- Inga Muller
- 06 Mar, 2025
- Frankfurt
DHL Group gained 4.2% to €38.77 after the parcel delivery company reported results for the fourth quarter of 2024.
Revenue increased 3% to €84.19 billion from €81.76 billion, net profit declined 9.3% to €3.33 billion from €3.67 billion, and earnings per diluted share dropped 7.6% to €2.81 from €3.04 a year ago.
The company guided for fiscal 2025 operating profit above €6 billion and free cash flow, excluding mergers and acquisitions, of €3 billion.
The company expanded its share buyback program by €2 billion to up to €6 billion and extended until 2026.
Zalando SE surged 4.6% to €34.47 after the fashion and lifestyle products retailer reported strong results for fiscal 2024.
Revenue increased to €10.57 billion from €10.14 billion, net income surged to €251.1 million from €83.0 million, and earnings per basic share rose to 97 cents from 32 cents a year ago.
Gross merchandise volume jumped to €15.30 billion from €14.63 billion a year ago.
During the year, active customers increased to 51.8 million from 49.6 million, and the number of orders climbed to 251.0 million from 244.8 million a year ago.
In the fourth quarter, revenue increased 8% to €3.30 billion from €3.06 billion, active customers increased 4.5% to 51.8 million from 49.6 million, and the number of orders rose 5.8% to 74.5 million from 70.4 million a year earlier.
The company guided for fiscal 2025 gross merchandise volume and revenue growth between 4% and 9% and adjusted EBIT to increase to a level between €530 and €590 million, compared to €511.1 million in 2024.
Deutsche Lufthansa AG surged 7.8% to €7.18 after Germany’s airline reported increased revenue in fiscal 2024.
Revenue jumped to €37.58 billion from €35.44 billion, net profit declined to €1.38 billion from €1.67 billion, and earnings per diluted share dropped to €1.15 from €1.40 a year ago.
The company guided for fiscal 2025 adjusted EBIT to be “significantly higher” than in the previous year, net capital expenditure between €2.7 billion and €3.3 billion, and free cash flow at the previous year’s level.
Schroders Plc. gained 1.05% to 384.20 pence after the UK-based asset management company reported revenue growth in fiscal 2024.
Revenue increased to £2.97 billion from £2.94 billion, profit climbed to £417.0 million from £402.6 million, and earnings per diluted share rose to 26.0 pence from 24.2 pence a year ago.
The company paid dividends of 21.5 pence per share in 2024 for a total of £334.2 million, compared to 21.5 pence per share or £333.0 million a year ago.
Schroders delivered £20 million of annual run-rate savings in the first quarter of 2025 and expects to have a total of £40 million of run-rate cost savings by the end of this year.
The company said it would onboard the recently announced £5.2 billion sustainable equity mandate from St James’s Place in the second quarter.
Solvay dropped 2.8% to €31.16 after the Belgian chemical ingredients provider reported slight sales growth in the fiscal fourth quarter of 2024.
Net sales increased to €1.134 billion from €1.131 billion, profit declined to €101 million from €191 million, and earnings per basic share fell to 96 cents from €1.82 a year ago.
The company guided for fiscal 2025 underlying EBITDA between €1.0 billion and €1.1 billion, compared to €1.05 billion in 2024, and free cash flow of around €300 million, down from €361 million in 2024.
The company said capital expenditure is likely to range between €300 million and €350 million, compared to €355 million in 2024.
Cost savings are expected to reach €200 million by year-end, compared to €110 million at the end of 2024, offsetting both inflation and the costs related to the company’s transition service agreement with Syensqo, a Belgian chemical materials provider.
ITV Plc. surged 4.8% to 72.95 pence after the UK-based video content creator and television network operator reported results for the fiscal year 2024.
Revenue declined 3% to £4.14 billion from £4.26 billion, group adjusted EBITA rose 11% to £542 million from £489 million, and earnings per share rose to 10.4 pence from 5.2 pence a year ago.
In the media and entertainment segment (M&E), advertising revenue grew 2% to £1.82 billion from £1.78 billion a year ago, and total M&E revenue edged up 1% to £2.10 billion from £2.09 billion a year ago.
In the ITV Studios segment, total revenue declined 6% to £2.04 billion from £2.17 billion a year ago.
ITV reported £60 million in non-content cost efficiencies in 2024 and estimated to achieve £30 million of savings in 2025.
JCDecaux SE surged 11.5% to €16.09 after the French advertising company reported increased revenue in fiscal 2024.
Revenue jumped to €3.63 billion from €3.29 billion, net income surged to €258.9 million from €209.2 million, and earnings per diluted share rose to €1.211 from €0.978 a year ago.
The company proposed a cash dividend of 55 cents per share for 2024.
JCDecaux guided for the first quarter of 2025 revenue growth of around 5%.
Informa Plc. dropped 3.4% to 792.40 pence despite the UK-based event management and academic research company reporting revenue growth in fiscal 2024.
