Benzinga

Search documents
Quantum Computing's Dark Horse Rigetti Stands At The Edge Of Greatness
Benzinga· 2025-07-02 18:53
Core Viewpoint - Rigetti Computing has experienced a significant stock price increase of over 1,000% in the past year, attracting attention from Wall Street, particularly after Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Troy Jensen initiated coverage with an Overweight rating and a $15 price target [1][2]. Group 1: Market Position and Competitors - Rigetti is competing with major technology firms such as Alphabet Inc, IBM, Intel, and Microsoft, but the presence of these industry leaders is expected to facilitate advancements in quantum capabilities, benefiting Rigetti [3]. - The analyst highlighted that superconducting technology has received the most investment among the primary technologies capable of achieving quantum status [2]. Group 2: Strategic Partnerships - Rigetti's partnership with Quanta Computer is seen as a strategic move to accelerate the development and commercialization of superconducting quantum computing, with both companies committing to invest at least $250 million over five years [4]. - Quanta's investment of $35 million in Rigetti through a stock purchase in April is part of this collaboration, allowing Rigetti to focus on quantum technology while Quanta handles packaging and manufacturing [5]. Group 3: Financial Projections and Market Potential - Jensen projects that Rigetti could capture 15% of the quantum hardware, software, and services market by 2035, translating to a revenue present value of $477 million at a 10% discount rate [6]. - The analyst anticipates second-quarter revenue of $1.8 million and an EPS of $(0.06) for Rigetti [6]. - Despite a 22% year-to-date correction in Rigetti's stock price, this is viewed as an opportunity for investors to accumulate shares [6]. Group 4: Recent Stock Performance - Rigetti's stock price was reported at $12.52, reflecting a 10.4% increase as of the latest check [7].
App Store Fee Cuts Set To Boost Duolingo, Match, Bumble Earnings
Benzinga· 2025-07-02 18:49
Core Viewpoint - Recent legal challenges for Apple Inc. regarding alleged monopolistic practices and new App Store fee policies may positively impact subscription service companies like Duolingo, Match Group, and Bumble by reducing app store fees, which are a significant cost of revenue [1][2]. Financial Outlook - A reduction in app store fees could enhance earnings for Duolingo, Match Group, and Bumble, as these fees currently account for 17% of Duolingo's cost of revenues and 20% for both Match Group and Bumble [2][3]. - A 500 basis-point shift in subscription revenue to off-app payments could increase Duolingo's EBITDA by 3.3%, Match's by 2.8%, and Bumble's by 3.0%. Additionally, a 100 basis-point reduction in app store fees could raise their EBITDA by 3.2%, 2.7%, and 3.5%, respectively [4]. Price Forecast Adjustments - Price forecasts have been raised for Bumble to $5.50 from $5.25 and for Match Group to $34 from $32, while Duolingo's price forecast remains at $450 due to higher sector valuation [5]. Revenue Impact - The anticipated fee reduction is expected to result in a 1-2% increase in U.S.-based revenues for these companies, while the impact on EU-based revenues is estimated to be smaller, leading to only a 0.5% EBITDA increase [6]. Company-Specific Insights - Bumble is projected to benefit the most from a potential drop in U.S. app fees, supported by recent legal developments that allow developers to direct users to off-app payment options [7]. - Bumble, Duolingo, and Match are already testing off-app payments, with expectations for updates during the second-quarter earnings in August. A 500 basis-point shift to off-app payments and a 100 basis-point cut in U.S. app fees could boost Bumble's total EBITDA by 1.7% [8]. - Duolingo, Match, and Bumble derive only about 20% of their subscription revenue from the EU, limiting their earnings upside from EU app fee reductions due to DMA compliance [9].
Constellation Brands Navigates Soft Sales With Robust Beer Margins
Benzinga· 2025-07-02 18:09
Core Viewpoint - Constellation Brands, Inc. demonstrated resilience in its beer segment despite a slight dip in overall sales, allowing the company to reaffirm its full-year guidance amidst a challenging market [1][3]. Financial Performance - The company reported fiscal first-quarter earnings per share of $3.22, which was below the $3.30 consensus but above Bank of America’s estimate of $3.00, driven by stronger-than-expected beer gross margins and lower SG&A costs [2]. - Total sales were slightly below expectations due to softness in both beer and wine & spirits, but the company maintained its fiscal year guidance, which may raise skepticism given the weaker first-quarter trends [3]. Segment Analysis - The beer segment is expected to improve starting in the second quarter, aided by easier comparisons, although June scanner data indicated mid-single-digit declines [4]. - Depletions in the beer segment fell 2.6% year-over-year in the first quarter, slightly worse than Bank of America’s estimate but in line with consensus, while shipments declined by 3.3% [4]. Operational Insights - The quarter had one less selling day, negatively impacting shipment and depletion growth rates by more than 1%. No further selling day impacts are expected for the remainder of fiscal year 2026 [5]. - Gross margins in the beer segment exceeded forecasts at 53.1%, attributed to approximately $40 million in cost and operational efficiencies. Marketing spend was $201 million, lower than the estimated $220 million, and is expected to be concentrated in the first half of the fiscal year [5]. Wine & Spirits Performance - The Wine & Spirits segment underperformed with sales of $280.5 million, although operating losses of $6 million were better than anticipated [6]. Market Valuation - Bank of America analyst Peter T. Galbo maintained a Neutral rating on Constellation Brands with a price forecast of $180, reflecting a justified discount to their 5-year average due to ongoing challenges in the beer segment, including softer demand from Hispanic consumers and broader industry headwinds [6].
