- Arun Goswami
- 03 Mar, 2025
- Mumbai
Rana Sugars Limited jumped 5.8% to ₹14.40 after the sugar, distillery maker, and co-power generator reported a two-and-a-half-fold increase in earnings in the December quarter.
Standalone revenue increased to ₹399.1 crore from ₹340.1 crore, after-tax profit jumped to ₹14.2 crore from ₹5.5 crore, and diluted earnings per share rose to 92 paise from 36 paise a year ago.
Foseco India Limited decreased by 3.7% to ₹3,359.85 despite the metal casting company reporting a 30% increase in net income in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue advanced to ₹142.8 crore from ₹126.5 crore, net income increased to ₹19.5 crore from ₹16.3 crore, and diluted earnings per share rose to ₹30.61 from ₹25.54 a year ago.
Schaeffler India Limited dropped 3% to ₹2,960.45 despite the automotive and industrial component supplier reporting an increase in revenue and net income in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue increased to ₹2,170.8 crore from ₹1,904.7 crore, after-tax profit rose to ₹237.2 crore from ₹209.6 crore, and diluted earnings per share advanced to ₹15.2 from ₹13.4 a year ago.
The company proposed a cash dividend of ₹28 per share for the financial year 2025.
Sanofi India Limited fell by 0.9% to ₹4978 after the pharmaceutical company reported a slight increase in revenue and a 34% plunge from a year ago in quarterly profit.
Consolidated revenue advanced to ₹520.8 crore from ₹478.6 crore, net income dropped to ₹91.3 crore from ₹137.7 crore, and diluted earnings per share fell to ₹39.64 from ₹59.79 a year ago.
The recommended final dividend is ₹117 per share for the financial year 2025.
KSB Limited advanced 0.6% to ₹620.60, and the pumps and valves maker reported a 30% increase in net income in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue increased to ₹736.6 crore from ₹609 crore, after-tax profit rose to ₹73.1 crore from ₹54.9 crore, and diluted earnings per share advanced to ₹4.20 from ₹3.16 a year ago.
Panasonic Energy Co. Ltd. declined 3.7% to ₹332.50 after the battery maker reported a 47% drop in its earnings in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue declined to ₹74.30 crore from ₹75.42 crore, net income fell to ₹2.4 crore from ₹4.5 crore, and diluted earnings per share dropped to ₹3.2 from ₹6.03 a year ago.
Thomas Cook (India) Ltd. plunged 3.4% to ₹120.65 after the travel agency reported a slight increase in revenue and a 48% decline in profit in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue increased to ₹2,083 crore from ₹1,940.8 crore, after-tax profit dropped to ₹47.2 crore from ₹90.5 crore, and diluted earnings per share fell to ₹1.14 from ₹1.77 a year ago.
Tata Chemicals fell 2% to ₹762.40 after the chemistry company swung to a loss in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue declined to ₹3,618 crore from ₹3,786 crore, after-tax losses swung to ₹21 crore from a profit of ₹194 crore, and diluted losses per share swung to ₹2.08 from a profit of ₹6.20 a year ago.
- Alexander Garcia
- 17 Feb, 2025
- Miami
Sony Corp. surged 3.06% to $23.90 after the electronics and media company reported steady revenue and profit growth for the fiscal third quarter ending in December.
Total sales increased to ¥4.41 trillion from ¥3.75 trillion, net income rose to ¥373.74 billion from ¥363.92 billion, and earnings per diluted share climbed to ¥61.82 from ¥58.96 a year ago.
The company estimated full-year sales of ¥13.2 trillion ($87.6 billion) on the back of strong performance in its gaming and music business in the third quarter, compared to ¥13.02 trillion a year ago.
Sony also raised its outlook for annual operating profit to ¥1.34 trillion ($87.6 billion), a 2% increase from the previous financial year.
Business Segments
Sony reported significant increases in games and network services and music segments during the third quarter, but operating income in the pictures unit declined 7.6% to ¥34.0 billion.
Sales in entertainment, technology, and services (ET&S) plunged 31.2% to ¥704.5 billion, while in imaging and sensing solutions (I&SS) sales dropped 4.2% to ¥500.9 billion from the same quarter a year ago.
While revenue in the financial services division surged 406.7%, operating income declined 30.9% to ¥46.4 billion in the quarter.
For fiscal year 2024, the company estimated total operating income of ¥1.34 trillion, compared to ¥1.21 trillion in the previous year.
Sony expects annual sales growth in all segments except for the financial services and the entertainment, technology, and services (ET&S) units.
