Market Newsdesk

May 28, 2026 11:58 am

Creating America’s First Transcontinental Railroad: STB Accepts Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern Merger Application

Creating America’s First Transcontinental Railroad: STB Accepts Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern Merger Application

OMAHA, Neb. & ATLANTA–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP) and Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) today applauded the Surface Transportation Board (STB)’s decision to accept their merger application, calling it an important step toward a reinvigorated, more competitive U.S. railroad industry. The companies acknowledged the STB’s request for additional information on their amended merger application, reiterating their commitment to work constructively with the STB.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260528154189/en/

“We are confident this merger will deliver more reliable and lower-cost transportation options for American businesses,” said Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena. “We submitted a comprehensive, data-driven application backed by a detailed plan for seamless integration. We look forward to the opportunity to show the facts and demonstrate the benefits for our customers, employees and America.”

“The time is right for a more competitive U.S. rail network that reduces costs for American shippers and consumers,” said Norfolk Southern President and CEO Mark George. “The added detail strengthened our analysis and enhanced integration planning in our amended application. We have more confidence than ever in the value this proposal will deliver for all stakeholders and look forward to a full and transparent review.”

Enhanced Competition and Public Benefits

The application’s analysis is the first in rail merger history to use 100% actual traffic data provided by all six North American Class I railroads, making it the most thorough assessment of market and operational impacts ever. Some of its key findings:

A transcontinental railroad will create a stronger alternative to long-haul trucking, removing an estimated 2.1 million truckloads off the road annually. Giving shippers an attractive new option will make the entire supply chain more competitive, putting downward pressure on truck and rail prices.
Manifest and bulk customers will save on inventory and equipment costs with the combined railroad’s faster, more reliable service.
Shifting freight from higher-cost trucks to lower-cost rail is projected to save shippers an estimated $3.5 billion annually, helping lower costs across the supply chain.
The merger will enhance competition by providing customers with access to seamless coast-to-coast rail service for the first time. For the limited group who will not directly benefit from a more competitive single-line option, Committed Gateway Pricing will allow more customers to share in the merger’s benefits.
The combined network is projected to drive growth that will require approximately 1,200 net new union jobs by the merger’s third year. This growth is in addition to an unprecedented jobs-for-life guarantee – every union employee with a job at the time of the merger will continue to have one.

Path Forward

The process now moves into the merits-based review, during which the STB’s procedures recognize the agency may request additional information. In fact, in a previous merger transaction for a Class I railroad, the STB paused the procedural schedule after acceptance to obtain supplemental information about the transaction before later approving the merger. Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern will continue working closely with the STB to provide the requested information and further strengthen the record. Under the governing statute, the STB has 12 months from the date it publishes its acceptance to complete its evidentiary proceedings, providing a clear and defined path forward regardless of the timing of individual steps.

Broad Support for a Transcontinental Railroad

More than 2,000 stakeholders have submitted letters of support for the application, including customers, labor organizations, short line railroads, ports and business groups who believe a seamless transcontinental railroad will strengthen the U.S. supply chain and improve rail competitiveness.

The two companies expect the transaction to be completed in mid-2027. For more information, visit AmericasGreatConnection.com.

About Union Pacific

Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) delivers the goods families and businesses use every day with safe, reliable, and efficient service. Operating in 23 western states, the company connects its customers and communities to the global economy. Trains are the most environmentally responsible way to move freight, helping Union Pacific protect future generations. More information about Union Pacific is available at www.up.com.

About Norfolk Southern

Since 1827, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) and its predecessor companies have safely moved the goods and materials that drive the U.S. economy. Today, it operates a 22-state freight transportation network. Committed to furthering sustainability, Norfolk Southern helps its customers avoid approximately 15 million tons of yearly carbon emissions by shipping via rail. Its dedicated team members deliver approximately 7 million carloads annually, from agriculture to consumer goods. Norfolk Southern also has the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern U.S. It serves a majority of the country’s population and manufacturing base, with connections to every major container port on the Atlantic coast as well as major ports across the Gulf Coast and Great Lakes. Learn more by visiting www.NorfolkSouthern.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this communication are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. These statements relate to future events or future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause Union Pacific’s, Norfolk Southern’s or the combined company’s actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements or those of the railroad industry to be materially different from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words like “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “pro forma,” or any variations or other comparable terminology.

While Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern have based these forward-looking statements on those expectations, assumptions, estimates, beliefs and projections they view as reasonable, such forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond Union Pacific’s, Norfolk Southern’s or the combined company’s control, including but not limited to, in addition to factors disclosed in Union Pacific’s and Norfolk Southern’s respective filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”): the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the right of one or both of the parties to terminate the definitive merger agreement between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern providing for the acquisition of Norfolk Southern by Union Pacific (the “Transaction”); the risk that potential legal proceedings may be instituted against Union Pacific or Norfolk Southern and result in significant costs of defense, indemnification or liability; the possibility that the Transaction does not close when expected or at all because required Surface Transportation Board or other approvals and other conditions to closing are not received or satisfied on a timely basis or at all (and the risk that such approvals may result in the imposition of conditions that could adversely affect the combined company or the expected benefits of the Transaction); the risk that the combined company will not realize expected benefits, cost savings, accretion, synergies and/or growth from the Transaction, or that such benefits may take longer to realize or be more costly to achieve than expected, including as a result of changes in, or problems arising from, general economic and market conditions, tariffs, interest and exchange rates, monetary policy, laws and regulations and their enforcement, and the degree of competition in the geographic and business areas in which Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern operate; disruption to the parties’ businesses as a result of the announcement and pendency of the Transaction; the costs associated with the anticipated length of time of the pendency of the Transaction, including the restrictions contained in the definitive merger agreement on the ability of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, respectively, to operate their respective businesses outside the ordinary course during the pendency of the Transaction; the diversion of Union Pacific’s and Norfolk Southern’s management’s attention and time from ongoing business operations and opportunities on merger-related matters; the risk that the integration of each party’s operations will be materially delayed or will be more costly or difficult than expected or that the parties are otherwise unable to successfully integrate each party’s businesses into the other’s businesses; the possibility that the Transaction may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events; reputational risk and potential adverse reactions of Union Pacific’s or Norfolk Southern’s customers, suppliers, employees, labor unions or other business partners, including those resulting from the announcement or completion of the Transaction; the dilution caused by Union Pacific’s issuance of additional shares of its common stock in connection with the consummation of the Transaction; the risk of a downgrade of the credit rating of Union Pacific’s indebtedness, which could give rise to an obligation to redeem existing indebtedness; a material adverse change in the financial condition of Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern or the combined company; changes in domestic or international economic, political or business conditions, including those impacting the transportation industry (including customers, employees and supply chains); Union Pacific’s, Norfolk Southern’s and the combined company’s ability to successfully implement its respective operational, productivity, and strategic initiatives; a significant adverse event on Union Pacific’s or Norfolk Southern’s network, including, but not limited to, a mainline accident, discharge of hazardous materials, or climate-related or other network outage; the outcome of claims, litigation, governmental proceedings and investigations involving Union Pacific or Norfolk Southern, including, in the case of Norfolk Southern, those with respect to the Eastern Ohio incident; the nature and extent of Norfolk Southern’s environmental remediation obligations with respect to the Eastern Ohio incident; new or additional governmental regulation and/or operational changes resulting from or related to the Eastern Ohio incident; and a cybersecurity incident or other disruption to our technology infrastructure.

