- Inga Muller
- 26 Feb, 2025
- Frankfurt
Alcon AG dropped 0.6% to CHF 80.16 after the eye products maker reported sales growth in the fourth quarter ending in December.
Net sales increased to $2.48 billion from $2.33 billion, net income declined to $284 million from $427 million, and earnings per diluted share fell to 57 cents from 86 cents a year ago.
The company proposed a dividend of 28 Swiss cents per share, to be approved at the annual general meeting on May 6.
For fiscal 2025, Alcon estimated net sales between $10.2 billion and $10.4 billion, compared to $9.84 billion in 2024, and earnings per share between $3.15 and $3.25, compared to $2.05 in 2024.
Wolters Kluwer NV traded flat at €172.35 after the Dutch technical information services company reported revenue growth in fiscal 2024 ending in December.
Revenue increased to €5.92 billion from €5.58 billion, profit edged up to €1.08 billion from €1.01 billion, and earnings per diluted share rose to €4.52 from €4.09 a year ago.
The company proposed a final cash dividend of €1.50 per share, resulting in a total dividend in fiscal 2024 of €2.33 per share, an increase of 12%.
In addition, the company plans to repurchase shares for up to €1 billion in 2025.
For fiscal 2025, Wolters Kluwer estimated an adjusted operating profit margin between 27.1% and 27.5%, a return on invested capital between 18% and 19%, and adjusted earnings per diluted share to grow at mid-single digits.
The company’s health segment expanded by 6% in 2024, and the projection for the current year is "in line with this growth or slightly below it," with the first half of the year facing challenging comparisons across the division.
The tax and accounting, financial and corporate compliance, and legal regulatory segments are also expected to sustain prior-year growth rates, while the corporate performance and environmental, social, and governance division is estimated to grow at faster rates than in the previous year.
Danone SA gained 0.7% to €70.00 after the French dairy food products company reported muted sales in fiscal 2024 ending in December.
Sales decreased to €27.38 billion from €27.62 billion, net income surged to €2.10 billion from €953 million, and earnings per diluted share fell to €3.14 from €1.36 a year ago.
Comparable sales in 2024 rose 4.3%, and in the fourth quarter advanced 1.8%.
For fiscal 2025, Danone estimated comparable sales growth between 3% and 5%, with recurring operating income growing faster than sales.
The company proposed a dividend of €2.15 per share, up 2.4% compared to the previous year, with the ex-dividend date on May 3 and payable on May 7.
In addition, Danone plans to buy back 2.7 million shares in one or more tranches in 2025.
Stellantis NV plunged 5.5% to €12.75 after the Italian automobile maker reported a 70% drop in full-year 2024 profit.
Revenue decreased 17% to €156.88 billion from €189.54 billion, net profit plunged 70% to €5.52 billion from €18.62 billion, and earnings per diluted share fell 69% to €1.84 from €5.94 a year ago.
The company guided for fiscal 2025 positive net revenue growth and adjusted operating income margin in the mid-single digits percentage.
Stellantis plans to appoint a new Chief Executive Officer within the first half of 2025.
Saipem S.p.A. gained 5.9% to €2.40 after the Italian oilfield services company reported full-year 2024 results.
Revenue increased to €14.55 billion from €11.87 billion, net income surged to €306 million from €179 million, and EBITDA climbed to €1.33 billion from €926 million a year ago.
For fiscal 2025, the company estimated revenue of about €15 billion and EBITDA at €1.6 billion.
Saipem agreed on a possible merger with Subsea7, a Luxembourg-registered company involved in subsea engineering and construction serving the offshore oil and gas industry.
- Inga Muller
- 26 Feb, 2025
- Frankfurt
Alcon AG dropped 0.6% to CHF 80.16 after the eye products maker reported sales growth in the fourth quarter ending in December.
Net sales increased to $2.48 billion from $2.33 billion, net income declined to $284 million from $427 million, and earnings per diluted share fell to 57 cents from 86 cents a year ago.
