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HCA raises annual profit forecast on resilient demand for medical care
(Reuters) -HCA Healthcare raised its 2025 profit forecast on Friday as it expects sustained demand for medical procedures to cushion a hit from U.S. President Donald Trump's potential tariffs. Health insurers have flagged higher-than-anticipated costs in its individual plans that come under the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, and its Medicaid plans for low-income people. Analysts have said they expect this trend to benefit hospital operators, but warned that proposed federal budget cuts could hit their earnings. HCA earned second-quarter adjusted profit of $6.84 per share, beating analysts' estimates of $6.25 per share, according to data compiled by LSEG. The company expects 2025 profit to be about $25.50 to $27 per share, compared with its previous forecast of $24.05 to $25.85 per share. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
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Trump signs executive order making it easier to remove homeless people from streets
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday making it easier for local jurisdictions to remove homeless people from the streets. The order directs Attorney General Pam Bondi to 'reverse judicial precedents and end consent decrees' that limit jurisdictions' abilities to relocate homeless people. It also redirects federal resources so that affected homeless people are transferred to rehabilitation and substance misuse facilities. It also directs Bondi to work with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to fast-track federal funding to states and municipalities that crack down on 'open illicit drug use, urban camping and loitering, and urban squatting, and track the location of sex offenders.' 'President Trump is delivering on his commitment to Make America Safe Again and end homelessness across America,' Leavitt said in a statement Thursday. 'By removing vagrant criminals from our streets and redirecting resources toward substance abuse programs, the Trump Administration will ensure that Americans feel safe in their own communities and that individuals suffering from addiction or mental health struggles are able to get the help they need.' Advocates for the homeless condemned the executive orders with some saying that it will make homelessness worse for communities. 'These executive orders ignore decades of evidence-based housing and support services in practice. They represent a punitive approach that has consistently failed to resolve homelessness and instead exacerbates the challenges faced by vulnerable individuals,' said Donald Whitehead, executive director of the National Coalition for the Homeless, in a press release. The National Homelessness Law Center said the order 'deprives people of their basic rights and makes it harder to solve homelessness' in a statement on Thursday. The group said the order will expand the use of police and institutionalization in response to homelessness, while increasing the number of people living in tents, cars and on the streets. Order follows high court decision The order comes a month after the Supreme Court ruled in favor of an Oregon city that ticketed homeless people for sleeping outside. Justices rejected arguments that such 'anti-camping' ordinances violate the Constitution's ban on 'cruel and unusual' punishment. The case had been watched closely by city and state officials who have struggled to respond to a surge in homelessness and encampments that have cropped up under bridges and in city parks across the nation. It was also followed by people who live in those encampments and are alarmed by efforts to criminalize the population rather than build shelters and affordable housing. Homelessness in the US soared to the highest level on record last year, driven by a lack of affordable housing, a rise in migrants seeking shelter and natural disasters, which caused some people to be displaced from their homes, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development. More than 770,000 people experienced homelessness in 2024, an 18% increase from 2023. It was the largest annual increase since HUD began collecting the data in 2007 (excluding the jump from 2021 to 2022, when the agency didn't conduct a full count due to the Covid-19 pandemic). As a candidate, Trump railed against the nation's homeless crisis, telling supporters during a September campaign rally it was 'destroying our cities.' 'The homeless encampments will be gone,' Trump said in remarks from North Carolina. 'They're going to be gone. Oh, you have to see, you have to – some of these encampments, what they've done to our cities, and we've got to take care of the people.' CNN's Shania Shelton contributed to this report. Solve the daily Crossword
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Earnings live: Intel stock slides amid cost cuts; Deckers soars as Hoka, Ugg shoes see gains
Second quarter earnings season is in full swing, and the results have been largely positive so far, with more positive surprises than negative ones. Companies had a lower bar to clear coming into the quarter, as analysts tempered their expectations amid President Trump's tariffs, stocks' lofty valuations, and uncertainty about the health of the US economy. This week, investors will get a glimpse of how corporate leaders are navigating these challenges, with 112 S&P 500 companies reporting results, including GM (GM), Coca-Cola (KO), Alphabet (GOOGL, GOOG), and Tesla (TSLA). Data from FactSet published Friday showed that with 12% of the index having reported results, analysts now expect S&P 500 companies to report a 5.6% jump in earnings per share during the second quarter. Heading into the quarter, analysts expected S&P 500 earnings to rise 5% in Q2, which would mark the slowest pace of earnings growth since the fourth quarter of 2023. Here are the latest updates from corporate America. Phillips 66 profit beats estimates on higher refining margins Phillips 66 (PSX) stock rose about 1% in premarket trading after the US refiner reported an adjusted profit of $2.38 per share, beating Wall Street EPS estimates of about $1.71. During the quarter, Phillips 66 returned $906 million to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks. Reuters