This list of important factors is not intended to be exhaustive. These and other important factors, including those discussed under “Risk Factors” in Norfolk Southern’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, as filed with the SEC on February 9, 2026 (available at https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0000702165/000162828026006268/nsc-20251231.htm) and Norfolk Southern’s subsequent filings with the SEC, Union Pacific’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, as filed with the SEC on February 6, 2026 (available at https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/100885/000010088526000037/unp-20251231.htm) and Union Pacific’s subsequent filings with the SEC, may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. References to Union Pacific’s and Norfolk Southern’s website are provided for convenience and, therefore, information on or available through the website is not, and should not be deemed to be, incorporated by reference herein. The forward-looking statements herein are made only as of the date they were first issued, and unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law or regulation.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260528154189/en/

Union Pacific Media Inquiries:

[email protected]

Union Pacific Investor Inquiries:

Diana Prauner

402-544-4227 or [email protected]

Norfolk Southern Media Inquiries:

[email protected]

Norfolk Southern Investor Inquiries:

Investor Relations

KEYWORDS: Nebraska Georgia United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Rail Transport Logistics/Supply Chain Management Other Transport

MEDIA:

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May 28, 2026 11:43 am

MicroAlgo Inc. Develops Quantum Encryption Technology Based on Lattice Cryptography, Integrating into LSQb Algorithm’s Process of Information Hiding and Transmission to Achieve Anti-Quantum Attack Strategies Enhancement

PR Newswire

SHENZHEN, China, May 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — MicroAlgo Inc. (the “Company” or “MicroAlgo”) (NASDAQ: MLGO), today announced the development of quantum encryption technology based on lattice cryptography, integrating into the LSQb algorithm process of information hiding and transmission, achieving enhanced anti-quantum attack strategies. Lattice cryptography possesses high security in the face of quantum attacks, and through this integration, it can provide stronger attack resistance for the LSQb algorithm, ensuring the security of information in complex quantum computing environments.

Lattice cryptography is a cryptographic method based on mathematical lattice structures, possessing the unique advantage of maintaining high security in quantum computing environments. By combining lattice cryptography with the LSQb algorithm, MicroAlgo aims to build a more secure and reliable quantum information hiding and transmission system.

Quantum Image Preprocessing: Before embedding information into a quantum image, the quantum image undergoes preprocessing. This step includes denoising, enhancement, and format conversion of the image to ensure the accuracy and reliability of subsequent information embedding. Through advanced quantum image processing techniques, key features of the quantum image are extracted, providing strong support for subsequent information hiding and transmission.

Secret Information Encoding and Embedding: After preprocessing is completed, the secret information is encoded into a sequence of quantum bits and embedded into the least significant quantum bits of the quantum image using the LSQb algorithm. In this process, the superposition and entanglement properties of quantum bits are fully utilized to achieve efficient information hiding. Meanwhile, to ensure the security of the information, complex encoding and embedding strategies are adopted to prevent information leakage or tampering during transmission.

Quantum Encryption Based on Lattice Cryptography: After embedding the information into the quantum image, quantum encryption technology based on lattice cryptography is used to encrypt the quantum image. This step aims to further enhance the security of the information, preventing unauthorized access and leakage. The adopted lattice cryptography algorithm possesses a high degree of complexity and unpredictability, capable of resisting various quantum attack methods. Through this encryption process, the security and reliability of the quantum image during transmission are ensured.

Quantum Information Transmission and Decryption: After encryption is completed, the quantum image is transmitted to the target node via a quantum network. During the transmission process, various quantum error correction and redundant encoding techniques are employed to ensure the integrity and reliability of the information. After the target node receives the quantum image, the corresponding decryption algorithm is used to decrypt the quantum image, thereby recovering the original secret information.

From the perspective of security, lattice cryptography provides it with strong resistance to quantum attacks. In the face of potential threats from quantum computers, traditional encryption algorithms may be vulnerable, but lattice cryptography, with its complex mathematical structure, can effectively resist attacks and ensure information security. Compared to the standalone LSQb algorithm, the integrated technology achieves a qualitative leap in security.

In terms of stability, the error-correcting capability of lattice cryptography makes information transmission more stable. Even when subjected to disturbances such as quantum channel noise, it can ensure the accurate transmission of information. This advantage makes the technology more reliable in practical applications, ensuring secure information transmission in both laboratory environments and complex real-world scenarios.

In the field of quantum network security, MicroAlgo’s technology can be used to build more secure quantum information hiding and transmission systems. By embedding secret information into quantum images and encrypting them using quantum encryption technology based on lattice cryptography, secure transmission of information in quantum networks can be ensured. This application is of great significance for protecting sensitive information and preventing information leakage.

In the future, as quantum computing technology continues to develop and improve, MicroAlgo’s technology will integrate with other quantum information technologies to form a more comprehensive quantum information processing system. Such a system will not only have higher security and reliability but also possess stronger computational capabilities and processing speeds.

About MicroAlgo Inc.
MicroAlgo Inc. (the “MicroAlgo”), a Cayman Islands exempted company, is dedicated to the development and application of bespoke central processing algorithms. MicroAlgo provides comprehensive solutions to customers by integrating central processing algorithms with software or hardware, or both, thereby helping them to increase the number of customers, improve end-user satisfaction, achieve direct cost savings, reduce power consumption, and achieve technical goals. The range of MicroAlgo’s services includes algorithm optimization, accelerating computing power without the need for hardware upgrades, lightweight data processing, and data intelligence services. MicroAlgo’s ability to efficiently deliver software and hardware optimization to customers through bespoke central processing algorithms serves as a driving force for MicroAlgo’s long-term development.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of MicroAlgo, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of MicroAlgo’s periodic reports on Forms 10-K and 8-K filed with the SEC. Copies are available on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. Words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “budget,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “believes,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, MicroAlgo’s expectations with respect to future performance and anticipated financial impacts of the business transaction.

MicroAlgo undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as may be required by law.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/microalgo-inc-develops-quantum-encryption-technology-based-on-lattice-cryptography-integrating-into-lsqb-algorithms-process-of-information-hiding-and-transmission-to-achieve-anti-quantum-attack-strategies-enhancement-302784683.html

SOURCE MicroAlgo Inc.

