California ranks first, followed by Ohio, Colorado, Florida and Texas in Investing.com analysis of 12 months of investor activity

NEW YORK, Oct. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — California leads the nation in a new analysis of where investors are using AI to inform investment decisions, but some of the strongest activity is taking place far beyond Silicon Valley and Wall Street. Ohio and Colorado tie for second in the nationwide ranking, with Florida and Texas rounding out the top five. New York, meanwhile, fails to crack the top 10.

The new Investing.com AI Investing Index analyzed 12 months of user activity across the U.S., looking at both the use of AI for investment research and investor engagement with AI-focused stocks, adjusted for audience size in each state.

Key findings:

• California ranks #1 overall, putting the home of Silicon Valley at the top of the AI investing map.
• Ohio and Colorado tie for #2, ahead of Florida and Texas.
• New York ranks just #13, despite being home to Wall Street and the center of the U.S. financial industry.
• Florida shows the highest use of AI for investment research among states included in the study.
• Pennsylvania leads the country in engagement with AI-focused stocks.

California leads, but Wall Street doesn’t

California may be the obvious home of America’s AI boom, and its investors are embracing the technology too. The state takes the top spot in the new ranking, but what happens immediately behind it is perhaps more revealing.

Ohio and Colorado tie for second, followed by Florida and Texas. Other states in the top 10 include Utah, Hawaii, Michigan and Minnesota, creating an AI investing map that looks markedly different from the traditional centers of American finance.

New York, home to Wall Street, ranks just 13th. New Jersey comes in even further down the list at #27.

“What this data shows is people doing more research, not less. AI has opened up information that was previously out of reach for retail investors, and that’s leveling the playing field with the professional side of the market,” said Thomas Monteiro, Senior Analyst at Investing.com. “The outcome is the most significant shift we’re tracking right now: a measurably more sophisticated retail investor, and as the rankings show, that’s happening everywhere.”

AI is changing how Americans research investments

The rankings come as AI moves rapidly into the everyday investing habits of Americans.

A separate March 2026 survey found that 62% of U.S. retail investors had already used AI to help inform an investment decision, while more than half said they expected their use of the technology to increase.

Investors are also turning to AI for far more than simply asking whether to buy or sell a stock. The activity analyzed shows investors using AI to explore everything from stock statistics and technical analysis to company news, economic events, dividends and financial statements.

Florida stands out particularly strongly for AI-assisted investment research, recording the highest level of activity among states included in the analysis. Pennsylvania, meanwhile, shows the strongest engagement with AI-focused stocks.

“Proximity to Wall Street used to count for a great deal in research terms,” Monteiro explained. “This data suggests it now counts for less than it did. The states at the top of the AI index tend not to be the ones with the financial infrastructure. What we may be watching is a catch-up, with investors who were a step behind on access closing that gap, and in a few states closing it altogether.”

The U.S. ranking is part of a broader analysis of AI-related investing activity around the world. The United States ranks #19 among 66 qualifying countries, while Italy, Poland, Israel, Chile and Argentina make up the global top five.

View the full U.S. ranking and analysis:
The U.S. States Embracing AI Investing the Most in 2026

Explore the complete underlying dataset:
Full AI Investing Index data

Daily storewide discounts from popular merchants — as low as 50% off
29 merchants offer storewide discounts again at the same time
(Promotion period: 12 October – 12 November 2026)

HONG KONG, Oct. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — To thank customers for their long-standing support, HKTVmall will run HKTVmall Thankful 2026 from 12 October to 12 November 2026, with two main offers:

Hit 1: Brand Thank You Days — one merchant storewide discount each day

During the promotion, HKTVmall brings together popular brands and merchants across home & furniture, toys & books, health & wellness, supermarket, skincare & beauty, and pet supplies. From 12 October to 9 November, a different merchant offers a storewide discount each day — as low as 50% off storewide, with selected spotlight products from about 22% of the original price.