The company proposed a dividend of 28 Swiss cents per share, to be approved at the annual general meeting on May 6.
For fiscal 2025, Alcon estimated net sales between $10.2 billion to $10.4 billion, compared to $9.84 billion in 2024, and earnings per share between $3.15 and $3.25, compared to $2.05 in 2024.
Wolters Kluwer NV traded flat at €172.35 after the Dutch technical information services company reported revenue growth in fiscal 2024 ending in December.
Revenue increased to €5.92 billion from €5.58 billion, profit edged up to €1.08 billion from €1.01 billion, and earnings per diluted share rose to €4.52 from €4.09 a year ago.
The company proposed a final cash dividend of €1.50 per share, resulting in a total dividend in fiscal 2024 of €2.33 per share, an increase of 12%.
In addition, the company plans to repurchase shares for up to €1 billion in 2025.
For fiscal 2025, Wolter Kluwer estimated adjusted operating profit margin between 27.1% and 27.5%, return on invested capital between 18% and 19%, and adjusted earnings per diluted share to grow at mid-single-digits.
The company’s health segment expanded by 6% in 2024, and the projection for the current year is "in-line with this growth or slightly below it," with the first year-half facing challenging comparisons across the division.
The tax and accounting, financial and corporate compliance, and legal regulatory segments are also expected to sustain prior-year growth rates, while the corporate performance and environmental, social and governance division is estimated to grow at faster rates than in the previous year.
Danone SA gained 0.7% to €70.00 after the French dairy food products company reported muted sales in fiscal 2024 ending in December.
Sales decreased to €27.38 billion from €27.62 billion, net income surged to €2.10 billion from €953 million, and earnings per diluted share fell to €3.14 from €1.36 a year ago.
Comparable sales in 2024 rose 4.3%, and in the fourth quarter advanced 1.8%.
For fiscal 2025, Danone estimated comparable sales growth between 3% and 5%, with recurring operating income growing faster than sales.
The company proposed a dividend of €2.15 per share, up 2.4% compared to the previous year, with the ex-dividend date on May 3, and payable on May 7.
In addition, Danone plans to buy back 2.7 million of shares, in one or more tranches in 2025.
Stellantis NV plunged 5.5% to €12.75 after the Italian automobile maker reported a 70% drop full-year 2024 profit.
Revenue decreased 17% to €156.88 billion from €189.54 billion, net profit plunged 70% to €5.52 billion from €18.62 billion, and earnings per diluted share fell 69% to €1.84 from €5.94 a year ago.
The company guided fiscal 2025 positive net revenue growth and adjusted operating income margin in the mid-single digits percentage.
Stellantis plans to appoint a new Chief Executive Officer within the first half of 2025.
Saipem S.p.A. gained 5.9% to €2.40 after the Italian oilfield services company reported full-year 2024 results.
Revenue increased to €14.55 billion from €11.87 billion, net income surged to €306 million from €179 million, and EBITDA climbed to €1.33 billion from €926 million a year ago.
For fiscal 2025, the company estimated revenue of about €15 billion, and EBITDA at €1.6 billion.
Saipem agreed on a possible merger with Subsea7, a Luxembourg-registered company involved in subsea engineering and construction serving the offshore oil and gas industry.
- Inga Muller
- 26 Feb, 2025
- Frankfurt
Alcon AG dropped 0.6% to CHF 80.16 after the eye products maker reported sales growth in the fourth quarter ending in December.
Net sales increased to $2.48 billion from $2.33 billion, net income declined to $284 million from $427 million, and earnings per diluted share fell to 57 cents from 86 cents a year ago.
The company proposed a dividend of 28 Swiss cents per share, to be approved at the annual general meeting on May 6.
For fiscal 2025, Alcon estimated net sales between $10.2 billion to $10.4 billion, compared to $9.84 billion in 2024, and earnings per share between $3.15 and $3.25, compared to $2.05 in 2024.
