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Salesforce (CRM) will release its fiscal 2025 second-quarter results after the bell Wednesday, with investors likely watching for improving operating margins and updates on artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives.

Analysts project revenue to grow to $9.24 billion from $8.6 billion a year ago, according to estimates compiled by Visible Alpha. Net income is expected to be $1.34 billion, or $1.36 per share, a rise from the year-ago period but down from the previous quarter.

After Salesforce's first-quarter results sent shares tumbling, raising concerns about the company's future growth, Deutsche Bank analysts said they expect investors to focus on operating margin, where they see a slight upside.

They wrote, "Investor sentiment on Salesforce leans more bearish vs. prior quarters" due to debates around margin potential, medium-term growth trajectory, and AI monetization. The analysts added they are "hard pressed to come away from the quarter changing viewpoints on GenAI monetization and revenue trajectory, though anticipate performance/commentary on margin will likely signal the margin opportunity" for the second half of the fiscal year and fiscal 2026.

According to Visible Alpha, analysts expect operating income to be $1.74 billion on $9.24 billion in revenue, which would translate to an operating margin of 18.8%.

Despite concerns about growth, some analysts highlighted Salesforce's potential for AI-related gains.

In a note titled "Don't Count Software Out of Gen-AI," Goldman Sachs analysts said that application software incumbents, like Salesforce, have developed Gen-AI products amid the AI boom.

The company likely will provide updates on its AI initiatives and customer adoption of its AI platform Einstein 1.

Salesforce shares were 0.8% lower at $261.83 in early trading Wednesday ahead of the company's earnings after the bell, and were little changed from the start of the year.

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Bitcoin (BTC) slumped overnight and is well below its March all-time high as investors search for the next catalyst to drive the price higher heading into a month when the pioneer cryptocurrency tends to underperform.

The cryptocurrency has only generated a positive return three times in the month over the last decade, according to data from crypto analytics site .

Bitcoin, which trades around 18% below its record set in early March, has struggled to gain traction in recent months as the January launch of spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and April’s halving event slip further into the rearview mirror.

Bitcoin was recently trading at around $60,000, after slipping below $59,000. The cryptocurrency traded at more than $73,000 in March.

Below, we’ll take a closer look at Bitcoin’s chart while turning to technical analysis to identify key price levels of interest.

Bitcoin’s price has traded within a descending channel since early July, with volumes on Coinbase (COIN) remaining mostly subdued throughout the pattern, indicating lackluster investment interest in the legacy cryptocurrency.

In another bearish development, the 50-day moving average crossed below the 200-day MA earlier this month to create a death cross, an appropriately named chart signal that cautions the start of a new downtrend. More recently, Bitcoin’s close on Tuesday below the 50-day MA will likely weigh on short-term momentum in the absence of a new bullish narrative.

Given the recent volatility in Bitcoin and other risk-on assets, investors should monitor these bull and bear case price levels in the world’s largest cryptocurrency.

An initial breakout above the descending channel’s upper trendline could see Bitcoin’s price move up to $68,500, an area where sellers may decide to bank profits near twin peaks that formed on the chart in July.

Further upside momentum may lead to a retest of $72,000, where the cryptocurrency’s price could meet selling pressure just under the all-time high (ATH) near a horizontal line linking a series of comparable trading levels between March and June.

Ongoing selling could see the price fall to around $53,000, a location where bulls may look for buying opportunities near a period of consolidation that formed during the cryptocurrency’s strong move higher from January to March.

A deeper correction may trigger a trending move down to $47,000. The area, which sits around 20% below Tuesday’s closing price, could find support from a range of prices positioned just below the January swing high.

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Video director TG Omori has said he’ll be up soon.

He made this promised after Kidney transplant surgery.

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Major U.S. equities indexes ticked higher ahead of a potentially consequential earnings report from semiconductor giant Nvidia (NVDA) as well as key inflation and economic data set for release later in the week.

The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq both closed Tuesday's session around 0.2% higher. The Dow's minimal gain of less than 0.1% was enough to secure a second straight record high at close for the blue-chip index.

