Welcome back to Market on Close. We'll be watching Reddit after the bell today as the company will report earnings. Estimates calling for 96 cents for EPS on revenue of 667.48% million.The stock has been hit hard so far in 2026. Shares down more than 30% already, but the company has topped EPS estimates in each of its last four quarters. Reddit, of course, our choice for options corner today.Here to help us take a closer look, Rick Ducat, our lead market technician here on Schwab Network. Now, as we look at ...

In discussing Q4 earnings, the private-markets firm said it isn't changing its return forecasts despite market turbulence over the software sector. ...

Bristol Myers Squibb on Thursday delivered strong fourth quarter results — and better yet, issued a 2026 forecast that was above Wall Street expectations. Combine that with a single-digit price-to-earnings multiple and the simple fact that this isn't a software company, and you've got the makings of a stock that can keep the momentum going in the current market conditions. Revenue in the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31 ticked up 1% to $12.5 billion, ahead of the $12.28 billion expected, according to LSEG. Earn ...

He said that Warsh has been openly opposed to interventionism by the U.S. Federal Reserve and advocates that the U.S. central bank focus on the “real economy.”“With the refocus on the real economy, I think the market’s taking that as a Fed that’s going to be less supportive of asset prices in general,” Goulding said.The S&P/TSX composite index was up 204.72 points at 32,388.60.In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 166.67 points at 49,240.99. The S&P 500 index was down 58.63 points at 6,917. ...

Core Insights - Anthropic has launched a new AI automation tool aimed at the legal industry, designed to handle routine legal tasks such as contract reviews and legal briefings, although outputs must still be reviewed by licensed attorneys [2][3][16] - The announcement of this tool has caused significant market reactions, leading to a sharp decline in shares of companies involved in legal software and data services, with some companies experiencing drops of over 10% [3][4][16] Market Reaction - Following the launch, shares of RELX Plc and Wolters Kluwer NV fell more than 10%, while Experian Plc dropped 9%, and other companies like Thomson Reuters Corp. and FactSet Research Systems Inc. also saw declines of around 10% or more [4][16] - The iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF fell by as much as 4.4%, and a UBS Group AG basket of European stocks vulnerable to AI disruption sank nearly 7% [5][16] Competitive Landscape - Analysts express concerns about rising competition in the legal AI space, with Morgan Stanley noting that Anthropic's new capabilities heighten competition, which could be a negative sign for existing players [7][16] - Anthropic is entering a crowded market, competing with startups like Harvey AI and Legora, which have already attracted significant investment, with Harvey AI valued at $5 billion and Legora at $1.8 billion [8][9][10] Industry Trends - There is a growing fear of AI disrupting software businesses, with the release of Anthropic's tool intensifying these concerns, particularly in the legal sector [11][16] - During the current earnings season, only 71% of software companies in the S&P 500 have met revenue expectations, compared to 85% across the broader tech sector, contributing to investor unease [12][16] Future Outlook - Experts suggest that 2023 will be a defining year for companies in the AI space, determining which will emerge as winners or victims, emphasizing the importance of avoiding potential losers in the market [13][16]

Core Viewpoint - ServiceNow's stock experienced a significant decline of 37% over nearly three months, driven by concerns over AI disruption, cautious FY26 outlook, and aggressive acquisition strategies, overshadowing modest revenue growth and share repurchase initiatives [2][3]. Group 1: Stock Performance - The stock fell 37%, influenced by a modest 4.8% revenue increase and a 3.7% margin decrease [3]. - Valuation saw a sharp decline of 37%, contributing to the overall stock drop [3]. Group 2: Earnings and Guidance - Q4 2025 earnings surpassed revenue and non-GAAP EPS expectations, but diluted EPS fell short, leading to an 11% stock decrease on January 29, 2026 [8]. - FY26 guidance for revenue was below analyst expectations, raising concerns among investors [8]. Group 3: Acquisition and Market Concerns - There are worries regarding the impact of expensive acquisitions, such as Moveworks and Armis, on the company's financial health [8]. - Investors are concerned that competitors may leverage AI tools to replicate software, posing a threat to the SaaS sector [8]. Group 4: Stock Actions - A 5-for-1 stock split on December 17, 2025, and a $5 billion buyback did not alleviate negative sentiment surrounding the stock [8].