Wolter Kluwer NV traded flat at €172.35 after the Dutch information services company reported revenue growth in fiscal 2024 ending in December.
Revenue increased to €5.92 billion from €5.58 billion, profit jumped to €1.08 billion from €1.01 billion, and earnings per diluted share rose to €4.52 from €4.09 a year ago.
The company proposed a final cash dividend of €1.50 per share, which would reslut in a total dividend over the 2024 financial year of €2.33 per share, an increase of 12%.
In addition, the company plans to repurchase shares for up to €1 billion in 2025.
For fiscal 2025, Wolter Kluwer estimated adjusted operating profit margin between 27.1% and 27.5%, return on invested capital between 18% and 19%, and adjusted earnings per diluted share to grow at mid-single-digits.
The company’s health segment expanded by 6% in 2024, and the projection for the current year is in line with this growth or slightly below it, with the first year-half facing challenging comparables across the division.
The tax and accounting, financial and corporate compliance, and legal regulatory segments are also expected to sustain prior-year growth percentages, while the corporate performance and environmental, social and governance division is estimated to grow above prior-year percentages.
Danone SA gained 0.7% to €70.00 after the French food products company reported revenue growth in fiscal 2024 ending in December.
Sales increased to €27.38 billion from €27.62 billion, net income surged to €2.10 billion fom €953 million, and earnings per diluted share rose to €3.14 from €1.36 a year ago.
Same-store sales in 2024 were up 4.3%, and in the fourth quarter they were up 1.8%.
For fiscal 2025, Danone estimated same-store sales growth between 3% and 5%, with recurring operating income growing faster than sales.
The company proposed a divdidend of €2.15 per share, up 2.4% compared to the previous year, with the ex-dividend date on May 3, and payable on May 7.
In addition, Danone plans to buy back 2.7 million of shares, in one or more tranches in 2025.
Stellantis NV plunged 5.5% to €12.75 after the Italian automobiles maker reported a 70% drop full-year 2024 profit.
Revenue decreased 17% to €156.88 billion from €189.54 billion, net profit droped 70% to €5.52 billion from €18.62 billion, and earnings per diluted share fell 69% to €1.84 from €5.94 a year ago.
The company guided fiscal 2025 positive net revenue growth and adjusted operating income margin in the mid-single digits percentage.
Stellantis plans to appoint a new Chief Executive Officer within the first half of 2025.
Saipem S.p.A. gained 5.9% to €2.40 after the Italian oilfield services company reported full-year 2024 results.
Revenue increased to €14.55 billion from €11.87 billion, net income surged to €306 million from €179 million, and EBITDA climbed to €1.33 billion from €926 million a year ago.
For fiscal 2025, the company estimated revenue of about €15 billion, and EBITDA at €1.6 billion.
Saipem agreed on a possible merger with Subsea7, a Luxembourg-registered company involved in subsea engineering and construction serving the offshore energy industry.
- Akira Ito
- 26 Feb, 2025
- Tokyo
Benchmark indexes in Tokyo extended losses in the week and in February following declines on Wall Street.
The Nikkei stock average fell 0.3%, and the TOPIX dropped 0.28% amid growing worries about the state of the U.S. economy and the chaotic White House.
Investors are gearing up for a series of economic data on Friday and looking for clues about the possible impact on the Bank of Japan's next move.
Retail sales, industrial production, and Tokyo area inflation are scheduled to be released on Friday.
Investors are anticipating that consumer price inflation in the Tokyo area is likely to accelerate, driven in large part by the increases in food and fuel prices.
Retail sales are expected to advance amid rising wages and higher prices contributing to the increase from a year ago.
The Japanese yen advanced to 149.44 against the U.S. dollar, and traders anticipated that the Bank of Japan is more likely to raise interest rates in March following the likely increase in inflation in the Tokyo area.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average decreased 0.3% to 38,142.37, and the broader TOPIX declined 0.3% to 2,716.40.