Sales in ET&S are estimated to decline to ¥2.42 billion from ¥2.45 billion a year ago, impacted by slower sales of televisions and smartphones, while financial services is expected to fall to ¥1.30 billion from ¥1.77 billion a year earlier.
PlayStation
The number of monthly active users across PlayStation (PS) platforms in December increased 5% compared to the same month of the previous year, reaching 129 million accounts, the highest number in PS history.
Total play time also increased 2% year-on-year, marking the seventh consecutive quarter of annual growth.
In November, Sony released a beta version of a cloud streaming feature on the PlayStation Portal remote player.
PS Plus Premium subscribers can now play over 120 PS5 game titles on the PS Portal streamed directly from cloud servers without going through a PS5 console.
In December, Sony’s ASTRO BOT received prestigious game awards in four categories, including Game of the Year and Best Family Game.
In addition, the live service game Helldivers 2, released in February last year, won the best ongoing game and best multiplayer game awards.
Helldivers 2's large update, Omens of Tyranny, released in December 2024, has also been well received by users.
Sony plans to release games such as the major title Ghost of Yōtei and the sequel to the popular title Death Stranding, and so expects further expansion in earnings from first-party software.
Music
During the quarter, new albums from artists such as Tyler, the Creator, and ATEEZ became hits.
Bad Bunny's new album, released from Rimas Entertainment on January 5, 2025, has become a big hit as well, capturing number one on the Billboard 200 and making him the fastest male artist to reach 1 billion streams on Spotify.
At the 67th Grammy Awards held on February 2, 2025, Beyoncé's COWBOY CARTER won the award for Album of the Year.
Beyoncé, who has been nominated for ninety-nine Grammys over the course of her career, the most of any artist, was nominated in eleven categories this time, and she won three categories, including Album of the Year.
Pictures
In motion pictures, there is still some impact of the strikes, such as the postponement to the fiscal year ending March 31, 2027, of the theatrical releases of the next Spider-Man and Jumanji movies.
However, production activity is recovering, and the production of new shows, which was impacted by the strikes, has almost stabilized.
At Crunchyroll, streaming of the second season of the anime series Solo Leveling, produced by Aniplex, began last month, and it has become a big hit in many countries.
Additionally, going forward, Sony aims to further strengthen its engagement with anime fans around the world, including through the scheduled release of Crunchyroll Manga, a digital comic service for paid subscribers in North America.
Imagining and Sensing Solutions (I&SS)
The global smartphone market continued to slowly recover during the quarter, and mobile sensor sales were essentially in line with the company’s expectations.
Sales of new mobile sensor products increased 15% for the nine-month period ending in the third quarter, compared to the same period last year.
Regarding automotive sensors, there has been a slowdown in the growth of the electric vehicle market, especially in the U.S. and Europe, but demand from EV manufacturers in China remained strong.
Furthermore, Sony has expanded its business by shifting toward higher pixel count sensors in what is a small-proportion production as compared to overall segments.
The market for interchangeable lens digital cameras has seen the single-lens reflex camera market shrink at a faster rate than the growth of the mirrorless camera market, which is driven by Sony.
The interchangeable lens market is continuing to grow steadily, with the combined market size for cameras and lenses exceeding ¥1.20 trillion in 2024.
The imaging market requires the integration of multiple advanced technologies, such as optics, mechatronics, and image processing.
With regard to this, Sony expects to generate a high market share and profitability, relying on its image sensors and 5G communications technology to meet the needs of creators.
Sony Financial Group
Sony is preparing to spin off and list Sony Financial Group as a separately traded company in October 2025, and the deal’s details will be announced in late May.
- Alexander Garcia
- 17 Feb, 2025
- Miami
Sony Corp. surged 3.06% to $23.90 after the electronics and media company reported steady revenue and profit growth for the fiscal third quarter ending in December.
Total sales increased to ¥4.41 trillion from ¥3.75 trillion, net income rose to ¥373.74 billion from ¥363.92 billion, and earnings per diluted share climbed to ¥61.82 from ¥58.96 a year ago.
The company estimated full-year sales of ¥13.2 trillion ($87.6 billion) on the back of strong performance in its gaming and music business in the third quarter, compared to ¥13.02 trillion a year ago.
Sony also raised its outlook for annual operating profit to ¥1.34 trillion ($87.6 billion), a 2% increase from the previous financial year.
Business Segments
Sony reported significant increases in games and network services and music segments during the third quarter, but operating income in the pictures unit declined 7.6% to ¥34.0 billion.
Sales in entertainment, technology, and services (ET&S) plunged 31.2% to ¥704.5 billion, while in imaging and sensing solutions (I&SS) sales dropped 4.2% to ¥500.9 billion from the same quarter a year ago.