Hit 2: HKTVmall Thankful 2026 Free Gift Giveaway — eight merchants take turns

Each week, two merchants give away high-value free gifts, covering 11 popular brands in total. Highlights include Colgate, Glad & Clorox, Sensodyne, Walch and Darlie toothpaste:

• Spend HK$395 on designated Colgate toothpaste and receive a neck & shoulder massager, a LuLu the Piggy cooling blanket, tissues, soft drinks and laundry pods (total value over HK$1,200)
• Buy 6 designated single tubes of Sensodyne toothpaste and receive a 26 cm frying pan plus dishwashing liquid, kitchen paper and other daily essentials (total value over HK$350)
• Spend HK$299 on Walch & Ouji Sekken products and receive peanut oil, chicken wings and cleaning products (total value over HK$200)
• Spend HK$399 on Darlie toothpaste products and receive a 24-inch suitcase, a Yohome health pot, paper products and drinks (total value over HK$800)
• Free gifts are limited and available while stocks last.

Extra deal: HK$99 below-cost supermarket lucky bags

Each lucky bag is packed with popular supermarket items — rice, oil, frozen meat, seasonings, instant noodles, tissues, cleaning products and more — sold at a below-cost price. Bags worth up to HK$168 after usual discounts are all priced at HK$99, beating traditional supermarket prices. A new lucky bag launches every Monday; customers can check the current bag on the HKTVmall App or social media.

Official campaign site (detailed info to be updated on 12 October):

https://cloud.marketing.hktvmall.com/ECMKG_2026Oct_thankful_mainpromosite/

GELEPHU MINDFULNESS CITY, Bhutan, Oct. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — BIT, a digital asset financial services group, today announced that Hong Kong stock trading is now open. Its securities business is also debuting under a new business brand, “BIT Securities.” This marks BIT Securities’ evolution from a U.S. equities offering into a cross-market financial services platform providing access to U.S. stocks, Hong Kong stocks and digital assets.

Invest in Hong Kong and U.S. Stocks with Stablecoins: One-Stop Access to Global Assets

The initial phase of BIT Securities’ Hong Kong stock service covers trading in all stocks listed on the Main Board and GEM of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, along with core features such as IPO subscriptions and margin trading. Users don’t need to open a bank account or convert to Hong Kong dollars. They can deposit and withdraw 24/7 in USDT/USDC, with funds arriving in as little as seconds. Existing BIT U.S. stock users can turn on Hong Kong stock trading directly and allocate across U.S. stocks, Hong Kong stocks and digital assets in one place. They can manage major global assets easily, without moving funds between platforms or rebalancing.

This upgrade comes from ongoing attention to user needs and reflects BIT Securities’ continued work to deepen its business capabilities. Since launching U.S. stock trading in February 2026, BIT Securities has added U.S. stock margin trading, short selling and options trading within eight months. With Hong Kong stock trading now live, BIT Securities has completed a closed loop for diversified allocation across U.S. stocks, Hong Kong stocks and digital assets. It continues to drive cross-sector financial innovation at Web3 speed.

Licensed Institutions Handle Execution and Custody, Supporting Real Shareholder Rights

On compliance and asset security, BIT Securities keeps the same institutional-grade standards as its U.S. stock business. Its Hong Kong stock business is operated by Matrix Gelephu Pte. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of BIT that is licensed by the Gelephu Financial Services Office (GFSO) in GMC, Bhutan. Trade execution and custody are provided by Atomic Vaults Asia, a broker licensed by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) for Type 1 regulated activity (dealing in securities). Under this structure, users are the beneficial owners of the Hong Kong stocks they hold. They are entitled to the corresponding shareholder rights, including dividends and voting rights, subject to applicable laws, market rules and intermediary arrangements, and assets are held within a clear legal and regulatory framework.

Seven Years of Institutional-Grade Experience: Living Up to the Name “Securities” and Supporting Global Asset Allocation

The debut of the BIT Securities brand marks the evolution of the business. It also reflects BIT’s understanding of what assets are and what finance is for. BIT has always believed that stocks are an important way for investors to take part in a company’s growth and share in its results. A stock’s value is closely tied to the company’s operations, its corporate governance and its shareholders’ rights. For BIT Securities, the word “Securities” stands for a clear custody structure, transparent disclosure, and real ownership rights that can be verified and traced.

