Core Insights - Banco do Brasil expects adjusted net profit to grow by up to 26% in 2026, reaching approximately 22-26 billion reais ($4.3-$5 billion) [1][1][1] - The bank reported a fourth-quarter adjusted net profit of 5.74 billion reais, a 40% year-on-year increase, exceeding analyst expectations of 4.55 billion reais [1][1][1] - The return on equity for Banco do Brasil was 12.4%, down from 20.8% a year earlier but higher than the 8.4% in the third quarter [1][1][1] Financial Projections - The target for adjusted net profit in 2026 is centered at 24 billion reais, aligning with analyst predictions of 24.39 billion reais [1][1][1] - The bank anticipates credit portfolio growth between 0.5% and 4.5% in 2026, following a 3.1% increase in 2025 [1][1][1] - Cost of credit is projected to be between 53 billion and 58 billion reais, compared to approximately 62 billion reais last year [1][1][1] Shareholder Returns - Banco do Brasil announced 1.2 billion reais in interest on equity to shareholders [1][1][1]

Pakistan's proposed power prices to lift inflation, help industry, analysts say | ReutersSkip to main content[Exclusive news, data and analytics for financial market professionalsLearn more aboutRefinitiv]A worker of Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) climbs up a high-voltage pylon in Peshawar, Pakistan August 7, 2017. REUTERS/Fayaz Aziz/File Photo [Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab]- Summary- Industrial groups say high prices erode export competitiveness- Analysts estimate middle-class househo ...

Core Insights - AppLovin missed fourth-quarter revenue estimates, reporting sales of $1.66 billion compared to the expected $1.70 billion, indicating weak demand for its advertising services amid rising competition and a challenging macroeconomic environment [1][1][1] - The company's net income for the fourth quarter increased by 84% to $1.10 billion, showcasing strong profitability despite revenue shortfalls [1][1][1] - AppLovin forecasts first-quarter sales between $1.75 billion and $1.78 billion, exceeding analysts' estimates of $1.67 billion, suggesting a potential rebound in demand [1][1][1] Industry Context - The advertising landscape is becoming increasingly competitive, with major players like Meta Platforms aggressively bidding for advertising space, which may lead to higher ad prices and compressed margins for companies like AppLovin [1][1][1] - A cautious spending environment is emerging as businesses prioritize investments in artificial intelligence and essential applications over traditional advertising expenditures, impacting demand for advertising services [1][1][1]

Core Insights - Grab Holdings forecasts fiscal 2026 revenue below Wall Street expectations, indicating a slowdown in its core ride-hailing and delivery businesses as consumers face economic uncertainty [1] - The company's shares fell approximately 7% in extended trading following the revenue forecast [1] - Grab plans to acquire U.S. digital financial services company Stash Financial for $425 million to enhance its personal finance segment [1] Financial Performance - Grab expects annual revenue between $4.04 billion and $4.10 billion, lower than the estimated $4.13 billion [1] - The company reported fourth-quarter revenue of $906 million, missing estimates of $940.7 million [1] - Grab anticipates a compounded annual revenue growth of 20% from 2025 to 2028 [1] Market Conditions - Sticky inflation in major Southeast Asian markets and the impact of U.S. tariff policies have led consumers to be more selective with their spending [1] - Consumers are curbing discretionary budgets and seeking cost-saving options for regular purchases [1] - Grab has introduced its Saver platform to attract cost-conscious customers through discounts and bundled offers to reduce delivery fees [1]