May 28, 2026 11:41 am

Penelope Bourbon Expands Ready-to-Pour Lineup with Blackberry Old Fashioned

PR Newswire

The newest release arrives just in time for summer to elevate at-home gatherings

ST. LOUIS, May 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Summer is here for Penelope Bourbon, one of the fastest-growing premium whiskey brands today, as it introduces Blackberry Old Fashioned, the newest addition to its collection of award-winning ready-to-pour cocktails.

Crafted for easy enjoyment, from backyard gatherings to relaxed evenings with friends, Penelope Blackberry Old Fashioned features a blend of straight bourbon and rye whiskey, orange bitters, and blackberry simple syrup for a vibrant, fruit-forward take on the classic cocktail. The new offering continues the brand’s focus on delivering convenient, high-quality cocktail experiences while maintaining a bar-quality profile suited for any occasion.

“We’re continuing to see consumers gravitate toward elevated ready-to-pour cocktails that deliver on both quality and convenience,” said Michael Paladini, Founder and Vice President of Strategy at Penelope Bourbon. “Our Blackberry Old Fashioned brings a fresh, fruit-forward element to a timeless cocktail while staying rooted in the whiskey character that defines Penelope.”

Bottled at 76 proof, Penelope Blackberry Old Fashioned balances bright berry notes with layers of vanilla, oak, citrus, and warm spice. Designed to be served simply over ice, the cocktail offers an approachable and consistent experience suited for a variety of occasions.

“An Old Fashioned is one of those cocktails people already know and love, so we wanted to put our own spin on it in a way that still felt approachable and true to Penelope,” said Danny Polise, Founder and Master Blender of Penelope Bourbon. “The blackberry brings a fresh and familiar layer without taking away from the bourbon and rye at the core. You still get that classic foundation with a little something unexpected. It’s balanced, easy to drink, and keeps the focus on the whiskey.”

Penelope Blackberry Old Fashioned (SRP $29.99 per bottle) will be available at select retailers nationwide starting this month and is available to purchase at PenelopeBourbon.com.

ABOUT PENELOPE BOURBON
Founded in 2018, Penelope Bourbon has become one of the fastest-growing award-winning premium whiskey brands. We offer a range of uniquely blended and finished straight bourbon and whiskey expressions known for their smoothness and rich flavor, and premium handcrafted ready-to-serve cocktails. Our products have won many spirits industry awards including Best In Class finalist and a Double Gold medal for Toasted at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Wheated earned a Double Platinum medal and Peach Old Fashioned and Black Walnut Old Fashioned ready-to-pour cocktails earned Platinum medals at the 2025 ASCOT Awards. We continue to innovate within our Cooper Series, Limited Releases and Estate Collection to further establish our place among the top premium whiskey brands and prove that with passion, dedication, and love, anything is possible. For more information, visit PenelopeBourbon.com and follow on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

ABOUT LUXCO
Founded in St. Louis in 1958 by the Lux family, Luxco is a leading producer, supplier, importer and bottler of beverage alcohol products with a mission to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of consumers, associates and business partners. Luxco operates as MGP Ingredients Inc. (Nasdaq: MGPI) Branded Spirits division since its acquisition in 2021. The company’s extensive and award-winning premium portfolio includes brands from four distilleries: Ross & Squibb Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, where Penelope and Remus bourbon are produced; Bardstown, Kentucky-based Lux Row Distillers, home of Rebel, Ezra Brooks, and Blood Oath bourbons; Lebanon, Kentucky-based Limestone Branch Distillery, maker of Yellowstone Bourbon; and Arandas, Mexico-based Destiladora Gonzalez Lux, producer of 100% agave tequilas including Cortada, El Mayor, Escasa and Exotico. For more information, visit Luxco.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/penelope-bourbon-expands-ready-to-pour-lineup-with-blackberry-old-fashioned-302784706.html

SOURCE Penelope Bourbon

May 28, 2026 11:30 am

H.B. Fuller Advances Sustainable Packaging, Enhancing Barrier Coating Solutions, with VerdaFresh, New Advanced Oxygen Barrier Technology

H.B. Fuller Advances Sustainable Packaging, Enhancing Barrier Coating Solutions, with VerdaFresh, New Advanced Oxygen Barrier Technology

VADNAIS HEIGHTS, Minn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
H.B. Fuller Company (NYSE: FUL) today announced a strategic investment in advanced oxygen barrier technology. VerdaFresh enhances the company’s already strong barrier coating offerings with a high-performance solution, accelerating the shift to fully recyclable packaging.

VerdaFresh’s proprietary, recycler-friendly technology integrates directly into H.B. Fuller’s barrier coating portfolio, eliminating the need for EVOH and other non-recyclable or hard-to-recycle barrier layers. The solution enables mono-material structures that are significantly easier to recycle, reduces overall material use, and supports a lower environmental footprint across the packaging lifecycle—all while maintaining the shelf life and protection required for food and consumer goods.

“This is about removing the biggest obstacles to recyclable packaging,” said Jim East, executive vice president of H.B. Fuller’s Hygiene, Health and Consumable (HHC) business. “This coating solution expands our already robust portfolio, enabling simpler, more recyclable packaging designs that reduce waste, lower carbon impact, and meet rising regulatory and consumer expectations, without compromise.”

Beyond sustainability gains, the technology also streamlines structures and reduces reliance on costly, multi-layer materials, helping customers achieve both environmental and economic benefits in a single solution.

The new capability positions H.B. Fuller to lead the transition toward circular, high-performance packaging.

About H.B. Fuller

As the largest pureplay adhesives company in the world, H.B. Fuller’s (NYSE: FUL) innovative, functional coatings, adhesives and sealants enhance the quality, safety and performance of products people use every day. Founded in 1887, with 2025 revenue of $3.5 billion, our mission to Connect What Matters is brought to life by more than 7,100 global team members who collaborate with customers across more than 30 market segments in 150 countries to develop highly specified solutions that enable customers to bring world-changing innovations to their end markets. Learn more at www.hbfuller.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260528980970/en/

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: United States North America Minnesota

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Packaging Recycling Chemicals/Plastics Environment Sustainability Manufacturing Other Manufacturing

MEDIA:

May 28, 2026 11:25 am

AI Is Rewriting How Brands Reach Customers — and How They Defend Themselves. This Small-Cap NASDAQ Stock Is Quietly Betting on Both

PR Newswire

Issued on behalf of Digital Brands Group, Inc.

Digital Brands Group (NASDAQ: DBGI) just announced a new AI brand protection collaboration with a globally recognized outdoor performance label — its latest step in a deliberate pivot from apparel operator to AI-enabled platform.