BIT has served institutional clients for more than seven years. Throughout, it has treated asset security, prudent risk management, compliant operations and transparency as its bottom line. BIT Securities is now turning the institutional-grade capabilities and compliance framework it has built over the years into a convenient, seamless product experience. It is bringing asset allocation tools and security safeguards once mainly reserved for institutions and high-net-worth individuals to individual investors, making asset allocation tools more broadly accessible.

Elio Cui, Head of BIT Securities, said: “The launch of Hong Kong stock trading further strengthens BIT’s cross-market service offering. Built on BIT’s unified underlying account system, it allows investors to allocate across U.S. stocks, Hong Kong stocks and digital assets more efficiently and flexibly. We want to break down the high barriers of traditional finance, so that ‘global asset allocation’ is no longer reserved for a few institutions and high-net-worth individuals, but is within reach of more ordinary investors.”

Limited-Time Launch Offers

To mark the launch of Hong Kong stock trading, BIT Securities is introducing a series of limited-time offers. From now until November 11, 2026, eligible users can enjoy zero-commission Hong Kong stock trading, zero interest and zero subscription fees on margin IPO subscriptions, an HK$100 Hong Kong stock platform fee voucher, and a Hong Kong stock Level 2 market data card, among other benefits. Eligibility, offer details and distribution rules are subject to BIT Securities’ official announcements.

About BIT Securities

BIT Securities is dedicated to providing global investors with a secure and efficient one-stop U.S. and Hong Kong stock investment service. With zero-commission U.S. stock trading and a transparent, low-cost fee structure at its core, the platform covers over 10,000 U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs, and innovatively supports near-instant stablecoin (USDT/USDC) deposits and withdrawals alongside traditional USD wire transfer. This allows users to transfer funds seamlessly without relying solely on traditional banking channels, while providing access to shareholder rights, including dividends and voting privileges. In September 2026, BIT Securities launched access to Hong Kong-listed stocks, with the initial phase supporting Main Board and GEM-listed stocks, IPO subscriptions, and margin trading on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, further expanding investors’ cross-market investment options.

This business is operated by Matrix Gelephu Pte. Ltd., an entity part of BIT (formerly Matrixport) Group, under its license from the Gelephu Financial Services Office (GFSO) in Bhutan. It provides eligible clients with access to U.S. and Hong Kong equity trading services. U.S. equity transactions are executed and cleared through U.S.-registered broker-dealer partners, while Hong Kong equity market access and related brokerage services are provided through a partner broker licensed by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) for Type 1 regulated activity (dealing in securities).

Founded in 2019, BIT is a premier global digital asset financial services group bridging traditional finance and digital markets. BIT manages over US$6 billion in assets under custody and management, driving a monthly trading volume exceeding US$7 billion (as of Q4 2025).

Official Website：https://www.bit.com/

Disclaimer: Hong Kong equity trading services are not available to Hong Kong residents or users in other restricted jurisdictions.

SINGAPORE and AMSTERDAM, Oct. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Euronext Amsterdam-listed SWI Group (“SWI”; SWICH) today announces an €800 million capital increase with institutional investors.

The capital increase is realized through the issuance of new ordinary shares by SWICH in several series, increasing the total share capital to 558,399,385 ordinary shares. This increases the total equity raised since March 2026 to over €1 billion.

The transaction marks a major milestone in SWI Group’s transformation, providing substantial additional equity capital to accelerate the consolidation and expansion of its transatlantic digital infrastructure and AI compute platform across Europe and the United States.

As part of the transformation announced by the Group, the proceeds will support the development and scaling of the Group’s data center and AI compute capacity, including power infrastructure, compute deployments and the execution of its development pipeline on both sides of the Atlantic.

The capital increase materially strengthens SWI Group’s balance sheet and provides the Group with additional financial capacity to execute its growth strategy at scale, including further investment into AI and increasing its stake in existing investments. It also broadens its institutional shareholder base while enhancing market liquidity and increasing the Company’s free float to approximately 20% of the share capital.