Artificial intelligence-linked semiconductor equipment makers declined ahead of the release of quarterly results from Nvidia later today.
Tokyo Electron decreased 5% to ¥22,945.0, Advantest Corp. jumped 1% to ¥9,070.0, and Disco Corp. fell 4% to ¥41,100.0.
Trading houses were in focus for the second consecutive day, and stocks erased most of the previous session's gains after Warren Buffett-controlled Berkshire Hathaway increased its stake in the sector.
Marubeni Corp. fell 2.4% to ¥2,400.50, Itochu Corp. decreased 0.9% to ¥6,492.0, Mitsubishi Corp. declined 2.6% to ¥2,521.50, and Sumitomo Corp. eased 2% to ¥3,386.0.
- Akira Ito
- 26 Feb, 2025
- Tokyo
Benchmark indexes in Tokyo extended losses in the week and in February following declines on Wall Street.
The Nikkei stock average fell 0.3%, and the TOPIX dropped 0.28% amid growing worries about the state of the U.S. economy and the chaotic White House.
Investors are gearing up for a series of economic data on Friday and looking for clues about the possible impact on the Bank of Japan's next move.
Retail sales, industrial production, and Tokyo area inflation are scheduled to be released on Friday.
Investors are anticipating that consumer price inflation in the Tokyo area is likely to accelerate, driven in large part by the increases in food and fuel prices.
Retail sales are expected to advance amid rising wages and higher prices contributing to the increase from a year ago.
The Japanese yen advanced to 149.44 against the U.S. dollar, and traders anticipated that the Bank of Japan is more likely to raise interest rates in March following the likely increase in inflation in the Tokyo area.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average decreased 0.3% to 38,142.37, and the broader TOPIX declined 0.3% to 2,716.40.
Artificial intelligence-linked semiconductor equipment makers declined ahead of the release of quarterly results from Nvidia later today.
Tokyo Electron decreased 5% to ¥22,945.0, Advantest Corp. jumped 1% to ¥9,070.0, and Disco Corp. fell 4% to ¥41,100.0.
Trading houses were in focus for the second consecutive day, and stocks erased most of the previous session's gains after Warren Buffett-controlled Berkshire Hathaway increased its stake in the sector.
Marubeni Corp. fell 2.4% to ¥2,400.50, Itochu Corp. decreased 0.9% to ¥6,492.0, Mitsubishi Corp. declined 2.6% to ¥2,521.50, and Sumitomo Corp. eased 2% to ¥3,386.0.
- Li Chen
- 26 Feb, 2025
- Hong Kong
Benchmark indexes in Hong Kong sharply rebounded amid an inflow of foreign funds and optimism about Beijing's policy support.
The Hang Seng index soared more than 3% and erased 2% losses in the previous two sessions, as investors searched for bargains in tech stocks.
Hong Kong's tech index has jumped more than 18% from the low in January after the success of Deep Seek raised hopes that more Chinese companies could afford to accelerate the use of artificial intelligence technology.
The DeepSeek's affordable technology got worldwide attention, and investors bid up Internet platform operators as companies ramped up the application of AI-enabled tools to deliver better and expanded services.
The Hang Seng index has led the developed world markets in 2025 with gains of 21.2%, but the mainland-focused CSI 300 index has lagged with a rise of 3%.
Foreign investors have been increasing their allocation to stocks in Hong Kong and Europe and shifting their interest away from India and the U.S. amid attractive valuations.
Hong Kong tech stocks are trading at significant discounts to their European and Japanese peers, but that low valuation also reflected weak earnings growth outlook, China's arbitrary policy-making, and slowing economic growth in the world's second-largest economy.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng index increased 3.1% to 23,757.74, and the mainland-focused China index advanced 0.5% to 3,945.41.
Alibaba Group Holding increased 5.4% to HK $137.60, Tencent Holdings jumped 3.3% to HK $501.50, and JD.com soared 9% to HK $168.20.