reports: Read more here. Health insurer Centene reports surprise quarterly loss Centene's (CNC) stock fell 12% before the bell on Friday after the health insurance company reported a quarterly loss and warned of a revenue slump from government-backed plans. Read more here. Deckers stock soars after Hoka, Ugg sales surge Hoka sneakers and Ugg brand shoes boosted Deckers (DECK) sales and profits last quarter, sending shares up more than 14% after hours. On Thursday, Deckers reported net sales grew 17% to $964.5 million, above estimates of $901.4 million, per Bloomberg data. Profits surged 24%, with diluted earnings per share coming in at $0.93. "HOKA and UGG outperformed our first quarter expectations, with robust growth delivering solid results to begin fiscal year 2026," CEO Stefano Caroti said in a press release. "Though uncertainty remains elevated in the global trade environment, our confidence in our brands has not changed, and the long-term opportunities ahead are significant. We will lean on the fundamental strengths of our powerful operating model as we continue executing our strategy." The main story for the quarter was Deckers' international business: International net sales rose 49.7%, offsetting a 2.8% decline in domestic sales. The company expects net sales for the current quarter in the range of $1.38 billion to $1.42 billion, in line with analyst estimates. Earnings are expected to be in the range of $1.50 to $1.55 per share. Read more here. Intel stock rises on Q2 revenue beat, plans to cut 15% of workforce Intel (INTC) second quarter revenue beat analyst estimates, but its earnings fell short of expectations. The chip giant also said it is slashing its workforce by 15% and expects to have approximately 75,000 employees by the end of the year. Intel's new CEO Lip-Bu Tan has already undertaken or is exploring several cost-cutting measures. According to the Oregonian, the company is shuttering its automotive business, outsourcing marketing jobs, and laying off factory workers. Yahoo Finance's Daniel Howley has more details on Intel's results: Read more here. Intel to report Q2 earnings as Wall Street looks for signs of turnaround Intel (INTC) will report its second quarter earnings on Thursday as the company's new CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, continues his attempt to turn around the ailing chip giant. Yahoo Finance's Dan Howley details what to expect when Intel reports: Read more here. Southwest CFO says decision to lower guidance by $1 billion was 'macro-driven' Southwest (LUV) stock tanked on Thursday after the airline's earnings results missed estimates. Shares fell over 12% as the earnings call with investors began. (You can listen to the full call here.) Earlier on Thursday, Southwest CFO Tom Doxey told Yahoo Finance that the company's disappointing results were primarily caused by broader economic challenges, tariff uncertainty, and weaker consumer sentiment. Doxey confirmed that Southwest lowered its full-year pre-tax profit (EBIT) guidance to $600 million-$800 million from the $1.7 billion forecast previously. 'There's an estimate of about $800 million to $1 billion in revenue degradation that has occurred as a result of the macro,' Doxey said. 'The number is large, but it is macro-driven.' He said that Southwest's domestic travel revenue outperformed peers. But the overall domestic segment underperformed international and premium travel, which are the strengths of other airlines like Delta (DAL) and United (UAL). Southwest's second quarter got off to a rocky start as consumer confidence plummeted to a three-year low after President Trump's "Liberation Day" tariff announcement in April. That translated to lower travel demand at the beginning of the peak summer season. However, things are improving, Doxey said. 'Demand fell off quite quickly during that period,' he noted. 'The great news is we're starting to see that stabilize.' Blackstone assets under management surge, COO says dealmaking pause 'is behind us' Blackstone (BX) surprised Wall Street analysts on Thursday when it reported its assets under management surged 13% to a record $1.21 trillion. Profits also rose 72% to $764 million, compared to the second quarter of last year, sending shares nearly 5% higher in early trading. Notably, Blackstone's No. 2 echoed other big banks in the company's earnings call in saying that the dealmaking pause is behind us. Yahoo Finance's David Hollerith reports: Read more here. Alphabet in 'AI (beast) mode': 5 takeaways from Google's earnings call Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL) shares rose in early trading as investor sentiment grew positive on the stock following its bullish earnings call commentary and strong Q2 results. And my colleague Brian Sozzi jotted down some takeaways from the earnings call that help explain the bullish mood today: Sozzi noted that, in many ways, it's surprising that Alphabet stock is up just 1.5% this morning, as it's trading at only 19.3 times forward earnings on a PE basis (S&P 500 is at 24 times). Several Wall Street analysts agreed. "AI (beast) mode — it's time to close the valuation gap," KeyBanc analyst Justin Patterson said. Wedbush analyst Dan Ives added, "We continue see a favorable risk/reward for Alphabet and think there is a case for multiple expansion in the coming quarters as investors gain more comfort around the current macro environment, regulatory risk, and the impact of generative AI on the business." Read more takeaways from Google's earnings call here. Uptick in coal shipments boosts Union Pacific earnings Union Pacific (UNP) second quarter profits exceeded Wall Street's expectations, driven by operational improvements, higher freight volumes, and improved pricing. The stock fell 2% ahead of the opening bell Thursday. The economic bellwether saw an uptick in coal shipment volumes in the second quarter, as well as in shipments of grain products and industrial chemicals. The improvement in coal shipments stood out after President Trump signed executive orders boosting the industry, which has been a weak spot for railroad operators. Union Pacific confirmed that it is in talks with Norfolk Southern (NSC) on a possible merger that would reshape the US's railroad industry. The magnitude of a combination of the railroad operators