da-kuk/E+ via Getty Images By Mark Barnes, PhD, Head of Global Investment Research, Americas, FTSE Russell | Indhu Raghavan, CFA, Manager, Global Investment Research, FTSE Russell This insight examines the large-cap tech related concentration in US equities, and flags the recent broadening of US equity performance to smaller and more value-oriented equities against the backdrop of the evolving AI ...
da-kuk/E+ via Getty Images By Mark Barnes, PhD, Head of Global Investment Research, Americas, FTSE Russell | Indhu Raghavan, CFA, Manager, Global Investment Research, FTSE Russell This insight examines the large-cap tech related concentration in US equities, and flags the recent broadening of US equity performance to smaller and more value-oriented equities against the backdrop of the evolving AI narrative. Since the introduction of ChatGPT a little more than three years ago, the AI theme has been a key driver of equity markets and has left the Technology industry dominating the US large-cap index. The AI-driven tech rally, fueled by record capital investment by the so-called hyper-scalers, has faced challenges along the way, one of the first being China's cheaper DeepSeek AI model release in early 2025 that threw into question the expected return on that investment. Newer concerns related to "circular" financing of AI firms and disruption across diverse sectors, particularly software, have since emerged. This is not to suggest that the AI-driven tech rally is over, but rather that these emerging risks suggest more expected volatility in the AI subset of the market. This impels investors to understand the Tech concentration in the broad market and to look beyond Tech to see what other opportunities may be present, which we explore in this insight. Exhibit 1 compares the cumulative performance of the Russell 1000 Technology industry with that of the Russell 1000 ex-Technology portion of the index, and notes three periods of weak Tech relative performance: post the DeepSeek AI model release in January 2025; the period since end-October when concerns about elevated Tech valuations, AI investment circularity and increased use of debt financing came to the forefront; and in early-February 2026 when Tech, particularly Software, fell sharply on fears of AI disruption, which is ultimately broader in scope that just Tech sectors. Exhibit 1: Russell 1000 Technology and ex-Tec...
It's been a tough past few weeks for Carvana (NYSE: CVNA) shareholders. Down another 10% just since last Wednesday evening's release of its fiscal fourth-quarter numbers, this stock's now fallen more than 30% from its late-January peak. It looks like it's still sinking, too. Once the dust is done settling, though, this weakness is likely to end up being more of an opportunity than an omen -- and n...
It's been a tough past few weeks for Carvana (NYSE: CVNA) shareholders. Down another 10% just since last Wednesday evening's release of its fiscal fourth-quarter numbers, this stock's now fallen more than 30% from its late-January peak. It looks like it's still sinking, too. Once the dust is done settling, though, this weakness is likely to end up being more of an opportunity than an omen -- and not an opportunity that will take long to pay off. Image source: Getty Images. Continue reading
Morning, I’m Louise Moon from Bloomberg UK’s breaking news team, bringing you up to speed on today’s top business stories. Shares in drinks giant Diageo sank more than 6% in early trading, adding to losses over the past year, as the reality of a recovery kicked in. The maker of Guinness, Johnnie Walker and Smirnoff cut guidance for the second time this fiscal year and reduced its dividend to shore...
Morning, I’m Louise Moon from Bloomberg UK’s breaking news team, bringing you up to speed on today’s top business stories. Shares in drinks giant Diageo sank more than 6% in early trading, adding to losses over the past year, as the reality of a recovery kicked in. The maker of Guinness, Johnnie Walker and Smirnoff cut guidance for the second time this fiscal year and reduced its dividend to shore up its balance sheet. That’s as Diageo continues to grapple with challenges including waning demand for alcohol, tariffs and increased competition. The dividend cut was a hard but necessary decision, said CEO Dave Lewis, who was brought in at the start of the year. Nicknamed Drastic Dave, he’s known for turning around both Tesco and Unilever. So what’s the plan? Lewis said he’s working on an updated strategy and pledged to “act more decisively” to boost competitiveness and broaden the portfolio. Disposals will be made as needed, though not on the cheap. Time for Dave to work his magic. What’s your take? Ping me on X , LinkedIn or drop me an email at lmoon13@bloomberg.net. Oh, and do subscribe to Bloomberg.com for unlimited access to trusted business journalism on the UK, and beyond. What We’re Watching HSBC ’s bonus pool rose to the highest in at least a decade after better-than-expected full year results , lifted by its wealth unit. CEO Georges Elhedery earned £6.62 million last year as he pushes through a radical restructuring. Shares rose 5%, having surged since Elhedery took over. Pharma giant GSK is shelling out $950 million for a Canadian biotech with an early-stage high blood pressure drug, called 35Pharma. GSK is expanding into cardiovascular as it looks to new medicines to offset the patent expiry of a blockbuster HIV drug. Aston Martin predicts more pain ahead. The luxury-car maker forecast another year of free cash outflow as it struggles with a turnaround further derailed by Trump’s tariffs. Generating positive free cash flow has been a key target as Aston trie...
