Connect with us
  • tg

Stock Markets

This week in tech: Salesforce slowdown; Amazon denies plans to disrupt telecom

letizo News

Published

on

Here is your weekly Pro Recap on the biggest headlines out of a big earnings week for tech: Investors are disappointed by Salesforce and HP; Broadcom and Dell hearten the market; Amazon denies report of its plans to enter the wireless-services game.

InvestingPro subscribers get tech headlines like these in real time. Never miss another market-moving alert.

Soft guidance at Salesforce

Salesforce (NYSE:CRM) shares slumped 4.7% on Thursday even after the company reported better-than-expected earnings.

Analysts say the stock sold off because Salesforce revenue outperformance was below historical trends, and it also missed on under-contract sales expected in the next 12 months (that is, cRPO, or current revenue performance obligation). Moreover, its revenue growth for the quarter came in at its slowest pace since 2010, per Reuters.

For the quarter, adjusted earnings per share totaled $1.69, $0.08 better than the average analyst estimate, and $8.25 billion in sales was ahead of the $8.18B consensus. Next quarter Salesforce expects sales of $8.51B to $8.53B, higher than the $8.49B estimates.

Despite the market’s reaction, Goldman Sachs reiterated its Buy rating on CRM shares, saying the results were “strong in light of the challenging macro backdrop.”

Bank of America reaffirmed a Top Pick status on CRM, noting it is “impressed” by the 1% guidance beat for cRPO growth “given the tough macro and disruption from restructuring actions.”

Shares closed the week at $213.03.

Broadcom’s better-than-expected print

On Thursday, Broadcom (NASDAQ:AVGO) said it recorded earnings of $10.32 per share, easily beating the $10.12 consensus, on slightly better-than-expected revenue of $8.73B. It expects $8.85B in sales for the third quarter, comfortably above estimates for $8.72B.

Goldman Sachs said the company delivered “another solid quarter,” citing its expectations for that generative artificial intelligence “has the potential to support a ‘soft-landing’ in the near term and drive above-model growth in the medium- to long-term.”

Similarly, BofA argues that Broadcom’s AI portfolio is “underappreciated,” and assigned the stock a new Street-high price target of $950.

Shares dipped in the premarket on Friday, but ultimately closed the regular session up 2.5%. Shares ended the week at $812 even.

HP sees weakness in PC demand

HP (NYSE:HPQ) shares slid some 6% Wednesday after the PC maker posted its lowest revenue for a quarter since early 2020, noting ongoing weakness in demand for personal computers.

For the fiscal second quarter ended in April, HP reported a 21.7% drop in overall revenue to $12.9B – below expectations for $13.1B – encompassing a 29% slide in PC business sales and a 5% dip in printing revenue.

Adjusted earnings per share of $0.80 beat expectations for $0.76. Third-quarter (ending July) guidance calls for adjusted earnings of $0.81 to $0.91 a share vs. the $0.85 consensus, and it expects $3.30 to $3.50 for the full year, up from a prior analysts’ estimate of $3.34.

BofA reiterated its Underperform rating on the company, saying it remains cautious on HPQ shares even though guidance implies a second-half sales recovery: “We expect margins to normalize lower, and estimates to be revised lower over the next couple of qtrs.”

Barclays said the guidance may prove to be “aggressive,” adding, “We continue to see downside for shares with near term top-line, margin and cash flow pressures, though cost cuts help offset some of the underlying weaknesses.”

HP shares staged a partial recovery to end the week, rising 3.8% to $30.55.

Dell throttles estimates amid challenging macro environment

On Thursday Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL) said adjusted EPS totaled $1.31, smashing the $0.86 average Street estimate, on better-than-expected revenue of $20.9B.

The beat on the bottom line comes even as margins and revenue fell amid a weaker backdrop for PC demand, and Dell guided for Q2 revenue of $20.7B at the midpoint of the range – worse than the Street at $21.1B.

Dell’s client solutions group and infrastructure solutions group business saw revenue fall 23% and 18% respectively amid “challenging economic backdrop,” the company said.

The stock saw a premarket slump before climbing 4% in Friday’s regular session.

Goldman Sachs and Deutsche Bank each kept their buy ratings on the stock, although the former highlighted a weak recovery in Dell’s core PC business.