Mixue launched its book-building process on February 21, and retail subscription attracted more than HK $1.6 trillion.
Mixue plans to sell 17.1 million shares at HK $202.50 per share, and about 10% of the offering is reserved for retail investors.
So far, the retail tranche is oversubscribed more than 1,000 times, surpassing the level of interest during the initial public offering of Ant Group in 2020.
The minimum retail investment requirement is HK$20,454.22 for a lot of 100 shares.
The stock is expected to begin trading on March 3.
- Li Chen
- 26 Feb, 2025
- Hong Kong
Benchmark indexes in Hong Kong sharply rebounded amid an inflow of foreign funds and optimism about Beijing's policy support.
The Hang Seng index soared more than 3% and erased 2% losses in the previous two sessions, as investors searched for bargains in tech stocks.
Hong Kong's tech index has jumped more than 18% from the low in January after the success of Deep Seek raised hopes that more Chinese companies could afford to accelerate the use of artificial intelligence technology.
The Deep Seek's affordable technology got worldwide attention, and investors bid up Internet platform operators as companies ramped up the application of AI-enabled tools to deliver better and expanded services.
The Hang Seng index has led the developed world markets in 2025 with gains of 21.2%, but the mainland-focused CSI 300 index has lagged with a rise of 3%.
Foreign investors have been increasing their allocation to stocks in Hong Kong and Europe and shifting their interest away from India and the U.S. amid attractive valuations.
Hong Kong tech stocks are trading at significant discounts to their European and Japanese peers, but that low valuation also reflected weak earnings growth outlook, China's arbitrary policy-making, and slowing economic growth in the world's second-largest economy.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng index increased 3.1% to 23,757.74, and the mainland-focused China index advanced 0.5% to 3,945.41.
Alibaba Group Holding increased 5.4% to HK $137.60, Tencent Holdings jumped 3.3% to HK $501.50, and JD.com soared 9% to HK $168.20.
- Arun Goswami
- 26 Feb, 2025
- Mumbai
Rain Industries Ltd. declined 0.01% to ₹125.81 after the carbon, chemical, and cement products maker said net loss shrank in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue decreased to ₹3,710 crore from ₹4,172.4 crore, net loss declined to ₹133.6 crore from ₹1,078.8 crore, and diluted losses per share dropped to ₹4.80 from ₹33.26 a year ago.
Enkei Wheels India Ltd. increased 1.1% to ₹566.55 after the alloy wheel maker swung to a loss in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue advanced to ₹200.5 crore from ₹195.4 crore, after-tax losses swung to ₹3 crore from a profit of ₹2.1 crore, and diluted losses per share swung to ₹1.65 from a profit of ₹1.17 a year ago.
Manjeera Constructions Ltd. was unchanged at ₹40.36, and the real estate development company reported a decrease in sales from a year ago in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue decreased to ₹14.7 crore from ₹16.3 crore, after-tax profit jumped to ₹3.8 crore from ₹2 crore, and diluted earnings per share advanced to ₹3.02 from ₹1.59 a year ago.
Lux Industries decreased 0.07% to ₹1,363.50 despite the textile manufacturing company reporting a 59% jump in its earnings in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue advanced to ₹556.87 crore from ₹454.65 crore, net income jumped to ₹32.1 crore from ₹20.2 crore, and diluted earnings per share rose to ₹10.66 from ₹6.72 a year ago.
Adani Enterprises Limited rose 0.7% to ₹2,130.05 despite the infrastructure development company reporting an 89% plunge from a year ago in quarterly profit.
Consolidated revenue decreased to ₹23,500.5 crore from ₹25,540.35 crore, after-tax profit dropped to ₹228.6 crore from ₹1,972.8 crore, and diluted earnings per share fell to 4 paisa from ₹16.10 a year ago.