While revenue in the financial services division surged 406.7%, operating income declined 30.9% to ¥46.4 billion in the quarter.
For fiscal year 2024, the company estimated total operating income of ¥1.34 trillion, compared to ¥1.21 trillion in the previous year.
Sony expects annual sales growth in all segments except for the financial services and the entertainment, technology, and services (ET&S) units.
Sales in ET&S are estimated to decline to ¥2.42 billion from ¥2.45 billion a year ago, impacted by slower sales of televisions and smartphones, while financial services is expected to fall to ¥1.30 billion from ¥1.77 billion a year earlier.
PlayStation
The number of monthly active users across PlayStation (PS) platforms in December increased 5% compared to the same month of the previous year, reaching 129 million accounts, the highest number in PS history.
Total play time also increased 2% year-on-year, marking the seventh consecutive quarter of annual growth.
In November, Sony released a beta version of a cloud streaming feature on the PlayStation Portal remote player.
PS Plus Premium subscribers can now play over 120 PS5 game titles on the PS Portal streamed directly from cloud servers without going through a PS5 console.
In December, Sony’s ASTRO BOT received prestigious game awards in four categories, including Game of the Year and Best Family Game.
In addition, the live service game Helldivers 2, released in February last year, won the best ongoing game and best multiplayer game awards.
Helldivers 2's large update, Omens of Tyranny, released in December 2024, has also been well received by users.
Sony plans to release games such as the major title Ghost of Yōtei and the sequel to the popular title Death Stranding, and so expects further expansion in earnings from first-party software.
Music
During the quarter, new albums from artists such as Tyler, the Creator, and ATEEZ became hits.
Bad Bunny's new album, released from Rimas Entertainment on January 5, 2025, has become a big hit as well, capturing number one on the Billboard 200 and making him the fastest male artist to reach 1 billion streams on Spotify.
At the 67th Grammy Awards held on February 2, 2025, Beyoncé's COWBOY CARTER won the award for Album of the Year.
Beyoncé, who has been nominated for ninety-nine Grammys over the course of her career, the most of any artist, was nominated in eleven categories this time, and she won three categories, including Album of the Year.
Pictures
In motion pictures, there is still some impact of the strikes, such as the postponement to the fiscal year ending March 31, 2027, of the theatrical releases of the next Spider-Man and Jumanji movies.
However, production activity is recovering, and the production of new shows, which was impacted by the strikes, has almost stabilized.
At Crunchyroll, streaming of the second season of the anime series Solo Leveling, produced by Aniplex, began last month, and it has become a big hit in many countries.
Additionally, going forward, Sony aims to further strengthen its engagement with anime fans around the world, including through the scheduled release of Crunchyroll Manga, a digital comic service for paid subscribers in North America.
Imagining and Sensing Solutions (I&SS)
The global smartphone market continued to slowly recover during the quarter, and mobile sensor sales were essentially in line with the company’s expectations.
Sales of new mobile sensor products increased 15% for the nine-month period ending in the third quarter, compared to the same period last year.
Regarding automotive sensors, there has been a slowdown in the growth of the electric vehicle market, especially in the U.S. and Europe, but demand from EV manufacturers in China remained strong.
Furthermore, Sony has expanded its business by shifting toward higher pixel count sensors in what is a small-proportion production as compared to overall segments.
The market for interchangeable lens digital cameras has seen the single-lens reflex camera market shrink at a faster rate than the growth of the mirrorless camera market, which is driven by Sony.
The interchangeable lens market is continuing to grow steadily, with the combined market size for cameras and lenses exceeding ¥1.20 trillion in 2024.
The imaging market requires the integration of multiple advanced technologies, such as optics, mechatronics, and image processing.
With regard to this, Sony expects to generate a high market share and profitability, relying on its image sensors and 5G communications technology to meet the needs of creators.
Sony Financial Group
Sony is preparing to spin off and list Sony Financial Group as a separately traded company in October 2025, and the deal’s details will be announced in late May.
- Barry Adams
- 28 Feb, 2025
- New York City
Stocks pulled back for the second week in a row, and benchmark indexes are set to close down in February amid heightened worries linked to the state of the U.S. economy.
The S&P 500 index edged up 0.2%, and the Nasdaq Composite advanced a fraction, but both indexes are set to close down for the week and the month.
The S&P 500 index is down 2% and the Nasdaq by 5% as of the close of Thursday, as investors worried about resurgent inflation and a weakening economic backdrop.
In February, the S&P 500 index is down nearly 3%, and the Nasdaq Composite has lost 5.4% after initial euphoria surrounding the presidential election waned.