“This transaction is about keeping up to speed with the compute and data center markets. We have a clear strategy, a substantial pipeline and a strong position across Europe and the United States. We are very pleased to welcome new investors who share our long-term ambition for the Group,” said Max-Hervé George, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SWI Group.

As part of the transaction, certain investors are granted options in relation to their shares conditional on ECM milestones.

This press release contains information which is or may constitute inside information within the meaning contemplated by the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014.

About SWI Group

SWI Capital Holding Ltd. (www.swi.com), listed on Euronext Amsterdam under the ticker SWICH (ISIN: SGXPZ11CH7U7), is the holding company of the SWI Group. SWI Group operates as a global digital investment platform with long-term holdings across digital infrastructure as a core. The Group delivers best-in-class investment solutions, driving growth, resilience, and long-term value across markets.

As Australians tackle their annual spring clean, the new FLOOR ONE S9 Artist Steam Plus takes the hard work out of floor care – featuring ReverseScrub Technology, 230°C HyperSteam and up to 110 minutes of runtime for powerful, chemical-free deep cleaning

SYDNEY, Oct. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — There has never been a better time for a spring reset, with Tineco – the No.1 wet & dry vacuum brand globally for four years running* – today expanding its premium Artist Series range with the launch of the FLOOR ONE S9 Artist Steam Plus. Exclusively available via Amazon Australia, the new model pairs 230°C HyperSteam with a suite of quiet-running, chemical-free cleaning features designed for effortless everyday cleaning.

While Spring cleaning season may be in full swing, research reveals that floor cleaning is among the most hated household chores due to the bending, scrubbing and repetitive nature of the task.^[i] For time-poor households keen to level-up their cleaning routine this spring, and ditch the time-consuming process of vacuuming and mopping, Tineco’s new FLOOR ONE S9 Artist Steam Plus offers an all-in-one cleaning solution with category-leading steam technology to fast-track the weekend clean.

The power of steam for cleaning has quickly become one of the must-have features of modern day wet and dry floor cleaners, particularly for Australians with allergies or sensitives. With allergic rhinitis now affecting 24% of Australians (up from just 15% in 2008) and 30% of people with asthma reporting their symptoms are worse after spending time inside their home, the need for hygienic, chemical-free cleaning methods are increasing in demand.

Tineco has led the steam cleaning revolution in Australia and around the world with its S9 Artist range raising the bar for hygienic floor cleaning at home. Compared to previous steam powered wet and dry floor cleaners, Tineco has upgraded its HyperSteam boiler technology in the S9 Artist range to deliver 230°C super-heated steam, reaching the floor surface at no less than 110°C, to easily and effectively tackle stubborn, baked-on stains and everyday grime without the need for harsh chemicals. As more Australians seek out ‘healthy tech’ for their cleaning needs, Tineco’s S9 Artist Steam range has risen to become a trusted consumer choice for deep cleaning performance, while offering natural disinfection thanks to the innovative steam cleaning technology introduced by Tineco.

Combined with Tineco’s innovative ReverseScrub Technology for targeted spot-cleaning power, the S9 Artist Steam Plus ensures effective cleaning of hard floors, without bending, or manual scrubbing required.

Runtime is another standout feature, with up to 110 minutes of cleaning in Quiet mode enough to achieve a whole house clean on a single charge. Auto, Max, Steam and Suction modes are tuned for faster, more intensive cleans.

For households mindful of noise, the S9 Artist Steam Plus integrates SilentDry self-clean mode as part of its FlashDry Self Cleaning process which runs at 40dB(A) or below, ensuring that sleeping children or other members of the household aren’t disturbed.

True to Tineco’s premium Artist Series aesthetic style, the S9 Artist Steam Plus also boasts a sleek, stylish design inspired by the Aurora Borealis, blending sky tones with vibrant aurora hues.

