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Microsoft to report earnings as AI financial boom shows no sign of slowing
The Guardian· 2025-04-30 19:40
Core Viewpoint - Microsoft is set to report its third-quarter earnings, with analysts predicting a revenue growth of 10.6% year-over-year to $68.4 billion and earnings-per-share of $3.22, continuing a trend of exceeding Wall Street expectations in previous quarters [1][2]. Group 1: AI Investments and Performance - Microsoft is heavily investing in artificial intelligence, with plans to allocate around $80 billion in the current fiscal year, despite recent terminations of some data center leases [2][3]. - The company has reported a significant increase in its AI business, with a year-over-year growth of 175% last quarter [5]. - Microsoft executives have emphasized the transformative potential of AI, with claims that 20% to 30% of the company's code is now AI-generated, and predictions that this could rise to 95% within five years [4]. Group 2: Azure and Market Position - Investors are closely monitoring the performance of Microsoft's Azure cloud computing service, which experienced a revenue decline last quarter, while the company aims to expand its European data centers by 40% over the next two years [5]. - Microsoft has been relatively insulated from the financial risks associated with the Trump administration's trade policies, as its products and services are less dependent on international trade compared to other tech giants [9]. Group 3: Stock Performance and Market Context - Microsoft shares have seen a decline of approximately 7% since January, influenced by broader economic instability and competition from China-based developers in the AI space [10]. - The release of the DeepSeek AI app, a competitor to OpenAI's ChatGPT, triggered a selloff in Microsoft shares, although the company has since integrated this technology into its offerings [10].
Meta to report quarterly earnings amid tariff uncertainty and AI investment
The Guardian· 2025-04-30 18:00
Meta is set to report its first quarter earnings on Wednesday after the bell, and investors will be looking for news on whether the company met its quarterly revenue goals of somewhere between $39.5bn and $41.8bn.Wall Street is projecting the company will post $41.36bn in revenue on $5.21 in earnings per share.While Meta has repeatedly beaten Wall Street expectations in the past few quarters, analysts were disappointed by the first quarter revenue outlook Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg shared at the e ...
Amazon takes on Musk's Starlink with launch of first internet satellites
The Guardian· 2025-04-29 15:19
Core Points - Amazon has launched the first 27 satellites for its Kuiper broadband internet constellation, marking the beginning of its long-delayed deployment to compete with SpaceX's Starlink [1][2][4] - Project Kuiper is a $10 billion initiative aimed at deploying a total of 3,236 satellites in low-Earth orbit to provide global broadband internet services [2][4] - The launch was conducted using an Atlas V rocket from the United Launch Alliance, with the initial launch attempt delayed due to bad weather [3][5] Company Strategy - Amazon's Project Kuiper is positioned as a significant investment, targeting rural areas with limited connectivity, and competing against established players like Starlink and major telecommunications companies [4][8] - The company faces a regulatory deadline to deploy half of its satellite constellation by mid-2026, which may require an extension due to its delayed start [5][6] - Amazon plans to confirm initial contact with the satellites shortly after launch and aims to begin delivering services to customers later this year [6][7] Competitive Landscape - SpaceX has a significant head start with over 8,000 Starlink satellites launched since 2019, and it has rapidly expanded its user base to over 5 million across 125 countries [10][11] - Amazon executives believe that their experience in consumer products and cloud computing will provide a competitive edge over SpaceX's Starlink [8][11] - Jeff Bezos has expressed confidence in the potential success of both Kuiper and Starlink, indicating a belief in a growing market for satellite internet services [11][13] Technology and Development - Amazon has previously tested two prototype satellites in 2023, which were deemed successful before being de-orbited [9] - The company has revealed consumer terminals for Kuiper, including a larger antenna and a smaller device comparable to a Kindle, with plans to produce tens of millions of units priced under $400 each [14] - Amazon secured 83 rocket launches from various providers in 2022, marking a significant commitment to its Kuiper deployment strategy [15]
White House calls Amazon ‘hostile' for reportedly planning to list tariff costs
The Guardian· 2025-04-29 14:37
Core Viewpoint - The White House has accused Amazon of a "hostile and political act" for planning to inform customers about the costs of Donald Trump's tariffs on products during their shopping experience [1]. Group 1: Amazon's Actions and Responses - Amazon is reportedly planning to display how much tariffs have increased the prices of individual products, separating this figure from the total listed price [2]. - The company has been pressuring its third-party sellers to absorb the extra import costs due to tariffs rather than passing them on to customers [3]. - Amazon's online marketplace has experienced price increases since the implementation of tariffs, particularly affecting products shipped from China [3]. Group 2: Political Context and Reactions - The White House's criticism of Amazon comes in the context of rising inflation, with the press secretary questioning why Amazon did not take similar actions when inflation reached a 40-year high under the Biden administration [2]. - The statement from the White House suggests a broader impact of Trump's trade policies on online shopping, as seen with other retailers like Temu and Shein displaying significant "import charges" [4]. - The press secretary declined to comment on the relationship between Trump and Amazon's founder Jeff Bezos, indicating potential political tensions [5].