On the economic front, the Personal Consumption Expenditure price index eased to 2.5% in January from 2.6% in December, the Commerce Department reported Friday.
Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, slowed to 2.6% from 2.8%.
On a monthly basis, headline and core inflation increased 0.3% from the previous month.
Commodities, Currencies, Indexes, Yields
The S&P 500 index increased 0.1% to 5,870.30, the Nasdaq Composite edged down 0.1% to 18,522.64, and the Russell 2000 index was down 0.3% to 2,133.30.
The yield on 2-year Treasury notes edged lower to 4.06%, 10-year Treasury notes decreased to 4.26%, and 30-year Treasury bonds declined to 4.53%.
WTI crude oil decreased $0.80 to $69.55 a barrel, and natural gas prices edged lower by $0.03 to $3.90 a thermal unit.
Gold decreased by $25.48 to $2,850.32 an ounce, and silver edged down by $0.16 to $31.06.
The dollar index, which weighs the US currency against a basket of foreign currencies, increased 0.02 to 107.27 and traded at a two-year high.
U.S. Stock Movers
Redfin Corporation dropped 11.5% to $6.76 after the real estate broker reported a wider-than-expected loss in its latest quarter.
Rocket Lab USA dropped 12% to $17.50, and the company reported sharply higher revenue in the fourth quarter.
Revenue soared 121% to $132 million, net loss expanded to $52.4 million from $50.5 million, and diluted losses per share were nearly unchanged at 10 cents.
Nvidia Corporation declined 1% to $118.76 and extended a two-day loss to 10%, despite the artificial intelligence company reporting a surge in revenue and earnings in its latest quarter.
Dell Technologies dropped 4.4% to $103.17, despite the personal computer and server maker reporting a rise in demand driven by the need for artificial intelligence applications.
Autodesk Inc. dropped 3% to $271.66, despite the design software developer's estimated annual sales increase in 2025, and announced its plans to cut its workforce by 1,350.
- Barry Adams
- 28 Feb, 2025
- New York City
Stocks pulled back for the second week in a row, and benchmark indexes are set to close down in February amid heightened worries linked to the state of the U.S. economy.
The S&P 500 index edged up 0.2%, and the Nasdaq Composite advanced a fraction, but both indexes are set to close down for the week and the month.
The S&P 500 index is down 2% and the Nasdaq by 5% as of the close of Thursday, as investors worried about resurgent inflation and a weakening economic backdrop.
In February, the S&P 500 index is down nearly 3%, and the Nasdaq Composite has lost 5.4% after initial euphoria surrounding the presidential election waned.
On the economic front, the Personal Consumption Expenditure price index eased to 2.5% in January from 2.6% in December, the Commerce Department reported Friday.
Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, slowed to 2.6% from 2.8%.
On a monthly basis, headline and core inflation increased 0.3% from the previous month.
Commodities, Currencies, Indexes, Yields
The S&P 500 index increased 0.1% to 5,870.30, the Nasdaq Composite edged down 0.1% to 18,522.64, and the Russell 2000 index was down 0.3% to 2,133.30.
The yield on 2-year Treasury notes edged lower to 4.06%, 10-year Treasury notes decreased to 4.26%, and 30-year Treasury bonds declined to 4.53%.
WTI crude oil decreased $0.80 to $69.55 a barrel, and natural gas prices edged lower by $0.03 to $3.90 a thermal unit.
Gold decreased by $25.48 to $2,850.32 an ounce, and silver edged down by $0.16 to $31.06.
The dollar index, which weighs the US currency against a basket of foreign currencies, increased 0.02 to 107.27 and traded at a two-year high.
U.S. Stock Movers
Redfin Corporation dropped 11.5% to $6.76 after the real estate broker reported a wider-than-expected loss in its latest quarter.
Rocket Lab USA dropped 12% to $17.50, and the company reported sharply higher revenue in the fourth quarter.
Revenue soared 121% to $132 million, net loss expanded to $52.4 million from $50.5 million, and diluted losses per share were nearly unchanged at 10 cents.
Nvidia Corporation declined 1% to $118.76 and extended a two-day loss to 10%, despite the artificial intelligence company reporting a surge in revenue and earnings in its latest quarter.
Dell Technologies dropped 4.4% to $103.17, despite the personal computer and server maker reporting a rise in demand driven by the need for artificial intelligence applications.
Autodesk Inc. dropped 3% to $271.66, despite the design software developer's estimated annual sales increase in 2025, and announced its plans to cut its workforce by 1,350.