Cash-Rich IonQ To Capture 20% Of Quantum Market By 2035
Benzinga· 2025-07-02 17:56
Core Viewpoint - The quantum computing sector is gaining significant investor interest due to its long-term economic potential, leading to inflated stock valuations that exceed justifiable near-term revenue or earnings [1] Company Overview - IonQ, Inc. is recognized as a leader in the quantum computing field, with an Overweight rating initiated by Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Troy Jensen and a price target of $45 [1] Technology and Innovation - IonQ employs a trapped-ion approach that allows for room-temperature operations and strong performance, utilizing a scalable modular architecture that supports quantum networking [2] - The company aims to scale from 36 physical qubits in its Forte Enterprise system to 10,000 qubits on a single chip by 2027, and to 20,000 qubits by connecting two chips in 2028, supported by acquisitions like Lightsynq and Oxford Ionics [3] Financial Position - IonQ ended Q1 2025 with nearly $700 million in cash after a $373 million equity raise, positioning the company for aggressive product innovation, international growth, and strategic acquisitions [4] - The company has experienced a share price increase of approximately 511% over the past year and 3% year-to-date, indicating strong market performance [4] Market Potential - Jensen estimates that IonQ could capture 20% of the quantum computing market by 2035, translating to a present value of $636 million [5] - IonQ is strategically positioned at the intersection of quantum computing and networking, bolstered by acquisitions such as ID Quantique and Lightsynq [5] Growth and Partnerships - The company is advancing along a defined technical roadmap aimed at scalable commercial use, supported by a solid revenue momentum and a strong patent base [6] - IonQ's expanding partnerships with enterprises, government entities, and global partners further solidify its leadership in the emerging quantum sector [6] Stock Performance - IonQ shares have seen a recent increase of 5.29%, trading at $42.22 [6]
5 Stocks Set To Crush Q2 Earnings
Benzinga· 2025-07-02 15:57
Market Overview - The S&P 500 reached new all-time highs, surpassing levels last seen in February, indicating strong investor confidence as summer approaches [1] - The market's strength is attributed to robust corporate earnings in Q1, with upcoming Q2 earnings being crucial for sustaining the rally [1] Company Highlights Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD) - AMD reported Q1 2025 earnings of $7.44 billion, exceeding expectations of $7.1 billion, with a year-over-year growth of over 35% [4] - The company raised Q2 revenue guidance to a range of $7.1 billion to $7.7 billion, with a consensus expectation of $7.2 billion [4] - Analyst upgrades and strong earnings have led to a resurgence in AMD's stock, which has broken above key moving averages [6] Ulta Beauty Inc. (ULTA) - ULTA reported Q1 earnings with an EPS of $6.70, beating expectations by $0.97, and a quarterly revenue growth of 4.5% year-over-year [7] - The company raised its full-year 2025 sales guidance to $11.7 billion, with EPS projections increased to a range of $22.65 to $23.20 [7] - Following the earnings report, ULTA's stock jumped 11%, supported by a bullish technical signal known as the Golden Cross [9] Adobe Inc. (ADBE) - Adobe announced Q1 earnings of $5.06 EPS and revenue of $5.87 billion, representing over 10% year-over-year growth [10] - The company maintained its full-year 2025 revenue estimates but raised EPS projections to a range of $20.50 to $20.70 [12] - Despite strong earnings, Adobe's stock remains undervalued compared to tech peers, trading at 23 times forward earnings [10] Amer Sports Inc. - Amer Sports reported Q1 earnings with an EPS of $0.27, surpassing expectations of $0.12, and quarterly revenue of $1.47 billion, reflecting over 24% growth year-over-year [13] - The company raised guidance for full-year EPS and revenue, leading to new all-time highs for the stock [15] Jabil Inc. (JBL) - Jabil reported fiscal Q3 2025 net revenue of $7.8 billion, exceeding analyst expectations and internal projections by over $800 million [16] - EPS for the quarter was $2.55, a 35% year-over-year increase, with full-year revenue guidance raised to $29 billion [16] - The stock reached new all-time highs, supported by strong fundamentals and analyst backing, including a price target increase to $245 [18]
Elon Musk's 'Stupid' Actions Will Be Tesla's 'Nail In The Coffin,' Ross Gerber Warns
Benzinga· 2025-07-02 15:04
Ross Gerber, once a prominent Tesla Inc. TSLA bull and early investor, has become one of the most outspoken critics of Elon Musk's political involvement and its effects on Tesla shareholders. Gerber blasted the Tesla CEO in an interview with Bloomberg Technology on Tuesday and said that Musk's feud with President Donald Trump is "horrific" for the EV maker. Gerber also said that Musk has "destroyed his image" and hurt Tesla shareholders with his ongoing, and quite public, feud with Trump. "This is just anot ...
Jensen Sold At The Top - Nvidia Stock Could Sink After Ominous Development
Benzinga· 2025-07-02 15:02
Nvidia Corp NVDA has been the undisputed champion of the AI era, soaring 80% since April 2025 and pushing its market cap to an eye-watering $3.8 trillion.But, just when investors were popping the champagne bottles, two ominous signals emerged – one from the CEO, the other from the chart.Jensen's Big ExitIn late June and early July, Nvidia insiders unloaded a staggering $500 million worth of shares, with $35 million coming from CEO Jensen Huang himself. Huang sold 217,910 shares at or near all-time highs, ra ...
Conagra Brands Earnings Are Imminent; These Most Accurate Analysts Revise Forecasts Ahead Of Earnings Call
Benzinga· 2025-07-02 14:22
Group 1 - Conagra Brands, Inc. is set to release its fourth-quarter earnings results on July 10, with analysts expecting earnings of 61 cents per share, unchanged from the previous year [1] - The company is projected to report quarterly revenue of $2.88 billion, a decrease from $2.91 billion a year earlier [1] - On June 25, Conagra Brands announced plans to eliminate certified food, drug, and cosmetic colors from its U.S. frozen product portfolio by the end of 2025 [2] Group 2 - Conagra Brands shares increased by 2.8%, closing at $21.05 on a recent Tuesday [2] - Several analysts have downgraded the stock, with B of A Securities lowering its rating from Neutral to Underperform and cutting the price target from $27 to $20 [8] - Goldman Sachs also downgraded the stock from Neutral to Sell, reducing the price target from $26 to $21 [8] - Wells Fargo maintained an Equal-Weight rating but decreased the price target from $27 to $23 [8] - JP Morgan kept a Neutral rating while cutting the price target from $26 to $25 [8] - Morgan Stanley initiated coverage with an Equal-Weight rating and a price target of $27 [8]
US Stocks Mixed; UniFirst Shares Fall After Q3 Results
Benzinga· 2025-07-02 14:11
Company Performance - UniFirst Corporation reported quarterly earnings of $2.17 per share, exceeding the analyst consensus estimate of $2.09 per share, but quarterly sales of $610.778 million fell short of the consensus estimate of $614.510 million [2] - UniFirst raised its FY2025 GAAP earnings guidance from a range of $7.30-$7.70 per share to a new range of $7.60-$8.00 per share [2] Market Trends - U.S. stocks showed mixed trading, with the Dow down 0.22% to 44,398.83, the NASDAQ up 0.25% to 20,252.83, and the S&P 500 down 0.02% to 6,196.53 [1] - In commodity news, oil prices increased by 0.5% to $65.75, while gold prices decreased by 0.1% to $3,347.00 [3] - Asian markets closed lower, with Japan's Nikkei down 0.56%, China's Shanghai Composite down 0.09%, and India's BSE Sensex down 0.34% [5] Sector Performance - Materials shares increased by 0.5%, while health care stocks fell by 0.6% on the same trading day [1] - In equities, CID HoldCo, Inc. saw a significant increase in shares, rising 154% to $11.73, while Mogo Inc. surged 138% to $2.8748 after announcing a $50 million bitcoin treasury authorization [7]
Centene, BrightView Holdings, ArriVent BioPharma And Other Big Stocks Moving Lower In Wednesday's Pre-Market Session
Benzinga· 2025-07-02 12:22
U.S. stock futures were higher this morning, with the Dow futures gaining around 0.2% on Wednesday.Shares of Centene Corporation CNC fell sharply in today's pre-market trading after the health care company withdrew its guidance for 2025.Centene withdrew its previous 2025 earnings guidance and all underlying guidance elements based on the company's preliminary interpretation of marketplace data from the independent actuarial firm Wakely.Centene shares dipped 27.7% to $40.94 in the pre-market trading session. ...