NEW YORK, May 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Equity Insider News Commentary – Two AI stories are unfolding inside consumer brands at the same time. The first is well-known: AI agents are starting to do the shopping. According to Adobe Analytics, AI-driven traffic to U.S. retail sites jumped roughly 693% year-over-year during the 2025 holiday shopping season, and McKinsey now estimates the global agentic commerce opportunity could reach $3 trillion to $5 trillion by 2030. The second story is quieter but in many ways more urgent: the same AI tools that are reshaping discovery are also being used by counterfeiters and bad actors to scale brand abuse, fake listings, and IP infringement at levels traditional enforcement was never built for. The most recent OECD-EUIPO data estimates the global trade in fake goods at roughly $467 billion, and industry reporting suggests that as much as 83% of online counterfeiting now flows through social and e-commerce channels.

Most public companies are picking one of those two stories to chase. One small-cap NASDAQ name has been steadily building toward both.

On May 28, 2026, Digital Brands Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: DBGI) announced a new strategic AI and brand protection collaboration with a globally recognized outdoor performance apparel brand. The release describes the partner as one of the leading premium outdoor brands worldwide — known for technical outerwear, an innovation-driven product ecosystem, and significant international retail presence. The initiative is being supported through DBG’s existing relationship with SECUR3D Inc., the Vancouver-based AI brand protection company whose technology is expected to assist in identifying unauthorized digital assets, counterfeit-related listings, and broader online intellectual property concerns across digital marketplaces and emerging online channels.

“
This collaboration represents another important step in Digital Brands Group’s broader technology strategy,
” said Hil Davis, CEO of Digital Brands Group.
“
We believe AI-powered tools will become increasingly important as global brands continue navigating rapidly evolving digital commerce environments. Our goal is to continue building relationships and technology partnerships that create meaningful long-term value across the broader retail and consumer brand landscape.
“

Why it matters: the new collaboration is not the first signal of where DBG is headed — it’s the latest in a clearly accelerating sequence.

In November 2025, Digital Brands Group introduced SECUR3D and its AssetSafe platform as the anchor of an AI-driven brand protection ecosystem. In March 2026, the Company released early data from its first major SECUR3D deployment — a partnership with retro backpack brand Herschel Supply Co. — where the initial scan phase alone identified counterfeit activity tied to an estimated $500,000 in losses from unauthorized listings and brand misuse. Just last week, DBG announced a separate partnership with applied AI company Renov AI, supported by the MITACS innovation ecosystem, to advance data intelligence, automation, and analytics across the Company’s brand protection and eCommerce roadmap.

Layered together, those moves describe a company that started as a digitally native vertical apparel brand and is being rebuilt — partnership by partnership — into something closer to an AI infrastructure play for modern consumer brands. The DTC apparel business gives the technology a live operating environment. The technology gives the apparel business a thesis institutional investors don’t typically associate with small-cap fashion tickers.

Founded in Vancouver, BC, SECUR3D is an AI-powered brand and intellectual property protection company helping brands, creators, and platforms detect and protect digital assets across online marketplaces and digital ecosystems. Through its proprietary technology suite — including AssetSafe, Sentry, and Sherlock AI — SECUR3D delivers an end-to-end protection layer for detecting unauthorized IP use, monitoring infringement risk, supporting enforcement intelligence, and preserving brand integrity and consumer trust across fashion, entertainment, gaming, and digital commerce.

Digital Brands Group has signaled that this is the direction of travel. The Company sees AI-powered infrastructure and monitoring technologies becoming increasingly important for global brands seeking to protect intellectual property, strengthen digital trust, and better manage large-scale online retail environments — and intends to continue exploring a broader suite of AI partnerships across digital commerce, brand protection, operational intelligence, customer engagement, and emerging online ecosystems.

DBG is operating in a category where capital is concentrated, the public-market opportunity is narrow, and large software incumbents are now openly competing on AI commerce and AI security positioning. A handful of NYSE- and NASDAQ-listed names have been moving in adjacent corners of the same opportunity over the last several weeks.

Other Public Names Moving in the AI Commerce and Brand Protection Stack

Klaviyo (NYSE: KVYO) reported its first-quarter 2026 results on May 6, 2026, with revenue of $358 million (up 28% year-over-year), GAAP net income of $9 million (versus a $14 million net loss a year earlier), and a full-year revenue outlook raised to a range of $1.514 billion to $1.522 billion. The B2C marketing platform also introduced new AI capabilities through Custom Skills for its Customer Agent product, positioning itself as what it describes as an “Autonomous B2C CRM.” On May 7, 2026, Klaviyo separately announced an expanded integration with Anthropic, extending its Model Context Protocol (MCP) server across Claude.ai and Claude Cowork to bring agentic marketing workflows directly into the AI tools brands are increasingly adopting.

Shopify (NYSE: SHOP) has been one of the most aggressive incumbents in agentic commerce. Speaking on the Company’s Q1 2026 earnings call, President Harley Finkelstein highlighted that AI-driven traffic to Shopify stores ran roughly 8x year-over-year in Q1 2026, while orders from AI-powered searches were up 13-fold. As of March 2026, Shopify made its Agentic Storefronts generally available to millions of merchants, giving them out-of-the-box access to major AI channels including ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, AI Mode in Google Search, and the Gemini app, all managed from the Shopify Admin.

Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ: PANW) has been pushing harder into AI-era trust and identity. On May 12, 2026, the cybersecurity leader unveiled Idira, a next-generation identity security platform designed for AI enterprises, with capabilities aimed at discovering, controlling, and governing human, machine, and agentic identities. Around the same time, the Company highlighted a frontier AI-focused partnership with Armadin that adds autonomous, AI-based offensive testing to its Unit 42 Frontier AI Defense stack — reinforcing PANW’s positioning at the center of AI-era cyber defense for enterprises.

AppLovin (NASDAQ: APP) reported first-quarter 2026 revenue of $1.84 billion and net income of $1.21 billion in early May, beating consensus estimates and prompting bullish target revisions from UBS, Deutsche Bank, Macquarie, Wedbush, Oppenheimer, and Jefferies. The Company guided Q2 revenue to a range of $1.915 billion to $1.945 billion, with adjusted EBITDA of $1.615 billion to $1.645 billion — both above Street expectations. AppLovin’s AXON AI advertising engine remains the core growth driver, with the Company also announcing that AXON will open to all advertisers worldwide in June 2026 — a shift management has described as ending more than a decade of operating AXON as a closed system.

A Different Way to Get Public-Market Exposure

Most of the well-known names in AI brand protection — MarqVision, Red Points, BrandShield, Corsearch — remain private. The publicly traded names sitting nearest to the theme are large-cap incumbents like Shopify, Klaviyo, Palo Alto Networks, and AppLovin, each playing different positions on the same AI-meets-commerce field. What makes Digital Brands Group unusual is the angle of attack: a small-cap NASDAQ ticker that is layering AI brand protection (SECUR3D), applied AI engineering (Renov AI), and AI-powered influencer marketing (Aha, formerly HeadAI) on top of a real direct-to-consumer apparel operating business that serves as the proving ground.

