Apple's (AAPL) most recent victory in China is worth more than simply bragging rights about smartphones, CNBC reported. New market data show that the company's iPhone shipments in China rose 20% in the first quarter, the fastest growth among major suppliers, even while the country's overall ...
Apple's (AAPL) most recent victory in China is worth more than simply bragging rights about smartphones, CNBC reported. New market data show that the company's iPhone shipments in China rose 20% in the first quarter, the fastest growth among major suppliers, even while the country's overall ...
Tesla says rising gas prices have boosted interest in its electric vehicles. The surprisingly optimistic comments came weeks after the automaker reported lower-than-expected car sales to start the year and as it pivots its focus to AI and robotics. Jessica Caldwell, head of insights at Edmunds, joins Caroline Hyde and Ed Ludlow on "Bloomberg Tech." (Source: Bloomberg)
Tesla says rising gas prices have boosted interest in its electric vehicles. The surprisingly optimistic comments came weeks after the automaker reported lower-than-expected car sales to start the year and as it pivots its focus to AI and robotics. Jessica Caldwell, head of insights at Edmunds, joins Caroline Hyde and Ed Ludlow on "Bloomberg Tech." (Source: Bloomberg)
Hope Not Hate campaign identifies election hopefuls calling for a ‘white Britain’ and complaining of ‘kowtowing to the black community’ A Reform UK candidate who called for a “white Britain” and said Keir Starmer should be shot is among a number fuelling doubts about the party’s claim to have tightened up its vetting. The past comments of Linda McFarlane and other political hopefuls have been unea...
Hope Not Hate campaign identifies election hopefuls calling for a ‘white Britain’ and complaining of ‘kowtowing to the black community’ A Reform UK candidate who called for a “white Britain” and said Keir Starmer should be shot is among a number fuelling doubts about the party’s claim to have tightened up its vetting. The past comments of Linda McFarlane and other political hopefuls have been unearthed ahead of the 7 May elections, including one who complained about “constant kowtowing to the black community” and others who endorsed the far-right activist Tommy Robinson. Continue reading...
The year may not have been a great one for the stock market so far, primarily due to the Middle East crisis, which has led to an increase in volatility, higher oil prices, and a growing probability of a recession. But not all stocks have been bogged down by the broader market's weakness. The Nasdaq-100 index has appreciated 5% in 2026. However, Sandisk (NASDAQ: SNDK) , which became a part of this ...
The year may not have been a great one for the stock market so far, primarily due to the Middle East crisis, which has led to an increase in volatility, higher oil prices, and a growing probability of a recession. But not all stocks have been bogged down by the broader market's weakness. The Nasdaq-100 index has appreciated 5% in 2026. However, Sandisk (NASDAQ: SNDK) , which became a part of this index on April 20, has jumped by a whopping 285% this year. Investors have been buying Sandisk stock hand over fist to benefit from the massive demand for the flash storage chips it manufactures. Now, you may be wondering if there is more upside in store for Sandisk following its red-hot rally so far this year. I think this tech stock could easily help investors double their money. Continue reading
Citadel raised the possibility of abandoning a massive effort to expand in New York City after Mayor Zohran Mamdani used billionaire founder Ken Griffin’s apartment purchase to tout a new tax proposal that would levy a charge on luxury second homes in the city. “It is shameful that he used Ken’s name as the example of those who supposedly aren’t carrying their fair share of the burdens associated ...
Citadel raised the possibility of abandoning a massive effort to expand in New York City after Mayor Zohran Mamdani used billionaire founder Ken Griffin’s apartment purchase to tout a new tax proposal that would levy a charge on luxury second homes in the city. “It is shameful that he used Ken’s name as the example of those who supposedly aren’t carrying their fair share of the burdens associated with New York City’s often costly and wasteful spending,” Citadel Chief Operating Officer Gerald Beeson said in a statement sent to the finance company’s staff. Beeson added that the firm is about to start redeveloping 350 Park Avenue, which will create 6,000 construction jobs. “The project – if we move forward – will entail more than $6 billion dollars of spending,” he said. Citadel, whose headquarters is in Miami, The Wall Street Journal first reported the contents of the memo, which said that over the past five years, principals and team members of Citadel have paid almost $2.3 billion in city and state taxes. He also said Griffin has directed $650 million in donations to charities in New York City. The new tax, on second-homes worth more than $5 million, was proposed by Governor Kathy Hochul, but Mamdani has been its most vocal and visible supporter. When Mamdani pitched the tax in a social video post last week, he stood in front of 220 Central Park South, pointed to the limestone-clad supertall skyscraper, and called out Griffin specifically for purchasing a $238 million penthouse apartment. Mamdani said the tax was designed for the “richest of the rich” and those “who store their wealth in New York City real estate” while living elsewhere. Spokespeople for Mamdani and Hochul didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.