Deutsche said it believes “the risk-reward is attractive” for the stock, noting, “Considering a tough macro environment suggested by other IT hardware peers, we are not too surprised by DELL’s cautious comments in the near term, and we view a delayed recovery as reasonable.”

Amazon denies report it is setting its sights on telecom space

An Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) spokesperson said the company doesn’t have plans to add wireless services at this time, Reuters reported, following a Bloomberg story that said Amazon is in talks to offer low-cost or free nationwide mobile phone service to Prime subscribers – news that shook the shares of telecom companies.

“We are always exploring adding even more benefits for Prime members, but don’t have plans to add wireless at this time,” the spokesperson said, according to Reuters, while AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile “denied any talks.”

Amazon stock had gotten a lift on the initial report, while telecom companies like T-Mobile (NASDAQ:TMUS), AT&T Inc (NYSE:T), and Verizon (NYSE:VZ) took sharp slides.

On the other hand, shares in DISH Network (NASDAQ:DISH) gained as much as 8.3% on the report. The satellite services provider is already working with Amazon and is expected to start selling its wireless services on Amazon in July.

Stock Markets

Sprott announces Q1 2024 dividend of $0.25 per share

letizo News

Published

on

TORONTO – Sprott Inc. (NYSE/TSX: SII), a global leader in precious metals and critical materials investments, has declared a quarterly dividend of US$0.25 per common share for the first quarter of 2024. The dividend is payable on June 5, 2024, to shareholders on record as of May 21, 2024.

The company specified that registered shareholders in Canada, according to Sprott’s shareholder register, as well as beneficial holders with shares held through intermediaries participating in CDS Clearing and Depositary Services Inc. or its nominee, CDS & Co., will receive their dividend in Canadian dollars. The amount will be determined by the spot price exchange rate on the day of payment.

Shareholders residing outside of Canada, including those in the United States, as well as beneficial holders whose intermediary is a participant in The Depository Trust Company or its nominee, Cede & Co., will receive their dividend in U.S. dollars. Beneficial holders with intermediaries in CDS have the option to elect to receive their dividend in U.S. dollars and should contact their broker for more information.

Furthermore, registered shareholders in Canada who are not part of CDS and wish to receive their dividend in U.S. dollars are advised to arrange for their common shares to be deposited with CDS and make a currency election before the May 21, 2024 deadline.

The announced dividend is designated as an eligible dividend for Canadian income tax purposes, which could be advantageous for Canadian taxpayers.

Sprott’s expertise in the precious metals and critical materials sectors is underscored by its specialized investment strategies, which include Exchange Listed Products, Managed Equities, and Private Strategies. With offices located in Toronto, New York, Connecticut, and California, Sprott stands as a specialized entity in its field, differentiating itself from more generalist financial institutions.

3rd party Ad. Not an offer or recommendation by Investing.com. See disclosure here or
remove ads
.

The company’s common shares are traded on both the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol SII. This dividend announcement is based on a press release statement issued by Sprott Inc.

InvestingPro Insights

Sprott Inc. (NYSE/TSX: SII) has recently announced its quarterly dividend, affirming its commitment to rewarding shareholders. This is in line with one of the InvestingPro Tips that highlights the company’s track record of maintaining dividend payments for 17 consecutive years. Moreover, the same source suggests that Sprott Inc. is trading at a low P/E ratio relative to near-term earnings growth, which could indicate a potential undervaluation of the company’s stock.

Examining the real-time metrics from InvestingPro, Sprott Inc. boasts a market capitalization of $1.04 billion USD, reflecting its substantial presence in the precious metals and critical materials investment sector. The company also shows a promising P/E ratio of 20.75 when adjusted for the last twelve months as of Q4 2023.

This, combined with a PEG ratio of just 0.18 for the same period, suggests that the stock could have room for growth when considering its earnings trajectory. Furthermore, the revenue growth for Sprott Inc. has been robust, with a 16.42% increase over the last twelve months as of Q4 2023, underlining the company’s financial health and potential for further expansion.

For investors interested in deeper insights and additional metrics, there are more InvestingPro Tips available, which could provide a more comprehensive investment picture. To explore these insights and leverage the full suite of tools, consider using the coupon code PRONEWS24 to get an additional 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription at InvestingPro.

3rd party Ad. Not an offer or recommendation by Investing.com. See disclosure here or
remove ads
.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Continue Reading

Stock Markets

Franklin financial exec Gregory A. Duffey buys $58,000 in stock

letizo News

Published

on

Franklin Financial Services Corp. (NASDAQ:FRAF) director Gregory A. Duffey has recently increased his stake in the company, according to a new SEC filing. On May 3, 2024, Duffey purchased 2,000 shares of common stock at a price of $29.0 per share, totaling $58,000.

This transaction has bolstered Duffey’s ownership in the state commercial bank to 17,964 shares. The purchase reflects a straightforward investment in the company’s stock, without the involvement of equity swaps or other complex financial instruments. As the director of Franklin Financial Services Corp., Duffey’s decision to buy additional shares could be seen as a vote of confidence in the company’s future prospects.

Investors often monitor insider transactions as they may provide insights into the company’s performance and management’s expectations. The details of the transaction, including the number of shares purchased and the price paid, are publicly available through the SEC filing, offering transparency to shareholders and potential investors.

Franklin Financial Services Corp., based in Chambersburg, PA, operates as a state commercial bank and is known for its community-focused banking services. The company’s stock is traded under the ticker symbol FRAF on the NASDAQ exchange.

InvestingPro Insights

Recent insider trading by Franklin Financial Services Corp. (NASDAQ:FRAF) director Gregory A. Duffey has spotlighted the company’s stock, drawing investor attention to its financial health and future outlook. To provide a clearer picture of FRAF’s standing, we’ve gathered some key data and insights from InvestingPro.

Despite a challenging economic environment, Franklin Financial Services Corp. has managed to maintain a consistent dividend payout for 41 consecutive years, a testament to its financial stability and commitment to shareholders. Moreover, the company has experienced a strong return over the last month, with a 12.57% increase, which may partly explain Duffey’s confidence in increasing his stake. This is also reflected in the company’s profitability over the last twelve months, suggesting a solid operational performance.

3rd party Ad. Not an offer or recommendation by Investing.com. See disclosure here or
remove ads
.

InvestingPro Data metrics reveal a market capitalization of $124.48 million and a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 9.05, which adjusts slightly to 9.11 when looking at the last twelve months as of Q1 2024. The company’s price-to-book ratio stands at 0.94 for the same period, indicating that the stock may be reasonably valued in relation to its assets. However, it’s important to note that FRAF suffers from weak gross profit margins, which could be a point of consideration for potential investors.

For those looking to delve deeper into Franklin Financial Services Corp.’s financials and future prospects, InvestingPro offers additional tips and insights. With the use of coupon code PRONEWS24, readers can get an extra 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription, unlocking even more valuable information. There are 5 more InvestingPro Tips available, which could further guide investment decisions regarding FRAF.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Continue Reading

Stock Markets

SICC Co stock rating upgraded to buy, price target cut

letizo News

Published

on

On Tuesday, Jefferies upgraded shares of SICC Co Ltd (688234:CH), a prominent conductive substrate manufacturer, from Hold to Buy, while adjusting the stock price target to RMB66.00 from the previous RMB69.00.

This decision was influenced by the company’s financial performance, with fourth-quarter 2023 and first-quarter 2024 revenues meeting expectations and net profit surpassing both Jefferies’ and consensus estimates.

The optimism for the upgrade is partly due to SICC’s Lingang fabrication plant reaching a capacity of 25 kilowatts per month by the end of 2023. This expansion has positioned SICC among the top three conductive substrate makers.

The analyst noted that overseas customers now contribute approximately 40% to the company’s revenue with a gross margin (GM) of 29% in 2023. The expectation of a higher mix of overseas business in the forthcoming years is a driving factor behind the positive outlook.

The upgrade reflects the company’s short-term financial prospects, which are expected to remain strong. The analyst emphasized this by stating the company’s revenue alignment with forecasts and the substantial outperformance in net profit as key indicators of SICC’s robust financial health.

The revised stock price target of RMB66.00, despite being a slight reduction from the prior target, aligns with the upgraded stock rating and the anticipation of SICC’s continued growth and expansion in market share, especially with its increased capacity and international customer base.

The company’s strategic positioning and financial results are the primary reasons behind Jefferies’ confidence in SICC’s stock performance.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

3rd party Ad. Not an offer or recommendation by Investing.com. See disclosure here or
remove ads
.
Continue Reading

Trending

©2021-2024 Letizo All Rights Reserved