- Bridgette Randall
- 28 Feb, 2025
- London
European stock market indexes struggled to advance on the final day of the week amid rising trade tension, mixed economic data, and positive earnings.
Benchmark indexes in Frankfurt and Paris declined, but they advanced in London and Milan.
Market sentiment was negatively impacted by the ongoing U.S. policy uncertainty and looming threats of additional tariffs on exports from the European Union.
On the economic front, investors reviewed the latest inflation updates from France and Germany.
France's consumer price inflation slowed to 0.8% in February from 1.7% in January, driven by a sharp fall in energy prices.
Consumer price inflation fell to the lowest level since February 2021, according to the latest monthly report released by INSEE.
Germany's consumer price inflation held steady at 2.3% in February, matching the annual pace in the previous month, according to data released by the Federal Statistical Office, or Destatis.
The slowdown in service inflation to 3.8% from 4.0% and the additional decline in energy prices to 1.8% from 1.6% were offset by a significant rise in food price inflation to 2.4% from 0.8%.
UK house prices advanced for the sixth month in a row in February as buyers continued to step up despite the slowing economic backdrop.
The Nationwide House Price Index increased 0.4% from the previous month and rose 3.9% on an annual basis in January.
The average price of a house purchased through the largest building society in the UK advanced to £270,493.
Europe Indexes and Yields
The DAX index decreased by 0.4% to 22,469.76, the CAC-40 index edged lower 0.4% to 8,071.14, and the FTSE 100 index advanced by 0.1% to 8,764.98.
The yield on 10-year German bonds inched lower to 2.39%, French bonds decreased to 3.12%, the UK gilts moved down to 4.49%, and Italian bonds edged lower to 3.46%.
The euro decreased to $1.04; the British pound was lower at $1.26; and the U.S. dollar was higher and traded at 90.18 Swiss cents.
Brent crude decreased $0.67 to $72.90 a barrel, and the Dutch TTF natural gas was higher by €0.56 to €45.79 per MWh.
Europe Stock Movers
Automakers extended losses for the second consecutive week amid a muted sales outlook in the European Union, falling sales in China, and rising trade barriers in the U.S.
Volkswagen AG decreased 0.5% to €106.30, Mercedes-Benz Group fell 0.9% to €59.46, and Renault SA fell 0.6% to €49.33.
Valeo SE plunged 9.5% to €9.82, and the French auto parts maker said new orders plunged after customers canceled orders because of economic uncertainty.
"New orders were down year on year, due to significant postponements by automaker customers who are reconsidering their product offerings and pushing back their decisions until 2025.
In addition, the unsettled economic and technological environment has led certain customers to cancel orders representing around 10% of order intake for 2022 and 2023, for a total of €7.3 billion," the company said in a statement to investors.
Allianz SE dropped 0.9% to €330.40, despite the German insurance company reporting strong results underpinned by strength in all business segments.
Pearson PLC jumped as much as 4% to 1,346.0 pence after the education company reported strong results and launched a new stock repurchase program.
International Consolidated Airlines Group SA jumped 5% to 355.80 pence after the parent company of British Airways, Aer Lingus, and Iberia reported record profit for the second consecutive year.
- Bridgette Randall
- 28 Feb, 2025
- London
European stock market indexes struggled to advance on the final day of the week amid rising trade tension, mixed economic data, and positive earnings.
Benchmark indexes in Frankfurt and Paris declined, but they advanced in London and Milan.
Market sentiment was negatively impacted by the ongoing U.S. policy uncertainty and looming threats of additional tariffs on exports from the European Union.
On the economic front, investors reviewed the latest inflation updates from France and Germany.
France's consumer price inflation slowed to 0.8% in February from 1.7% in January, driven by a sharp fall in energy prices.
Consumer price inflation fell to the lowest level since February 2021, according to the latest monthly report released by INSEE.
Germany's consumer price inflation held steady at 2.3% in February, matching the annual pace in the previous month, according to data released by the Federal Statistical Office, or Destatis.
The slowdown in service inflation to 3.8% from 4.0% and the additional decline in energy prices to 1.8% from 1.6% were offset by a significant rise in food price inflation to 2.4% from 0.8%.
UK house prices advanced for the sixth month in a row in February as buyers continued to step up despite the slowing economic backdrop.
The Nationwide House Price Index increased 0.4% from the previous month and rose 3.9% on an annual basis in January.
The average price of a house purchased through the largest building society in the UK advanced to £270,493.
Europe Indexes and Yields
The DAX index decreased by 0.4% to 22,469.76, the CAC-40 index edged lower 0.4% to 8,071.14, and the FTSE 100 index advanced by 0.1% to 8,764.98.