The newly announced collaboration with a globally recognized outdoor performance brand adds a high-visibility validation customer in a category — premium technical outerwear — that has been a long-standing target for counterfeiters. If the Herschel scan-phase data is any indication of what the AssetSafe platform can identify at scale, the new partnership could become an important reference deployment as DBG continues onboarding additional brands into the AI brand protection ecosystem it is building.

The Company has said its strategy is to continue building relationships and technology partnerships that create long-term value across the broader retail and consumer brand landscape. For investors looking for an unusual public-market angle on AI in commerce — one that touches both the growth side (how brands reach customers) and the defense side (how brands protect themselves) — that roadmap is one of the more differentiated setups on NASDAQ heading into the second half of 2026.

CONTINUED READING: To learn more about Digital Brands Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: DBGI), visit https://ir.digitalbrandsgroup.co.

CONTACT:
Equity Insider
Email: [email protected]
604-265-2873

Article Sources:

[1] Digital Brands Group, Inc. – “Digital Brands Group Advances Enterprise AI Strategy Through Collaboration with Globally Recognized Outdoor Apparel Brand,” May 28, 2026.

[2] Digital Brands Group, Inc. – “Digital Brands Group Expands Suite of eCommerce Tools Through Partnerships With SECUR3D,” November 14, 2025. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/11/14/3188348/0/en/Digital-Brands-Group-Expands-Suite-of-eCommerce-Tools-Through-Partnerships-With-SECUR3D.html

[3] Consumer Goods Technology – “Herschel Supply Co., Digital Brands Group Fight Counterfeiting With AI,” March 27, 2026. https://consumergoods.com/herschel-supply-co-digital-brands-group-fight-counterfeiting-ai

[4] Shopify – “Agentic Commerce on Shopify: How It Works (2026),” April 2026. https://www.shopify.com/blog/how-agentic-commerce-works

[5] Anaqua – “Using AI to Protect Brands from Counterfeiting in E-Commerce,” citing 2025 OECD figure of $467 billion in global trade in fake goods. https://www.anaqua.com/resource/using-ai-to-protect-brands-from-counterfeiting-in-e-commerce/

[6] Investing.com – “Klaviyo Q1 2026 slides: AI push drives beat, margins hit record high,” May 5, 2026. https://www.investing.com/news/company-news/klaviyo-q1-2026-slides-ai-push-drives-beat-margins-hit-record-high-93CH-4661437

[7] eMarketer – “Shopify expects agentic commerce to lift ecommerce adoption,” citing Q1 2026 earnings call. https://www.emarketer.com/content/shopify-expects-agentic-commerce-lift-ecommerce-adoption

[8] Palo Alto Networks – “Palo Alto Networks Introduces Idira: the Next-Generation Identity Security Platform Built for the AI Enterprise,” May 12, 2026. https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/company/press/2026/palo-alto-networks-introduces-idira–the-next-generation-identity-security-platform-built-for-the-ai-enterprise

[9] Simply Wall St – “AppLovin’s AI-Fueled Profit Surge and Capital Moves Could Be A Game Changer For AppLovin (APP),” May 2026. https://simplywall.st/stocks/us/software/nasdaq-app/applovin/news/applovins-ai-fueled-profit-surge-and-capital-moves-could-be

[10] StocksToTrade – “APP Stock Jumps As Street Embraces Ad-Tech Growth Story,” May 27, 2026. https://stockstotrade.com/news/applovin-corporation-app-news-2026_05_27-2/

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May 28, 2026 11:08 am

Water Quality Reports Available Online for Iowa American Water Customers

PR Newswire

Reports show drinking water in all service areas meets quality standards

DAVENPORT, Iowa, May 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Iowa American Water announced today that its most recent Water Quality Reports are now available for all service areas on its website at iowaamwater.com/wqreports. The company is proud to report that once again, the drinking water provided to over 225,000 people in Iowa meets or surpasses both state and federal water quality standards for all regulated substances, including lead.

“At Iowa American Water, our mission is to provide safe, clean, reliable, and affordable water our customers can trust every time they turn on the tap,” said Brad Nielsen, President of Iowa American Water. “These annual reports give customers a clear, transparent look at the quality of their water, where it comes from and how we work every day to protect the sources that keep our communities flowing.”

Annual water quality reports, also known as “consumer confidence reports,” detail the quality of water that the company provides to its customers using data collected from water quality testing in its local systems in the previous year, most recently between January and December 2025. It highlights the compounds detected in treated drinking water in comparison to the compliance standards established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). To enhance education and transparency, the report also includes results of tests conducted on certain unregulated compounds in areas where they are present.

“We take pride in the work our team does every day to deliver high-quality water service”, Nielsen added. “Our water quality reports are one more way we demonstrate our commitment to our customers.”

Customers can access the water quality report specific to their area by visiting iowaamwater.com/wqreports and searching by zip code. Printed copies of the report are also available to customers who do not wish to access it online. Customers can call the company’s customer service center at 866-641-2108, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., to request a hard copy of their local report.

To learn more about Iowa American Water’s commitment to water education, environmental stewardship, and quality service, visit: https://www.amwater.com/iaaw/Water-Wastewater-Information/watershed-protection

About American Water

American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886 and celebrating 140 years in 2026, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to approximately 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water’s approximately 7,000 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.

For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.

About Iowa American Water

Iowa American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest regulated water utility in the state with approximately 85 dedicated employees working to provide safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services to approximately 225,000 people.

For more information, visit iowaamwater.com and follow Iowa American Water on Facebook, X and LinkedIn.

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May 28, 2026 11:03 am

Blue Ops Ramps into Full-Rate Production of U.S.-Built Variant 7, Advancing Red Cat’s Autonomy Stack Across Air, Land and Sea

SALT LAKE CITY, May 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: RCAT) (“Red Cat” or the “Company”), a U.S.-based provider of advanced all-domain drone and robotic solutions for defense and national security, today announced that its maritime division, Blue Ops, is ramping into full-rate production of the Variant 7 (V7) uncrewed surface vessel (“USV”), a maritime autonomy platform designed, built and assembled in the United States for U.S. and allied defense missions.

The Variant 7 is a mission-adaptable USV powered by a Steyr engine and integrated with a domestic autonomy, command-and-control, communications, and mission systems stack. As the U.S. -developed platform advanced from early prototype to production, Blue Ops prioritized U.S.-made and NDAA-compliant components across its navigation, control, marine hardware and perception systems, reflecting its commitment to domestic research and development, manufacturing, trusted supply chains and scalable production.

“Blue Ops is moving Variant 7 into full-rate production because the mission demand is here now,” said Barry Hinckley, President of Blue Ops. “This platform brings together U.S. boatbuilding expertise, a modern tech stack that was designed and developed domestically, and a defense-ready supply chain for customers who cannot compromise on origin, reliability, or adaptability. We designed Variant 7 to be built at scale and configured for the missions our customers face.”