Core Viewpoint - Origin Energy exceeded first-half profit estimates, driven by strong performance in its Energy Markets division, leading to an upward revision of its full-year earnings forecast [1] Group 1: Financial Performance - The Energy Markets division reported operating earnings of A$860 million ($613 million) for the six months ending December 31, marking a 17% increase from the previous year [1] - The company raised its full-year operating earnings forecast to between A$1.55 billion and A$1.75 billion, up from a prior range of A$1.4 billion to A$1.7 billion, with the midpoint surpassing the Visible Alpha consensus of A$1.62 billion [1] - Origin Energy's first-half underlying profit was A$593 million, exceeding the Visible Alpha consensus estimate of A$577.9 million, compared to an underlying profit of A$924 million in the previous year [1] Group 2: Division Performance - Operating earnings in the Integrated Gas division fell by over 31% to A$860 million due to weaker realized prices and lower production [1] - The strong performance of the Energy Markets division was pivotal in supporting the overall profit results for the company [1] Group 3: Dividend Announcement - The company declared an interim dividend of 30 Australian cents per share, consistent with the prior year [1]

Core Viewpoint - Abbvie has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, contesting the inclusion of Botox in the prescription drug price controls mandated by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 [1]. Group 1: Legal Action - The lawsuit was initiated in the federal court located in Washington, D.C. [1] - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and its administrator Mehmet Oz are named as defendants in the lawsuit [1].

Core Viewpoint - Viking Therapeutics plans to advance its experimental oral obesity drug into late-stage trials later this year, indicating a significant step in its development pipeline [1]. Company Summary - Viking Therapeutics is focusing on the advancement of its oral obesity drug, which is currently in the experimental phase [1]. Industry Context - The move to late-stage trials reflects the growing interest and investment in obesity treatments within the pharmaceutical industry, as companies seek to address the rising prevalence of obesity globally [1].

Core Viewpoint - Tyler Technologies has forecasted lower-than-expected annual revenue for 2026 due to reduced software spending by government entities amid economic uncertainty, leading to an over 8% drop in its shares during extended trading [1]. Group 1: Revenue Forecast - For 2026, Tyler Technologies expects revenue between $2.50 billion and $2.55 billion, which is below Wall Street's expectation of $2.56 billion [1]. - The company anticipates annual subscription revenue growth of 12% to 15%, while analysts had projected a growth of 15.4% [1]. Group 2: Quarterly Performance - In the fourth quarter, Tyler reported revenue of $575.2 million, missing the average analyst expectation of $591.1 million [1]. - Adjusted earnings per share for the quarter were $2.64, falling short of estimates of $2.72 [1]. Group 3: Market Conditions - The company is heavily reliant on public sector budgets, which are being tightened due to economic slowdown and funding shortfalls, potentially impacting bookings and organic growth [1]. - Concerns have risen regarding the pace of cloud migrations over the next two years, as government approvals for projects are taking longer amid budget constraints [1].

Core Viewpoint - Motorola Solutions projects annual sales and profit to exceed Wall Street expectations, driven by its public safety technology sector benefiting from ongoing government expenditure [1] Group 1: Financial Forecast - The company anticipates higher annual sales and profit figures compared to Wall Street estimates [1] Group 2: Business Segment Performance - The public safety technology business is expected to be a key driver of growth due to sustained government spending [1]

Core Viewpoint - Equinix forecasts annual revenue exceeding estimates due to strong demand for AI-related data center services, leading to a significant increase in its stock price [1] Financial Performance - Equinix expects revenue between $10.12 billion and $10.22 billion for 2026, surpassing the estimate of $10.07 billion [1] - The company forecasts first-quarter sales between $2.50 billion and $2.54 billion, above the estimate of $2.46 billion [1] - For the fourth quarter, Equinix reported revenue of $2.42 billion, which was below the estimated $2.46 billion [1] - Net income from continuing operations for the quarter was $264 million, compared to a loss of $14 million in the same quarter the previous year [1] Market Position and Strategy - Equinix is capitalizing on the surge in demand for specialized data centers driven by the integration of generative AI by corporations [1] - The company is expanding its capacity by investing in new data centers in emerging markets such as Chennai, India, and Jakarta, Indonesia [1] - CEO Adaire Fox-Martin emphasized the company's essential role in helping businesses manage distributed AI, cloud, and networking infrastructure, which provides a long-term competitive advantage [1]