US private equity firms KKR & Co. and Apollo Global Management are considering bids for Portuguese packaging maker Logoplaste , according to people familiar with the matter. They are part of a group of buyout firms evaluating the business, while rival international packaging companies have also shown interest, the people said. Logoplaste is expected to receive non-binding offers in May, they said....
US private equity firms KKR & Co. and Apollo Global Management are considering bids for Portuguese packaging maker Logoplaste , according to people familiar with the matter. They are part of a group of buyout firms evaluating the business, while rival international packaging companies have also shown interest, the people said. Logoplaste is expected to receive non-binding offers in May, they said. Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board , the Canadian pension fund which owns 60% of Logoplaste, is working with advisers on a potential sale that could value the company at more than €1.7 billion ($2 billion), people familiar with the matter said in October . A deal is expected to be completed this year. Representatives for Logoplaste, KKR and Apollo declined to comment on the bidding process. A spokesperson for OTPP also declined to comment on the sale. Deliberations are ongoing and there is no certainty a transaction will be reached, the people said. Minority shareholders Filipe de Botton — the company’s chairman and founder — and board member Alexandre Relvas may exercise their option to reinvest alongside any new buyer to keep their combined holding of about 40%, in line with previous ownership transitions. Potential buyers are also considering acquiring the whole company. Logoplaste generates roughly €1 billion in annual revenue. The company operates a “wall-to-wall” manufacturing model, placing production units in client facilities to improve efficiency and reduce costs. Founded in 1976, it runs more than 60 plants across more than 15 countries and supplies plastic packaging to customers including Kraft Heinz Co. , Diageo Plc and L’Oréal SA. The business was valued at about €1.4 billion including debt when OTPP acquired a majority stake from Carlyle Group in 2021. Carlyle had invested around €660 million in Logoplaste in 2016.
Michael Nieman/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Introduction When we last looked at Microsoft ( MSFT ) in June 2025, it was clear that market optimism had pushed the stock price higher than the valuation metrics warranted. At that time, Microsoft was trading at $470, and we set our price target at $365 based on our DCF model. Fast-forward to today, and the company is now trading close to that tar...
Michael Nieman/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Introduction When we last looked at Microsoft ( MSFT ) in June 2025, it was clear that market optimism had pushed the stock price higher than the valuation metrics warranted. At that time, Microsoft was trading at $470, and we set our price target at $365 based on our DCF model. Fast-forward to today, and the company is now trading close to that target. Data by YCharts With new financial data and increased clarity on the current AI 'arms race,' we believe it is a good time to revisit our assumptions and see if this is a good point to add shares again given the recent pullback. In addition, many of the traditional valuation metrics (P/E, EV/EBITDA) are signaling a compelling entry point. Data by YCharts Data by YCharts Historical Results (Base for DCF) To get a clear read on Microsoft's performance, we need to look at the segment results from its FY26 Q2 report (fiscal year). Microsoft continued to show strong top-line sales growth of 17.5% and significant improvement in operating income by 22.6% YTD (six months ended December 31). Operating income was supported by strong margin improvement in Productivity and Business Processes (Office Suite, Copilot, etc.) and More Personal Computing (Windows OEM, Xbox, etc.). More Personal Computing represents the legacy business, Productivity and Business Processes its bread and butter, and Intelligent Cloud (Azure, OpenAI, and Cloud) is the future rising star for the company. Margins are improving at a faster rate than sales, with a full 2ppt (percentage points) improvement compared to the same period last year. We know Microsoft's core business is a cash flow machine, but what will drive its valuation to new heights is the new frontier in tech, AI. Therefore, the Intelligent Cloud needs further scrutiny. For us to accurately forecast this segment, we need to have a better understanding of how this segment is evolving and what is in the pipeline beyond looking at different AI LLMs...
Michael Nieman/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Introduction When we last looked at Microsoft ( MSFT ) in June 2025, it was clear that market optimism had pushed the stock price higher than the valuation metrics warranted. At that time, Microsoft was trading at $470, and we set our price target at $365 based on our DCF model. Fast-forward to today, and the company is now trading close to that tar...