Earnings Call Insights: Honeywell (HON) Q1 2026 Management view "Honeywell delivered strong results in the first quarter, building on the momentum from 2025 despite a complex geopolitical backdrop and temporary mechanical supply chain constraints in Aerospace." (Chairman & CEO Vimal Kapur) "Orders grew 7% organically" and "we drove backlog to over $38 billion with book-to-bill above 1.1," while "w...
Earnings Call Insights: Honeywell (HON) Q1 2026 Management view "Honeywell delivered strong results in the first quarter, building on the momentum from 2025 despite a complex geopolitical backdrop and temporary mechanical supply chain constraints in Aerospace." (Chairman & CEO Vimal Kapur) "Orders grew 7% organically" and "we drove backlog to over $38 billion with book-to-bill above 1.1," while "we expanded margin 90 basis points to over 23%." "We announced the sale of our Productivity Solutions and Services and Warehouse and Workflow Solutions businesses... which we expect to close in the second half of 2026." (Chairman & CEO Kapur) "We are also excited to announce that now we expect to complete the Honeywell Aerospace spin-off in the third quarter on June 29," and he said Honeywell "successfully raised $20 billion of Aerospace spin financing" with investment-grade ratings. "In quarter 1, the Middle East conflict drove a roughly 0.5% impact to revenue for all of Honeywell." (Chairman & CEO Kapur) He said the company "secured over $2 billion in project wins over the past 3 quarters" in Process, and described an LNG push including an agreement "to provide integrated liquefied natural gas pretreatment and liquefaction solution for Commonwealth LNG" and NextDecade’s Rio Grande project. "Adjusted earnings per share of $2.45 was up 11%." (Senior VP & CFO Mike Stepniak) "We ended the quarter with nearly $100 million of free cash flow," and "we returned $1.8 billion to shareholders" including "roughly $1 billion of share repurchases" and "$800 million of dividends." Outlook "We anticipate second quarter organic sales growth of 2% to 4%." (Senior VP & CFO Stepniak) He added, "Process Automation and Technology will be slightly weaker than first quarter due to incremental pressure stemming from the Middle East conflict." "We expect segment margin to be in the range of 22.2% to 22.5%." (Senior VP & CFO Stepniak) "Adjusted EPS is expected to be $2.40 at the midpoint," and he sa...
Earnings Call Insights: Graco Inc. (GGG) Q1 2026 Management view “Yesterday, Graco reported first quarter sales of $540 million, up 2% from the same quarter last year.” (VP, Controller & Chief Accounting Officer Christopher Knutson) “Organic revenue started the year slower than expected, particularly in January, but business activity improved steadily as the quarter progressed with bookings up 3% ...
Earnings Call Insights: Graco Inc. (GGG) Q1 2026 Management view “Yesterday, Graco reported first quarter sales of $540 million, up 2% from the same quarter last year.” (VP, Controller & Chief Accounting Officer Christopher Knutson) “Organic revenue started the year slower than expected, particularly in January, but business activity improved steadily as the quarter progressed with bookings up 3% at actual currency rates, driving nearly a $26 million increase in backlog, primarily in our Industrial segment.” (President, CEO & Director Mark Sheahan) “Tariffs increased product costs by $7 million in the quarter.” (VP, Controller & Chief Accounting Officer Knutson) “The Middle East region represents about $35 million of sales on a full year basis for Graco. To date, we've not seen any significant impact on demand or operations, though the environment remains uncertain.” (President, CEO & Director Sheahan) “Finally, I'd like to take a moment to welcome Sanjiv Gupta to Graco.” (President, CEO & Director Sheahan) “In addition, I want to recognize and thank David Lowe for his more than 30 years of dedicated service as he prepares for retirement.” (President, CEO & Director Sheahan) Outlook “As a result, we're maintaining our 2026 revenue guidance of low single-digit organic growth on a constant currency basis and mid-single-digit growth, including contributions from acquisitions.” (President, CEO & Director Sheahan) “Looking ahead, second half comparisons are more favorable, reflecting an easier Contractor comparison in the third quarter and the expected timing of project activity in the Industrial businesses towards the end of the year.” (President, CEO & Director Sheahan) “Based on current exchange rates and assuming similar volume, product mix and business mix as in 2025, currency is expected to have a 1% favorable impact on net sales and a 2% favorable impact on net earnings for the full year 2026.” (VP, Controller & Chief Accounting Officer Knutson) Financial results ...
The dollar jumped as new reports of intensifying hostilities in the Middle East dampen optimism for the potential end to the conflict. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index rose as much as 0.3% to the highest level since April 13 on Thursday, before paring. All currencies in the Group of 10 declined against the greenback with the New Zealand dollar leading losses. The tension flare-up drove oil prices h...
