Trending Tickers: $QS Solid-State Milestone, $NBIS AI Deal, $NVO Transformation Plan
This week, several stocks caught investors’ attention, driven by significant developments and market momentum. Here’s the breakdown of this week’s trending stocks:
QuantumScape ($QS) Showcases First Solid-State Battery in Ducati Test Bike
QuantumScape ($QS), a developer of next-generation solid-state battery technology, has reached a new milestone with the public debut of its battery in a working vehicle. The company partnered with Volkswagen Group’s battery division PowerCo, as well as Ducati and Audi, to equip a Ducati V21L electric motorcycle with its QSE-5 solid-state cells for the first time.
QuantumScape’s solid-state batteries replace the traditional graphite anode with a lithium-metal anode and use a proprietary ceramic separator. According to the company, this technology offers significantly higher energy density, faster charging, and improved safety compared to conventional lithium-ion cells.
The battery system in the Ducati test bike was designed from the ground up to support QuantumScape’s solid-state architecture and can house up to 980 QSE-5 cells. The project is being presented as a key step in the transition from lab-scale prototypes to commercial products.
What’s Next
- The next phase will focus on adapting the technology for race-track testing.
- PowerCo and QuantumScape are simultaneously working to integrate the tech into Volkswagen’s Unified Cell platform for eventual use in electric cars.
- Commercial rollout is targeted for the end of the decade.
Volkswagen Group has been one of QuantumScape’s largest investors and development partners, with a joint industrialization team based at QuantumScape’s headquarters in San Jose.
Stock Price Reaction
$QS shares rose 21% on the news.
Nebius ($NBIS) Signs Multi-Billion Dollar AI Infrastructure Deal with Microsoft
Nebius ($NBIS), an Amsterdam-based company building full-stack AI-native cloud infrastructure, announced a multi-year, multi-billion dollar agreement to provide dedicated AI capacity to Microsoft from its new Vineland, New Jersey data center starting later this year.
CEO Arkady Volozh said the deal marks the first in a series of expected long-term contracts with AI labs and big tech firms. Beyond its own economics, the agreement is expected to accelerate Nebius’s AI cloud growth in 2026 and beyond. The company plans to finance related capex through cash flow from the deal and debt secured against the contract, while also exploring additional financing options to speed up expansion.
Stock Price Reaction
$NBIS shares surged +49.4% on the news.
Novo Nordisk ($NVO) Launches Major Transformation to Cut Costs
Novo Nordisk ($NVO), a Danish pharmaceutical company known for its diabetes and obesity treatments, announced a company-wide transformation to simplify its organisation, accelerate decision-making, and redirect resources toward growth opportunities in its core therapy areas. As part of the plan, the company intends to reduce around 9,000 roles globally—including about 5,000 in Denmark—aiming to deliver DKK 8 billion in annualised savings by 2026.
The transformation comes amid rising competition in obesity drugs and a recent slowdown in growth, with Novo Nordisk seeking to streamline operations and increase agility. CEO Mike Doustdar said the company is shifting to a more performance-based culture, with savings to be reinvested into R&D, commercial execution, and manufacturing capacity to reach millions of untreated patients.
Novo Nordisk expects DKK 8 billion in one-off restructuring costs, leading to an updated 2025 operating profit growth outlook of 4–10% at CER, down from the previous 10–16%.
Stock Price Reaction
$NVO closed flat on the day of the announcement.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell securities. The content is based on publicly available information and reflects the author’s opinions as of the publication date, which may change without notice. All investments carry inherent risks, including the potential loss of principal, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Forward-looking statements, including references to projected revenues, market trends, or business developments, are based on current expectations and assumptions. Actual results may differ due to various factors, including regulatory changes, economic conditions, competitive pressures, and unforeseen market fluctuations. Readers should conduct their own research or consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions. BBAE holds no position in the securities mentioned, nor are they compensated by the companies mentioned.