Michael Nieman/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Introduction When we last looked at Microsoft ( MSFT ) in June 2025, it was clear that market optimism had pushed the stock price higher than the valuation metrics warranted. At that time, Microsoft was trading at $470, and we set our price target at $365 based on our DCF model. Fast-forward to today, and the company is now trading close to that target. Data by YCharts With new financial data and increased clarity on the current AI 'arms race,' we believe it is a good time to revisit our assumptions and see if this is a good point to add shares again given the recent pullback. In addition, many of the traditional valuation metrics (P/E, EV/EBITDA) are signaling a compelling entry point. Data by YCharts Data by YCharts Historical Results (Base for DCF) To get a clear read on Microsoft's performance, we need to look at the segment results from its FY26 Q2 report (fiscal year). Microsoft continued to show strong top-line sales growth of 17.5% and significant improvement in operating income by 22.6% YTD (six months ended December 31). Operating income was supported by strong margin improvement in Productivity and Business Processes (Office Suite, Copilot, etc.) and More Personal Computing (Windows OEM, Xbox, etc.). More Personal Computing represents the legacy business, Productivity and Business Processes its bread and butter, and Intelligent Cloud (Azure, OpenAI, and Cloud) is the future rising star for the company. Margins are improving at a faster rate than sales, with a full 2ppt (percentage points) improvement compared to the same period last year. We know Microsoft's core business is a cash flow machine, but what will drive its valuation to new heights is the new frontier in tech, AI. Therefore, the Intelligent Cloud needs further scrutiny. For us to accurately forecast this segment, we need to have a better understanding of how this segment is evolving and what is in the pipeline beyond looking at different AI LLMs...
Pernod Ricard press release ( PDRDF ): Q3 net sales totalled €1,945M, an organic growth of +0.1%, and -14.6% reported. FY26 Outlook: In a context that remains volatile and uncertain, we continue to see FY26 as a transition year with improving trends in H2. In line with our expectations, Net Sales strongly improved in Q3. Given the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, we now expect organic net sale...
Pernod Ricard press release ( PDRDF ): Q3 net sales totalled €1,945M, an organic growth of +0.1%, and -14.6% reported. FY26 Outlook: In a context that remains volatile and uncertain, we continue to see FY26 as a transition year with improving trends in H2. In line with our expectations, Net Sales strongly improved in Q3. Given the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, we now expect organic net sales to decline by -3% to -4% for the full year. Focus on cash generation to continue, with strategic investments now expected to be below €700m and strong operating working capital management. Aiming for c.80% and above cash conversion from FY26. Medium Term FY27-29: Leveraging our unique broad-based and balanced geographic breadth and diversified portfolio of premium international spirits. Projecting Organic Net Sales growth, aiming for the range of +3% to +6% p.a on average, with annual Organic Operating Margin expansion. Anticipating organic margin expansion to be supported by efficiencies of €1B from FY26 to FY29, with program to optimize Operations and implement a Fit For Future organisational structure. More on Pernod Ricard Brown-Forman: A Deal With Pernod Ricard Could Be A Game Changer Pernod Ricard: Unconvincing Half-Year Results, Uncovered Dividend Could Be Cut Pernod Ricard SA (PRNDY) Q2 2026 Sales/Trading Call Transcript Jameson maker Pernod Ricard flags Iran war impact on sales, sees FY decline High spirits: Analysts weigh in on Brown-Forman's potential deal with Pernod Ricard
Budget airline says passengers are leaving it later to book flights owing to economic uncertainty Business live – latest updates The budget airline easyJet has warned the impact of the Iran war on bookings and oil prices will hit its profits, having driven up fuel costs by £25m in the last month alone. It said it expected to report an increased pre-tax loss of £540-£560m for the six months to Marc...
Budget airline says passengers are leaving it later to book flights owing to economic uncertainty Business live – latest updates The budget airline easyJet has warned the impact of the Iran war on bookings and oil prices will hit its profits, having driven up fuel costs by £25m in the last month alone. It said it expected to report an increased pre-tax loss of £540-£560m for the six months to March, up from £394m in the first half of 2024-25. The carrier typically makes its money in the second half of the year which includes the peak summer period. Continue reading...
georgeclerk/iStock via Getty Images By Zain Vawda GBP/USD ( GBP:USD ) has enjoyed a stellar run of late, capitalizing on a weakening US dollar and a shift in global risk sentiment. However, as we move into the tail end of the week, Cable is finding the air a bit thin near the 1.3600 handle, setting the stage for a battle between trend followers and mean-reversion traders. Daily Chart: Structural B...
