All the latest news from Investing Port https://www.investingport.com Alphabet’s Q1 2025 Earnings Exceed Expectations, Driven by AI, Cloud, and Search GrowthAlphabet Inc., the parent company of Google and YouTube, reported impressive first-quarter 2025 earnings on Thursday, outpacing Wall Street estimates and fueling a more than 4% rise in its shares during after-hours trading.The tech giant posted a 12% year-over-year increase in revenue, reaching $90.2 billion, fueled by strong performance across Google’s core businesses and accelerating momentum in cloud computing and artificial intelligence. In constant currency terms, revenue grew by 14%.Alphabet's net income surged 46% year-over-year to $23.66 billion, while earnings per share climbed 49% to $2.81. Operating income rose 20%, with operating margin expanding by two percentage points to 34%. "Consolidated Alphabet revenues in Q1 2025 increased 12 per cent, reflecting robust momentum across the business, with Google Search & other, YouTube ads, Google subscriptions, platforms, and devices, and Google Cloud each delivering double-digit growth rates," the company stated in its report. Alphabet's Google Services unit — which includes Search, YouTube ads, and subscriptions — contributed $77.3 billion in revenue, representing a 10% increase from the previous year. Growth in YouTube, hardware, and Google’s subscription platforms also supported the strong results.Google’s CEO Highlights AI as a Key Growth DriverCEO Sundar Pichai attributed the strong performance to Alphabet’s focused investments in artificial intelligence, calling it a "unique full stack approach to AI." "This quarter was super exciting as we rolled out Gemini 2.5, our most intelligent AI model, achieving breakthroughs in performance and providing an extraordinary foundation for future innovation," said Pichai. "Search saw continued strong growth, boosted by engagement with features like AI Overviews, now reaching 1.5 billion users monthly." During the earnings call, Google's Chief Business Officer Philipp Schindler emphasized that AI Overviews could become a major long-term revenue contributor, citing its largest expansion to new users and broader question coverage in Q1.Massive AI Investment CommitmentChief Financial Officer Anat Ashkenazi reported that $17.2 billion in capital expenditures this quarter primarily went into technical infrastructure — especially servers and data centers — to support Google services, Google Cloud, and Google DeepMind initiatives.Despite external economic risks such as tariffs that could impact advertising revenues, Alphabet reaffirmed its commitment to artificial intelligence. The company plans to invest $75 billion in AI developments throughout 2025, underscoring its belief that AI innovation will be critical to sustaining future growth.Final ThoughtsAlphabet's Q1 2025 performance reflects the strength of its diversified portfolio across Search, YouTube, Cloud, and especially AI, setting a solid foundation for continued growth. With record user engagement in AI-driven services and a massive investment backing its future AI initiatives, Alphabet remains one of the most dynamic players in the tech industry.]]> Fri, 25 Apr 2025 08:20:41 EST https://www.investingport.com/alphabets-q1-2025-earnings-exceed-expectations-driven-by-ai-cloud-and-search-growth/ https://www.investingport.com/alphabets-q1-2025-earnings-exceed-expectations-driven-by-ai-cloud-and-search-growth/ U.S. Equity Markets Close Higher, Boosted by Tech Rally – April 24, 2025Market Performance:Nasdaq Composite: +2.7% → 17,166.04S&P 500: +2% → 5,484.78Dow Jones Industrial Average: +1.2% → 40,093.40Top Performing Sectors: Technology (+3.5%), IndustrialsLagging Sector: Consumer Staples (only sector in the red)Treasury Yields:10-Year Yield: ↓ 7.8 bps → 4.31%2-Year Yield: ↓ 7 bps → 3.79%Commodities:Crude Oil (WTI, June): +0.8% → $62.77 per barrelGold: +1.9% → $3,357.20 per troy ounceSilver: +0.02% → $33.56 per troy ounceTop Movers – Company HighlightsTop Gainers:ServiceNow (NOW): +16%Reported strong Q1 results exceeding expectations, driven by demand for AI solutions.Hasbro (HAS): +15%Beat Q1 estimates and extended its licensing partnership with Walt Disney (DIS).Top Losers:LKQ Corporation (LKQ): -12%Q1 adjusted earnings declined YoY; revenue missed analyst projections.Procter & Gamble (PG): -3.8%Lowered full-year outlook due to market volatility; Q3 sales came in below estimates.]]