1. AMD Announces Major Deal to Acquire ZT Systems
2. PANW Expands Collaboration with SLB
3. McDonald's Gets Price Target Hike by Evercore ISI

In today’s market, three notable stocks are making headlines due to significant corporate moves and analyst updates. Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD), Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ: PANW), and McDonald’s (NYSE: MCD) are all experiencing notable price movements and garnering investor attention for various reasons.

AMD Announces Major Deal to Acquire ZT Systems

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) announced a major acquisition today, sending its stock soaring. The chipmaker plans to acquire ZT Systems, a leading provider of AI infrastructure for hyperscale computing companies, in a cash and stock transaction valued at $4.9 billion. This strategic move aims to expand AMD’s data center AI systems capabilities and accelerate the deployment of optimized rack-scale solutions. AMD’s stock is currently trading at $153.47, up 3.31% on the news. The acquisition is expected to close in the first half of 2025 and be accretive on a non-GAAP basis by the end of that year. This move positions AMD to compete more effectively in the $400 billion data center AI accelerator market projected for 2027.

PANW Expands Collaboration with SLB

Palo Alto Networks (PANW) stock is rising following news of an expanded collaboration with SLB (formerly Schlumberger) to strengthen cybersecurity in the energy sector. The partnership will integrate Palo Alto Networks’ AI-powered cybersecurity platforms, including Prisma SASE, Prisma Cloud, and Cortex XSIAM, into SLB’s operations. PANW shares are up 1.87% to $340.36. This collaboration highlights the growing need for comprehensive cybersecurity solutions in the energy industry, which is undergoing rapid digital transformation. The partnership is expected to enhance SLB’s role as a digital partner for its customers while expanding Palo Alto Networks’ presence in the critical energy sector.

McDonald's Gets Price Target Hike by Evercore ISI

McDonald’s (MCD) stock is gaining ground after Evercore ISI raised its price target for the fast-food giant. The analysts increased their target from $300.00 to $320.00, maintaining an Outperform rating on the stock. This new target suggests a potential upside of 12.22% from the current price. MCD shares are trading at $286.83, up 2.99%. Despite the positive analyst sentiment, McDonald’s recent financial performance has been mixed. The company’s Q2 earnings of $2.97 per share missed estimates, and revenue of $6.49 billion was slightly below expectations. However, the overall analyst consensus remains positive, with 20 buy ratings and 11 hold ratings for the stock.

AMD, Palo Alto Networks, and McDonald's stocks are showing notable price movements and attracting investor attention due to significant corporate moves and analyst updates. Stay tuned for further developments on these fronts.