Shares of medical device maker ResMed (RMD) logged the top performance of any stock in the S&P 500 on Tuesday, soaring 7.3%. A recent report from Transparency Market Research predicted a solid 8.5% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for the sleep apnea devices market, where ResMed is a major player. Researchers believe government efforts to regulate sleep disorders, improved diagnostic processes, and aging global populations will drive market growth. In addition, Zacks Equities Research recently highlighted ResMed as a top momentum stock, citing an ongoing uptrend combined with strong earnings fundamentals.

ResMed was not the only medical technology provider that enjoyed a positive trading day. Insulet (PODD) shares jumped 6.6% after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared the company's Omnipod 5 insulin pump for use by patients with type 2 diabetes. The approval makes Omnipod 5 the first automated insulin delivery system to receive a green light from regulators for managing both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Shares companies across the travel industry moved higher after Singapore-based travel platform Trip.com (TCOM) posted better-than-expected quarterly sales and profits, boosted by a growing number of travelers and strong cross-border demand in Chinese markets. In addition, a report by Zacks Equities Research said strong booking and pricing trends could drive near-term growth for cruise operators. Shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises (RCL), Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH), and Carnival (CCL) gained 4.3%, 3.6%, and 2.7%, respectively.

Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) shares tumbled 9.0%, suffering the steepest daily loss in the S&P 500. The pharmacy giant's stock dropped after Eli Lilly (LLY) announced plans to launch a cheaper version of its popular weight-loss treatment, which could have a negative impact on Walgreens sales. The company is also navigating challenges related to lower reimbursement rates for prescription drugs, as well as high levels of inflation and competition.

Paramount Global (PARA) shares slid 7.2% after reports media executive Edgar Bronfman Jr. withdrew his proposal to purchase the entertainment firm. Uncertainties about how he would finance the deal reportedly contributed to Bronfman's decision to abandon the bid. Following Bronfman's exit, Paramount now appears set to move forward with its previously agreed-upon deal to be acquired by production company Skydance Media.

Shares of building materials provider Martin Marietta Materials (MLM) sank 4.3%. Although Morgan Stanley boosted its price target on the stock, citing predicted strength in the U.S. cement market, reports of significant share sales by company insiders suggest a potential lack of confidence in the firm's upcoming performance. Shares of industry peer Vulcan Materials (VMC) were down 4.1% on the day.

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Shares of travel-industry companies moved higher on Tuesday, lifted by the news that Trip.com Group (TCOM), the largest online travel service in China, topped sales and profit estimates for the second quarter.

Signs of resilience in the Chinese travel market in Trip.com's report, driven by demand for cross-border travel, helped boost several U.S.-based travel stocks. Cruise operators Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH), Royal Caribbean Cruises (RCL), and Carnival (CCL) all rose, as did online travel platform Expedia (EXPE).

Trip.com reported a 14% year-over-year increase in revenue in the second quarter. A higher number of people traveling in China—especially in the periods surrounding holidays—contributed to the strong sales performance. The company generated sales growth across all its revenue categories: accommodation, transportation ticketing, package tours, and corporate travel.

Trip.com's American Depository Receipts (ADRs) soared 8.6% in Tuesday's session following the strong earnings results. The upbeat results and indications of buoyant travel demand helped brighten the outlook for travel companies in the U.S.

A report by Zacks Equities Research, published Tuesday, highlighted numerous positives for cruise operators, including robust demand, strong bookings, solid pricing, and increased onboard spending. Analysts believe these trends could help the major operators—Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival—achieve near-term growth.

Carnival on Tuesday announced the addition of new itineraries for seven of its ships set to sail in 2026 through 2027. Destinations include Half Moon Cay, a small private island in the Bahamas.

Meanwhile, Southwest Airlines, which also stands to benefit from improving travel demand, plans to meet with activist investor Elliott Investment Management on Sept. 6. Elliott remains committed to pushing for leadership changes at the airline. Its shares also rose today.

Travel platform Expedia beat quarterly estimates in its most recent report, released Aug. 8, boosted by strong demand in international markets. At the time, Expedia warned of challenging macroeconomic conditions and a potential weakening of demand, but the more recent strength from Trip.com could suggest a stabilization in the market.

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