Kohl’s Corp. $KSS delivered quarterly results that, while still negative, outperformed market consensus and offered respite amid recent internal disruptions. The retailer reported a 3.9% decline in comparable sales for the three months ending May 3. This contraction came in better than analysts expected, and outperformed Kohl’s own forecast of a 4–4.3% decrease. Net revenue landed at USD 3 billion, aligning with the average Wall Street estimate.

Microsoft Corp. $MSFT is once again approaching its peak valuation, reversing months of stagnation. The renewed momentum is tied directly to the strengthened performance of its Azure cloud division. Following a prolonged period of limited gains, Microsoft shares now sit just 1.5% below their record set in July 2024. This recovery aligns with a broader upswing in major US equity indices such as the S&P 500 $^SPX and Nasdaq 100 $^NDX, reflecting investor confidence in the technology sector.

NTT Docomo Inc., a major Japanese mobile operator, is reshaping its competitive positioning by acquiring a majority stake in SBI Sumishin Net Bank Ltd. This 420 billion JPY (2.9 billion USD) transaction is designed to reinforce Docomo’s financial services portfolio, enabling it to diversify beyond saturated telecom revenues and tap into Japan’s rapidly expanding digital banking sector.