would put the deal under close regulatory and antitrust scrutiny. Here's what Union Pacific reported in Q2, per Reuters: Read more here. American Airlines restores 2025 forecast, flags economic worries for keeping it broad American Airlines (AAL) maintained a broad 2025 forecast on Thursday, citing economic uncertainty, with one of the outcomes being a loss to profit. The carrier's shares fell 6% before the bell. The airline is facing challenges in the domestic travel market, where travel spending remains weak due to US tariffs and budget cuts. Reuters reports: Read more here. Honeywell beats on earnings, raises 2025 forecasts on sustained demand for aerospace parts, services Honeywell (HON) stock fell premarket despite reporting an earnings beat and guidance raise. Adjusted earnings per share of $2.75 exceeded Wall Street's estimates of $2.66 per share. Sales hit the top end of the company's guidance at $10.4 billion, compared to estimates of $10.1 billion. Strong demand for aerospace parts and maintenance services lifted Honeywell's results as it prepares to split into three companies. The company's aerospace division, its biggest revenue generator, posted a 10.7% jump in sales to $4.31 billion in the second quarter, as the Boeing (BA) and Airbus ( supplier benefited from rising demand and a shortage of new jets. Honeywell raised its revenue outlook and now expects between $40.8 billion and $41.3 billion for the year, up from the $39.6 billion and $40.5 billion it had previously forecast. It also sees 2025 adjusted profit per share between $10.45 and $10.65, up from its previous forecast of $10.20 to $10.50. Read more here from Reuters. Keurig Dr. Pepper earnings beat estimates as energy drinks shine, but coffee inflation lurks Yahoo Finance's Brian Sozzi reports: Read more here. Tesla stock takes a leg down during earnings call Tesla (TSLA) stock took a firm leg down during the company's quarterly earnings call on Wednesday as the company's CFO warned of "adverse impacts" from the "big bill" President Trump recently signed into law. Notably, the bill takes aim at two key tax credits that Tesla has taken advantage of to scale its company: the electric-vehicle tax credit and the solar tax credit. "The big bill has certain adverse impacts, even for the energy business," Tesla CFO Vaibhav Taneja. "We're doing our best to manage through this," he added. "But we will see shifts in demand and profitability." He said tariff costs increased to around $300 million this quarter. Tesla was down as much as 3.5% after seesawing between green and red right after the release of its earnings report — which you can see more details of by continuing to scroll. Also on the call, CEO Elon Musk predicted Tesla would "have autonomous ride-hailing reach half the population of the US by the end of the year." "That's at least our goal, subject to regulatory approvals," he added. Chart: Chipotle foot traffic declines for second straight quarter Chipotle (CMG) stock tanked 9% following second quarter results and as the earnings call began (listen to the live call here). As the chart below shows, foot traffic fell more than expected, accelerating the slowdown in traffic that began in the first quarter. Yahoo Finance's Brooke DiPalma reports that overall foot traffic fell 4.9% against the 4.4% drop that had been forecast by the Street. Chipotle cut its guidance and said it expects same-store sales to be flat for the full year. On the earnings call, CEO Scott Boatwright highlighted initiatives — in marketing, the value proposition, menu innovation, and a revamped rewards program — aimed at jump-starting sales. But Boatwright acknowledged that the fast-casual chain is facing a slowdown in trends and one of the most challenging consumer backdrops in years. Southwest misses profit expectations as weak domestic demand erodes fares Southwest Airlines (LUV) missed Wall Street estimates for second quarter profit on Wednesday as a sluggish start to the peak summer travel season has translated to weak domestic travel demand and softer fares. Southwest reported operating revenue of $7.24 billion in the quarter through June, compared with $7.35 billion a year earlier. The budget carrier reported an adjusted profit per share of $0.43, compared with analysts' average expectations of $0.51, according to data compiled by LSEG. While Delta Air Lines (DAL) and United Airlines (UAL) were buoyed by more affluent customers, low-cost carriers like Southwest have noted their price-sensitive customers are coming under pressure. Still, airline executives and analysts have signaled that travel demand has remained broadly steady. Read more from Reuters. Wall Street looks to Google's earnings call for details on higher-than-expected capex number Alphabet (GOOG) earnings indicated solid growth across the business, but it was the capital expenditures number that was "a bit concerning," according to Roundhill Investments CEO Dave Mazza. Google said capital expenditures will climb to $85 billion; it previously projected $75 billion. On the earnings call, investors will be looking for answers on where that spending is going. Rohit Kulkarni, senior research analyst at ROTH MKM, also weighed in on the initial Street reaction to Google's earnings. "Fundamentally, I think we're seeing acceleration in revenues in a very large company," Kulkarni said. "Google Search is accelerating. YouTube growth has accelerated. Google Cloud has accelerated, and even subscriptions have accelerated." "Having said that," Kulkarni added, "I think the stock reaction here is a knee-jerk reaction about where are you going to spend those extra $10 billion and what is the ROI that you're seeing from the existing spend? That's a sentiment that probably drives a lot of other megacaps, in my opinion." Google's earnings call is live now. You can listen in here. Mattel stock falls after the toymaker posts steeper sales decline than expected Mattel (MAT) posted a bigger-than-expected drop in second quarter revenue on Wednesday as cautious inventory planning by retailers amid global trade uncertainties weighed on demand, per Reuters. Barbie sales in North America were weak during the quarter, with worldwide gross billings for dolls declining 19%. The infant, toddler, and preschool category, which includes Fisher-Price, Baby Gear, and Power