Revenue increased 11.4% to £3.55 billion from £3.19 billion, profit before tax declined to £407.3 million from £492.1 million, and earnings per diluted share dropped to 22.2 pence from 29.9 pence a year ago.
The company guided for fiscal 2025 underlying revenue growth of more than 5% and “a double-digit” growth in group revenue and adjusted earnings per diluted share, including reported revenues of £4.1 billion.
In December 2024, Informa divested the historic shipping news brand Lloyd's List as well as Curinos Inc., an analytics and strategy provider.
In addition to the Lloyd’s List, the company also sold the rest of its maritime information operation to private equity firm Montagu, retaining a 20% stake in the business.
- Bridgette Randall
- 06 Mar, 2025
- London
European markets extended weekly gains following a rally in defense and automotive stocks and reviewed rate decisions from the central bank.
Benchmark indexes in Frankfurt rose, but they declined in Paris, London, and Milan.
The European Central Bank, as widely expected, trimmed its reference rates by 25 basis points, and investors are looking forward to comments from officials for future rate direction.
The latest cut was the sixth rate cut since the current cycle began at the end of May 2024, after rates peaked at 4.5%.
The central bank dropped the deposit rate to 2.5% amid weak macroeconomic conditions and uncertainties linked to U.S. trade policy and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
In stock trading, automotive stocks rallied after the U.S. exempted automobile companies from the newly imposed 25% tariff on shipments from Mexico and Canada.
Volkswagen AG, BMW AG, Stellantis NV, and Renault SA advanced between 2% and 3%.
Defense stocks extended weekly gains after political leaders scheduled a second emergency meeting to provide military and financial assistance to Ukraine.
Rheinmetall, BAE Systems, Dassault Aviation, Safran SA, MTU Aero Engines, and Thales SA jumped between 1% and 3%.
On the economic front, retail sales in the eurozone rose at 1.5% in January, according to the latest data released by Eurostat.
Retail sales growth dropped to a four-month low in January and fell from a 2.2% annual rate in the previous month.
On a monthly basis, retail sales fell 0.3% after staying flat for two consecutive months.
Europe Indexes and Yields
The DAX index increased by 0.4% to 23,183.39, the CAC-40 index edged lower 0.5% to 8,133.46, and the FTSE 100 index declined by 0.8% to 8,681.31.
The yield on 10-year German bonds inched higher to 2.85%, French bonds increased to 3.56%, the UK gilts moved up to 4.66%, and Italian bonds edged higher to 3.91%.
The euro increased to $1.08; the British pound was lower at $1.29; and the U.S. dollar was lower and traded at 88.63 Swiss cents.
Brent crude increased $0.33 to $69.63 a barrel, and the Dutch TTF natural gas was higher by €0.69 to €41.68 per MWh.
Europe Stock Movers
Air France KLM soared 20% to €10.99, and the airline group reported sharply higher profit in the fourth quarter and full-year 2024.
Deutsche Lufthansa AG jumped 8.7% to €7.81, and the airline group estimated a sharp increase in earnings in 2025.
Deutsche Post AG gained 9% to €42.62 after the German postal service announced a €1 billion cost-cutting plan.
Zalando SE gained 0.4% to €34.65, and the online fashion retailer tripled its annual profit in 2024.
Admiral Group plc jumped 5.2% to 3,053.0 after the UK-based home and automobile insurance company reported a 90% jump in annual pre-tax profit.
- Bridgette Randall
- 06 Mar, 2025
- London
European markets extended weekly gains following a rally in defense and automotive stocks and ahead of rate decisions from the central bank.
Benchmark indexes in Frankfurt rose, but they declined in Paris, London, and Milan.
The European Central Bank is widely expected to trim its reference rates by 25 basis points, and investors are looking forward to comments from officials for future rate direction.
The latest cut will be the sixth rate cut since the current cycle began at the end of May 2024, after rates peaked at 4.5%.
The central bank is expected to drop the deposit rate to 2.5% amid weak macroeconomic conditions and uncertainties linked to U.S. trade policy and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
In stock trading, automotive stocks rallied after the U.S. exempted automobile companies from the newly imposed 25% tariff on shipments from Mexico and Canada.
Volkswagen AG, BMW AG, Stellantis NV, and Renault SA advanced between 2% and 3%.
Defense stocks extended weekly gains after political leaders scheduled a second emergency meeting to provide military and financial assistance to Ukraine.
Rheinmetall, BAE Systems, Dassault Aviation, Safran SA, MTU Aero Engines, and Thales SA jumped between 1% and 3%.
On the economic front, retail sales in the eurozone rose at 1.5% in January, according to the latest data released by Eurostat.
Retail sales growth dropped to a four-month low in January and fell from a 2.2% annual rate in the previous month.
On a monthly basis, retail sales fell 0.3% after staying flat for two consecutive months.