georgeclerk/iStock via Getty Images By Zain Vawda GBP/USD ( GBP:USD ) has enjoyed a stellar run of late, capitalizing on a weakening US dollar and a shift in global risk sentiment. However, as we move into the tail end of the week, Cable is finding the air a bit thin near the 1.3600 handle, setting the stage for a battle between trend followers and mean-reversion traders. Daily Chart: Structural Breakout Confirmed The daily time frame provides the most compelling evidence of a medium-term trend shift. After months of being capped by a persistent descending trendline (dark navy), GBP/USD staged a clean breakout in early April. Crucially, the pair has successfully reclaimed its 100-day MA (blue) at 1.3444 and its 200-day MA (black) at 1.3413. This "double reclaim" of the major moving averages suggests that the macro bias has shifted from "sell the rallies" to "buy the dips." Currently, the pair is eyeing the next major structural hurdle at 1.3696, which represents a significant historical resistance zone. The Daily RSI is at 62.7, indicating healthy bullish momentum with plenty of runway before hitting the overbought 70.0 threshold. GBP/USD Daily Chart, April 16, 2026 Source: TradingView H4 Chart: Bulls Defend the 1.3500 Handle Moving down to the H4 chart, the impulsive nature of the current rally is clear. The pair surged through the 1.3500 psychological level, which had previously acted as a formidable ceiling. What is particularly encouraging for bulls is the "retest and depart" behavior seen around the 1.3500 mark. The H4 RSI (currently at 65.7) recently flagged a "bear" pivot, leading to a minor cooling-off period. However, as long as the price remains comfortably above the 1.3378 structural support and the ascending moving averages, the intraday path of least resistance remains to the upside. GBP/USD Four-Hour Chart, April 16, 2026 Source: TradingView H1 Chart: Session Scenarios & Intraday Levels The hourly chart shows Cable currently consolidating in a tight ra...
Shares of enterprise software company Workday (NASDAQ:WDAY) jumped 5.4% in the afternoon session after the technology sector rallied, pushing the Nasdaq near all-time highs, as investors cheered a potential de-escalation of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East amid a flurry of positive news in the artificial intelligence space.
Shares of enterprise software company Workday (NASDAQ:WDAY) jumped 5.4% in the afternoon session after the technology sector rallied, pushing the Nasdaq near all-time highs, as investors cheered a potential de-escalation of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East amid a flurry of positive news in the artificial intelligence space.
Nicolae Popescu/iStock via Getty Images The YieldMax GOOGL Option Income Strategy ETF ( GOOY ) is an actively managed exchange-traded fund designed to provide investors with income through the deployment of a synthetic covered call strategy on Alphabet ( GOOGL ) shares. In doing so, investors will gain growth exposure to GOOGL shares while earning income on sold call options while holding US Treas...
Nicolae Popescu/iStock via Getty Images The YieldMax GOOGL Option Income Strategy ETF ( GOOY ) is an actively managed exchange-traded fund designed to provide investors with income through the deployment of a synthetic covered call strategy on Alphabet ( GOOGL ) shares. In doing so, investors will gain growth exposure to GOOGL shares while earning income on sold call options while holding US Treasuries as collateral while earning yield. Investment Thesis for GOOY GOOY can be an appealing investment strategy for those seeking to gain exposure to GOOGL’s performance in the form of distributions. While GOOY may lag in total returns over time, shares tend to perform relatively in line with GOOGL shares in the short run. TradingView The limiting factor to realizing upside potential is the covered call strategy, which entails selling 1-month call options on GOOGL shares, typically 0-15% above the price of GOOGL shares at the time of writing. This can provide the fund with significant breathing room depending on the market dynamics, extending or contracting theta and delta risk, with theta being associated with time value and delta being associated with the relative price change with respect to the underlying shares. Looking at the current holdings, GOOY’s long position in GOOGL shares expires on May 15, 2026 at a $310 strike price, meaning that the options are deep in the money and can reflect the full value of price changes with respect to GOOGL shares. The covered calls held expire at the end of the week, also with strike prices in the money ranging from $317.5 to $322/share. Offsetting this risk are options spread deployed to offset exposure to the long-term position, with long call positions expiring on the same date as the covered calls at a strike price above the covered call positions. Essentially, these positions act as a hedge against downside exposure to the fund, allowing GOOY to offset the price dispersion with the ability to purchase shares at $325-330/share ...