Wheels brands logged a 25% drop. The toymaker, which also sells popular brands such as Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, and Uno, did reinstate its 2025 sales and profit forecast after pulling it last quarter in the midst of shifting tariff policies. The company now expects 2025 net sales to rise 1% to 3%, compared to its February target of a 2% to 3% increase. It forecast adjusted per-share profit between $1.54 and $1.66, below its prior estimate range of $1.66 to $1.72 apiece. Earlier in the day, rival Hasbro (HAS) raised its annual revenue outlook, betting on the strength of its digital games and cost-cutting efforts to weather the impact of mounting economic and tariff uncertainty. Shares of the company fell 4% in trading after the bell. Chipotle plunges after company reports second-straight sales decline, cuts guidance Chipotle (CMG) on Wednesday reported another quarter of negative sales growth as the company navigates an uncertain consumer environment and new leadership deals with the most challenging backdrop for the chain in years. The company reported a same-store sales decline of 4% in the second quarter, more than the 2.9% decline Wall Street expected. Traffic fell more than expected, down 4.9%, compared to the 4.4% drop lower the Street predicted. That's an acceleration from the 2.3% drop seen in the first quarter, which marked Chipotle's first quarterly foot traffic decline since 2022. Chipotle also cut its guidance again, saying it now expects flat full year same-store sales growth, compared to an increase in the low-single-digit range. Ahead of Wednesday's report, analysts expected same-store sales to grow 0.8% for the fiscal year. Read more here. IBM results beat estimates on AI mainframe refresh, consulting revival Reuters reports: Read more here. T-Mobile dials up a big earnings beat, stock jumps T-Mobile (TMUS) dialed up a big second quarter against the backdrop of heightened competition for new customers with rivals Verizon (VZ) and AT&T (T). The telecom giant easily beat analyst estimates on Wednesday after market close. It gained the most net new customers in the second quarter compared to its competitors. This comes as it leaned into its value messaging by releasing a five-year price lock on phone plans in April. The company lifted its full-year adjusted operating profit guidance. Read more here. Phillips 66 profit beats estimates on higher refining margins Phillips 66 (PSX) stock rose about 1% in premarket trading after the US refiner reported an adjusted profit of $2.38 per share, beating Wall Street EPS estimates of about $1.71. During the quarter, Phillips 66 returned $906 million to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks. Reuters reports: Read more here. Phillips 66 (PSX) stock rose about 1% in premarket trading after the US refiner reported an adjusted profit of $2.38 per share, beating Wall Street EPS estimates of about $1.71. During the quarter, Phillips 66 returned $906 million to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks. Reuters reports: Read more here. Health insurer Centene reports surprise quarterly loss Centene's (CNC) stock fell 12% before the bell on Friday after the health insurance company reported a quarterly loss and warned of a revenue slump from government-backed plans. Read more here. Centene's (CNC) stock fell 12% before the bell on Friday after the health insurance company reported a quarterly loss and warned of a revenue slump from government-backed plans. Read more here. Deckers stock soars after Hoka, Ugg sales surge Hoka sneakers and Ugg brand shoes boosted Deckers (DECK) sales and profits last quarter, sending shares up more than 14% after hours. On Thursday, Deckers reported net sales grew 17% to $964.5 million, above estimates of $901.4 million, per Bloomberg data. Profits surged 24%, with diluted earnings per share coming in at $0.93. "HOKA and UGG outperformed our first quarter expectations, with robust growth delivering solid results to begin fiscal year 2026," CEO Stefano Caroti said in a press release. "Though uncertainty remains elevated in the global trade environment, our confidence in our brands has not changed, and the long-term opportunities ahead are significant. We will lean on the fundamental strengths of our powerful operating model as we continue executing our strategy." The main story for the quarter was Deckers' international business: International net sales rose 49.7%, offsetting a 2.8% decline in domestic sales. The company expects net sales for the current quarter in the range of $1.38 billion to $1.42 billion, in line with analyst estimates. Earnings are expected to be in the range of $1.50 to $1.55 per share. Read more here. Hoka sneakers and Ugg brand shoes boosted Deckers (DECK) sales and profits last quarter, sending shares up more than 14% after hours. On Thursday, Deckers reported net sales grew 17% to $964.5 million, above estimates of $901.4 million, per Bloomberg data. Profits surged 24%, with diluted earnings per share coming in at $0.93. "HOKA and UGG outperformed our first quarter expectations, with robust growth delivering solid results to begin fiscal year 2026," CEO Stefano Caroti said in a press release. "Though uncertainty remains elevated in the global trade environment, our confidence in our brands has not changed, and the long-term opportunities ahead are significant. We will lean on the fundamental strengths of our powerful operating model as we continue executing our strategy." The main story for the quarter was Deckers' international business: International net sales rose 49.7%, offsetting a 2.8% decline in domestic sales. The company expects net sales for the current quarter in the range of $1.38 billion to $1.42 billion, in line with analyst estimates. Earnings are expected to be in the range of $1.50 to $1.55 per share. Read more here. Intel stock rises on Q2 revenue beat, plans to cut 15% of workforce Intel (INTC) second quarter revenue beat analyst estimates, but its earnings fell short of expectations. The chip giant also said it is slashing its workforce by 15% and expects to have approximately 75,000 employees by the end of the year. Intel's new CEO Lip-Bu Tan has already undertaken or is exploring several cost-cutting measures. According to the Oregonian, the company is shuttering its automotive