> Fri, 25 Apr 2025 05:24:00 EST https://www.investingport.com/us-equity-markets-close-higher-boosted-by-tech-rally-april-24-2025/ https://www.investingport.com/us-equity-markets-close-higher-boosted-by-tech-rally-april-24-2025/ ? NGX TRADING SUMMARY — April 24, 2025At the close of today’s session on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX):? Market Activity:• ? Volume Traded: 328.26 million shares• ? Value Traded: ₦10.37 billion• ? Deals: 12,142? Compared to the previous day (April 23):• ? Volume: -56%• ? Turnover: -43%• ? Deals: +8%? Market Capitalization: ₦66.7 trillion? Market Breadth:Out of 125 traded equities:• ✅ 44 Gainers• ❌ 15 Losers• ⚖️ Rest remained unchanged? Top Gainers:• Nestle Nigeria ? +10% → ₦1,100.00• Lafarge Wapco ? +10%• Eterna ?️ +10%• Cadbury Nigeria ? +10%? Top Losers:• John Holt ? -10% → ₦6.30• Haldane McCall ? -9.96%• Multiverse Mining ⛏️ -9.83%• Guinea Insurance ?️ -8.57%? Most Traded Stocks by Volume:• Access Holdings ? — 48.5M shares• Fidelity Bank ? — 40.4M shares• GTCO ?️ — 17.1M shares• Chams ? — 13.7M shares#NGX #StockMarket #MarketSummary #InvestSmart #TradingUpdate #NigeriaInvests Thu, 24 Apr 2025 11:10:39 EST https://www.investingport.com/ngx-trading-summary-april-24-2025/ https://www.investingport.com/ngx-trading-summary-april-24-2025/ Comcast (CMCSA) Q1 2025 Earnings Report: EPS Beats Expectations, Revenue FlatHighlights – Q1 2025 Earnings (CY):Revenue: $29.89 billion vs $29.8 billion expected (Flat YoY, in line)Adjusted EPS: $1.09 vs $0.99 expected (9.9% beat)Adjusted EBITDA: $9.53 billion vs $9.13 billion expected (31.9% margin)Operating Margin: 18.9% (unchanged YoY)Free Cash Flow Margin: 18.1%, up from 15.1% last yearDomestic Broadband Customers: 31.64 million, down 545,000 YoYMarket Cap: $130.3 billion“We had strong financial results in the first quarter, growing Adjusted EPS mid-single digits and generating $5.4 billion of free cash flow while investing in our six growth businesses and returning $3.2 billion to shareholders," said Brian L. Roberts, Chairman and CEO.Industry Context: Wireless, Cable, and StreamingThe telecom and cable industry continues to face major structural shifts as more consumers move from traditional cable to wireless services and streaming platforms. Comcast, despite its strong infrastructure in broadband and wireless, is not immune to this trend. The company lost over half a million broadband subscribers year-over-year, reflecting increased competition and changing viewer habits.Sales Growth AnalysisOver the last five years, Comcast has recorded a modest 2.6% CAGR in revenue — a signal that long-term growth has lagged behind industry benchmarks. While this weak sales growth challenges its long-term investment narrative, Comcast’s strong profit margins and cash generation offer some support for its value proposition. Thu, 24 Apr 2025 10:28:55 EST https://www.investingport.com/comcast-cmcsa-q1-2025-earnings-report-eps-beats-expectations-revenue-flat/ https://www.investingport.com/comcast-cmcsa-q1-2025-earnings-report-eps-beats-expectations-revenue-flat/ ? Markets Summary — April 23, 2025U.S. Stocks Climb as Trump Softens China StanceMarkets closed higher on Tuesday as investors welcomed a more measured tone from President Trump on China and reassurance that Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell would remain in place.Nasdaq rose 2.5% to 16,708.1S&P 500 gained 1.7% to 5,375.9Dow Jones added 1.1% to 39,606.6Most sectors posted gains, led by technology and consumer discretionary, while consumer staples and energy lagged.? Top GainersAmphenol (APH): +8.2% — Topped Q1 estimates and gave a strong Q2 outlook.Boeing (BA): +6.1% — Narrowed quarterly loss; commercial deliveries rose.Tesla (TSLA): +5.4% — Musk to reduce government focus; investors shrugged off weak earnings.Super Micro Computer (SMCI): +7.6% — Announced new AI server project with Fujitsu.Palantir (PLTR): +7.3% — Partnering with Northrop Grumman on AI defense tech.? Top LosersEnphase Energy (ENPH): -15.9% — Disappointed on Q1 earnings.Baker Hughes (BKR): -6.4% — Earnings beat, but revenue missed expectations; oil price weakness adds pressure.?