HCL Technologies Ltd. decreased 0.5% to ₹1,636.80 after the technology-enabled services reported a slight increase in revenue and net income in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue advanced to ₹30,367 crore from ₹28,816 crore, net income increased to ₹1,538 crore from ₹1,523 crore, and diluted earnings per share rose to ₹16.93 from ₹16.03 a year ago.
Bharat Rasayan Limited fell 0.7% to ₹10,213.75 despite the pesticide maker reporting a 72% increase in net income in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue increased to ₹263.6 crore from ₹236.5 crore, after-tax profit advanced to ₹29.7 crore from ₹17.3 crore, and diluted earnings per share rose to ₹71.5 from ₹41.6 a year ago.
Concord Biotech Limited dropped 4% to ₹1,627.25 after the biopharma company reported a slight increase in revenue and a marginal decline in net in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue advanced to ₹258.9 crore from ₹249 crore, net income fell to ₹74.1 crore from ₹74.5 crore, and diluted earnings per share decreased to ₹7.08 from ₹7.13 a year ago.
- Arun Goswami
- 26 Feb, 2025
- Mumbai
Rain Industries Ltd. declined 0.01% to ₹125.81 after the carbon, chemical, and cement products maker said net loss shrank in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue decreased to ₹3,710 crore from ₹4,172.4 crore, net loss declined to ₹133.6 crore from ₹1,078.8 crore, and diluted losses per share dropped to ₹4.80 from ₹33.26 a year ago.
Enkei Wheels India Ltd. increased 1.1% to ₹566.55 after the alloy wheel maker swung to a loss in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue advanced to ₹200.5 crore from ₹195.4 crore, after-tax losses swung to ₹3 crore from a profit of ₹2.1 crore, and diluted losses per share swung to ₹1.65 from a profit of ₹1.17 a year ago.
Manjeera Constructions Ltd. was unchanged at ₹40.36, and the real estate development company reported a decrease in sales from a year ago in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue decreased to ₹14.7 crore from ₹16.3 crore, after-tax profit jumped to ₹3.8 crore from ₹2 crore, and diluted earnings per share advanced to ₹3.02 from ₹1.59 a year ago.
Lux Industries decreased 0.07% to ₹1,363.50 despite the textile manufacturing company reporting a 59% jump in its earnings in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue advanced to ₹556.87 crore from ₹454.65 crore, net income jumped to ₹32.1 crore from ₹20.2 crore, and diluted earnings per share rose to ₹10.66 from ₹6.72 a year ago.
Adani Enterprises Limited rose 0.7% to ₹2,130.05 despite the infrastructure development company reporting an 89% plunge from a year ago in quarterly profit.
Consolidated revenue decreased to ₹23,500.5 crore from ₹25,540.35 crore, after-tax profit dropped to ₹228.6 crore from ₹1,972.8 crore, and diluted earnings per share fell to 4 paisa from ₹16.10 a year ago.
HCL Technologies Ltd. decreased 0.5% to ₹1,636.80 after the technology-enabled services reported a slight increase in revenue and net income in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue advanced to ₹30,367 crore from ₹28,816 crore, net income increased to ₹1,538 crore from ₹1,523 crore, and diluted earnings per share rose to ₹16.93 from ₹16.03 a year ago.
Bharat Rasayan Limited fell 0.7% to ₹10,213.75 despite the pesticide maker reporting a 72% increase in net income in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue increased to ₹263.6 crore from ₹236.5 crore, after-tax profit advanced to ₹29.7 crore from ₹17.3 crore, and diluted earnings per share rose to ₹71.5 from ₹41.6 a year ago.
Concord Biotech Limited dropped 4% to ₹1,627.25 after the biopharma company reported a slight increase in revenue and a marginal decline in net in the December quarter.
Consolidated revenue advanced to ₹258.9 crore from ₹249 crore, net income fell to ₹74.1 crore from ₹74.5 crore, and diluted earnings per share decreased to ₹7.08 from ₹7.13 a year ago.