Europe Indexes and Yields
The DAX index increased by 0.4% to 23,183.39, the CAC-40 index edged lower 0.5% to 8,133.46, and the FTSE 100 index declined by 0.8% to 8,681.31.
The yield on 10-year German bonds inched higher to 2.85%, French bonds increased to 3.56%, the UK gilts moved up to 4.66%, and Italian bonds edged higher to 3.91%.
The euro increased to $1.08; the British pound was lower at $1.29; and the U.S. dollar was lower and traded at 88.63 Swiss cents.
Brent crude increased $0.33 to $69.63 a barrel, and the Dutch TTF natural gas was higher by €0.69 to €41.68 per MWh.
Europe Stock Movers
Air France KLM soared 20% to €10.99, and the airline group reported sharply higher profit in the fourth quarter and full-year 2024.
Deutsche Lufthansa AG jumped 8.7% to €7.81, and the airline group estimated a sharp increase in earnings in 2025.
Deutsche Post AG gained 9% to €42.62 after the German postal service announced a €1 billion cost-cutting plan.
Zalando SE gained 0.4% to €34.65, and the online fashion retailer tripled its annual profit in 2024.
Admiral Group plc jumped 5.2% to 3,053.0 after the UK-based home and automobile insurance company reported a 90% jump in annual pre-tax profit.
- Akira Ito
- 06 Mar, 2025
- Tokyo
Stock market indexes in Tokyo advanced for the second consecutive day amid uncertainty linked to the U.S. trade policy that could start a new global trade war.
The Nikkei 225 stock average gained 0.8%, and the broader TOPIX advanced more than 1%, and the yen strengthened to 148.20 against the U.S. dollar.
The yen strengthened after Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Shinichi Uchida confirmed that the central bank is prepared to raise interest rates if economic indicators meet the forecast and support the action.
Investors widely anticipate the central bank to continue its rate-hike campaign and raise rates after the policy meeting later this month.
Export-driven stocks led the gainers in Tokyo after the White House offered exemptions from tariffs to automobile exports for one month.
Despite the latest tariff relief, investors are worried that Japanese exports to the U.S. are likely to face higher tariffs in the months ahead as the Trump administration looks for ways to bolster government revenue to finance its tax cut to the wealthy.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average increased 0.8% to 37,704.93, and the broader TOPIX advanced 1.2% to 2,751.41.
Export-driven stocks led gainers in Tokyo amid a strengthening yen and receding worries of tariffs.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries soared 10.6% to ¥2,520.50, Hitachi Ltd. advanced 7.5% to ¥3,978.0, Kawasaki Heavy Industries soared 7.5% to ¥9,120.0, and IHI Corp advanced 2.5% to ¥11,430.0.
Seven & I Holdings jumped 6% to ¥2,120.0, and investors hoped that the founding family may be able to resurrect a new buyout offer.
Separately, the company announced a new chief executive officer and a restructuring plan to lower operating costs.
The company plans to list its North American business on a stock exchange as early as 2026, according to local reports.
- Akira Ito
- 06 Mar, 2025
- Tokyo
Stock market indexes in Tokyo advanced for the second consecutive day amid uncertainty linked to the U.S. trade policy that could start a new global trade war.
The Nikkei 225 stock average gained 0.8%, and the broader TOPIX advanced more than 1%, and the yen strengthened to 148.20 against the U.S. dollar.
The yen strengthened after Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Shinichi Uchida confirmed that the central bank is prepared to raise interest rates if economic indicators meet the forecast and support the action.
Investors widely anticipate the central bank to continue its rate-hike campaign and raise rates after the policy meeting later this month.
Export-driven stocks led the gainers in Tokyo after the White House offered exemptions from tariffs to automobile exports for one month.
Despite the latest tariff relief, investors are worried that Japanese exports to the U.S. are likely to face higher tariffs in the months ahead as the Trump administration looks for ways to bolster government revenue to finance its tax cut to the wealthy.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average increased 0.8% to 37,704.93, and the broader TOPIX advanced 1.2% to 2,751.41.
Export-driven stocks led gainers in Tokyo amid a strengthening yen and receding worries of tariffs.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries soared 10.6% to ¥2,520.50, Hitachi Ltd. advanced 7.5% to ¥3,978.0, Kawasaki Heavy Industries soared 7.5% to ¥9,120.0, and IHI Corp advanced 2.5% to ¥11,430.0.
Seven & I Holdings jumped 6% to ¥2,120.0, and investors hoped that the founding family may be able to resurrect a new buyout offer.
Separately, the company announced a new chief executive officer and a restructuring plan to lower operating costs.
- Li Chen
- 06 Mar, 2025
- Hong Kong
Stock market indexes in China and Hong Kong surged amid expectations of additional stimulus measures in support of the aggressive economic growth targets.
The Hang Seng index jumped nearly 3% and reached a 3-year high, and the benchmark index wiped out tariff-linked losses of the last two weeks.