️ CommoditiesWTI Crude: ↓ 2.1% to $62.34/barrelOPEC+ may accelerate production hikes amid global supply concerns.Gold: ↓ 3.3% to $3,306.9/ozSilver: ↑ 2.1% to $33.6/oz Thu, 24 Apr 2025 04:30:47 EST https://www.investingport.com/us-stocks-climb-as-trump-softens-china-stance/ https://www.investingport.com/us-stocks-climb-as-trump-softens-china-stance/ ? Lam Research (LRCX) Q3 2025 Earnings RecapLam Research Beats Estimates as AI Chip Demand Drives GrowthLam Research Corp. (LRCX) delivered strong Q3 2025 earnings, reporting $4.72 billion in revenue, exceeding Wall Street’s forecast of $4.65 billion. The beat was fueled by surging demand for AI chips, which continues to drive investment from major manufacturers like TSMC — one of Lam’s key clients.As global chipmakers ramp up production to support AI workloads, Lam, a top supplier of semiconductor equipment, is benefiting significantly. The company saw 31% of its Q3 revenue from China and 24% from Taiwan, reinforcing its exposure to major chip hubs.Despite ongoing challenges from U.S. export controls and trade tariffs, Lam remains optimistic.“Our outlook remains strong even as we address near-term tariff-related uncertainty,” said CEO Tim Archer.Looking ahead, Lam expects Q4 revenue of $5 billion ± $300 million, ahead of analyst estimates of $4.59 billion.Stock Reaction: LRCX rose 4.5% in after-hours trading following the earnings release. Thu, 24 Apr 2025 03:54:21 EST https://www.investingport.com/lam-research-lrcx-q3-2025-earnings-recap/ https://www.investingport.com/lam-research-lrcx-q3-2025-earnings-recap/ NGX TRADING SUMMARYDate: Wednesday, April 23, 2025Source: Nigerian Exchange (NGX)Market Activity at a Glance: • Total Volume Traded: 744.8 million shares • Total Value Traded: ₦18.28 billion • Total Deals Executed: 11,226Compared to the previous trading day (Tuesday, April 22, 2025): • Volume jumped by 111% • Turnover surged by 154% • Number of deals fell by 18%Market Capitalization: • Current Market Cap: ₦66.1 trillionMarket Breadth: • Total Stocks Traded: 127 • Gainers: 33 • Losers: 19 • Unchanged: 75This shows a positive market breadth, with more gainers than losers.Top Gainers: 1. Associated Bus Company (ABC Transport) • +9.86% | Closing Price: ₦1.56 2. Learn Africa • +9.54% 3. Regency Alliance Insurance • +9.43% 4. Africa Prudential • +8.63%These stocks led the rally, reflecting strong investor sentiment, especially in the transport, publishing, insurance, and registrar sectors.Top Losers: 1. VFD Group • -82.19% | Closing Price: ₦17.10(A sharp decline—possibly due to profit-taking, major disclosures, or market repricing) 2. Tripple Gee & Co. • -10.00% 3. MRS Oil Nigeria • -9.95% 4. Abbey Mortgage Bank • -9.94%The steep fall of VFD Group significantly affected the day’s sentiment on the losing side.Top Traded Stocks by Volume: 1. Fidelity Bank – 389 million shares(Dominated the day’s trade by a wide margin) 2. Guaranty Trust Holding Co. (GTCO) – 47 million shares 3. Universal Insurance Company – 41.9 million shares 4. Access Holdings – 30.5 million sharesThis shows strong activity in the banking and insurance sectors, with Fidelity Bank standing out as the volume leader. Wed, 23 Apr 2025 12:07:17 EST https://www.investingport.com/ngx-trading-summary-23rd-april/ https://www.investingport.com/ngx-trading-summary-23rd-april/ ✅ 5 Things to Know Before the Stock Market Opens1. Stock Futures Surge on Trump CommentsU.S. stock futures are sharply higher after President Trump said he won’t fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell and hinted at easing tensions with China. Nasdaq futures are up nearly 3%, S&P 500 up 2.3%, and Dow futures up 1.7%. Bitcoin trades around $93,500, while gold and oil futures edge lower.2. Trump Calms MarketsTrump softened his tone, saying he has “no intention” of removing Powell and promised “friendly” trade talks with China, boosting global market sentiment.3. EU Fines Apple and Meta $800MThe EU fined Apple ($570M) and Meta ($228M) for breaching the Digital Markets Act. Despite the fines, Apple and Meta shares are up in premarket trading amid a broad rally.4. Tesla Rallies as Musk Refocuses on EV BusinessTesla shares are up 7% premarket after Elon Musk said he’ll dedicate more time to the company starting next month, easing concerns over his government involvement.5. GE Vernova Pops on Strong EarningsGE Vernova stock is jumping nearly 8% after reporting better-than-expected Q1 earnings. The company posted $0.91 EPS on $8.03B revenue and reaffirmed its 2025 outlook.]]> Wed, 23 Apr 2025 09:33:14 EST https://www.investingport.com/things-to-know-before-the-stock-market-opens/ https://www.investingport.com/things-to-know-before-the-stock-market-opens/ Nasdaq, Dow Snap Losing Streaks Amid US-China Trade OptimismU.S. stock markets surged on Tuesday as investor sentiment improved amid signs of easing trade tensions between the U.S. and China. The Nasdaq Composite rose 2.7% to 16,300.4, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 2.7% to 39,187—both breaking a four-day losing streak. The S&P 500 advanced 2.5% to close at 5,287.8.All 11 S&P 500 sectors finished in positive territory, with financials and consumer discretionary stocks leading the gains.Investor optimism was buoyed by comments from U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who suggested that a resolution to the U.S.