“The FLOOR ONE S9 Artist Steam Plus is about bringing our steam revolution to more Australian homes,” said from Tineco. “With 230°C HyperSteam, ReverseScrub Technology and up to 110 minutes of runtime, our R&D team have gone above and beyond to craft the new FLOOR ONE S9 Artist Steam Plus to suit the cleaning needs of modern households. This new model offers innovative features for a chemical-free, deep clean that fits around their lifestyle – whether that may be a quick clean before guests arrive or a quiet clean once the kids are in bed.”

FLOOR ONE S9 Artist Steam Plus – Key Features at a Glance:

• 230°C HyperSteam: High-temp steam provides a natural disinfectant, cutting through grease and killing germs without a single drop of added chemicals, which matters for households with kids, pets or anyone wanting to avoid harsh cleaning agents on floors.
• ReverseScrub Technology: A new targeted spot cleaning feature that activates a 14-second reverse brush rotation delivers concentrated scrubbing power.
• Up to 110 minutes of runtime in Quiet mode offers whole house cleaning on a single charge.
• SilentDry self-clean mode at 40dB(A) or below – clean without waking the household.
• SmoothDrive Technology: 360° all-directional propulsion, smoothly pushing forward, pulling back or pivoting around tight corners.
• Upgraded Pouch Cells: Triples the lifespan, with enhanced safety and stable, reliable power for uninterrupted cleaning.
• iLoop Smart Sensor: Automatically detects dirt and adjusts water and power use.
• Triple-Sided Edge Cleaning: Cleans along baseboards and into corners, leaving no edges uncleaned.
• DualBlock Anti-Tangle Design: Picks up hair and pet fur without clogging the brush roller, for fuss-free maintenance.
• MHCBS (Maintain Hygiene Clean Brush System) Technology continuously cleans the brush roller with fresh water while removing dirty water at high speed, helping prevent streaks and deliver a more hygienic, residue-free clean. This makes a significant difference in the effectiveness of the floor clean, with only clean water used at all times of the cleaning process.
• Five Cleaning Modes: Auto, Max, Steam, Suction and Quiet modes let users match cleaning power to the job, with 25kPa max suction power and a brushless 285W motor.
• FlashDry Self-Cleaning with SilentDry Self-Clean Mode: Self-cleans the brush roller at 40dB(A) or below, so cleaning can fit around the household’s schedule.
• SmoothDrive Technology: Omni-directional smart drive wheels simulate an automotive differential, matching left and right wheel speeds for smoother turns and reduced effort.
• LCD Display & Dark Grey Finish: A clear LCD display and sleek dark grey finish designed to suit modern Australian homes.

Tineco has been recognised by Euromonitor International as the World’s No. 1 household wet & dry vacuum cleaner brand for four consecutive years*, and holds the title of #1 wet & dry floor cleaner brand on Amazon in Australia, the United States, Canada, France, Italy and Japan for three years running. Tineco products are trusted by more than 24 million households worldwide, with the brand’s range available in approximately 30 countries and regions, including Australia, New Zealand, North America, Europe and across Asia. Tineco ranks in the Top 50 companies worldwide for the iF Design Ranking 2022–2026, with 19 iF Design award-winning projects, and its wet & dry floor cleaner range has been recognised at Good Housekeeping’s 2026 Cleaning Awards, IFA 2025 and CES 2026.

Pricing and Availability

The FLOOR ONE S9 Artist Steam Plus is exclusively available via Amazon Australia. This model is available in Dark Grey and has an RRP of $1,499.

ABOUT TINECO

Tineco was founded in 1998 with its first SKU as a vacuum cleaner and, in 2019, pioneered the first-ever smart vacuum. Today, the brand has innovated into a global leader offering intelligent appliances across home categories, including floor care, kitchen, and personal care. Tineco is dedicated to its brand vision of making life easier through smart technologies and consistently innovating new devices. For more information, visit https://au.tineco.com/

Sources:

https://completehealthaustralia.com.au/hay-fever-in-australia-understanding-and-managing-the-springtime-surge/
https://asthma.org.au/about-us/advocacy/housing/
https://asthma.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/AA2022_Housing-Survey-Report_full_v4.pdf

^[i]https://mouthsofmums.com.au/most-hated-household-chore-australia/