US stocks rose on Thursday as Wall Street attempted to recover from back-to-back losing sessions, with strength in semiconductor shares helping to lift broader market sentiment amid a mixed geopolitical and policy backdrop. The S&P 500 climbed 0.6%, while the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.9%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 165 points, or 0.3%, as gains in technology and financial stocks offset lingering concerns tied to trade policy and international tensions. Despite Thursday's gains, markets are com ...

Initial claims for unemployment benefits in the United States fell more than expected in early January, offering fresh evidence that companies are continuing to retain workers even as signs of cooling emerge in the broader labour market. ...

Core Viewpoint - ASML stock has surpassed a historic $500 billion market capitalization milestone, driven by positive catalysts in the semiconductor equipment sector [1] Group 1: Company Highlights - ASML is a Dutch chipmaking company that has seen significant stock performance due to favorable market conditions [1] Group 2: Industry Context - The semiconductor equipment stocks are experiencing a wave of positive catalysts, contributing to the overall market growth [1]

Core Viewpoint - Airbnb's stock price experienced a significant decline of over 7% following a major policy change by the Trump administration, which halted immigrant visas for 75 countries, impacting travel demand [1][2]. Company Performance - Airbnb's revenue for the third quarter reached $4.1 billion, reflecting a 10% increase year-over-year, with net income at $1.4 billion and free cash flow of $2.1 billion, indicating strong profitability [7]. - Despite the positive financial results, analysts express caution regarding Airbnb's growth trajectory, which has slowed as travelers increasingly choose hotels over short-term rentals [7][8]. Analyst Outlook - Wall Street analysts have a mixed outlook on Airbnb's stock, with target prices set at $130 by UBS and Morgan Stanley, and lower targets from Wells Fargo, Barclays, and Truist at $130, $120, and $108 respectively [5]. - The consensus price target among analysts is $147, representing an 11% increase from the current level, which is not particularly encouraging given the current market conditions [6]. Industry Context - The World Travel & Tourism Council reported that the travel industry grew by 6.7% to $11.7 trillion in 2025, but foreign visitors to the US decreased by 6.7% due to Trump's policies, with only 68 million visitors compared to 105 million in France and 96.5 million in Spain [3]. - The likelihood of weaker travel demand this year is heightened by the recent visa policy changes [4]. Technical Analysis - The technical analysis of Airbnb's stock indicates a rebound from a low of $110 in November to a high of $141, with a critical resistance level at $130 [11]. - Following the recent crash, there is potential for the stock to rebound in the coming weeks, possibly reaching the year-to-date high of $141, with further gains possible if it surpasses this level [12].

Core Viewpoint - Boston Scientific plans to acquire Penumbra for approximately $14.5 billion, enhancing its cardiovascular and vascular intervention portfolio to meet the growing demand for minimally invasive treatments for blood clots and strokes [1][2]. Financial Details - The acquisition values Penumbra at $374 per share, a 19% premium over its closing price of $313.43 [2]. - The deal has an enterprise value of about $14.5 billion, excluding Penumbra's net cash and short-term investments of approximately $470 million [2]. - Boston Scientific intends to finance the $11 billion cash portion through a combination of cash on hand and new debt [3]. - The transaction is expected to be dilutive to adjusted earnings per share by $0.06 to $0.08 in the first year post-closing, neutral to slightly accretive in the second year, and increasingly accretive thereafter [3]. Strategic Rationale - The acquisition allows Boston Scientific to enter fast-growing segments within the vascular space, leveraging Penumbra's mechanical thrombectomy devices designed for blood clot removal [4]. - Penumbra's technologies are expected to complement Boston Scientific's existing offerings and expand access to advanced treatments globally [6]. Market Context - Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, driving demand for advanced treatment tools for conditions like pulmonary embolism and stroke [5]. - Penumbra anticipates fourth-quarter revenue growth of approximately 21.4% to 22.0%, with full-year 2025 revenue projected at around $1.4 billion, reflecting a growth of about 17.3% to 17.5% from the previous fiscal year [8][9]. Broader Acquisition Strategy - This announcement follows Boston Scientific's recent agreement to acquire Valencia Technologies Corporation, indicating a strategy to broaden its technology base across cardiovascular, neurovascular, and urology markets [10][11].

Morgan Stanley capped an exceptional 2025 with a fourth-quarter earnings beat that showcased the power of its diversified business model. The investment bank reported net revenues of $17.9 billion and... ...

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. ended 2025 on a high, posting a record-breaking performance in one of its most closely watched businesses. In the final three months of last year, the bank generated $4.31 bil... ...

Core Viewpoint - Spotify is increasing the price of its Premium subscription service by 8%, indicating a trend among major streaming platforms to rely more on subscription revenue for sustained profitability [1] Company Summary - The price hike reflects Spotify's strategy to enhance revenue streams and support long-term financial health [1] - This move aligns with broader industry trends where streaming services are focusing on subscription models to ensure profitability [1] Industry Summary - Major streaming platforms are increasingly leaning on subscription revenue as a key component of their business models [1] - The decision by Spotify may influence other companies in the streaming sector to consider similar pricing strategies to bolster their financial performance [1]

Core Viewpoint - Rivian's stock has experienced a significant decline, with analysts expressing concerns over its financial health and the electric vehicle market's outlook [1][2][4]. Financial Performance - Rivian's revenue for Q3 increased by 74% year-over-year to $1.55 billion, driven by consumer purchases before the end of the EV tax credit [6]. - Despite the revenue growth, the company reported a net loss of over $1.16 billion for the quarter, accumulating a total loss of $2.8 billion in the first nine months of the year [6]. - Analysts project Q4 revenue to be $1.27 billion, a decrease of 25% compared to the same period last year, leading to an annual revenue estimate of $5.37 billion and a loss per share of $3.23 [7]. Analyst Ratings and Market Sentiment - Out of 29 analysts tracking Rivian, 8 have a sell rating, 12 a hold rating, and only 9 a buy rating, indicating a generally pessimistic outlook [2]. - Recent downgrades from analysts, including UBS and Wolfe Research, have contributed to the negative sentiment surrounding the stock [3]. Capital and Investment Concerns - Rivian ended the quarter with over $6 billion in cash and short-term investments, but there are concerns that these funds may be depleted due to ongoing losses [7]. - The CEO has indicated the possibility of raising additional capital this year, raising further concerns about potential dilution for investors [4]. Industry Context - The electric vehicle market is facing challenges, particularly after the expiration of the EV tax credit, which has led to significant charges from competitors like Ford and General Motors [4]. - Analysts are also worried about Rivian's autonomy technology lagging behind competitors such as Tesla and Waymo [5]. Future Projections - Analysts expect Rivian's revenue to rise to $6.8 billion this year, aided by the anticipated launch of the R2 model in the first half of the year, although the loss per share is projected to be substantial at $2.93 [8]. - The stock has been trading within a tight range and is currently at the 50-day and 100-day Exponential Moving Averages, suggesting a potential accumulation phase according to Wyckoff Theory, despite fundamental concerns [10][12].

BlackRock Inc. ended the fourth quarter with a sharp rise in client cash, with its earning per share increasing by 10%, showing how the world's largest asset manager is using strong inflows and recent... ...