The yield on 10-year German bonds inched lower to 2.39%, French bonds decreased to 3.12%, the UK gilts moved down to 4.49%, and Italian bonds edged lower to 3.46%.
The euro decreased to $1.04; the British pound was lower at $1.26; and the U.S. dollar was higher and traded at 90.18 Swiss cents.
Brent crude decreased $0.67 to $72.90 a barrel, and the Dutch TTF natural gas was higher by €0.56 to €45.79 per MWh.
Europe Stock Movers
Automakers extended losses for the second consecutive week amid a muted sales outlook in the European Union, falling sales in China, and rising trade barriers in the U.S.
Volkswagen AG decreased 0.5% to €106.30, Mercedes-Benz Group fell 0.9% to €59.46, and Renault SA fell 0.6% to €49.33.
Valeo SE plunged 9.5% to €9.82, and the French auto parts maker said new orders plunged after customers canceled orders because of economic uncertainty.
"New orders were down year on year, due to significant postponements by automaker customers who are reconsidering their product offerings and pushing back their decisions until 2025.
In addition, the unsettled economic and technological environment has led certain customers to cancel orders representing around 10% of order intake for 2022 and 2023, for a total of €7.3 billion," the company said in a statement to investors.
Allianz SE dropped 0.9% to €330.40, despite the German insurance company reporting strong results underpinned by strength in all business segments.
Pearson PLC jumped as much as 4% to 1,346.0 pence after the education company reported strong results and launched a new stock repurchase program.
International Consolidated Airlines Group SA jumped 5% to 355.80 pence after the parent company of British Airways, Aer Lingus, and Iberia reported record profit for the second consecutive year.
- Scott Peters
- 28 Feb, 2025
- New York City
Monster Beverage Corp. gained 3% to $53.51 after the energy drink maker reported stronger sales in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Net sales increased to $1.81 billion from $1.73 billion, net income declined to $270.71 million from $366.98 million, and earnings per diluted share fell to 28 cents from 35 cents a year ago.
The company gained market share leadership in a number of countries for its Monster Energy brand, including a very strong market presence in the Republic of Ireland, as reported by Nielsen.
The company is also exploring opportunities for distribution of its alcohol products in certain international markets.
During the fourth quarter, no shares of the company's common stock were repurchased, and as of February 26, approximately $500 million remained available for repurchase under the previously authorized repurchase program.
Duolingo Inc. plunged 7.4% to $348.02 despite the language learning platform operator reporting higher earnings for the fourth quarter of 2024.
Revenue increased 39% to $209.55 million from $150.98 million, and net and comprehensive income jumped 15% to $13.91 million from $12.12 million a year ago.
The monthly active users’ ratio advanced 32% to 116.7 million from 88.4 million, and paid subscribers amounted to 9.5 million, up 43% from 6.6 million a year ago.
The company introduced Video Call, a real-time conversation feature, and now aims to make it powered by an artificial intelligence conversation partner to further differentiate Duolingo Max as a premium offering.
Autodesk Inc. gained 1.3% to $285.99 after the engineering software and services provider reported a 12% revenue increase in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025 ending in January.
Revenue increased to $1.64 billion from $1.47 billion, net income jumped to $303 million from $282 million, and earnings per diluted share rose to $1.40 from $1.31 a year ago.
The company guided for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 revenue between $1.60 billion and $1.61 billion, compared to $1.4 billion a year ago, and GAAP earnings per share between 76 cents and 90 cents, compared to $1.16 in the same quarter a year ago.
- Scott Peters
- 28 Feb, 2025
- New York City
Monster Beverage Corp. gained 3% to $53.51 after the energy drink maker reported stronger sales in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Net sales increased to $1.81 billion from $1.73 billion, net income declined to $270.71 million from $366.98 million, and earnings per diluted share fell to 28 cents from 35 cents a year ago.
The company gained market share leadership in a number of countries for its Monster Energy brand, including a very strong market presence in the Republic of Ireland, as reported by Nielsen.
The company is also exploring opportunities for distribution of its alcohol products in certain international markets.
During the fourth quarter, no shares of the company's common stock were repurchased, and as of February 26, approximately $500 million remained available for repurchase under the previously authorized repurchase program.
Duolingo Inc. plunged 7.4% to $348.02 despite the language learning platform operator reporting higher earnings for the fourth quarter of 2024.
Revenue increased 39% to $209.55 million from $150.98 million, and net and comprehensive income jumped 15% to $13.91 million from $12.12 million a year ago.
The monthly active users’ ratio advanced 32% to 116.7 million from 88.4 million, and paid subscribers amounted to 9.5 million, up 43% from 6.6 million a year ago.