business, outsourcing marketing jobs, and laying off factory workers. Yahoo Finance's Daniel Howley has more details on Intel's results: Read more here. Intel (INTC) second quarter revenue beat analyst estimates, but its earnings fell short of expectations. The chip giant also said it is slashing its workforce by 15% and expects to have approximately 75,000 employees by the end of the year. Intel's new CEO Lip-Bu Tan has already undertaken or is exploring several cost-cutting measures. According to the Oregonian, the company is shuttering its automotive business, outsourcing marketing jobs, and laying off factory workers. Yahoo Finance's Daniel Howley has more details on Intel's results: Read more here. Intel to report Q2 earnings as Wall Street looks for signs of turnaround Intel (INTC) will report its second quarter earnings on Thursday as the company's new CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, continues his attempt to turn around the ailing chip giant. Yahoo Finance's Dan Howley details what to expect when Intel reports: Read more here. Intel (INTC) will report its second quarter earnings on Thursday as the company's new CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, continues his attempt to turn around the ailing chip giant. Yahoo Finance's Dan Howley details what to expect when Intel reports: Read more here. Southwest CFO says decision to lower guidance by $1 billion was 'macro-driven' Southwest (LUV) stock tanked on Thursday after the airline's earnings results missed estimates. Shares fell over 12% as the earnings call with investors began. (You can listen to the full call here.) Earlier on Thursday, Southwest CFO Tom Doxey told Yahoo Finance that the company's disappointing results were primarily caused by broader economic challenges, tariff uncertainty, and weaker consumer sentiment. Doxey confirmed that Southwest lowered its full-year pre-tax profit (EBIT) guidance to $600 million-$800 million from the $1.7 billion forecast previously. 'There's an estimate of about $800 million to $1 billion in revenue degradation that has occurred as a result of the macro,' Doxey said. 'The number is large, but it is macro-driven.' He said that Southwest's domestic travel revenue outperformed peers. But the overall domestic segment underperformed international and premium travel, which are the strengths of other airlines like Delta (DAL) and United (UAL). Southwest's second quarter got off to a rocky start as consumer confidence plummeted to a three-year low after President Trump's "Liberation Day" tariff announcement in April. That translated to lower travel demand at the beginning of the peak summer season. However, things are improving, Doxey said. 'Demand fell off quite quickly during that period,' he noted. 'The great news is we're starting to see that stabilize.' Southwest (LUV) stock tanked on Thursday after the airline's earnings results missed estimates. Shares fell over 12% as the earnings call with investors began. (You can listen to the full call here.) Earlier on Thursday, Southwest CFO Tom Doxey told Yahoo Finance that the company's disappointing results were primarily caused by broader economic challenges, tariff uncertainty, and weaker consumer sentiment. Doxey confirmed that Southwest lowered its full-year pre-tax profit (EBIT) guidance to $600 million-$800 million from the $1.7 billion forecast previously. 'There's an estimate of about $800 million to $1 billion in revenue degradation that has occurred as a result of the macro,' Doxey said. 'The number is large, but it is macro-driven.' He said that Southwest's domestic travel revenue outperformed peers. But the overall domestic segment underperformed international and premium travel, which are the strengths of other airlines like Delta (DAL) and United (UAL). Southwest's second quarter got off to a rocky start as consumer confidence plummeted to a three-year low after President Trump's "Liberation Day" tariff announcement in April. That translated to lower travel demand at the beginning of the peak summer season. However, things are improving, Doxey said. 'Demand fell off quite quickly during that period,' he noted. 'The great news is we're starting to see that stabilize.' Blackstone assets under management surge, COO says dealmaking pause 'is behind us' Blackstone (BX) surprised Wall Street analysts on Thursday when it reported its assets under management surged 13% to a record $1.21 trillion. Profits also rose 72% to $764 million, compared to the second quarter of last year, sending shares nearly 5% higher in early trading. Notably, Blackstone's No. 2 echoed other big banks in the company's earnings call in saying that the dealmaking pause is behind us. Yahoo Finance's David Hollerith reports: Read more here. Blackstone (BX) surprised Wall Street analysts on Thursday when it reported its assets under management surged 13% to a record $1.21 trillion. Profits also rose 72% to $764 million, compared to the second quarter of last year, sending shares nearly 5% higher in early trading. Notably, Blackstone's No. 2 echoed other big banks in the company's earnings call in saying that the dealmaking pause is behind us. Yahoo Finance's David Hollerith reports: Read more here. Alphabet in 'AI (beast) mode': 5 takeaways from Google's earnings call Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL) shares rose in early trading as investor sentiment grew positive on the stock following its bullish earnings call commentary and strong Q2 results. And my colleague Brian Sozzi jotted down some takeaways from the earnings call that help explain the bullish mood today: Sozzi noted that, in many ways, it's surprising that Alphabet stock is up just 1.5% this morning, as it's trading at only 19.3 times forward earnings on a PE basis (S&P 500 is at 24 times). Several Wall Street analysts agreed. "AI (beast) mode — it's time to close the valuation gap," KeyBanc analyst Justin Patterson said. Wedbush analyst Dan Ives added, "We continue see a favorable risk/reward for Alphabet and think there is a case for multiple expansion in the coming quarters as investors gain more comfort around the current macro environment, regulatory risk, and the impact of generative AI on the business." Read more takeaways from Google's earnings call here. Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL) shares rose in early trading as investor sentiment grew positive on the stock following its bullish earnings call commentary and strong Q2 results. And my colleague Brian Sozzi jotted down some takeaways from the earnings call that help explain the bullish mood today: Sozzi noted that, in many ways, it's surprising that Alphabet stock is up just 1.5% this morning, as it's trading at only 19.3 times forward earnings on a PE basis (S&P 500 is at 24 times). Several Wall Street analysts agreed. "AI (beast) mode — it's time to close the valuation gap," KeyBanc analyst Justin Patterson said. Wedbush analyst Dan Ives added, "We continue see a favorable risk/reward for Alphabet and think there is a case for multiple expansion in the coming quarters as investors gain more comfort around the current macro environment, regulatory risk, and the impact of generative AI on the business." Read more takeaways from Google's earnings call here. Uptick in coal shipments boosts Union Pacific earnings Union Pacific (UNP) second quarter profits exceeded Wall Street's expectations, driven by operational improvements, higher freight volumes, and improved pricing. The stock fell 2% ahead of the opening bell Thursday. The economic bellwether saw an uptick in coal shipment volumes in the second quarter, as well as in shipments of grain products and industrial chemicals. The improvement in coal shipments stood out after President Trump signed executive orders boosting the industry, which has been a weak spot for railroad operators. Union Pacific confirmed that it is in talks with Norfolk Southern (NSC) on a possible merger that would reshape the US's railroad industry. The magnitude of a combination of the railroad operators would put the deal under close regulatory and antitrust scrutiny. Here's what Union Pacific reported in Q2, per Reuters: Read more here. Union Pacific (UNP) second quarter profits exceeded Wall Street's expectations, driven by operational improvements, higher freight volumes, and improved pricing. The stock fell 2% ahead of the opening bell Thursday. The economic bellwether saw an uptick in coal shipment volumes in the second quarter, as well as in shipments of grain products and industrial chemicals. The improvement in coal shipments stood out after President Trump signed executive orders boosting the industry, which has been a weak spot for railroad operators. Union Pacific confirmed that it is in talks with Norfolk Southern (NSC) on a possible merger that would reshape the US's railroad industry. The magnitude of a combination of the railroad operators would put the deal under close regulatory and antitrust scrutiny. Here's what Union Pacific reported in Q2, per Reuters: Read more here. American Airlines restores 2025 forecast, flags economic worries for keeping it broad American Airlines (AAL) maintained a broad 2025 forecast on Thursday, citing economic uncertainty, with one of the outcomes being a loss to profit. The carrier's shares fell 6% before the bell. The airline is facing challenges in the domestic travel market, where travel spending remains weak due to US tariffs and budget cuts. Reuters reports: Read more here. American Airlines (AAL) maintained a broad 2025 forecast on Thursday, citing economic uncertainty, with one of the outcomes being a loss to profit. The carrier's shares fell 6% before the bell. The airline is facing challenges in the domestic travel market, where travel spending remains weak due to US tariffs and budget cuts. Reuters reports: Read more here. Honeywell beats on earnings, raises 2025 forecasts on sustained demand for aerospace parts, services Honeywell (HON) stock fell premarket despite reporting an earnings beat and guidance raise. Adjusted earnings per share of $2.75 exceeded Wall Street's estimates of $2.66 per share. Sales hit the top end of the company's guidance at $10.4 billion, compared to estimates of $10.1 billion. Strong demand for aerospace parts and maintenance services lifted Honeywell's results as it prepares to split into three companies. The company's aerospace division, its biggest revenue generator, posted a 10.7% jump in sales to $4.31 billion in the second quarter, as the Boeing (BA) and Airbus ( supplier benefited from rising demand and a shortage of new jets. Honeywell raised its revenue outlook and now expects between $40.8 billion and $41.3 billion for the year, up from the $39.6 billion and $40.5 billion it had previously forecast. It also sees 2025 adjusted profit per share between $10.45 and $10.65, up from its previous forecast of $10.20 to $10.50. Read more here from Reuters. Honeywell (HON) stock fell premarket despite reporting an earnings beat and guidance raise. Adjusted earnings per share of $2.75 exceeded Wall Street's estimates of $2.66 per share. Sales hit the top end of the company's guidance at $10.4 billion, compared to estimates of $10.1 billion. Strong demand for aerospace parts and maintenance services lifted Honeywell's results as it prepares to split into three companies. The company's aerospace division, its biggest revenue generator, posted a 10.7% jump in sales to $4.31 billion in the second quarter, as the Boeing (BA) and Airbus ( supplier benefited from rising demand and a shortage of new jets. Honeywell raised its revenue outlook and now expects between $40.8 billion and $41.3 billion for the year, up from the $39.6 billion and $40.5 billion it had previously forecast. It also sees 2025 adjusted profit per share between $10.45 and $10.65, up from its previous forecast of $10.20 to $10.50. Read more here from Reuters. Keurig Dr. Pepper earnings beat estimates as energy drinks shine, but coffee inflation lurks Yahoo Finance's Brian Sozzi reports: Read more here. Yahoo Finance's Brian Sozzi reports: Read more here. Tesla stock takes a leg down during earnings call Tesla (TSLA) stock took a firm leg down during the company's quarterly earnings call on Wednesday as the company's CFO warned of "adverse impacts" from the "big bill" President Trump recently signed into law. Notably, the bill takes aim at two key tax credits that Tesla has taken advantage of to scale its company: the electric-vehicle tax credit and the solar tax credit. "The big bill has certain adverse impacts, even for the energy business," Tesla CFO Vaibhav Taneja. "We're doing our best to manage