The CSI 300 index gained more than 1%, driven by expectations that the People's Bank of China will provide additional liquidity to the financial system, lower the reference interest rate, and facilitate lending to consumers and businesses.
The National People's Congress' working papers suggested that the central government is targeting 5% annual economic growth in 2025.
The ambitious growth target will require higher spending by the government and raising the debt limit to a new record level.
Higher spending by the government will support the production of steel, cement, renewable energy products, and electric vehicle sales.
In the past, Chinese policymakers ridiculed the Japanese government for piling on the government debt despite the lack of economic growth.
However, China is pursuing the same debt-fueled, government spending-driven economic growth model of Japan, as the economy struggles to maintain elevated growth levels of the past.
Despite Beijing's economic growth target rate of 5%, China's economic growth is set to slow down to less than 3% in the next two years, driven by weaker export growth, demographic challenges, and the manufacturing industry shifting operations to other regions.
China Indexes and Markets
The Hang Seng index soared 2.6% to 24,211.62, and the broader index advanced 1.3% to 3,953.29.
Alibaba Group Holding soared 9% to HK $141.30 after the e-commerce company released a reasoning model for artificial intelligence applications.
- Li Chen
- 06 Mar, 2025
- Hong Kong
Stock market indexes in China and Hong Kong surged amid expectations of additional stimulus measures in support of the aggressive economic growth targets.
The Hang Seng index jumped nearly 3% and reached a 3-year high, and the benchmark index wiped out tariff-linked losses of the last two weeks.
The CSI 300 index gained more than 1%, driven by expectations that the People's Bank of China will provide additional liquidity to the financial system, lower the reference interest rate, and facilitate lending to consumers and businesses.
The National People's Congress' working papers suggested that the central government is targeting 5% annual economic growth in 2025.
The ambitious growth target will require higher spending by the government and raising the debt limit to a new record level.
Higher spending by the government will support the production of steel, cement, renewable energy products, and electric vehicle sales.
In the past, Chinese policymakers ridiculed the Japanese government for piling on the government debt despite the lack of economic growth.
However, China is pursuing the same debt-fueled, government spending-driven economic growth model of Japan, as the economy struggles to maintain elevated growth levels of the past.
Despite Beijing's economic growth target rate of 5%, China's economic growth is set to slow down to less than 3% in the next two years, driven by weaker export growth, demographic challenges, and the manufacturing industry shifting operations to other regions.
China Indexes and Markets
The Hang Seng index soared 2.6% to 24,211.62, and the broader index advanced 1.3% to 3,953.29.
Alibaba Group Holding soared 9% to HK $141.30 after the e-commerce company released a reasoning model for artificial intelligence applications.
- Arun Goswami
- 06 Mar, 2025
- Mumbai
Tega Industries Ltd. increased 0.07% to ₹1,321.05 after the mineral processing products maker reported a 52% jump in its earnings in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue increased to ₹420.6 crore from ₹346.7 crore, after-tax profit jumped to ₹54.2 crore from ₹35.6 crore, and diluted earnings per share rose to ₹8.15 from ₹5.34 a year ago.
Shree Rama Multi-Tech Ltd. rose 0.1% to ₹35.58 after the flexible packaging company reported a two-and-a-half-fold increase in earnings in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue advanced to ₹53.7 crore from ₹43.5 crore, net income advanced to ₹5.3 crore from ₹2.1 crore, and diluted earnings per share rose to 39 paisa from 16 paisa a year ago.
CMS Info Systems Ltd. fell 0.8% to ₹446.10 despite the cash management services provider reporting a 7% increase in net income in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue increased to ₹593.2 crore from ₹590.1 crore, after-tax profit rose to ₹93.2 crore from ₹87.1 crore, and diluted earnings per share advanced to ₹5.56 from ₹5.37 a year ago.
The company's board declared a second interim dividend of ₹3.25 per share.
Shreyans Industries Limited advanced 0.2% to ₹184.64 despite the paper & forest products company reporting a 52% plunge from a year ago in quarterly profit.
Consolidated revenue declined to ₹171.8 crore from ₹187.9 crore, net income dropped to ₹9.1 crore from ₹20.9 crore, and diluted earnings per share fell to ₹6.58 from ₹15.08 a year ago.
Matrimony.com Limited gained 1.1% to ₹536.60 despite the online matchmaking and marriage-related services provider reporting a marginal decline in net income and revenue in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue decreased to ₹118.4 crore from ₹123.6 crore, after-tax profit fell to ₹10 crore from ₹11.1 crore, and diluted earnings per share declined to ₹4.54 from ₹4.99 a year ago.
Ramco Systems Ltd. declined 1.8% to ₹304.20 after the enterprise software company said net loss shrank in the December quarter
Consolidated revenue advanced to ₹157.5 crore from ₹128.8 crore, net loss shrank to ₹10 crore from ₹26.1 crore, and diluted losses per share dropped to ₹2.79 from ₹7.47 a year ago.