The company introduced Video Call, a real-time conversation feature, and now aims to make it powered by an artificial intelligence conversation partner to further differentiate Duolingo Max as a premium offering.
Autodesk Inc. gained 1.3% to $285.99 after the engineering software and services provider reported a 12% revenue increase in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025 ending in January.
Revenue increased to $1.64 billion from $1.47 billion, net income jumped to $303 million from $282 million, and earnings per diluted share rose to $1.40 from $1.31 a year ago.
The company guided for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 revenue between $1.60 billion and $1.61 billion, compared to $1.4 billion a year ago, and GAAP earnings per share between 76 cents and 90 cents, compared to $1.16 in the same quarter a year ago.
- Inga Muller
- 28 Feb, 2025
- Frankfurt
Saint-Gobain dropped 1.3% to €94.90 after the French producer of construction, high-performance, and other materials reported lower revenue in fiscal 2024 ending in December.
Sales dropped 2.9% to €46.57 billion from €47.94 billion, net income increased 6.6% to €2.84 billion from €2.67 billion, and earnings per diluted share rose 8.2% to €5.69 from €5.26 a year ago.
The company expects an operating margin of more than 11.0% in 2025, compared to 11.4% in 2024.
Saint-Gobain proposed a 5% increase of dividend to €2.20 per share for 2024, and its total shareholder return was 32%.
The company said it completed its share buyback program one year earlier than expected and announced a new €400 million stock repurchase program in 2025.
WPP Plc. plunged 15.6% to 650 pence after the UK-based advertising and public relations company offered a muted revenue outlook, impacted by weakness in China and U.S. uncertainty.
Revenue in fiscal 2024 declined 0.7% to £14.74 billion from £14.84 billion, profit dropped 5.6% to £969 million from £1.03 billion, and earnings per diluted share fell 5.9% to 88.3 pence from 93.8 pence a year ago.
The company guided comparable revenue to be flat to down 2%, with performance improving in the second half of 2025.
The advertising services provider said the operating margin is expected to be around flat, excluding the impact of foreign exchange.
Last year, WPP sold its majority stake in FGS Global for $1.7 billion, unlocking significant value for its shareholders.
Holcim AG dropped 0.6% to CHF 95.66 after the Swiss building materials manufacturer beat analyst expectations for the fourth quarter of 2024 ending in December.
Net sales declined 2.2% to CHF 26.41 billion from CHF 27.01 billion, net income fell 4.4% to CHF 2.93 billion from CHF 3.06 billion, and earnings per share decreased 2.3% to CHF 5.24 from CHF 5.37 a year ago.
Net sales in the fourth quarter dropped 1.9% to CHF 6.47 billion from CHF 6.60 billion a year ago.
The company guided for fiscal 2025 sales growth at mid-single digits in local currency, further expansion of recurring EBIT margin, and earnings per share up 5.3% to CHF 5.70 from CHF 5.24 a year ago.
Holcim proposed an 11% increase in dividend to CHF 3.10 per share.
The company plans the listing of its North American business, on track to occur by the end of the first half of 2025.
Pearson Plc. gained 1.4% to 1,335 pence after the U.K.-based educational publishing and services company reported higher profit in fiscal 2024 ending in December.
Sales declined to £3.55 billion from £3.67 billion, profit jumped to £435 million from £380 million, and earnings per diluted share rose to 63.5 pence from 52.7 pence a year ago.
The company proposed a final dividend of 16.6 pence per share, payable on May 9 to shareholders on the register as of March 21.
Rightmove Plc. gained 0.6% to 674 pence after the U.K.'s largest property portal reported a 7% revenue increase in fiscal 2024 ending in December.
Revenue increased to £389.88 million from £364.32 million, profit declined to £192.71 million from £199.15 million, and earnings per diluted share fell to 24.3 pence from 24.4 pence a year ago.
The company proposed a 7% increase in the final dividend for 2024 to 6.1 pence per share, compared to 5.7 pence per share in 2023, and the total dividend for 2024 is up 5% to 9.8 pence per share, compared to 9.3 pence per share in 2023.
Rightmove returned £181.7 million of surplus cash to shareholders through share buybacks and dividends during 2024, compared to £201.7 million in 2023.
The company guided for fiscal 2025 revenue growth between 8% and 10%, and an underlying operating margin of 70%, flat to 2024.
Teleperformance SE traded flat at €100.20 after the French business process outsourcing company reported revenue acceleration after a year of consolidation.
