lane Capital, a venture capital firm focused on high-growth, technology-enabled businesses, and transformative technologies. In this role, he advises corporate partners on business modernization initiatives and has led investments across generative AI applications, enterprise software, financial technology, and infrastructure platforms.

In addition to his role at Wilshire Lane Capital, Mr. Demuyakor serves as Vice Chairman of the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, the second-largest public housing authority in the United States, and he brings direct governance experience with complex governmental enterprises. Prior to founding Wilshire Lane Capital, he also held investment and advisory roles at Andreessen Horowitz, The Carlyle Group, and Morgan Stanley. Mr. Demuyakor holds a bachelor’s degree, with high honors, from Harvard College and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

“A key priority for our Board is ensuring we continue to broaden the range of skills, experiences, and perspectives represented around the table,” said Margarita Paláu-Hernández, Chair of the Board, Conduent Incorporated. “Adam’s background expands the breadth of expertise represented on our Board and enhances the diversity of thought that supports effective governance and long-term value creation.”

“Adam brings valuable experience at the intersection of technology, investment, and business transformation that will complement the capabilities of our Board,” said Harsha V. Agadi, Chief Executive Officer of Conduent. “His perspective on innovation, enterprise modernization, and AI-enabled technologies will support Conduent as we continue strengthening how we operate, advancing our technology agenda, and delivering strong outcomes for clients, associates, and shareholders.”

“I am honored to join Conduent’s Board at an important time in the company’s transformation,” said Mr. Demuyakor. “Conduent’s focus on operational excellence, client service, and technology-enabled solutions creates a strong foundation for future growth. I look forward to working with the Board and leadership team to help support the company’s long-term strategy and continued transformation.”

About Conduent
Conduent delivers digital business solutions and services spanning the commercial, government and transportation spectrum – creating valuable outcomes for its clients and the millions of people who count on them. The Company leverages cloud computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, automation and advanced analytics to deliver mission-critical solutions. Through a dedicated global team of approximately 48,000 associates, process expertise and advanced technologies, Conduent’s solutions and services digitally transform its clients’ operations to enhance customer experiences, improve performance, increase efficiencies and reduce costs. Conduent adds momentum to its clients’ missions in many ways including disbursing approximately $80 billion in government payments annually, enabling approximately 2.0 billion customer service interactions annually, empowering millions of employees through HR services every year and processing over 14 million tolling transactions every day. Learn more at www.conduent.com .

Media Contacts

Remy Kaul

Conduent

[email protected]

Joshua Overholt

Conduent

[email protected]