The production launch builds on more than 250 years of U.S. maritime excellence, from the shipyards and seafaring traditions that helped establish the United States as a global maritime power to the modern defense industrial base now shaping autonomous systems. V7 is designed in Maine, manufactured in both Maine and Valdosta, Georgia, and supported by extensive research, development and testing in West Palm Beach, Florida. Blue Ops’ prototype work was supported by Hodgdon Shipbuilding, the oldest continuously operated shipbuilder in America, and reflects the Hinckley Yacht family’s 98-year legacy as premier quality boatbuilders.

Engineered for real-world maritime operations, V7 is designed for sea state endurance, maintainability, survivability, operational simplicity, and long-term mission reliability. The platform supports missions including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; force protection; harbor and coastal security; contested logistics; and payload-adaptable operations for U.S. and allied forces.

V7 is built around Modular Open Systems Architecture (“MOSA”) principles, enabling customers to configure payloads, sensors, communications, and mission systems based on operational requirements. The platform is designed to integrate with leading U.S. technology and manufacturing partners, including Allen Control Systems, Quaze, Kymeta, HADDY and other U.S. and allied defense technology providers, giving customers flexibility while preserving supply chain integrity.

Blue Ops’ autonomy roadmap is further strengthened by Red Cat’s acquisition of Apium Swarm Robotics, a California-based developer of distributed control systems for autonomous swarming drones and USVs. Apium will continue developing its multi-agent autonomy architecture for integration with the V7 and Red Cat’s Family of Systems, supporting coordinated operations across air, land, and sea.

The move into full-rate production comes as federal policy increasingly prioritizes the revitalization of the U.S. maritime industrial base and the rapid fielding of autonomous systems across multiple domains. V7 adds a maritime platform to Red Cat’s Family of Systems, expanding the Company’s ability to deliver modular, mission-adaptable robotic capabilities aligned with White House maritime industrial priorities and the Department of Defense’s demand for scalable autonomous systems.

About Red Cat Holdings, Inc.

Red Cat (Nasdaq: RCAT) is a U.S.-based provider of advanced all-domain drone and robotic solutions for defense and national security. Through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Teal Drones and FlightWave Aerospace, Red Cat develops American-made hardware and software that support military, government, and public safety operations across air, land, and sea. Its Family of Systems, led by Black Widow™, delivers unmatched tactical capabilities in small, unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS). Expanding into the maritime domain through Blue Ops, Inc., Red Cat is also innovating in uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), delivering integrated platforms designed to enhance safety and multi-domain mission effectiveness. Learn more at www.redcat.red.

Safe Harbor Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “seek,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “target,” “aim,” “should,” “will” “would,” or the negative of these words or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to our intended use of proceeds from the offering, annual revenue guidance, future manufacturing capacities and future market demand. Forward-looking statements are based on Red Cat Holdings, Inc.’s current expectations and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Further, certain forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully in the section titled “Risk Factors” in the Form 10-KT filed with the SEC on March 19, 2026 and the Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 7, 2026, Red Cat’s preliminary prospectus supplement filed with the SEC and the other filings that Red Cat makes with the SEC. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date, and Red Cat undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.

Investor Contact:
Ankit Hira
Solebury Strategic Communications for Red Cat Holdings, Inc.
E-mail: [email protected]

Media Contact:
Peter Moran
Phone: (347) 880-2895
Email: [email protected]

May 28, 2026 11:03 am

Pemvidutide Demonstrates Significant Metabolic Improvements in Patients with MASH in New 48‑Week IMPACT Phase 2b Data Presented at EASL 2026

“Best of EASL” oral presentation highlights meaningful reductions in triglycerides, cholesterol, and blood pressure, along with improvements in key metabolic risk factors

PERFORMA Phase 3 trial to further evaluate the broad metabolic and liver-related effects of pemvidutide

GAITHERSBURG, Md., May 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Altimmune, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALT), a late clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing pemvidutide to address serious liver diseases, today announced that new 48-week data from the IMPACT Phase 2b trial show that pemvidutide, an investigational balanced glucagon/GLP-1 dual receptor agonist, significantly reduced elevated lipids while improving multiple cardiometabolic risk factors in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). The findings demonstrated reductions in triglycerides and total cholesterol, along with improvements in weight, waist circumference and blood pressure, highlighting the broad impact of pemvidutide on key drivers of MASH. The data were presented for the first time at the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) Congress 2026 in Barcelona, Spain.

“MASH therapies that can address both liver disease and its underlying metabolic drivers are urgently needed to improve outcomes for patients,” said Mazen Noureddin, M.D., IMPACT trial principal investigator, Professor of Medicine at Houston Methodist Hospital, and Chief Scientific Officer and Co-Chairman of Summit Clinical Research. “These 48-week IMPACT trial findings are particularly compelling because they demonstrate meaningful reductions in liver fat and fibrosis biomarkers, and in lipids elevated at baseline, alongside improvements in weight and other cardiometabolic risk factors. In patients with MASH, where cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of mortality, seeing this type of broad metabolic impact is highly relevant to overall patient outcomes.”

Highlights of the 48-week data presented at EASL 2026 include:

Pemvidutide 1.8 mg treatment resulted in significant reductions in serum lipid levels among patients with elevated baseline values versus placebo, including:

Triglycerides reductions of -23.7%
Total cholesterol reductions of -15.4%

In addition to lipids, pemvidutide 1.8 mg treatment resulted in significant improvements in other metabolic risk factors versus placebo:

Weight loss of 7.5%, continuing throughout treatment with no plateauing
Reductions in body mass index of -3.0 kg/m²
Reductions in waist circumference (a measure of visceral adiposity that is associated with increased cardiovascular risk) of -5.3 cm
Improvements in systolic blood pressure of -4.0 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure of -2.2 mmHg

Results also showed that the safety profile of pemvidutide was maintained at 48 weeks, and the tolerability profile was generally favorable without dose titration. Approximately 1% of total patients receiving pemvidutide discontinued treatment due to adverse events (AEs). The majority of AEs were mild to moderate, and no imbalances in cardiac AEs were observed with pemvidutide versus placebo. Most gastrointestinal AEs were mild to moderate in severity and predominantly occurred within the first 8 weeks.

Previously reported IMPACT Phase 2b trial results showed the proportion of patients achieving both a ≥0.5 reduction in Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELF) and a ≥30% reduction in Liver Stiffness Measurement (LSM) at week 48 was 3.2% with placebo, compared with 27.8% for pemvidutide 1.2 mg (p<0.001) and 32.4% for pemvidutide 1.8 mg (p<0.0001).