through this," he added. "But we will see shifts in demand and profitability." He said tariff costs increased to around $300 million this quarter. Tesla was down as much as 3.5% after seesawing between green and red right after the release of its earnings report — which you can see more details of by continuing to scroll. Also on the call, CEO Elon Musk predicted Tesla would "have autonomous ride-hailing reach half the population of the US by the end of the year." "That's at least our goal, subject to regulatory approvals," he added. Tesla (TSLA) stock took a firm leg down during the company's quarterly earnings call on Wednesday as the company's CFO warned of "adverse impacts" from the "big bill" President Trump recently signed into law. Notably, the bill takes aim at two key tax credits that Tesla has taken advantage of to scale its company: the electric-vehicle tax credit and the solar tax credit. "The big bill has certain adverse impacts, even for the energy business," Tesla CFO Vaibhav Taneja. "We're doing our best to manage through this," he added. "But we will see shifts in demand and profitability." He said tariff costs increased to around $300 million this quarter. Tesla was down as much as 3.5% after seesawing between green and red right after the release of its earnings report — which you can see more details of by continuing to scroll. Also on the call, CEO Elon Musk predicted Tesla would "have autonomous ride-hailing reach half the population of the US by the end of the year." "That's at least our goal, subject to regulatory approvals," he added. Chart: Chipotle foot traffic declines for second straight quarter Chipotle (CMG) stock tanked 9% following second quarter results and as the earnings call began (listen to the live call here). As the chart below shows, foot traffic fell more than expected, accelerating the slowdown in traffic that began in the first quarter. Yahoo Finance's Brooke DiPalma reports that overall foot traffic fell 4.9% against the 4.4% drop that had been forecast by the Street. Chipotle cut its guidance and said it expects same-store sales to be flat for the full year. On the earnings call, CEO Scott Boatwright highlighted initiatives — in marketing, the value proposition, menu innovation, and a revamped rewards program — aimed at jump-starting sales. But Boatwright acknowledged that the fast-casual chain is facing a slowdown in trends and one of the most challenging consumer backdrops in years. Chipotle (CMG) stock tanked 9% following second quarter results and as the earnings call began (listen to the live call here). As the chart below shows, foot traffic fell more than expected, accelerating the slowdown in traffic that began in the first quarter. Yahoo Finance's Brooke DiPalma reports that overall foot traffic fell 4.9% against the 4.4% drop that had been forecast by the Street. Chipotle cut its guidance and said it expects same-store sales to be flat for the full year. On the earnings call, CEO Scott Boatwright highlighted initiatives — in marketing, the value proposition, menu innovation, and a revamped rewards program — aimed at jump-starting sales. But Boatwright acknowledged that the fast-casual chain is facing a slowdown in trends and one of the most challenging consumer backdrops in years. Southwest misses profit expectations as weak domestic demand erodes fares Southwest Airlines (LUV) missed Wall Street estimates for second quarter profit on Wednesday as a sluggish start to the peak summer travel season has translated to weak domestic travel demand and softer fares. Southwest reported operating revenue of $7.24 billion in the quarter through June, compared with $7.35 billion a year earlier. The budget carrier reported an adjusted profit per share of $0.43, compared with analysts' average expectations of $0.51, according to data compiled by LSEG. While Delta Air Lines (DAL) and United Airlines (UAL) were buoyed by more affluent customers, low-cost carriers like Southwest have noted their price-sensitive customers are coming under pressure. Still, airline executives and analysts have signaled that travel demand has remained broadly steady. Read more from Reuters. Southwest Airlines (LUV) missed Wall Street estimates for second quarter profit on Wednesday as a sluggish start to the peak summer travel season has translated to weak domestic travel demand and softer fares. Southwest reported operating revenue of $7.24 billion in the quarter through June, compared with $7.35 billion a year earlier. The budget carrier reported an adjusted profit per share of $0.43, compared with analysts' average expectations of $0.51, according to data compiled by LSEG. While Delta Air Lines (DAL) and United Airlines (UAL) were buoyed by more affluent customers, low-cost carriers like Southwest have noted their price-sensitive customers are coming under pressure. Still, airline executives and analysts have signaled that travel demand has remained broadly steady. Read more from Reuters. Wall Street looks to Google's earnings call for details on higher-than-expected capex number Alphabet (GOOG) earnings indicated solid growth across the business, but it was the capital expenditures number that was "a bit concerning," according to Roundhill Investments CEO Dave Mazza. Google said capital expenditures will climb to $85 billion; it previously projected $75 billion. On the earnings call, investors will be looking for answers on where that spending is going. Rohit Kulkarni, senior research analyst at ROTH MKM, also weighed in on the initial Street reaction to Google's earnings. "Fundamentally, I think we're seeing acceleration in revenues in a very large company," Kulkarni said. "Google Search is accelerating. YouTube growth has accelerated. Google Cloud has accelerated, and even subscriptions have accelerated." "Having said that," Kulkarni added, "I think the stock reaction here is a knee-jerk reaction about where are you going to spend those extra $10 billion and what is the ROI that you're seeing from the existing spend? That's a sentiment that probably drives a lot of other megacaps, in my opinion." Google's earnings call is live now. You can listen in here. Alphabet (GOOG) earnings indicated solid growth across the business, but it was the capital expenditures number that was "a bit concerning," according to Roundhill Investments