Even though we're not even through the first quarter of 2026, a lot of people are already thinking ahead to 2027. For some, that means making career plans, moving plans, vacation plans, or financial plans. If you're retired, your 2027 planning may be heavily influenced by what Social Security pays you each month. So you may be curious as to what next year's cost-of-living adjustment , or COLA, mig...
Even though we're not even through the first quarter of 2026, a lot of people are already thinking ahead to 2027. For some, that means making career plans, moving plans, vacation plans, or financial plans. If you're retired, your 2027 planning may be heavily influenced by what Social Security pays you each month. So you may be curious as to what next year's cost-of-living adjustment , or COLA, might look like. Image source: Getty Images. Continue reading
Iberdrola press release ( IBDSF ): FY adjusted net profit grew by 10.3% to Є6,231.0 M and adjusted EBITDA increased by +3.1% to Є15,684.4. Revenue of Є45.55B (+1.8% Y/Y). Investments have reached Є14,460 M. Funds From Operations increased by 8.2% to Є12,811M The adjusted FFO to adjusted net debt ratio stood at 25.5%, with a current liquidity position of Є21,381M, covering 29 months of financing ne...
Iberdrola press release ( IBDSF ): FY adjusted net profit grew by 10.3% to Є6,231.0 M and adjusted EBITDA increased by +3.1% to Є15,684.4. Revenue of Є45.55B (+1.8% Y/Y). Investments have reached Є14,460 M. Funds From Operations increased by 8.2% to Є12,811M The adjusted FFO to adjusted net debt ratio stood at 25.5%, with a current liquidity position of Є21,381M, covering 29 months of financing needs. More on Iberdrola, S.A. Judge revives Iberdrola's Vineyard Wind project stopped by Trump Ibderdrola asks court to block Trump's halt of Massachusetts offshore wind project Seeking Alpha’s Quant Rating on Iberdrola, S.A. Historical earnings data for Iberdrola, S.A. Dividend scorecard for Iberdrola, S.A.
European stocks rose to a new record, boosted by upbeat bank results from the likes of HSBC Holdings Plc and Banco Santander SA . The Stoxx Europe 600 Index was up 0.7% at the close. The banking sector was the biggest outperformer, with HSBC gaining 7.9% after the lender reported better-than-expected earnings. Santander climbed 4.8% as it vowed to grow net income to more than €20 billion ($23.6 bi...
