UBS downgrades the U.S. stock market. Here's what has the investment bank worried
CNBC· 2026-02-27 14:37
Core Insights - Foreign markets are outperforming U.S. equities in 2026, with the MSCI World ex-US index gaining approximately 8% compared to a stagnant S&P 500 performance [2] - The dollar's weakness is a significant concern, with UBS predicting the euro to rise to $1.22 by the end of Q1, and historical data indicating that a 10% drop in the dollar's trade-weighted index leads to a 4% underperformance in U.S. equities [3] - UBS has downgraded American equities to "benchmark" status in a fully invested global equity portfolio, citing fading factors that previously supported U.S. stock outperformance [4] Market Dynamics - Corporate buybacks, a key driver of U.S. stock strength, are losing their effectiveness, with the buyback yield now comparable to global peers, which diminishes support for earnings per share growth [5] - The combined shareholder yield from dividends and buybacks in the U.S. is about half that of Europe, indicating a shift in capital flows [5] - The sector-adjusted price-to-earnings ratio for U.S. stocks is 35% above international peers, significantly higher than the average premium of 4% since 2010, with 60% of sectors trading at higher multiples than their global counterparts [6] Policy Environment - Policy volatility under the Trump administration presents additional challenges, including changes in tariff policies and scrutiny of corporate practices such as drug pricing and buybacks [7] - Despite these challenges, the U.S. economy and equities may benefit during the early phases of a potential market bubble, with expectations for artificial intelligence adoption to drive earnings growth across key industries [8] Market Projections - UBS strategist Sean Simonds has set a year-end target of 7,500 for the S&P 500, which is lower than the average forecast of 7,629 among top strategists [9]
Aramco begins operations at Jafurah and Tanajib to boost gas output
Yahoo Finance· 2026-02-27 14:37
Aramco has announced the commencement of production at the Jafurah unconventional gas field and the start of operations at the Tanajib Gas Plant in Saudi Arabia. The developments form part of Aramco’s plan to boost sales gas production capacity by around 80% by 2030, compared to 2021 levels. The plan targets approximately six million barrels of oil equivalent per day from total gas and associated liquids. Aramco expects these projects to generate additional operating cash flow of $12bn–15bn in 2030, dep ...
Can Baytex Energy Q4 Earnings Overcome Oil Price Weakness?
ZACKS· 2026-02-27 14:36
Key Takeaways Baytex Energy will report Q4 results March 4, with EPS seen at 2 cents on $545.6M in revenues.BTE posted record Pembina Duvernay output in Q3, up 53% sequentially, with lower drilling costs.Baytex Energy cut 2025 free cash flow outlook to C$300M amid weaker oil prices.Baytex Energy Corp. (BTE) is set to release fourth-quarter 2025 results on March 4. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is 2 cents per share on revenues of $545.6 million.Let’s delve into the factors that might have influen ...
MasTec Beats Q4 Earnings & Revenue Estimates, Books Solid Backlog
ZACKS· 2026-02-27 14:36
Key Takeaways MasTec's Q4 EPS of $2.07 beat estimates and rose 44% year over year on 16% higher revenues.Growth in communications, clean energy and power delivery fueled double-digit segment gains.Backlog jumped 33% to $18.96B, driven by 90% growth in Pipeline Infrastructure orders.MasTec, Inc. (MTZ) reported results for the fourth quarter of 2025, with earnings and revenues beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Both top and bottom lines increased on a year-over-year basis.MasTec delivered a solid fourth-qu ...