Hindusthan Urban Infrastructure Ltd. fell 0.3% to ₹2,370, and the company reported a marginal increase in revenue and a 60% increase in net loss in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue increased to ₹136.6 crore from ₹130.6 crore, after-tax profit expanded to ₹13.6 crore from ₹8.5 crore, and diluted losses per share advanced to ₹50.70 from ₹38.18 a year ago.
Spright Agro Ltd. dropped 5% to ₹6.02 despite the agricultural company reporting a two-and-a-half-fold increase in revenue in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue advanced to ₹55 crore from ₹22.4 crore, net income rose to ₹7.1 crore from ₹5.5 crore, and diluted earnings per share dropped to 7 paisa from ₹2.19 a year ago.
- Arun Goswami
- 06 Mar, 2025
- Mumbai
Tega Industries Ltd. increased 0.07% to ₹1,321.05 after the mineral processing products maker reported a 52% jump in its earnings in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue increased to ₹420.6 crore from ₹346.7 crore, after-tax profit jumped to ₹54.2 crore from ₹35.6 crore, and diluted earnings per share rose to ₹8.15 from ₹5.34 a year ago.
Shree Rama Multi-Tech Ltd. rose 0.1% to ₹35.58 after the flexible packaging company reported a two-and-a-half-fold increase in earnings in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue advanced to ₹53.7 crore from ₹43.5 crore, net income advanced to ₹5.3 crore from ₹2.1 crore, and diluted earnings per share rose to 39 paisa from 16 paisa a year ago.
CMS Info Systems Ltd. fell 0.8% to ₹446.10 despite the cash management services provider reporting a 7% increase in net income in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue increased to ₹593.2 crore from ₹590.1 crore, after-tax profit rose to ₹93.2 crore from ₹87.1 crore, and diluted earnings per share advanced to ₹5.56 from ₹5.37 a year ago.
The company's board declared a second interim dividend of ₹3.25 per share.
Shreyans Industries Limited advanced 0.2% to ₹184.64 despite the paper & forest products company reporting a 52% plunge from a year ago in quarterly profit.
Consolidated revenue declined to ₹171.8 crore from ₹187.9 crore, net income dropped to ₹9.1 crore from ₹20.9 crore, and diluted earnings per share fell to ₹6.58 from ₹15.08 a year ago.
Matrimony.com Limited gained 1.1% to ₹536.60 despite the online matchmaking and marriage-related services provider reporting a marginal decline in net income and revenue in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue decreased to ₹118.4 crore from ₹123.6 crore, after-tax profit fell to ₹10 crore from ₹11.1 crore, and diluted earnings per share declined to ₹4.54 from ₹4.99 a year ago.
Ramco Systems Ltd. declined 1.8% to ₹304.20 after the enterprise software company said net loss shrank in the December quarter
Consolidated revenue advanced to ₹157.5 crore from ₹128.8 crore, net loss shrank to ₹10 crore from ₹26.1 crore, and diluted losses per share dropped to ₹2.79 from ₹7.47 a year ago.
Hindusthan Urban Infrastructure Ltd. fell 0.3% to ₹2,370, and the company reported a marginal increase in revenue and a 60% increase in net loss in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue increased to ₹136.6 crore from ₹130.6 crore, after-tax profit expanded to ₹13.6 crore from ₹8.5 crore, and diluted losses per share advanced to ₹50.70 from ₹38.18 a year ago.
Spright Agro Ltd. dropped 5% to ₹6.02 despite the agricultural company reporting a two-and-a-half-fold increase in revenue in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue advanced to ₹55 crore from ₹22.4 crore, net income rose to ₹7.1 crore from ₹5.5 crore, and diluted earnings per share dropped to 7 paisa from ₹2.19 a year ago.
- Barry Adams
- 05 Mar, 2025
- New York City
Market sentiment on Wall Street reflected the White House-induced chaos and ongoing federal government policy uncertainty.
The S&P 500 index gained 0.1%, and the Nasdaq Composite decreased 0.1%, as investors held out for a possible compromise in lowering tariffs on goods shipped from Canada and Mexico.
The U.S. tariff uncertainty has already pushed investors to lower earnings expectations in 2025, and the Federal Reserve may delay its expected rate cuts later in the year or may never happen.
Target, Best Buy, and other leading companies are planning price hikes as early as this week, reflecting higher tariffs on goods arriving from China and Mexico.
Prices of tomatoes, avocados, and fruits are also expected to jump higher after Mexican goods face a 25% tariff starting March 4.
Automobile companies are looking to pass on higher tariffs to consumers, and many carmakers are looking to raise prices by as much as 25%.