Revenue in fiscal 2024 increased to €10.28 billion from €8.34 billion, net profit declined to €523 million from €592 million, and earnings per diluted share fell to €8.71 from €10.01 a year ago.
Fourth-quarter revenue rose to €2.68 billion from €2.40 billion a year ago.
The company plans to launch a new investment program in artificial intelligence partnerships with a target of €100 million in 2025, after signing a first partnership with Sanas, a real-time speech understanding provider, on February 19.
- Inga Muller
- 28 Feb, 2025
- Frankfurt
Saint-Gobain dropped 1.3% to €94.90 after the French producer of construction, high-performance, and other materials reported lower revenue in fiscal 2024 ending in December.
Sales dropped 2.9% to €46.57 billion from €47.94 billion, net income increased 6.6% to €2.84 billion from €2.67 billion, and earnings per diluted share rose 8.2% to €5.69 from €5.26 a year ago.
The company expects an operating margin of more than 11.0% in 2025, compared to 11.4% in 2024.
Saint-Gobain proposed a 5% increase of dividend to €2.20 per share for 2024, and its total shareholder return was 32%.
The company said it completed its share buyback program one year earlier than expected and announced a new €400 million stock repurchase program in 2025.
WPP Plc. plunged 15.6% to 650 pence after the UK-based advertising and public relations company offered a muted revenue outlook, impacted by weakness in China and U.S. uncertainty.
Revenue in fiscal 2024 declined 0.7% to £14.74 billion from £14.84 billion, profit dropped 5.6% to £969 million from £1.03 billion, and earnings per diluted share fell 5.9% to 88.3 pence from 93.8 pence a year ago.
The company guided comparable revenue to be flat to down 2%, with performance improving in the second half of 2025.
The advertising services provider said the operating margin is expected to be around flat, excluding the impact of foreign exchange.
Last year, WPP sold its majority stake in FGS Global for $1.7 billion, unlocking significant value for its shareholders.
Holcim AG dropped 0.6% to CHF 95.66 after the Swiss building materials manufacturer beat analyst expectations for the fourth quarter of 2024 ending in December.
Net sales declined 2.2% to CHF 26.41 billion from CHF 27.01 billion, net income fell 4.4% to CHF 2.93 billion from CHF 3.06 billion, and earnings per share decreased 2.3% to CHF 5.24 from CHF 5.37 a year ago.
Net sales in the fourth quarter dropped 1.9% to CHF 6.47 billion from CHF 6.60 billion a year ago.
The company guided for fiscal 2025 sales growth at mid-single digits in local currency, further expansion of recurring EBIT margin, and earnings per share up 5.3% to CHF 5.70 from CHF 5.24 a year ago.
Holcim proposed an 11% increase in dividend to CHF 3.10 per share.
The company plans the listing of its North American business, on track to occur by the end of the first half of 2025.
Pearson Plc. gained 1.4% to 1,335 pence after the U.K.-based educational publishing and services company reported higher profit in fiscal 2024 ending in December.
Sales declined to £3.55 billion from £3.67 billion, profit jumped to £435 million from £380 million, and earnings per diluted share rose to 63.5 pence from 52.7 pence a year ago.
The company proposed a final dividend of 16.6 pence per share, payable on May 9 to shareholders on the register as of March 21.
Rightmove Plc. gained 0.6% to 674 pence after the U.K.'s largest property portal reported a 7% revenue increase in fiscal 2024 ending in December.
Revenue increased to £389.88 million from £364.32 million, profit declined to £192.71 million from £199.15 million, and earnings per diluted share fell to 24.3 pence from 24.4 pence a year ago.
The company proposed a 7% increase in the final dividend for 2024 to 6.1 pence per share, compared to 5.7 pence per share in 2023, and the total dividend for 2024 is up 5% to 9.8 pence per share, compared to 9.3 pence per share in 2023.
Rightmove returned £181.7 million of surplus cash to shareholders through share buybacks and dividends during 2024, compared to £201.7 million in 2023.
The company guided for fiscal 2025 revenue growth between 8% and 10% and an underlying operating margin of 70%, compared to 73% in 2023.
Teleperformance SE traded flat at €100.20 after the French business process outsourcing company reported revenue acceleration after a year of consolidation.
Revenue in fiscal 2024 increased to €10.28 billion from €8.34 billion, net profit declined to €523 million from €592 million, and earnings per diluted share fell to €8.71 from €10.01 a year ago.
Fourth-quarter revenue rose to €2.68 billion from €2.40 billion a year ago.
The company plans to launch a new investment program in artificial intelligence partnerships with a target of €100 million in 2025, after signing a first partnership with Sanas, a real-time speech understanding provider, on February 19.