US food delivery app DoorDash offers to buy UK rival Deliveroo for $3.6bn
The Guardian· 2025-04-25 19:17
Core Viewpoint - DoorDash is proposing to acquire UK-based Deliveroo for $3.6 billion (£2.7 billion), with discussions ongoing between the two companies regarding the offer [1][2] Group 1: Company Profiles - DoorDash is the largest food delivery app in the United States, boasting 42 million monthly active users and generating $10.7 billion in revenue in 2024 [3] - Deliveroo, founded in 2013, is the second largest food delivery app in the UK, averaging 7.1 million active users and reporting £2.07 billion in revenue in 2024 [4] Group 2: Acquisition Details - Deliveroo's board is in discussions with DoorDash, and if a firm offer of £1.80 ($2.40) per share is made, Deliveroo would likely recommend it to shareholders [1] - DoorDash has until May 23 to submit a firm offer for Deliveroo, and shareholders are advised to take no action regarding the potential offer at this time [2] Group 3: Market Strategies - Both DoorDash and Deliveroo have been expanding their user bases by venturing into grocery deliveries and non-food deliveries [4] - DoorDash's CEO emphasized the need for the company to evolve beyond first-party delivery and ordering to become a digital powerhouse [5]
Apple ‘aims to source all US iPhones from India', reducing reliance on China
The Guardian· 2025-04-25 10:16
Apple is reportedly planning to switch assembly of all iPhones for the US market to India as the company seeks to reduce its reliance on a Chinese manufacturing base amid Donald Trump’s trade war.The $3tn (£2.3tn) technology company aims to make the shift as soon as next year, the Financial Times reported.Apple has been swept up in Trump’s aggressive tariff policies, with the iPhone maker at one point among the biggest stock market casualties because of the prospect of its Chinese-made products being hit wi ...
Google to report earnings amid justice department lawsuits and Trump tariffs
The Guardian· 2025-04-24 18:40
Google’s parent company Alphabet will report its first quarter earnings on Thursday, which come as the tech giant is embroiled in antitrust lawsuits brought by the US government and a 17% drop in its stock price since the beginning of the year. It’s also the company’s first earnings report since Donald Trump levied tariffs on trade partners around the world.Despite the upheaval, analysts appear optimistic on Alphabet’s outlook projecting first quarter revenue of $89.2bn, up 11% since the same time last year ...
Boeing hopes to find new buyers for up to 50 planes returned by China
The Guardian· 2025-04-23 17:30
Group 1 - Boeing plans to divert up to 50 planes ordered by Chinese airlines to other customers due to steep tariffs resulting from the trade war initiated by Donald Trump [1][8] - The company is confident in finding alternative buyers and is lobbying for a resolution to the tariff situation [1][3] - Two Boeing jets have returned to the US from China, with another on the way, following the imposition of 125% tariffs on American imports by China [2] Group 2 - Boeing's CEO, Kelly Ortberg, expressed hope that the tariffs could be resolved over time and noted that the company's losses for Q1 2025 narrowed to $31 million compared to $355 million a year earlier [3][6] - Despite the tariffs, overall demand for planes remains strong, allowing Boeing to continue increasing production of its 737 Max to 38 per month [6] - The company has received inquiries from airlines outside China for the planes originally destined for Chinese customers, indicating a potential for re-marketing [5][6] Group 3 - Boeing, as the largest goods exporter in the US, is significantly impacted by China's retaliatory measures against Trump's trade policies [8][10] - The company has strong political connections in Washington, which it is leveraging to address the challenges posed by the tariffs [8] - Ortberg highlighted the risk of being shut out of one of the fastest-growing markets, especially if competitors like Airbus continue to sell in China [9]
Tesla sales drop as carmaker warns ‘political sentiment' could impact future demand
The Guardian· 2025-04-22 20:40
Tesla saw a 9% drop in revenue year over year in the first quarter of 2025. The company brought in $19.3bn in revenue, well below Wall Street expectations of $21.45bn. The company reported an earnings per share of 27 cents, also well under investor expectations of 43 cents in earnings per share. Company sales plummeted in the first three months of the year. The company suffered a 13% drop in sales, making it the company's worst quarter since 2022. Tesla closed the quarter with 336,681 vehicles delivered. De ...
Regulators approve $35bn merger of Capital One and Discover Financial
The Guardian· 2025-04-18 17:14
The pending merger between Capital One and Discover Financial services received approval from several regulators on Friday, bringing the $35bn tie-up closer to completion.The Federal Reserve and the office of the comptroller of the currency (OCC) signed off on the deal, which was first announced in February 2024.The Federal Reserve Board said it entered into a consent order with Discover and assessed a fine of $100m for overcharging certain interchange fees from 2007 through 2023. Discover has since termina ...