Autodesk Q4 Earnings and Revenues Surpass Estimates, Rise Y/Y
ZACKS· 2026-02-27 14:36
Core Insights - Autodesk (ADSK) reported strong fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 results with non-GAAP earnings of $2.85 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 8.37% and reflecting a 25% year-over-year increase [1] - The company achieved revenues of $1.95 billion, surpassing consensus expectations by 2.48% and growing 19% year over year, both in reported and constant currency terms [1] Performance Highlights - The robust performance was driven by exceptional growth in the Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Operations (AECO) sector, particularly in construction and emerging markets, with investments in data centers and infrastructure offsetting weaknesses in commercial real estate [2] - Autodesk experienced stronger-than-expected Enterprise Business Agreements and product subscription billings, with management expressing confidence in the long-term business trajectory supported by cloud and AI strategies [3] Revenue Breakdown - Autodesk restructured its revenue reporting, now categorizing revenues by product type: Design (82.2% of total revenues) increased 19% to $1.61 billion, Make (11.1% of total revenues) grew 24% to $218 million, and Other (6.6% of total revenues) rose 21% to $130 million [4] - Regionally, revenues from the Americas (43.3% of revenues) increased 16% to $847 million, EMEA (39.7% of revenues) climbed 25% to $777 million, and Asia-Pacific (17% of revenues) grew 16% to $333 million [5] Product Line Performance - Autodesk's primary product families include AECO (49.8% of revenues) which increased 22% to $975 million, AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT (24.4% of revenues) which rose 17% to $478 million, Manufacturing (MFG) (19.5% of revenues) which grew 20% to $381 million, and Media and Entertainment (M&E) (4.6% of revenues) which increased 7% to $90 million [6] Operating Results - Non-GAAP operating margin expanded to 38%, improving approximately 100 basis points year over year, while GAAP operating margin remained flat at 22% due to a $100 million restructuring charge [7] Financial Position - As of January 31, 2025, Autodesk had cash and cash equivalents of $2.59 billion, up from $1.98 billion as of October 31, 2025 [8] - Deferred revenues increased 14% to $4.69 billion year over year, with unbilled deferred revenues rising 28% to $3.61 billion [10] Guidance - For fiscal 2027, Autodesk projects revenues between $8.1 billion and $8.17 billion, indicating 12-13% growth, with non-GAAP earnings per share expected to be between $12.29 and $12.56, implying 18-20% growth [11] - The company anticipates a non-GAAP operating margin of approximately 38.5-39% and free cash flow in the range of $2.7 billion to $2.8 billion, representing 12-16% growth over fiscal 2026 [12]
Iceland Seafood International hf: Correction to ZIP file sent 26.02.2026
Globenewswire· 2026-02-27 14:36
Group 1 - The company announced an error in the previously published ZIP file containing financial statements, which included the 2024 financial statements instead of the 2025 financial statements [1] - A corrected ZIP file with the proper 2025 financial statements has now been published and is attached to the announcement [2]
NAVN SHAREHOLDER ACTION REMINDER: Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Reminds Navan (NAVN) Investors of Securities Class Action Deadline on April 24, 2026
Prnewswire· 2026-02-27 14:35
NAVN SHAREHOLDER ACTION REMINDER: Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Reminds Navan (NAVN) Investors of Securities Class Action Deadline on April 24, 2026 [Accessibility Statement] Skip NavigationFaruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner [James (Josh) Wilson] Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses In Navan To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their OptionsIf you purchased or acquired securities in [Navan] pursuant to and/or traceable to the Company's Registration Statement and Prospectus (collectively, the "Offer ...
This Nuclear Energy Stock Could Turn $1,000 Into $100,000
Yahoo Finance· 2026-02-27 14:35
NuScale Power (NYSE: SMR), the developer of small modular reactors (SMRs) recently celebrated a huge milestone. After years of planning, it is officially moving forward with its first SMR project: six NuScale modules at a former coal plant in Romania. Image source: Getty Images. Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue » For severa ...
Tech stocks today: Anthropic rejects Defense Department AI demands, OpenAI raises $110 billion
Yahoo Finance· 2026-02-27 14:34
The standoff between Anthropic and the Department of Defense escalated on Thursday when the artificial intelligence startup's CEO, Dario Amodei, said the company would cut ties with the government rather than lift restrictions on its AI model's usage. "We cannot in good conscience accede to their request," Amodei wrote in response to the Defense Department's demands to use the AI model for "all lawful purposes." The government has given Anthropic until 5:01 p.m. on Friday to answer its request to use mode ...
Tech stocks today: OpenAI raises $110 billion, Anthropic rejects Defense Department AI demands
Yahoo Finance· 2026-02-27 14:34
Funding and Valuation - OpenAI raised $110 billion in a record-breaking funding round, with a pre-money valuation of $730 billion [1] Corporate Developments - OpenAI CEO Sam Altman indicated the company is working on a deal to help resolve the conflict between rival Anthropic and the Department of Defense [2] - Anthropic's CEO Dario Amodei announced the company would sever ties with the government rather than comply with its demands regarding AI model usage [3] Industry Impact - Block co-founder Jack Dorsey announced a layoff of 40% of the company's staff, totaling 4,000 employees, citing changes in operations due to AI tools [4] - Nvidia's fourth quarter earnings and an upcoming product launch from Apple are significant points of interest for tech investors [5]