Coinbase Faces First Real Stress Test After S&P 500 Debut — Can New Products Offset The Pressure?
Benzinga· 2025-06-13 18:02
Group 1: Core Insights - Coinbase Global Inc made headlines by becoming the first cryptocurrency exchange included in the S&P 500 index, marking a significant milestone for the crypto industry [1] - The inclusion reflects Coinbase's operational maturity, liquidity, and profitability, attracting institutional investors and leading to significant passive inflows, with shares jumping 24% post-announcement [2] - However, Coinbase faces challenges from tariff-induced market turbulence and a rocky crypto environment that threaten to stall its momentum [3] Group 2: Market Challenges - The rollout of President Trump's tariff policies has disrupted global trade and shaken investor sentiment, indirectly impacting crypto markets and curbing risk appetite [4] - Coinbase's stock fell more than 6% year-to-date and faced double-digit declines amid tariff uncertainty [5] - With Coinbase commanding about 66% of the U.S. crypto trading market, a 10% decline in trading volume in Q1 has led to lower revenues, raising concerns about the company's core business under tariff-driven economic slowdowns [6] Group 3: Strategic Initiatives - Coinbase unveiled new products at the 2025 State of Crypto Summit aimed at expanding revenue streams, including a partnership with Shopify for crypto payments and an expansion of its payments infrastructure to over 200 businesses [7] - Retail innovations include a new subscription tier and a Bitcoin rewards credit card in partnership with American Express, targeting steady revenue [7] - The integration of decentralized exchange trading with the Coinbase app and business-focused treasury management tools are also part of Coinbase's strategy to broaden its total addressable market [8] Group 4: Analyst Perspective - JPMorgan analyst Kenneth B. Worthington maintains a Neutral rating on Coinbase with a December 2025 price target of $215, indicating that while the crypto ecosystem is still developing, Coinbase is well-positioned for industry growth [9] - The company's S&P 500 debut is being tested by external economic pressures, and investors are closely watching if new product launches can offset these challenges and support sustainable growth [10]
New Steel Tariffs Give Whirlpool A Competitive Edge, Says Analyst
Benzinga· 2025-06-13 18:00
Core Viewpoint - Bank of America Securities analyst Rafe Jadrosich upgraded Whirlpool Corporation from Underperform to Neutral, raising the price forecast from $68 to $94 due to improved North American margin prospects and tariff-related benefits [1]. Group 1: Financial Estimates - The analyst increased 2025 earnings estimates to $8.56 from $8.35 and 2026 EPS estimates to $10.33 from $9.39, benefiting from new appliance-related steel tariffs [1]. - Fiscal year 2027 earnings per share were raised to $10.73 from $9.96 [6]. Group 2: Tariff Impact - Whirlpool is well positioned to benefit from new Section 232 tariffs, which will impose a 50% duty on the steel content of imported home appliances starting June 23, as 80% of its U.S. sales are domestically produced and 96% of its steel is U.S.-sourced [3]. - Competitors relying on imports for over half of their U.S. sales, particularly from China and Korea, will face increased costs, reducing their previous cost advantage [4]. Group 3: Competitive Advantage - The tariffs could force competitors to raise wholesale appliance prices by 3–5%, or approximately $15–$20 per unit, potentially giving Whirlpool a competitive edge [5]. - A price increase of $15–$20 on half of Whirlpool's North America volume could boost EBIT margins by 150–200 basis points and raise profits by 20–30% [5]. - With appliance manufacturing being a low-margin business, rivals are expected to pass on costs, allowing Whirlpool to gain market share or expand margins [6].
NU's Six Months Consolidation: Should You Buy, Hold, or Sell?
ZACKS· 2025-06-13 18:00
Core Insights - Nu Holdings Ltd. (NU) stock has been consolidating over the past six months, contrasting with the industry's 25% growth [1] Company Performance - NU onboarded 4.3 million new customers in Q1 2025, reaching a total of 118.6 million, representing a 19% year-over-year increase [3][8] - The company has nearly 100 million monthly active users, demonstrating its ability to scale without sacrificing revenue potential [3] - Average revenue per active customer was $11.2, slightly down from $11.4 the previous year, indicating strong unit economics [4][8] - Revenues rose 19% year-over-year in Q1, driven by high engagement and diversified monetization streams, including lending and interchange fees [5] Competitive Positioning - NU's digital-first model has disrupted traditional banks in Brazil and is expanding in Mexico and Colombia, positioning itself as a regional powerhouse [6][9] - Unlike many fintechs that prioritize growth over profitability, NU effectively combines customer acquisition with financial discipline [5] Financial Metrics - NU's trailing 12-month Return on Equity (ROE) is 30.8%, significantly higher than the industry average of 11.4% [12] - The trailing 12-month Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) stands at 14.5%, well above the industry average of 3.4% [14] Valuation Concerns - NU trades at 18.62 times forward earnings, nearly double the sector's average of 9.33 times, indicating a significant valuation premium [8][18] - This premium reflects market optimism about NU's growth potential but also introduces risks related to earnings shortfalls or slower growth [18] Macroeconomic Challenges - Brazil faces an inflation rate of around 5%, higher than that of the U.S., and a weakening currency against the U.S. dollar, posing risks to profitability [19] - Persistent inflation and currency volatility in Latin America are key concerns for NU's operations [20] Strategic Outlook - Despite strong fundamentals, NU's stock has underperformed the broader industry over the past six months, suggesting a cautious approach may be warranted [20] - Long-term potential remains intact, but current price levels and macroeconomic headwinds call for patience [20]
Abercrombie's Post-Earnings Pullback: Setback or Opportunity?