CEO Dave Mazza. Google said capital expenditures will climb to $85 billion; it previously projected $75 billion. On the earnings call, investors will be looking for answers on where that spending is going. Rohit Kulkarni, senior research analyst at ROTH MKM, also weighed in on the initial Street reaction to Google's earnings. "Fundamentally, I think we're seeing acceleration in revenues in a very large company," Kulkarni said. "Google Search is accelerating. YouTube growth has accelerated. Google Cloud has accelerated, and even subscriptions have accelerated." "Having said that," Kulkarni added, "I think the stock reaction here is a knee-jerk reaction about where are you going to spend those extra $10 billion and what is the ROI that you're seeing from the existing spend? That's a sentiment that probably drives a lot of other megacaps, in my opinion." Google's earnings call is live now. You can listen in here. Mattel stock falls after the toymaker posts steeper sales decline than expected Mattel (MAT) posted a bigger-than-expected drop in second quarter revenue on Wednesday as cautious inventory planning by retailers amid global trade uncertainties weighed on demand, per Reuters. Barbie sales in North America were weak during the quarter, with worldwide gross billings for dolls declining 19%. The infant, toddler, and preschool category, which includes Fisher-Price, Baby Gear, and Power Wheels brands logged a 25% drop. The toymaker, which also sells popular brands such as Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, and Uno, did reinstate its 2025 sales and profit forecast after pulling it last quarter in the midst of shifting tariff policies. The company now expects 2025 net sales to rise 1% to 3%, compared to its February target of a 2% to 3% increase. It forecast adjusted per-share profit between $1.54 and $1.66, below its prior estimate range of $1.66 to $1.72 apiece. Earlier in the day, rival Hasbro (HAS) raised its annual revenue outlook, betting on the strength of its digital games and cost-cutting efforts to weather the impact of mounting economic and tariff uncertainty. Shares of the company fell 4% in trading after the bell. Mattel (MAT) posted a bigger-than-expected drop in second quarter revenue on Wednesday as cautious inventory planning by retailers amid global trade uncertainties weighed on demand, per Reuters. Barbie sales in North America were weak during the quarter, with worldwide gross billings for dolls declining 19%. The infant, toddler, and preschool category, which includes Fisher-Price, Baby Gear, and Power Wheels brands logged a 25% drop. The toymaker, which also sells popular brands such as Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, and Uno, did reinstate its 2025 sales and profit forecast after pulling it last quarter in the midst of shifting tariff policies. The company now expects 2025 net sales to rise 1% to 3%, compared to its February target of a 2% to 3% increase. It forecast adjusted per-share profit between $1.54 and $1.66, below its prior estimate range of $1.66 to $1.72 apiece. Earlier in the day, rival Hasbro (HAS) raised its annual revenue outlook, betting on the strength of its digital games and cost-cutting efforts to weather the impact of mounting economic and tariff uncertainty. Shares of the company fell 4% in trading after the bell. Chipotle plunges after company reports second-straight sales decline, cuts guidance Chipotle (CMG) on Wednesday reported another quarter of negative sales growth as the company navigates an uncertain consumer environment and new leadership deals with the most challenging backdrop for the chain in years. The company reported a same-store sales decline of 4% in the second quarter, more than the 2.9% decline Wall Street expected. Traffic fell more than expected, down 4.9%, compared to the 4.4% drop lower the Street predicted. That's an acceleration from the 2.3% drop seen in the first quarter, which marked Chipotle's first quarterly foot traffic decline since 2022. Chipotle also cut its guidance again, saying it now expects flat full year same-store sales growth, compared to an increase in the low-single-digit range. Ahead of Wednesday's report, analysts expected same-store sales to grow 0.8% for the fiscal year. Read more here. Chipotle (CMG) on Wednesday reported another quarter of negative sales growth as the company navigates an uncertain consumer environment and new leadership deals with the most challenging backdrop for the chain in years. The company reported a same-store sales decline of 4% in the second quarter, more than the 2.9% decline Wall Street expected. Traffic fell more than expected, down 4.9%, compared to the 4.4% drop lower the Street predicted. That's an acceleration from the 2.3% drop seen in the first quarter, which marked Chipotle's first quarterly foot traffic decline since 2022. Chipotle also cut its guidance again, saying it now expects flat full year same-store sales growth, compared to an increase in the low-single-digit range. Ahead of Wednesday's report, analysts expected same-store sales to grow 0.8% for the fiscal year. Read more here. IBM results beat estimates on AI mainframe refresh, consulting revival Reuters reports: Read more here. Reuters reports: Read more here. T-Mobile dials up a big earnings beat, stock jumps T-Mobile (TMUS) dialed up a big second quarter against the backdrop of heightened competition for new customers with rivals Verizon (VZ) and AT&T (T). The telecom giant easily beat analyst estimates on Wednesday after market close. It gained the most net new customers in the second quarter compared to its competitors. This comes as it leaned into its value messaging by releasing a five-year price lock on phone plans in April. The company lifted its full-year adjusted operating profit guidance. Read more here. T-Mobile (TMUS) dialed up a big second quarter against the backdrop of heightened competition for new customers with rivals Verizon (VZ) and AT&T (T). The telecom giant easily beat analyst estimates on Wednesday after market close. It gained the most net new customers in the second quarter compared to its competitors. This comes as it leaned into its value messaging by releasing a five-year price lock on phone plans in April. The company lifted its full-year adjusted operating profit guidance. Read more here.