The dollar jumped as new reports of intensifying hostilities in the Middle East dampen optimism for the potential end to the conflict. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index rose as much as 0.3% to the highest level since April 13 on Thursday, before paring. All currencies in the Group of 10 declined against the greenback with the New Zealand dollar leading losses. The tension flare-up drove oil prices higher, with Brent briefly surpassing $107 a barrel. “Oil is grinding higher and carrying the dollar with it,” said Andrew Hazlett , a foreign-exchange trader at Monex Inc. “Traders are thinking the escalating tensions over the past couple days indicate that an end to the conflict is no longer just over the horizon.” The euro weakened as much as 0.3% to $1.1669 on Thursday as the region is very dependent on energy supplies from the Middle East. The haven dollar advanced for a third day as US and Iran tensions grew over the Strait of Hormuz, with both sides maintaining their blockades of the critical waterway. The greenback rallied in March but lost some steam when the ceasefire was announced, since then hopes of resolving the war in the near future have nearly evaporated. What Bloomberg Strategists say... “If higher energy costs begin to feed more decisively into inflation expectations, tightening financial conditions and weighing on global growth, the relative resilience of the US economy should reassert itself as a source of support for the dollar.” — Brendan Fagan , FX Strategist, Markets Live For the full analysis, click here . “The US blockade and Iranian activity in the Hormuz raise the tail risks for re-escalation,” said Aroop Chatterjee , a strategist at Wells Fargo. “None of this resolves the continuing supply shock that will become more material the longer it lasts. Market complacence is being tested here.”
Earnings Call Insights: Pool Corporation (POOL) Q1 2026 Management View "As we begin the 2026 season, the industry continues to work through a period of stabilization. Consumer discretionary demand remains measured, while the installed base continues to drive steady maintenance activity." (CEO, President & Director Peter Arvan) "Our team delivered a solid start with sales growth of 6%, operating i...
Earnings Call Insights: Pool Corporation (POOL) Q1 2026 Management View "As we begin the 2026 season, the industry continues to work through a period of stabilization. Consumer discretionary demand remains measured, while the installed base continues to drive steady maintenance activity." (CEO, President & Director Peter Arvan) "Our team delivered a solid start with sales growth of 6%, operating income growth of 7% and a 10 basis point operating margin expansion exceeding our expectations for the quarter." (CEO, President & Director Arvan) "We are confirming our full year diluted earnings per share range of $10.87 to $11.17, which includes the $0.02 of ASU benefit realized in the first quarter." (CEO, President & Director Arvan) "Gross margin for the quarter was 29%, a decrease of approximately 20 basis points compared to the prior year period." (Senior VP, CFO & Treasurer Melanie M. Hart) "Inventory at March quarter end was $1.7 billion, 14% higher than first quarter last year and an increase of approximately $200 million from year-end." (Senior VP, CFO & Treasurer Hart) Outlook "Even with our first quarter trends tracking ahead of our expectations, full year guidance remains unchanged." (Senior VP, CFO & Treasurer Hart) "We continue to expect a 1% to 2% pricing benefit for the full year of 2026" and "expect top line performance to be a low single-digit growth on a same selling day basis." (Senior VP, CFO & Treasurer Hart) "Gross margin for 2026 is expected to remain consistent with 2025" while "expense growth" is expected "to moderate on a quarter-over-quarter basis throughout 2026 as we focus on capacity absorption and lap prior year new sales center openings." (Senior VP, CFO & Treasurer Hart) "With the share repurchases during the quarter, our projected interest expense is now a range of $49 million to $51 million." (Senior VP, CFO & Treasurer Hart) Financial Results "Net sales increasing 6% compared to the prior year period" reflected "approximately 3% from pr...
Earnings Call Insights: Valley National Bancorp (VLY) Q1 2026 Management View “Valley delivered another strong quarter with net income of approximately $164 million or $0.28 per diluted share. Excluding certain noncore items, adjusted net income was $169 million or $0.29 per diluted share.” (President, CEO & Chairman Ira Robbins) “We are building a higher quality and increasingly resilient funding...