- Barry Adams
- 25 Feb, 2025
- New York City
Wall Street indexes lacked direction in Tuesday's trading, and benchmark indexes struggled to shake off losses in the previous three sessions.
The S&P 500 index edged down 0.1%, and the Nasdaq Composite decreased 0.2%, as investors reviewed the latest batch of earnings.
Home Depot, Zoom Communications, Smith & Nephew, Keurig Dr Pepper, and Chegg were in focus after they reported quarterly results.
Investors are increasingly looking for a sign of an economic slowdown amid the growing storm of Trump tariffs, as the White House reiterated its plans to impose the previously announced tariffs on steel and aluminum products shipped from Mexico and Canada.
Investors are also concerned that the additional tariffs on goods shipped from China, Asia, and Europe will stoke inflation, which could delay the Fed's plan to lower interest rates and push the economy on the brink of a recession.
Commodities, Currencies, Indexes, Yields
The S&P 500 index decreased 0.2% to 5,973.87, the Nasdaq Composite edged down 0.7% to 19,159.62, and the Russell 2000 index was up 0.1% to 2,180.98.
The yield on 2-year Treasury notes edged lower to 4.12%, 10-year Treasury notes decreased to 4.33%, and 30-year Treasury bonds declined to 4.59%.
WTI crude oil decreased $0.49 to $70.25 a barrel, and natural gas prices edged higher by $0.04 to $4.02 a thermal unit.
Gold decreased by $11.27 to 2,939.86 an ounce, and silver edged down by $0.18 to $32.08.
The dollar index, which weighs the US currency against a basket of foreign currencies, decreased 0.21 to 106.38 and traded at a two-year high.
U.S. Stock Movers
Zoom Communications Inc. dropped 3% to $81.10 despite the software company reporting a revenue increase in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025 ending in January.
The company's weak sales outlook in the current fiscal year weighed on the stock.
Home Depot eased 0.1% to $382.13 after the home improvement retailer reported steady sales growth in the fourth quarter ending in December.
The specialty retailer said comparable store sales rose 0.8% in the fourth quarter, ending a decline in eight consecutive quarters driven by a rise in the number of transactions and average ticket size.
Smith & Nephew Plc gained 3.5% to $27.16 after the medical equipment maker reported a revenue increase in the fourth quarter ending in December, despite weakness in the China market.
The company said earnings in the quarter advanced, driven by results from its restructuring efforts.
Chegg plunged 22% to $1.23 after the online education platform operator reported a 23% drop in its subscription revenue to $128.5 million in the fourth quarter.
For the full year, revenue declined 14% to $549.2 million, and net loss expanded to $837.1 million, and subscribers fell 14% to 6.6 million.
The company guided a first quarter revenue range between $114 million and $116 million and a gross margin between 66% and 67%.
- Barry Adams
- 25 Feb, 2025
- New York City
Wall Street indexes lacked direction in Tuesday's trading, and benchmark indexes struggled to shake off losses in the previous three sessions.
The S&P 500 index edged down 0.1%, and the Nasdaq Composite decreased 0.2%, as investors reviewed the latest batch of earnings.
Home Depot, Zoom Communications, Smith & Nephew, Keurig Dr Pepper, and Chegg were in focus after they reported quarterly results.
Investors are increasingly looking for a sign of an economic slowdown amid the growing storm of Trump tariffs, as the White House reiterated its plans to impose the previously announced tariffs on steel and aluminum products shipped from Mexico and Canada.
Investors are also concerned that the additional tariffs on goods shipped from China, Asia, and Europe will stoke inflation, which could delay the Fed's plan to lower interest rates and push the economy on the brink of a recession.
U.S. Stock Movers
Zoom Communications Inc. dropped 3% to $81.10 despite the software company reporting a revenue increase in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025 ending in January.
The company's weak sales outlook in the current fiscal year weighed on the stock.
Home Depot eased 0.1% to $382.13 after the home improvement retailer reported steady sales growth in the fourth quarter ending in December.
