BUZZ - Levi Strauss shares drop due to weak sales in the US and Europe

On October 8, shares of quantum computing company IonQ (ticker: IONQ.N) rose 1.52% in pre-market trading to $41.97. The company announced that it has entered the third phase of the DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) quantum benchmarking program. This move signals recognition of IonQ's quantum computing technology. DARPA is a U.S. government agency responsible for funding and promoting the development of advanced defense technologies. Its QBI program aims to test which quantum computers will ultimately have the performance and reliability required for real-world applications. The third phase is the final testing and validation stage, set to last until 2029, with a potential contract value of up to $300 million. As of the previous trading day’s close, IonQ's stock was down 7.87% year-to-date.

Christopher Romano, Reuters, October 8 – Since the software giant issued an upbeat earnings forecast in July (link), Microsoft’s stock price has been climbing rapidly, and technical analysis indicates there may still be room for further gains. Click here to view detailed technical analysis charts. (link) Technical analysis uses historical price trends on charts to help predict the market’s next moves. Microsoft’s weekly chart shows the stock is once again approaching its all-time high set in 2025. This peak currently sits less than 5% above the current price, and a breakout above this level could trigger a strong rally. When a stock like Microsoft rises quickly—up more than 50% since its June lows—it often pauses to consolidate. Early buyers may sell to lock in profits, while new investors position themselves for the next move upward. Microsoft consolidated in a tight range between early August and late September. Chart analysts refer to this pause as “consolidation,” viewing it as a healthy sign, similar to a runner catching their breath before the next sprint. This week, Microsoft’s stock price broke above its narrow consolidation range, suggesting the next leg upwards may have begun. At this stage, analysts turn to volatility and momentum indicators to determine whether the rally can continue. One such tool is the Bollinger Bands, which are lines drawn above and below a moving average of stock prices. As price volatility increases, the width of the Bollinger Bands expands, signaling fresh momentum. Microsoft’s 20-week Bollinger Band is displaying this widening pattern. Another indicator, the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD), compares two moving averages of different periods to show whether buying pressure is strengthening or weakening. This indicator is also trending upward, suggesting Microsoft has the momentum to continue rising. According to London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) data, Microsoft closed at $529.76 on Wednesday. To estimate the stock’s potential upside, analysts refer to the previous rise before the consolidation pattern and project similar gains upward. This suggests a possible target range of $700 to $750, provided the share price first breaks through the all-time high of $555.45. Previous highs, especially all-time tops, can slow or stop a rally as some investors choose to sell at those points. Breaking through these resistance levels often leads to faster gains. However, with overall market volatility rising recently due to high oil prices and increasing bond yields, there are risks. If Microsoft’s price drops below the $465 to $480 range, it would mean the current rally has come to an end. Microsoft has not yet responded to requests for comment by email. Chart summary: Microsoft shares have bounced back sharply from June lows. If the all-time high of $555.45 is breached, the target zone may be between $700 and $750. A drop below the $465-$480 range would indicate the rally is over. (“Market Chartbook” is a daily column written by Reuters reporters. This commentary is based on technical analysis of financial charts to help evaluate the likelihood of future price moves, but does not guarantee outcomes. This column does not constitute investment or trading advice.) (For the convenience of non-English speakers, Reuters automatically translates its reports into several other languages. As automated translations may contain errors or lack required context, Reuters does not guarantee the accuracy of automated translation texts; they are provided solely for the reader’s convenience. Reuters assumes no responsibility for any damages or losses resulting from the use of automated translation services.)

Synectix became a substantial shareholder in LHT Holdings on Oct. 7, buying 1,723,490 shares at $0.75 each. Stake rose to 13,821,637 shares, equal to 25.96% of voting rights, from 12,098,147 shares, or 22.72%. Disclaimer: This news brief was created by Public Technologies (PUBT) using generative artificial intelligence. While PUBT strives to provide accurate and timely information, this AI-generated content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial, investment, or legal advice. LHT Holdings Limited published the original content used to generate this news brief via Singapore Exchange Limited (SGX) (Ref. ID: KYZJKXJTR0Q946F7) on October 08, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein.