Key TakeawaysWalmart is scheduled to post its fourth quarter earnings report before the opening bell on Thursday, with sales and profits expected to rise.Analysts are bullish on Walmart with most holding "buy" ratings, but the stock's average price target is barely above Friday levels.A number of analysts have said recently that they expect Walmart to beat fourth-quarter estimates, but think the retailer's forecasts for the next fiscal year will be conservative. Walmart is set to report earnings for the fou ...

Core Insights - Apple CEO Tim Cook has hinted at an upcoming product launch, with speculation surrounding a new lower-cost iPhone model, potentially the iPhone SE4 [1][5] - Analysts predict the iPhone SE4 could be priced starting at $499 and feature Apple Intelligence, which is believed to be driving significant iPhone upgrades [2] - Morgan Stanley maintains an "overweight" rating on Apple with a price target of $275, while the consensus price target among analysts is approximately $253, reflecting a 4% premium over recent closing prices [3] Partnership and AI Features - Apple is reportedly partnering with Alibaba to integrate artificial intelligence features into iPhones in China, with AI features submitted for regulatory approval [4][5] - The collaboration with Alibaba is expected to enhance the iPhone's capabilities in the Chinese market, aligning with Apple's strategy to leverage AI technology [4] Stock Performance - Apple's shares increased by 1.3% to close at $244.60, marking a significant gain of about one-third in value over the past year [5]

Market Overview - Major U.S. equities indexes experienced mixed results, with the S&P 500 closing with a minimal loss of less than 0.1%, the Dow slipping 0.4%, and the Nasdaq gaining 0.4% [2][3]. - Despite the mixed action on Friday, all three major market gauges posted weekly gains [3]. Company Performances - **Airbnb (ABNB)**: The stock surged 14.5% after exceeding expectations for fourth-quarter profits, bookings, and gross booking value. The CEO indicated plans to develop the Airbnb app into a comprehensive travel platform [4]. - **Super Micro Computer (SMCI)**: Shares rose 13.3% following a positive fiscal 2026 revenue outlook and news of Meta Platforms' significant investment in humanoid robots, which would utilize Supermicro's servers [5]. - **Wynn Resorts (WYNN)**: The company reported fourth-quarter results that surpassed sales and profit estimates, leading to a 10.4% increase in shares. Strong performance was noted from its Wynn Palace property in Macau and Las Vegas operations, along with progress on a new resort in the UAE set to open in March 2027 [6]. - **GoDaddy (GDDY)**: Shares fell 14.3% after posting mixed fourth-quarter results, with revenue exceeding estimates but earnings per share falling short. Analysts noted progress in product initiatives but reduced the price target due to valuation concerns [7]. - **DaVita (DVA)**: The stock declined 11.1% after the company provided a lackluster outlook for adjusted profits in 2025, citing high healthcare costs. Additionally, major investor Berkshire Hathaway reduced its position in DaVita [8]. - **Applied Materials (AMAT)**: Shares dropped 8.2% despite beating sales and profit estimates for its fiscal first quarter of 2025. The company warned that recent export restrictions to China would negatively impact sales, estimating a revenue reduction of $400 million for the full fiscal year [9].

Core Insights - Palo Alto Networks reported fiscal second quarter adjusted earnings per share of $0.81 and revenue of $2.26 billion, both slightly above analyst expectations [2][3] - The company projected third quarter revenue between $2.26 billion and $2.29 billion, with adjusted EPS of $0.76 to $0.77, aligning with analyst estimates [3] - The second-quarter performance was driven by increased customer adoption of AI-driven technologies, cloud investments, and infrastructure modernization, according to CEO Nikesh Arora [4] Company Developments - Palo Alto Networks expanded its board of directors from nine to eleven members, adding former Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt and former UBS Group CEO Ralph Hamers [4][5] - Despite the positive earnings report, shares of Palo Alto Networks fell approximately 5% in premarket trading, following a nearly 10% increase over the past year [5]

Airbnb (ABNB) swung to a bigger-than-expected profit in the fourth quarter, sending shares soaring in extended trading Thursday. The company’s revenue grew 12% year-over-year to $2.5 billion, above the analyst consensus tracked by Visible Alpha. Its net income of $461 million, or 73 cents per share, compared to a loss of $349 million, or 55 cents per share, a year earlier, beating expectations.  The gains came as bookings rose 12% to 111 million, with growth across regions. Airbnb's gross booking value was ...

Core Insights - Deere & Company experienced a significant drop in shares following disappointing first-quarter sales for fiscal 2025, which fell short of analyst expectations [1][6] Company Performance - Sales for the first quarter decreased by 30% year-over-year, totaling $8.51 billion, which is approximately $500 million below analyst consensus [2][6] - The company reported earnings of $3.19 per share for the quarter ending January 28, down from $6.23 per share a year prior, but slightly above estimates by 8 cents [2][6] Future Outlook - Deere has maintained its full-year profit forecast between $5 billion and $5.5 billion, aligning closely with the current analyst expectation of $5.27 billion [3] - The company anticipates a decline in sales across its divisions, projecting a 10% drop in its small agriculture and turf segment, and a 10% to 20% decline in production, precision agriculture, and construction and forestry divisions [4][5][6] - The sales forecast does not account for potential impacts from import tariffs and retaliatory actions from other countries, indicating a volatile market environment [5]

Key TakeawaysTesla shares rose Thursday following reports that the State Department could buy $400 million worth of armored Tesla EVs.The department's procurement forecast for 2025 added "Armored Tesla" in December, though the line item was changed to say "Armored Electric Vehicles" late Wednesday.Tesla CEO Elon Musk was the largest individual supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump's campaign. Tesla shares rose Thursday morning after a U.S. State Department forecast was reported Wednesday afternoon, revea ...

Cisco Systems (CSCO) reported fiscal second-quarter results that topped analysts’ expectations and raised its full-year guidance, sending shares higher in extended trading Wednesday. The networking-equipment provider posted revenue of $14 billion, up 9% year-over-year and above the analyst consensus tracked by Visible Alpha. Cisco’s adjusted earnings rose to $3.8 billion, or 94 cents per share, from $3.5 billion, or 87 cents per share, a year earlier, also topping expectations.  Cisco said the gains came a ...

Key TakeawaysThe S&P 500 dropped 0.3% on Wednesday, Feb. 12, as hotter-than-expected inflation data in the January CPI report weighed on the interest-rate outlook.Shares of Wabtec, a provider of braking systems and other transport industry technologies, lost ground after its results and guidance missed forecasts.CVS Health shares took off after the drugstore operator beat quarterly estimates, boosted by its pharmacy and consumer wellness business. Major U.S. equities indexes were mixed on Wednesday as the l ...

Some big tech shares were holding up Wednesday afternoon as inflation data and questions about the path ahead for interest rates weighed on U.S. stocks. Tesla (TSLA), Intel (INTC) and Palantir (PLTR) were recently among the top gainers in the S&P 500, which was more broadly edging lower. The tech-focused Nasdaq Composite was ticking lower, but its retreat was less pronounced than that of the other leading indexes. It's not exactly full-steam ahead for tech today, but there were a few standout names. Tesla, ...