Group 1 - Netflix is considered one of the best growth stocks to buy in 2026, despite Jefferies analyst James Heaney lowering the price target from $150 to $134 while maintaining a Buy rating [1] - Jefferies recommends a selective approach to Internet stocks for 2026, citing rising investment costs and concerns about AI disrupting traditional business models as key headwinds [1][3] - The company plans to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery's TV, film studios, and streaming assets for $72 billion, structured as a combination of cash and stock, with an enterprise value of approximately $82.7 billion [2][3] Group 2 - The acquisition is expected to add nearly $11 billion in debt to Netflix's balance sheet, which will be monitored closely as the company aims for a closing timeline of 12 to 18 months [3] - Following the acquisition, Netflix will shift its strategy to begin releasing Warner Bros. movies in theaters, moving away from its traditional streaming-only model, necessitating the development of new internal functions for theatrical marketing and global distribution [3]

Core Insights - PwC's global revenue grew by 2.9% to $56.9 billion in the 2025 financial year, marking a slowdown for the third consecutive year [1][6] - The firm reported a significant reduction in its global headcount by 5,600, reversing a previous strategy aimed at workforce expansion [2][6] - Economic uncertainty and the potential impact of AI are prompting PwC to rethink its business structure and pricing models [4] Financial Performance - The revenue growth rate for PwC dropped from 9.9% in the 2024 financial year to 3.7% [1] - In comparison, competitors Deloitte and EY reported growth rates of 5% and 4% respectively in their most recent earnings [5] Strategic Changes - PwC plans to cut graduate hiring by a third over the next three years and has reduced entry-level recruitment in the UK [3] - The firm is focusing on reinvention and adapting to changing market conditions, as stated by PwC chairman Mohamed Kande [2][4][6] Competitive Landscape - EY is closing the revenue gap with PwC, with a difference of $3.7 billion in their 2025 results [7] - PwC's advisory business is performing comparably to its competitors, but its assurance and tax and legal services are lagging behind [7]

Core Insights - The article suggests that traditional restaurant chains, such as McDonald's, are seen as stable investments that are less likely to be disrupted by AI technology [1]. Group 1: Investment Perspective - The author emphasizes a value-oriented approach to investment, indicating that valuation is more relevant for long-term opportunities rather than short- to mid-term timing [1]. - The article highlights that rating systems may not adequately reflect different time horizons or investment strategies, suggesting a preference for a more nuanced analysis over simple ratings [1]. Group 2: Analyst's Position - The analyst has a beneficial long position in McDonald's shares, indicating confidence in the company's future performance [2]. - The article is presented as an independent opinion, with no external compensation influencing the analysis [2].

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry discussed Core Insights - The report highlights the potential for energy prices to rise again due to geopolitical risks in the Middle East, particularly if Iranian oil supply declines or if there are disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz [1][2] - It discusses the implications of soft data on the US economy, indicating that higher tariffs may lead to a slight increase in unemployment and below-potential GDP growth, with inflation rebounding to the mid-3% range [9] - The report emphasizes the outlook for the Chinese Yuan (CNY), predicting further appreciation due to the strength of China's export sector and the currency's undervaluation against the Dollar [10][12] - It notes the expected increase in defense spending in the Euro area and the UK, projecting spending to rise to 2.7% and 2.5% of GDP respectively by 2027 [14] - The potential disruption of profit pools due to AI technology is also highlighted, with past technology transitions serving as a precedent for significant market changes [14] Summary by Sections Middle East Risks - The report indicates that while the initial market reaction to the Iran-Israel ceasefire has reversed, the situation remains uncertain, with potential for energy prices to rise significantly if Iranian oil supply is disrupted [1][2] - It estimates Brent crude oil prices could peak at around $90/bbl under certain scenarios, with extreme cases exceeding $110/bbl [1][6] Soft Data Insights - Company commentary suggests a reduction in job openings and capital spending expectations, indicating a cautious outlook due to policy uncertainty [9] - The report anticipates a slight increase in unemployment and a one-time inflation rebound, with the Federal Reserve expected to implement rate cuts [9] CNY Outlook - The report lowers USD/CNY forecasts to 7.10/7.00/6.90 for the next 3, 6, and 12 months, citing the potential for CNY appreciation [10][12] European Defense Spending - The report expresses optimism regarding the European defense renaissance, with expected increases in defense spending by 2027 [14] AI Disruption - The report discusses the potential for AI to disrupt existing profit pools, drawing parallels to previous technology transitions [14]