On the campaign trail, Donald Trump promised to lower prices, kill inflation, and simplify the regulatory regime for businesses; instead, consumers are paying higher prices at the gas stations and grocery stores, and businesses are lost in the new uncertainty of the tariff regime.
Commodities, Currencies, Indexes, Yields
The S&P 500 index increased 0.1% to 5,785.68, the Nasdaq Composite edged down 0.01% to 18,23.34, and the Russell 2000 index was down 0.1% to 2,077.02.
The yield on 2-year Treasury notes edged lower to 3.92%, 10-year Treasury notes decreased to 4.21%, and 30-year Treasury bonds declined to 4.52%.
WTI crude oil decreased $1.72 to $66.53 a barrel, and natural gas prices edged lower by $0.04 to $4.31 a thermal unit.
Gold increased by $10.93 to 2,903.41 an ounce, and silver edged up by $0.14 to $32.06.
The dollar index, which weighs the US currency against a basket of foreign currencies, decreased 0.98 to 104.76 and traded at a two-year high.
U.S. Stock Movers
AeroVironment Inc. plunged 22% to $110.0 after the advanced robotics company reported weak 2024 results, and the company guided weak sales outlook.
Revenue declined to $139.75 million from $155.92 million, net income swung to a loss of $1.75 million from a profit of $13.88 million, and net loss per diluted share was 6 cents compared to a profit of 50 cents a year ago.
The company guided for fiscal 2025 revenue between $780 million and $795 million, compared to $716.7 million a year ago, and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share between $2.92 and $3.13, compared to 43 cents in 2024.
Ross Stores increased 1.1% to $135.40, and the off-price clothes retailer reported better-than-expected earnings in the holiday-driven fourth quarter.
Abercrombie & Fitch decreased 10.2% to $85.83, and the specialty apparel retailer's fourth quarter results surpassed market expectations, but current quarter estimates fell short of market expectations.
The company guided revenue in the fiscal first quarter to increase between 4% and 6% and earnings per share between $1.25 and $1.45.
Full-year 2024 revenue increased 16% to $4.95 billion, driven by a 17% rise in comparable store sales.
The company also announced a new stock repurchase plan of $1.3 billion and plans to purchase $400 million of shares in 2025.
- Barry Adams
- 05 Mar, 2025
- New York City
Market sentiment on Wall Street reflected the White House-induced chaos and ongoing federal government policy uncertainty.
The S&P 500 index gained 0.1%, and the Nasdaq Composite decreased 0.1%, as investors held out for a possible compromise in lowering tariffs on goods shipped from Canada and Mexico.
The U.S. tariff uncertainty has already pushed investors to lower earnings expectations in 2025, and the Federal Reserve may delay its expected rate cuts later in the year or may never happen.
Target, Best Buy, and other leading companies are planning price hikes as early as this week, reflecting higher tariffs on goods arriving from China and Mexico.
Prices of tomatoes, avocados, and fruits are also expected to jump higher after Mexican goods face a 25% tariff starting March 4.
Automobile companies are looking to pass on higher tariffs to consumers, and many carmakers are looking to raise prices by as much as 25%.
On the campaign trail, Donald Trump promised to lower prices, kill inflation, and simplify the regulatory regime for businesses; instead, consumers are paying higher prices at the gas stations and grocery stores, and businesses are lost in the new uncertainty of the tariff regime.
Commodities, Currencies, Indexes, Yields
The S&P 500 index increased 0.1% to 5,785.68, the Nasdaq Composite edged down 0.01% to 18,23.34, and the Russell 2000 index was down 0.1% to 2,077.02.
The yield on 2-year Treasury notes edged lower to 3.92%, 10-year Treasury notes decreased to 4.21%, and 30-year Treasury bonds declined to 4.52%.
WTI crude oil decreased $1.72 to $66.53 a barrel, and natural gas prices edged lower by $0.04 to $4.31 a thermal unit.
Gold increased by $10.93 to 2,903.41 an ounce, and silver edged up by $0.14 to $32.06.
The dollar index, which weighs the US currency against a basket of foreign currencies, decreased 0.98 to 104.76 and traded at a two-year high.
U.S. Stock Movers
AeroVironment Inc. plunged 22% to $110.0 after the advanced robotics company reported weak 2024 results, and the company guided weak sales outlook.
Revenue declined to $139.75 million from $155.92 million, net income swung to a loss of $1.75 million from a profit of $13.88 million, and net loss per diluted share was 6 cents compared to a profit of 50 cents a year ago.
The company guided for fiscal 2025 revenue between $780 million and $795 million, compared to $716.7 million a year ago, and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share between $2.92 and $3.13, compared to 43 cents in 2024.
Ross Stores increased 1.1% to $135.40, and the off-price clothes retailer reported better-than-expected earnings in the holiday-driven fourth quarter.
Abercrombie & Fitch decreased 10.2% to $85.83, and the specialty apparel retailer's fourth quarter results surpassed market expectations, but current quarter estimates fell short of market expectations.