“These new 48-week results highlight the breadth of the impact of pemvidutide across some of the most critical cardiometabolic risk factors, including lipids, weight and blood pressure,” said Christophe Arbet-Engels, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer of Altimmune. “Across multiple analyses, we are seeing consistent data that reinforce our confidence in the unique mechanism of pemvidutide – a balanced 1:1 ratio of glucagon and GLP-1 – and its potential to address significant unmet needs in this patient population. Given the promising findings from the IMPACT Phase 2b trial, we are eager to initiate our PERFORMA Phase 3 trial later this year to further assess the efficacy and safety of pemvidutide in patients with MASH.”

About the IMPACT Phase 2b Study

The randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind IMPACT Phase 2b trial (NCT05989711) enrolled 212 participants with biopsy-confirmed metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and fibrosis stages F2 or F3, with and without diabetes. Study participants were randomized 1:2:2 to receive weekly subcutaneous pemvidutide doses at either 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg or placebo for 48 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoints, measured at 24 weeks, were MASH resolution without worsening of fibrosis, or fibrosis improvement without worsening of MASH. Secondary endpoints included non-invasive tests of fibrosis and weight loss measured at 24 and 48 weeks.

About Pemvidutide

Pemvidutide is a novel, investigational peptide with balanced 1:1 glucagon/GLP-1 dual receptor agonist activity, in development for the treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), alcohol use disorder (AUD) and alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD). The activation of glucagon receptors results in direct effects on the liver, including reductions in liver fat, inflammation and fibrosis, while GLP-1 receptors mediate metabolic effects such as appetite suppression and weight loss.

The FDA granted Fast Track designations to pemvidutide for the treatment of MASH and AUD, as well as Breakthrough Therapy Designation for MASH. In December 2025, the Company announced 48-week data from the IMPACT Phase 2b trial in MASH. The RECLAIM Phase 2 trial in AUD completed enrollment in November 2025 and topline data are expected in third quarter 2026. The RESTORE trial in ALD was initiated in July 2025, and enrollment completion is expected in the third quarter 2026. The Company plans to initiate the PERFORMA Phase 3 trial, a multinational, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study of pemvidutide in patients with MASH in the second half of 2026.

About Altimmune

Altimmune is a late clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing therapies for patients with serious liver diseases. The Company’s lead candidate, pemvidutide, is a unique dual-action investigational therapy targeting both glucagon and GLP-1 receptors in a balanced 1:1 ratio in development for the treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), alcohol use disorder (AUD) and alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD). For more information, please visit www.altimmune.com.

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Forward-Looking Statements

Any statements made in this press release related to the development or commercialization of pemvidutide, an investigational product candidate, and other business, regulatory and financial matters including without limitation, clinical trial study design, status, correspondence, results and data, including the completed IMPACT and planned PERFORMA Phase 3 trials, the timing of key milestones for the Company’s clinical programs, including the anticipated launch of the PERFORMA Phase 3 trial in MASH, future plans or expectations for pemvidutide for the treatment of MASH, AUD and ALD, the potential benefits of Fast Track and Breakthrough Therapy Designations, including potential regulatory timeline and approval benefits, the Company’s financial position, and the prospects for receiving regulatory approval or commercializing or selling any product or drug candidates are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In addition, when or if used in this press release, the words “may,” “could,” “should,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “predict” and similar expressions and their variants, as they relate to Altimmune, Inc. may identify forward-looking statements. The Company cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties, which change over time. Important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements or historical experience include risks and uncertainties, including risks relating to: delays in regulatory review, manufacturing and supply chain interruptions, access to clinical sites, enrollment, adverse effects on healthcare systems and disruption of the global economy; the reliability of the results of studies relating to human safety and possible adverse effects resulting from the administration of the Company’s product candidates; the Company’s ability to manufacture clinical trial materials on the timelines anticipated; and the success of future product advancements, including the success of future clinical trials. Further information on the factors and risks that could affect the Company’s business, financial conditions and results of operations are contained in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly report on Form 10-Q and the Company’s other filings with the SEC, which are available at www.sec.gov.

Investor Contact:

Luis Sanay, CFA
Vice President, Investor Relations
[email protected]

Media Contact:

Real Chemistry
[email protected]

May 28, 2026 11:03 am

Austin FC and Q2 Announce OCA Foods as the 2026 Austin FC Dream Starter Competition Winner

Austin FC and Q2 Announce OCA Foods as the 2026 Austin FC Dream Starter Competition Winner

Austin-based Brazilian-inspired snack company dedicated to creating clean, simple ingredient snacks to receive $100,000 in funding to accelerate its business and mission

AUSTIN, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Today, OCA Foods was announced as the winner of the 2026 Austin FC Dream Starter Competition presented by Q2 Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: QTWO). OCA will receive $100,000 in funding to accelerate its business and mission as part of the Austin FC Dream Starter business initiative, which supports Austin entrepreneurs.

OCA is a Brazilian-inspired snack company bringing a cleaner, preservative-free take on Paçoca—a beloved peanut bite traditionally enjoyed across Brazil—to consumers in the U.S. Founded in Austin, Texas, OCA was created to honor heritage, family traditions, and the power of simple ingredients people know and trust. Through thoughtfully crafted snacks, OCA aims to create meaningful moments of connection and community with every bite.

“Alongside our partners at Q2, we’re excited to announce OCA as this year’s Dream Starter winner,” said Austin FC President Andy Loughnane. “Their work creates a unique connection between the cultures of Texas and Brazil and exemplifies the strength in diversity of Austin’s entrepreneurial community.”

“Our mission is to build strong and diverse communities by strengthening their financial institutions, and we see that same spirit in OCA,” said Q2 President, Chairman & CEO Matt Flake. “We’re proud to support their mission alongside Austin FC and excited to see how this recognition will help them grow their business in Central Texas.”

“I have no words to express what winning the 2026 Dream Starter Competition means to me. It is an honor and an incredible opportunity to bring our products to more people and better serve our communities,” said OCA Founder Renato Raposo. “As an immigrant founder building a business from the ground up, I deeply connect with the Dream Starter mission of empowering entrepreneurs and strengthening local communities. OCA is more than a snack brand; it is a platform to create opportunities, inspire healthier choices, and bring people together.”

The Austin FC Dream Starter Competition combines Q2’s mission with Austin FC’s inclusivity through equity community pillar. The aim is to connect entrepreneurs with the resources needed to build profitable, high-growth companies. The “Dream Starter” funds will aid OCA in overcoming financial barriers to achieve success.

In addition to OCA, the 2026 Dream Starter finalists included Hem Support Wear, HealthQuest, GrantAppli, and PachaMama Bees.

The five finalists participated in a pitch contest on May 27 at Q2 Stadium. A diverse group of representatives from Austin FC, Q2 Holdings, Inc., and the Austin entrepreneurial community evaluated each finalist’s presentation and ultimately selected the winner. OCA will be honored with a check presentation during halftime at the Austin FC vs. Seattle Sounders match on July 22.