ZACKS· 2025-06-13 18:00
Core Insights - Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (ANF) experienced an 11% drop in shares after releasing its first-quarter fiscal 2025 results, underperforming compared to the Zacks Retail - Discount Stores industry and the broader S&P 500 [1][3] Financial Performance - The company reported an earnings per share (EPS) of $1.59, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.35, and achieved record sales of $1.1 billion, reflecting an 8% year-over-year increase [3][5] - Despite strong revenue growth, EPS declined by 25.7% compared to $2.14 in the same quarter last year, and gross margin contracted by 440 basis points to 62% due to inflationary pressures and higher selling expenses [5][10] Brand Performance - The Hollister brand showed robust growth with a 22% increase in sales and 23% comparable sales gains, while the Abercrombie brand faced a 4% decline in sales and a 10% drop in comparable sales [6][9] - The Abercrombie brand's underperformance is concerning as it constitutes nearly 50% of the company's total sales, posing a strategic risk [9][12] Guidance and Market Sentiment - Management raised sales growth expectations for fiscal 2025 to 3-6% but lowered EPS guidance to $9.50-$10.50 from $10.40-$11.40, indicating potential profitability challenges in the second half of the fiscal year [10][19] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for EPS has seen downward revisions, with a 6.2% decline to $10.28 for fiscal 2025 over the past 30 days [17][19] Strategic Initiatives - The company is focusing on long-term growth through brand evolution, international expansion, and enhancing omni-channel capabilities, including plans to open 60 new stores and remodel 40 in fiscal 2025 [11][12] - Abercrombie's brand portfolio revitalization, particularly the success of Hollister, is a key strength, with eight consecutive quarters of growth [12][18] Valuation - ANF is currently trading at a forward 12-month P/E ratio of 7.57X, significantly below the industry average of 17.85X and the S&P 500's average of 22.02X, indicating a potential buying opportunity despite investor concerns [13][16]
Conagra Down 12% in Three Months: Solid Bargain or Risky Bet
ZACKS· 2025-06-13 17:56
Key Takeaways CAG stock is down 11.9% in 3 months, trading below key moving averages and near its 52-week low. Foodservice and International sales fell 6.1% and 17.6%, hurt by volume declines and FX headwinds. Adjusted EPS is projected at $2.35 for fiscal 2025, down from $2.67, amid margin and cost pressures.Conagra Brands, Inc. (CAG) has seen its share price plummet 11.9% in three months compared with the industry’s 1.1% decline. This decline can be traced to broader market dynamics and specific challeng ...
Does Solid Infrastructure Demand Support TPC's Project Visibility?
ZACKS· 2025-06-13 17:46
Key Takeaways TPC secured $2B in Q1 awards, pushing its backlog to a record $19.4B, up 94% year over year. Strong infrastructure demand from the public and commercial sectors fuels robust project opportunities. TPC raised 2025 earnings guidance amid sustained performance and more than $500M in Q2 new awards.Tutor Perini Corporation (TPC) is capitalizing on the surge in infrastructure demand emerging across various sectors. With a broad portfolio of construction and civil projects, the company is well-alig ...
NPWR FINAL DEADLINE: ROSEN, A LEADING LAW FIRM, Encourages NET Power Inc. Investors with Losses in Excess of $100K to Secure Counsel Before Important June 17 Deadline in Securities Class Action – NPWR, NPWR.WS
GlobeNewswire News Room· 2025-06-13 17:44
NEW YORK, June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of NET Power Inc. (NYSE: NPWR, NPWR.WS) between June 9, 2023 and March 7, 2025, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”), of the important June 17, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline. SO WHAT: If you purchased NET Power securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. WH ...
Visa's Fintech Expansion: A New Era of Scalable Digital Payments?
ZACKS· 2025-06-13 17:41
Key Takeaways Visa saw 8% Y/Y growth in Q2 fiscal 2025 payments volume and 9% growth in processed transactions. V is deepening fintech ties via an extended TabaPay deal and new Visa Direct account and wallet features. Visa launched a Commercial Integrated Partners program to enhance fintech connectivity and services.Visa Inc. (V) focuses on sharpening its edge in the digital payments space through robust and growing fintech partnerships, acquisitions and platform building. It is redefining its role from a ...
RGTI Trails Quantum Rivals in the Past Month: Time to Hold or Sell?
ZACKS· 2025-06-13 17:41
Key Takeaways Rigetti posted Q1 revenue of $1.5M, missing estimates and trailing peers like IonQ and D-Wave. RGTI still relies on short-term government contracts, limiting revenue visibility and investor confidence. Despite tech gains with Ankaa-3, Rigetti projects a 3-5 year wait for real commercial traction.Rigetti Computing (RGTI) posted an impressive year-to-date gain, but a closer look at recent developments reveals growing competitive pressure. Recently, industry players like IonQ (IONQ) and D-Wave ...
Top JPMorgan rainmaker Matthew Demko jumps ship from Jamie Dimon-led bank
New York Post· 2025-06-13 17:40
“Hurricane Jamie” lost one of his rainmakers.JPMorgan managing director Matthew Demko quit the Jamie Dimon-led bank to join Ryan Specialty Group, an insurance broker and underwriter founded by billionaire Patrick G. Ryan, The Post has learned.The investment banker’s last day of employment with the US financial giant was Monday, according to his broker profile posted on the website of US regulator FINRA, but it is yet to updated with his new job. 3 Jamie Demko, 42, has been with JPMorgan for his entire car ...