Earnings Call Insights: Valley National Bancorp (VLY) Q1 2026 Management View “Valley delivered another strong quarter with net income of approximately $164 million or $0.28 per diluted share. Excluding certain noncore items, adjusted net income was $169 million or $0.29 per diluted share.” (President, CEO & Chairman Ira Robbins) “We are building a higher quality and increasingly resilient funding franchise.” (President, CEO & Chairman Robbins) “We are pursuing diverse relationship-focused loan growth.” (President, CEO & Chairman Robbins) “We continue to focus on operating leverage and scalability.” (President, CEO & Chairman Robbins) “We invested early in AI talent and advanced analytics, and have embedded certain capabilities into our operating model in the wake of our core conversion.” (President, CEO & Chairman Robbins) “Specific use cases implemented to date include a customer-facing voice AI agent that proactively contacts past due auto loan customers to motivate payment, fraud tools to verify transaction legitimacy and to prioritize suspicious activity alerts and AI enhancements to our sales process to optimize the next best product offer.” (President, CEO & Chairman Robbins) “As a result of continued strong core deposit growth, solid loan demand in our markets and a favorable yield curve backdrop, we believe that annual net interest income growth will trend towards the higher end of our previously provided range.” (Senior Executive VP & CFO Travis Lan) Outlook “We expect more meaningful acceleration in the second half of the year, with no significant change to our expectations for noninterest income, noninterest expenses or credit costs, we believe there is modest upside to our previous guidance range and existing consensus estimates.” (Senior Executive VP & CFO Lan) “We anticipate the total deposit growth will be towards the high end of our 5% to 7% guidance range for the year.” (Senior Executive VP & CFO Lan) “We anticipate that loan growth for the year wi...
SpaceX is part of a group of companies developing the operating system underpinning President Donald Trump’s Golden Dome initiative, according to sources. It is an expansion of the role Elon Musk's company is playing in the US missile defense shield. Bloomberg’s Michael Shepard joins Caroline Hyde and Ed Ludlow on “Bloomberg Tech.” (Source: Bloomberg)
SpaceX is part of a group of companies developing the operating system underpinning President Donald Trump’s Golden Dome initiative, according to sources. It is an expansion of the role Elon Musk's company is playing in the US missile defense shield. Bloomberg’s Michael Shepard joins Caroline Hyde and Ed Ludlow on “Bloomberg Tech.” (Source: Bloomberg)
Controversial social-media figure Clavicular, known for his extreme approach to achieving male beauty standards, had his videos removed again from YouTube on Wednesday night. The online video giant said it withdrew two channels associated with Clavicular, a 20-year-old influencer whose real name is Braden Peters. YouTube had taken down his content in November for facilitating access to websites vi...
Controversial social-media figure Clavicular, known for his extreme approach to achieving male beauty standards, had his videos removed again from YouTube on Wednesday night. The online video giant said it withdrew two channels associated with Clavicular, a 20-year-old influencer whose real name is Braden Peters. YouTube had taken down his content in November for facilitating access to websites violating policies around regulated or illegal goods or services, according to a spokesperson for the service. Creators are not allowed to post new channels after a termination, according to the company. Clavicular didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. The online star is one of the most prominent among a cohort of “looksmaxxing” influencers, who take extreme steps to make their appearance more attractive. His regimen has included the use of steroids, peptides and other drugs, according to Peters’ public comments. The influencer also gained attention after posting about “bonesmashing,” taking a hammer to his jaw to alter his facial structure.
William_Potter/iStock via Getty Images Mercury Systems, Inc. ( MRCY ) stock has gained 7.1% since my last report, outperforming the S&P 500’s ( SP500 ) 3.7% gain. The company provides chips for the defense industry, positioning it right below the defense primes as a provider of microelectronics for weapon systems that are becoming increasingly reliant on chips. However, with the war in Iran, there...
William_Potter/iStock via Getty Images Mercury Systems, Inc. ( MRCY ) stock has gained 7.1% since my last report, outperforming the S&P 500’s ( SP500 ) 3.7% gain. The company provides chips for the defense industry, positioning it right below the defense primes as a provider of microelectronics for weapon systems that are becoming increasingly reliant on chips. However, with the war in Iran, there are several risks to keep in mind next to the opportunities that may emerge over the mid-to-longer term. In this report, I highlight the risks and opportunities, assess how earnings estimates have developed, and update my price target. Mercury Systems Near-Term Risks Growth With Longer-Term Opportunities The war in Iran more than likely is a net demand positive for Mercury Systems, but it is not a front-loaded opportunity. The reason for that is the fact that supply chains are already stretched, and prior to the war, demand already exceeded the ability to supply. So, what we are left with is a mid-to-long term demand uplift with a near-term risk. What Mercury Systems sells are the electronics that make up the backbone of defense systems inside radars, missiles, electronic warfare pods, satellites, and avionics. Intelligence is vital for global and national security, and that includes intelligence gathering, processing, and storage. What holds for Mercury Systems is that the company has been rather cautious in their guidance as the supply chain remains fragile, and with the current war in Iran, things may get even tougher. Mercury Systems operates at the intersection of defense and the commercial chip ecosystem, and we are already seeing that chip demand is high due to AI, and that pushes prices up. It is not necessarily a major issue, as Mercury Systems provides customized chips, which are even harder to source compared to commercially available chips. However, with the war in Iran, we note that raw material costs may increase and helium costs have increased, which may res...