The specialty retailer said comparable store sales rose 0.8% in the fourth quarter, ending a decline in eight consecutive quarters driven by a rise in the number of transactions and average ticket size.
Smith & Nephew Plc gained 3.5% to $27.16 after the medical equipment maker reported a revenue increase in the fourth quarter ending in December, despite weakness in the China market.
The company said earnings in the quarter advanced, driven by results from its restructuring efforts.
Chegg plunged 22% to $1.23 after the online education platform operator reported a 23% drop in its subscription revenue to $128.5 million in the fourth quarter.
For the full year, revenue declined 14% to $549.2 million, and net loss expanded to $837.1 million, and subscribers fell 14% to 6.6 million.
The company guided a first quarter revenue range between $114 million and $116 million and a gross margin between 66% and 67%.
- Bridgette Randall
- 25 Feb, 2025
- London
European markets traded around the flatline, and investors reviewed new U.S. trade restrictions on China.
Benchmark indexes in Frankfurt and London advanced, but market indexes in Paris and Milan retained a slight downward bias in Tuesday's trading.
Market sentiment was weak after the U.S. announced additional restrictions on Chinese investment in American technology, infrastructure, and energy companies or projects.
Defense stocks continued their advance for the second week in a row amid rising hopes that the European Union will set up its own $700 billion fund to finance its equipment purchases and support military personnel.
Automobile makers declined after passenger car sales in January dropped 2.6% from a year ago to a four-month low of 831,201 units.
Overall car sales in 2024 rose 0.8% to 10.6 million, and battery electric car share stood at 13.6%.
However, in January, overall sales declined 6.2% in France, followed by a 5.8% fall in Italy and a 2.8% decrease in Germany.
The battery electric vehicles held 15% of the market share in January, up from 10.9% a year ago.
Hybrid-electric vehicles surged ahead with a market share of 34.9% of the market, the top choice among car buyers.
Meanwhile, the combined market share of petrol and diesel cars fell to 39.4% in January 2025, down from 48.7% one year ago.
Europe Indexes and Yields
The DAX index increased by 0.02% to 22,430.44, the CAC-40 index edged lower 0.05% to 8,086.68; and the FTSE 100 index advanced by 0.3% to 8,689.24.
The yield on 10-year German bonds inched lower to 2.47%, French bonds decreased to 3.20%, the UK gilts moved down to 4.54%, and Italian bonds edged lower to 3.54%.
The euro increased to $1.05; the British pound was higher at $1.26; and the U.S. dollar was lower and traded at 89.68 Swiss cents.
Brent crude increased $0.15 to $74.87 a barrel, and the Dutch TTF natural gas was lower by €0.75 to €46.55 per MWh.
Europe Stock Movers
Automakers were under pressure after passenger car sales declined in January.
Mercedes-Benz Group increased 1.2% to €60.40, Renault SA dropped 1.5% to €48.21, Volkswagen AG decreased 0.3% to €101.35, and Stellantis NV edged up 0.5% to €13.54.
Smith & Nephew advanced 5% to 1,095.0 pence after the company reported fourth quarter and full-year results.
Smith & Nephew said fourth quarter revenue increased 7.8% to $1.6 billion from $1.5 billion, and revenue in the full year advanced 4.7% to $5.8 billion from $5.5 billion.
Ericsson AB increased 2.2% to 86.94 krona after the Swedish telecom company signed a deal to sell 5G telecom equipment to India's Bharti Airtel.
John Wood Group advanced 3.5% to 38.42 pence after the struggling oil field services provider said it received a revised buyout proposal from Dubai-based Sidara, which had previously offered £1.6 billion.
Defense stocks continued to advance for the second consecutive week, and Germany's CDU leader, Friedrich Merz, is likely to push for a speedy approval of a special defense funding of €200 billion.
Thyssenkrupp AG increased 13% to €7.15 in the hopes that the company is looking to spinoff its minority stake in its warship division as early as this year.