European stocks rose to a new record, boosted by upbeat bank results from the likes of HSBC Holdings Plc and Banco Santander SA . The Stoxx Europe 600 Index was up 0.7% at the close. The banking sector was the biggest outperformer, with HSBC gaining 7.9% after the lender reported better-than-expected earnings. Santander climbed 4.8% as it vowed to grow net income to more than €20 billion ($23.6 billion) in 2028. On the other hand, British distiller Diageo Plc dropped 10% as it cut guidance for a second time this fiscal year, amid flagging demand in the US and China. The broader food and beverages sector was the biggest laggard. Europe’s benchmark index has scaled successive record highs this year as investors remain confident about robust economic growth. A relatively lower exposure to technology stocks has also helped it outperform the S&P 500 index, which has been hurt by concerns around artificial intelligence. Daniel Murray , deputy chief investment officer at EFG Asset Management, said he remains constructive on European equities as the region continues to draw investors looking beyond the US mega-cap tech stocks. “The panic around AI disruption has created a bit of a whack-a-mole situation on which sectors are at risk, but Europe is less exposed and therefore has been protected on the downside,” Murray said. Meanwhile, fourth-quarter earnings have so far exceeded expectations. MSCI Europe constituents have reported a 4.5% rise in profits compared with an expected 1.3%, according to data compiled by Bloomberg Intelligence . For more on equity markets: Investors Are Pushed to Follow the Trend or Hedge: Taking Stock M&A Watch Europe: IPF Recommends Basepoint Offer, GSK, Prisa SpaceX’s Mega IPO Reshapes 2026 Listing Landscape: ECM Watch US Stock Futures Little Changed; Alphatec Holdings Falls StanChart Stays the Course: The London Rush You want more news on this market? Click here for a curated First Word channel of actionable news from Bloomberg and select source...
Lender ‘becoming a simple, more agile, focused bank built for a fast-changing world’, says Georges Elhedery The chief executive of HSBC has signalled that his planned overhaul of Europe’s largest lender is drawing to a close despite a slide in annual profits. The bank’s chief executive, Georges Elhedery – who took over in 2024 – said it was “becoming a simple, more agile, focused bank built for a ...
Lender ‘becoming a simple, more agile, focused bank built for a fast-changing world’, says Georges Elhedery The chief executive of HSBC has signalled that his planned overhaul of Europe’s largest lender is drawing to a close despite a slide in annual profits. The bank’s chief executive, Georges Elhedery – who took over in 2024 – said it was “becoming a simple, more agile, focused bank built for a fast-changing world”. Continue reading...
China’s yuan has strengthened to its highest level against the US dollar in nearly three years, with its official fixing rate also firming amid growing uncertainty over the American currency. On Wednesday afternoon, the offshore yuan traded at 6.867 per US dollar, its strongest level since April 2023. The same day, the People’s Bank of China set the yuan’s midpoint rate – also known as the daily f...
China’s yuan has strengthened to its highest level against the US dollar in nearly three years, with its official fixing rate also firming amid growing uncertainty over the American currency. On Wednesday afternoon, the offshore yuan traded at 6.867 per US dollar, its strongest level since April 2023. The same day, the People’s Bank of China set the yuan’s midpoint rate – also known as the daily fixing – at 6.9321 per US dollar, also the strongest since May 2023. The currency has appreciated...
On Feb. 19, Walmart (NASDAQ: WMT) reminded investors why it's one of the strongest businesses in the world when it reported financial results for the fiscal fourth quarter of 2026. In fiscal 2026 (which ended in January), the company generated revenue of more than $700 billion, up nearly 5% year over year. But the bigger news was that its profits jumped even further. Few businesses stand toe-to-to...
On Feb. 19, Walmart (NASDAQ: WMT) reminded investors why it's one of the strongest businesses in the world when it reported financial results for the fiscal fourth quarter of 2026. In fiscal 2026 (which ended in January), the company generated revenue of more than $700 billion, up nearly 5% year over year. But the bigger news was that its profits jumped even further. Few businesses stand toe-to-toe with Walmart's scale. But Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ: COST) comes closer than most. The company will report financial results for the fiscal second quarter of 2026 on March 5. Over the previous four quarters, it's generated revenue of more than $280 billion. Continue reading
Apple is expanding its US manufacturing footprint in Houston, adding Mac mini production and advanced AI server assembly for the first time. The company is opening a new Advanced Manufacturing Center focused on hardware, AI infrastructure, and workforce training. Apple is also increasing its commitments to US semiconductor and component suppliers as part of this broader investment. Apple, traded a...
Apple is expanding its US manufacturing footprint in Houston, adding Mac mini production and advanced AI server assembly for the first time. The company is opening a new Advanced Manufacturing Center focused on hardware, AI infrastructure, and workforce training. Apple is also increasing its commitments to US semiconductor and component suppliers as part of this broader investment. Apple, traded as NasdaqGS:AAPL, enters this expansion phase with a current share price of $272.14 and multi...