The company guided revenue in the fiscal first quarter to increase between 4% and 6% and earnings per share between $1.25 and $1.45.
Full-year 2024 revenue increased 16% to $4.95 billion, driven by a 17% rise in comparable store sales.
The company also announced a new stock repurchase plan of $1.3 billion and plans to purchase $400 million of shares in 2025.
- Bridgette Randall
- 05 Mar, 2025
- London
Stock market indexes in Europe soared, and bond yields advanced after German leaders agreed to raise the debt limit and step up infrastructure investment.
Benchmark indexes in Frankfurt jumped more than 3% and in Paris advanced 2% after political leaders worked out a framework to increase arms production and invest in faltering infrastructure and digitization.
Construction and defense stocks extended the rally after CDU party leader and presumed German chancellor Friedrich Merz announced a plan to invest €500 billion in building infrastructure and increasing defense production.
Heidelberg Materials soared 14.5% to €162.35, Hochtief AG jumped 12% to €170.70, and Rheinmetall AG advanced 3% to €1,154.0.
Bond yields in Frankfurt, Paris, and Milan rose sharply after the German political leaders agreed on a plan to increase borrowing to finance
The yield on 10-year German Bunds jumped 25 basis points to a 9-month high of 2.67%, and on the French government bonds advanced 21 basis points to 3.43%.
On the economic front, producer price inflation in the eurozone accelerated on a monthly and annual basis in January, according to data released by Eurostat.
Producer price inflation increased to 0.8% monthly in January, accelerating from 0.5% in December, driven by higher prices across all categories led by energy.
On an annual basis, inflation accelerated to 1.8% in January, higher than 0.1% in December, and advanced to the highest level since March 2023.
Europe Indexes and Yields
The DAX index increased by 3.4% to 23,080.66, the CAC-40 index edged higher 2.2% to 8,221.37, and the FTSE 100 index advanced by 0.8% to 8,830.48.
The yield on 10-year German bonds inched higher to 2.68%, French bonds increased to 3.35%, the UK gilts moved up to 4.60%, and Italian bonds edged higher to 3.69%.
The euro increased to $1.07; the British pound was higher at $1.28; and the U.S. dollar was lower and traded at 88.63 Swiss cents.
Brent crude decreased $0.43 to $70.60 a barrel, and the Dutch TTF natural gas was higher by €0.72 to €43.55 per MWh.
Europe Stock Movers
Beazley Plc rose 1.4% to 903.50 pence after the UK-based insurance company reported record pre-tax profit in 2024.
Bayer AG advanced 3.4% to €24.40, and the German chemical company signaled that the company may return to profit growth in the next year.
Adidas AG decreased 1.1% to €235.30, and the German sportswear company signaled a possible slowdown in sales growth in the current year following strong gains in 2024.
Schaeffler AG fell 1.3% to €4.55 after the German precision mobility parts and systems maker offered a gloomy sales outlook for 2025.
SCOR SE dropped 3.2% to €25.42, and the French insurance company said combined P&C ratio deteriorated to 83.1% in the fourth quarter, a rise of 7.5 percentage points compared to the previous year.
Flutter Entertainment PLC jumped 2.2% to 21,010.0 pence after the online gambling and sports betting company reported better-than-expected earnings in the fourth quarter.
- Bridgette Randall
- 05 Mar, 2025
- London
Stock market indexes in Europe soared, and bond yields advanced after German leaders agreed to raise the debt limit and step up infrastructure investment.
Benchmark indexes in Frankfurt jumped more than 3% and in Paris advanced 2% after political leaders worked out a framework to increase arms production and invest in faltering infrastructure and digitization.
Construction and defense stocks extended the rally after CDU party leader and presumed German chancellor Friedrich Merz announced a plan to invest €500 billion in building infrastructure and increasing defense production.
Heidelberg Materials soared 14.5% to €162.35, Hochtief AG jumped 12% to €170.70, and Rheinmetall AG advanced 3% to €1,154.0.
Bond yields in Frankfurt, Paris, and Milan rose sharply after the German political leaders agreed on a plan to increase borrowing to finance
The yield on 10-year German Bunds jumped 25 basis points to a 9-month high of 2.67%, and on the French government bonds advanced 21 basis points to 3.43%.
On the economic front, producer price inflation in the eurozone accelerated on a monthly and annual basis in January, according to data released by Eurostat.
Producer price inflation increased to 0.8% monthly in January, accelerating from 0.5% in December, driven by higher prices across all categories led by energy.
On an annual basis, inflation accelerated to 1.8% in January, higher than 0.1% in December, and advanced to the highest level since March 2023.
Europe Indexes and Yields
The DAX index increased by 3.4% to 23,080.66, the CAC-40 index edged higher 2.2% to 8,221.37, and the FTSE 100 index advanced by 0.8% to 8,830.48.