Previous Dream Starter winners include: Good Grief, 29Eleven the Salon, SocialNote, CDL Changing Lanes Driving School and At Ease Rentals Corporation.

About Austin FC

Austin FC joined Major League Soccer (MLS) as the League’s 27^th club in January 2019. Austin FC officially began competing in MLS in April 2021, and in the 2025 season qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs while also reaching and hosting the final of the U.S. Open Cup. Austin FC plays its home matches at Q2 Stadium, a 100% privately financed, state-of-the-art stadium which earned certification as a zero-waste venue in 2024. Austin FC sold out all 88 MLS home matches it played at Q2 Stadium during its first five seasons in the league, including three home MLS Cup Playoff matches.

Austin FC also operates Austin FC II, a professional-level development team competing in MLS NEXT Pro which won the league title during its inaugural season in 2023. In addition, Austin FC operates the Austin FC Academy which is the fully funded developmental academy representing the highest level of competition for elite youth soccer players in Central Texas, while serving as the exclusive developmental pathway to MLS for the region’s most talented young players. Combined, Austin FC II and Austin FC Academy teams complete the pro player pathway between elite youth soccer (MLS NEXT) all the way to MLS, and allow for players to develop, improve, and move up to Austin FC or Austin FC II.

About Q2 Holdings, Inc.

Q2 is a leading provider of digital transformation solutions for financial services, serving banks, credit unions, alternative finance companies, and fintechs in the U.S. and internationally. Q2 enables its financial institution and fintech customers to provide comprehensive, data-driven digital engagement solutions for consumers, small businesses and corporate clients. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Q2 has offices worldwide and is publicly traded on the NYSE and NYSE Texas under the stock symbol QTWO. To learn more, please visit Q2.com. Follow us on LinkedIn and X to stay up to date.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260528362554/en/

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Gwen Hernandez, Sr. Communications Coordinator, Austin FC

C: 646.717.3196 / E:[email protected]

Carly Baker, Sr. Marketing Communications Specialist, Q2

C: 210.391.1706 / E:[email protected]

KEYWORDS: United States North America Texas

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Technology Retail Entrepreneur Consumer Small Business Banking Soccer Electronic Commerce Professional Services Sports Digital Cash Management/Digital Assets Software Fintech Food/Beverage

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May 28, 2026 11:03 am

Cemex, Port Tampa Bay and Mayor Castor Complete $36M Terminal Expansion to Support Regional Growth

Cemex, Port Tampa Bay and Mayor Castor Complete $36M Terminal Expansion to Support Regional Growth

TAMPA, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Cemex US and Port Tampa Bay, joined by Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, today celebrated the opening of the newly expanded Cemex Aggregate Terminal at Port Tampa Bay. The expansion, supported by a $29 million Cemex investment and a $7 million Florida Department of Transportation grant, significantly increases the terminal’s capacity to receive, store and distribute the aggregates used in concrete, asphalt and construction projects across the region.

The expanded terminal moves aggregates from Newfoundland, Canada, into Tampa Bay through Port Tampa Bay’s deepwater berths, with a conveying system sized to move 5,000 tons of material per hour from ship to storage. Cemex expects the terminal to handle approximately 1.5 million tons of aggregates per year, depending on shipping conditions.

Local builders, contractors and public agencies will have reliable access to the aggregates that go into concrete, asphalt and infrastructure work across Tampa Bay. The expanded terminal strengthens regional supply chains, supports affordability and helps ensure that the materials used to build housing, schools, hospitals and essential infrastructure remain available at predictable costs.

“The completion of our Aggregate Terminal at Port Tampa Bay strengthens Cemex’s ability to serve one of Florida’s fastest-growing regions with the essential materials needed to build and maintain critical infrastructure—from roads and schools to hospitals and housing,” said Jesus Gonzalez, President of Cemex US. “By improving supply reliability, we help keep projects on schedule and support cost stability for families, businesses and communities. We are proud to deepen our partnership with Port Tampa Bay and appreciate the support of the Florida Department of Transportation in making this investment possible.”

With this expansion, the site becomes the only Cemex location in Florida bringing together an aggregate terminal, a cement terminal and a ready-mix concrete plant in one strategic location. The expansion is one of several investments strengthening Florida’s construction supply chain, complementing state and federal initiatives that include Florida’s Construction Aggregate Program and Port Tampa Bay’s Vision 2030 master plan.

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said the expansion supports the construction and infrastructure needs of a growing city.

“Tampa is one of the fastest-growing cities in America, and that growth requires reliable access to the materials that build our roads, schools, hospitals and housing. This expansion at Port Tampa Bay helps keep construction costs in check and supports the affordability our families and businesses depend on,” Mayor Castor said.

Paul Anderson, President and CEO of Port Tampa Bay, said the expansion underscores the Port’s role as an economic engine for the region.

“Port Tampa Bay is proud to support Cemex’s growing operations and the broader Tampa Bay economy. This expansion demonstrates the power of partnership and the role our deepwater port plays in keeping Florida’s supply chain efficient, resilient and ready for the region’s continued growth,” Anderson said.

About Cemex

Cemex is a multinational construction materials company focused on building a better future for communities worldwide. The company produces and markets cement, ready-mix concrete, aggregates, and related construction materials such as admixtures and mortars, enabling meaningful construction projects across its markets. Through customer-centric solutions, operational excellence, and continuous innovation, Cemex delivers high-performance materials that meet the industry’s evolving needs. With a workforce of around 40,000 people worldwide, Cemex provides reliable, sustainable, and high-quality products and services, partnering with its customers to deliver solutions that create long-term value. For more information, visit cemexusa.com and connect with us on LinkedIn.

About Port Tampa Bay

Port Tampa Bay is a leading economic engine for Florida, generating approximately $34 billion in annual economic impact and supporting more than 192,000 jobs. As Florida’s largest seaport by tonnage, acreage and cargo throughput, the port spans more than 5,000 acres of industrially zoned land with deepwater access. Strategically located on Florida’s west coast, Port Tampa Bay serves as a critical gateway for global trade and travel, with efficient access to the state’s largest consumer market and the broader Southeast. A top 10 U.S. cruise port, Port Tampa Bay welcomes more than 1.6 million passengers annually while handling a wide range of cargo, including bulk, breakbulk, containers, refrigerated goods and roll-on/roll-off freight. The port also is a major center for shipbuilding and repair, supporting growth across the maritime, logistics, energy and tourism sectors.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260528009489/en/

Randy Stuart — 832-887-8809

KEYWORDS: United States North America Florida

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Residential Building & Real Estate Building Systems Commercial Building & Real Estate Construction & Property State/Local Manufacturing Mining/Minerals Public Policy/Government Natural Resources Transport Urban Planning REIT Other Manufacturing Logistics/Supply Chain Management Architecture

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