-China trade standoff may be near, according to a report from CNBC citing attendees of a JPMorgan-hosted investor summit. “No one thinks the current status quo is sustainable,” Bessent reportedly said.Earlier in the month, President Trump announced a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs for non-retaliating countries. However, trade tensions between the U.S. and China have persisted, with both sides increasing tariffs on each other’s goods. In a social media post, Trump also said he had a “very good” call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, discussing topics including trade.Bond Market:U.S. Treasury yields were mixed. The 2-year yield rose 5.5 basis points to 3.83%, while the 10-year yield fell 1 basis point to 4.40%.Commodities:Gold slipped 1% to $3,391 per ounce after briefly hitting an all-time high above $3,500. Silver dipped slightly by 0.1% to $32.80 per ounce. WTI crude oil rose 1.8% to $64.20 a barrel.Earnings Highlights:3M (MMM) shares surged 8.1%, leading the Dow, after posting strong Q1 results and reaffirming its full-year outlook despite tariff headwinds.Equifax (EFX) jumped nearly 14%, the best performer on the S&P 500, after a solid earnings beat.Northrop Grumman (NOC) fell 13%—the steepest S&P 500 decline—after cutting its full-year forecast due to B-21 bomber program losses.RTX (RTX) shares dropped 9.8%, following a warning of an $850 million pretax hit from tariffs.]]> Wed, 23 Apr 2025 04:48:46 EST https://www.investingport.com/nasdaq-and-dow-rebound-as-hopes-rise-for-us-china-trade-resolution/ https://www.investingport.com/nasdaq-and-dow-rebound-as-hopes-rise-for-us-china-trade-resolution/ ? Brewing Smart: Nigerian Breweries Bets on “Asset Right” Strategy for 2025 ComebackNB is not shrinking — it’s refining.As the cost of operations rises and the naira remains unpredictable, Nigerian Breweries (NB) Plc is switching gears — but not by selling off assets.Chairman Juliet Anammah revealed that the company will adopt an “asset right” strategy — a smarter alternative to downsizing — to optimize its operations without hurting its production and market reach.⚙️ What Does “Asset Right” Mean?Rather than drastically cutting down on its asset base to reduce costs, NB will: • ✅ Retain only critical and high-performing assets • ⚖️ Balance asset use with operational needs and market expansion goals • ?️ Avoid shedding assets that are vital to logistics, production, or market dominance“It’s not just about going light,” Anammah emphasized.“The question is: what are our critical assets? What’s their capacity utilization?”? From Naira Losses to Rebound GoalsNB faced one of its worst financial years in 2023, taking a ₦153 billion FX hit due to naira devaluation.But the tide turned in 2024, as the company bounced back into profitability after two tough years.? A Chairman With a VisionAs the first female chairman of the 80-year-old brewing giant, Juliet Anammah is ushering in a new era: • ? 2025 is tagged as a “year of recovery” • ? Strategy will focus on core competencies — what the company does best • ? Backward integration and local investment remain top priorities • ⚠️ FX risk will be managed but not eliminated“We may not know the FX situation in 3 months,” Anammah said,“But we know how to brew the best beer — and that’s where we’ll start.”? Staying Grounded, But Ready to GrowNB’s recovery path includes: • ⚙️ Stabilizing operations • ? Consolidating on past expansion efforts • ? Remaining open to fresh fundraising if market conditions improveShould purchasing power rise significantly, NB may explore new capital injection from shareholders to support growth.? The TakeawayNB isn’t cutting corners — it’s cutting smarter.By embracing an “asset right” model, the brewery aims to: • Maintain production quality • Stay cost-efficient • Ride out market volatility • Build a more sustainable and profitable future#NigerianBreweries #AssetRight #JulietAnammah #NairaRecovery #BrewingBusiness #FXMarket #BeerIndustry #BusinessStrategy #NB2025 #WomenInLeadership]]> Wed, 23 Apr 2025 04:36:30 EST https://www.investingport.com/brewing-smart-nigerian-breweries-bets-on-asset-right-strategy-for-2025-comeback/ https://www.investingport.com/brewing-smart-nigerian-breweries-bets-on-asset-right-strategy-for-2025-comeback/