The yield on 10-year German bonds inched higher to 2.68%, French bonds increased to 3.35%, the UK gilts moved up to 4.60%, and Italian bonds edged higher to 3.69%.
The euro increased to $1.07; the British pound was higher at $1.28; and the U.S. dollar was lower and traded at 88.63 Swiss cents.
Brent crude decreased $0.43 to $70.60 a barrel, and the Dutch TTF natural gas was higher by €0.72 to €43.55 per MWh.
Europe Stock Movers
Beazley Plc rose 1.4% to 903.50 pence after the UK-based insurance company reported record pre-tax profit in 2024.
Bayer AG advanced 3.4% to €24.40, and the German chemical company signaled that the company may return to profit growth in the next year.
Adidas AG decreased 1.1% to €235.30, and the German sportswear company signaled a possible slowdown in sales growth in the current year following strong gains in 2024.
Schaeffler AG fell 1.3% to €4.55 after the German precision mobility parts and systems maker offered a gloomy sales outlook for 2025.
SCOR SE dropped 3.2% to €25.42, and the French insurance company said combined P&C ratio deteriorated to 83.1% in the fourth quarter, a rise of 7.5 percentage points compared to the previous year.
Flutter Entertainment PLC jumped 2.2% to 21,010.0 pence after the online gambling and sports betting company reported better-than-expected earnings in the fourth quarter.
- Scott Peters
- 05 Mar, 2025
- New York City
Nordstrom Inc. gained 0.6% to $24.39 after the full-line merchandise retailer surpassed analyst expectations in the fiscal fourth quarter ending on February 1 of 2025.
Net sales declined to $4.20 billion from $4.29 billion, net earnings increased to $165 million from $134 million, and earnings per diluted share jumped to 97 cents from 82 cents a year ago.
The company opened 23 stores during the year.
During the fourth quarter, Nordstrom closed one store and three Rack stores, and subsequent to the quarter-end, the company closed one local service hub, which will reopen as a storefront dedicated to personal styling.
Fourth-quarter total comparable sales increased 4.7%, banner comparable sales increased 5.3%, and rack comparable sales increased 3.5% versus fiscal 2023.
The company proposed a quarterly cash dividend of 19 cents per share, payable on March 26 to shareholders on record as of March 11.
AeroVironment Inc. plunged 20% to $113.50 after the provider of robotic systems to defense and commercial customers reported results for the fiscal third quarter of 2025.
Revenue declined to $139.75 million from $155.92 million, net income swung to a loss of $1.75 million from a profit of $13.88 million, and net loss per diluted share was 6 cents compared to a profit of 50 cents a year ago.
The company guided for fiscal 2025 revenue between $780 million and $795 million, compared to $716.7 million a year ago, and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share between $2.92 and $3.13, compared to 43 cents in 2024.
Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA is estimated between $135 million and $142 million, compared to $22.2 million in 2024.
Target Corp. gained 0.4% to $117.61 after the large-format store chain operator reported fourth-quarter comparable sales growth of 1.5%, reflecting steady traffic and digital performance.
Net sales in the fourth quarter ending on February 1 dropped 3.1% to $30.91 billion from $31.92 billion, net earnings declined to $1.10 billion from $1.38 billion, and earnings per diluted share fell to $2.41 from $2.98 a year ago.
Fourth-quarter comparable sales advanced 1.5%, as digital comparable sales grew 8.7% from a year ago.
Same-day delivery powered by Target Circle 360™ grew more than 25% compared to last year.
Comparable sales in apparel and hardlines accelerated by nearly 4% as compared to the third quarter.
The company guided for fiscal 2025 net sales growth of around 1%, based on flat comparable sales growth.
Target expects a “modest increase” in its operating margin rate compared to full-year 2024, an effective tax rate between 23% and 24%, and GAAP and adjusted earnings per share between $8.80 and $9.80, compared to $8.86 in 2024.
Target paid dividends of $513 million in the fourth quarter, up 1.8% from $508 million last year.
In addition, the company repurchased $506 million of its shares, retiring 3.7 million shares at an average price of $136.89, and as of the end of the fourth quarter, Target had $8.7 billion in remaining repurchase authorization since the program’s approval in August 2021.
CrowdStrike Holdings Inc. dropped 9.3% to $353.80 after the cybersecurity solutions provider reported results for the fiscal fourth quarter of 2025 ending in January.
Revenue increased to $1.06 billion from $845.33 million, net income swung to a loss of $92.73 million from a profit of $54.94 million, and loss per diluted share was 37 cents compared to a profit of 22 cents a year ago.
The company guided for the first quarter of 2026 revenue between $1.10 billion and $1.11 billion, compared to $921 million a year ago, and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share between 64 cents and 66 cents, compared to 93 cents in the same period in 2025.
Non-GAAP net income is expected to be between $173.1 million and $180 million, compared to $231.7 million in the first quarter of 2025.
The company agreed to bring AI-powered cloud security to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure.