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☆ 12 portfolio companies report earnings in the week ahead. What we want to hear from each
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Zev Fima | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +15 min

The action quickly and sharply reversed back to the upside Friday after blowout earnings reports from Alphabet and Microsoft . In the week ahead, earnings are likely to drive the action again, though we'll get a few important macroeconomic reports. Earnings: We've got the biggest week of the earnings season ahead of us, with 12 Club holdings set to report. Eli Lilly 's report Tuesday morning continues to be all about sales of type-2 diabetes treatment Mounjaro and weight-loss drug Zepbound. In DuPont 's report Wednesday morning, we're looking for a continued rebound in its semiconductor business following a sequential increase last quarter.

Persons: Ford, we'll, Dow Jones, We've, Buckle, Eaton, Eli Lilly, Lilly, We're, Estee Lauder, Fabrizio Freda, we've, Linde, Bausch, Royal Philips, Woodward, SIRI, Archer, Johnson, Stanley Black, Decker, BAX, Cardinal Health, Parker, Belden, Jim Cramer's, Jim Cramer, Jim Organizations: Nasdaq, Microsoft, Meta, Google Search, Big Tech, Nvidia, Broadcom, Ford Motor, Honeywell, Danaher, Labor Department, Labor, PMI, Services PMI, GE Healthcare, Amazon Web Services, Starbucks, Deutsche Bank, DuPont, Bausch Health, U.S ., Appeals, Apple, iPhones, Vision, ON Semiconductor, Resource Partners, Franklin Resources, Paramount, Transocean Ltd, Semiconductors, Arch Capital, Logitech International, Lattice Semiconductor, F5 Networks, Sanmina Corporation, GE HealthCare, PayPal, 3M Company, McDonalds, Enterprise Products Partners, Cola Company, Melco Resorts, Entertainment, SiriusXM Holdings, Oatly, American Electric Power Company, Leidos Holdings, Marathon Petroleum, Daniels, Midland Co, Equitrans Midstream Corporation, HSBC Holdings, HSBC, Devices, Caesars Entertainment, Lumen Technologies, Mondelez, Pfizer, CVS Health, Barrick, Mastercard Inc, Cruise Line Holdings Ltd, Kraft Heinz Company, Marriott International, Ares, Generac Holdings, Johnson Controls, Cenovus Energy Inc, Qualcomm, Devon Energy, Paycom, Axcelis Technologies, Coeur D'Alene Mines, Sunnova Energy International, MGM Resorts International, MGM, Solar Inc, Oil, Allstate, Co, Tenable Holdings, Enovix Corporation, Gladstone Capital, Avis Budget Group, eBay, EBAY, LIN, Novo Nordisk, Natural Resources, PENN Entertainment, Apache, ConocoPhillips, InMode Ltd, Baxter International, Cardinal, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Apollo Global Management, LLC, Cinemark Inc, Dominion Energy, Coterra Energy, Coinbase, Bill.com Holdings, Booking Holdings, United States Steel, AXT Inc, Materials, Energy, Hershey Company, XPO Logistics, Cboe, American Pipeline, Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Brookfield Business Partners, Brookfield Renewable Corporation, Magna International, Jim Cramer's Charitable, CNBC, Traders, New York Stock Exchange, Bloomberg, Getty Locations: U.S, megaprojects, China, Eaton, Corning, Coeur D'Alene, Albemarle, ALB, Novo, New York

☆ This new photo of a supermassive black hole is unlike any before, showing powerful magnetic fields spiraling around it
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewThe supermassive black hole at the heart of our galaxy has a side you've never seen before. A new image reveals powerful magnetic fields swirling around our hometown black hole, which is called Sagittarius A* (pronounced "A-star"). EHT had previously imaged its first black hole, Messier 87, in polarized light as well, though it doesn't look quite as striking:The Messier 87 supermassive black hole imaged in polarized light. EHT CollaborationSince both black holes have similar structures of magnetic fields, despite their immense difference in size, the EHT scientists now suspect that all supermassive black holes might have magnetic structures like this. Bigger black hole breakthroughs may be in storeFurther imaging with new innovative techniques and technologies could reveal even more secrets of supermassive black holes, both big and small.

Persons: —, EHT, Sara Issaoun, Issaoun, We've, NASA's, Michael Johnson, Johnson, that's Organizations: Service, Business, Messier, Harvard, Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, NASA's Goddard Space Flight, American Astronomical Society Locations: Greenland

☆ This sector offers defensive and growth properties – along with some portfolio income
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Darla Mercado | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

The health-care sector of the S & P 500 is up about 8% year to date, marking a sharp comeback from a largely flat 2023. Even as health care is making a comeback this year, investors shouldn't forget its defensive attributes. Back in 2022, when the S & P 500 fell 19.4%, the health-care sector slipped only 3.5% "When markets are challenged, health care can be a good place to be," Lyons added. Some of them speak to the growth aspects of health care and why you can play offense." Merger activity is another driver of growth in health care, as large pharmaceutical companies snap up nimble biotech firms that are at the forefront of developing treatments.

Persons: Dan Lyons, Janus Henderson, shouldn't, Lyons, ImmunoGen, Seamus Fernandez, Sotatercept, Cigna, Cantor Fitzgerald, Sarah James, Fred Imbert Organizations: Big Tech, . Healthcare, Janus, Janus Henderson Investors, U.S . Food, Drug Administration's Center, Drug, Research, FDA, Esai, Pharmaceuticals, CNBC Pro, Merck, Abbott Laboratories, AbbVie, CVS Health Locations: U.S

☆ Amazon cuts hundreds of jobs in Pharmacy, One Medical units: Read the memo
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Annie Palmer | In Annierpalmer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Amazon has eliminated hundreds of jobs in its Pharmacy and One Medical divisions, the company confirmed to CNBC. "Unfortunately, these changes will result in the elimination of a few hundred roles across One Medical and Amazon Pharmacy." At the start of this year, Amazon announced cuts in its Prime Video, MGM Studios, Buy with Prime, Twitch and Audible units. Here's the full memo from Lindsay:Hi everyone, The past year has been incredibly exciting for all of our health care businesses, and we're seeing tremendous growth for Amazon Pharmacy, One Medical, and Amazon Clinic. Unfortunately, these changes will result in the elimination of a few hundred roles across One Medical and Amazon Pharmacy.

Persons: Neil Lindsay, Lindsay, Andy Jassy, Brian Olsavsky, Amazon, Neil CNBC Organizations: Amazon, CNBC, Amazon Health Services, Amazon Pharmacy, MGM Studios, Amazon Clinic, Pharmacy, CARE Locations: Amazon's, d50nominations.cnbc.com

☆ Amazon healthcare boss emails employees about layoffs: Read the memo
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Eugene Kim | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

He also said stressed the healthcare business has seen steady growth across its Pharmacy, One Medical, and Clinic segments. Here's the full copy of Lindsay's email:Hi everyone,The past year has been incredibly exciting for all of our health care businesses, and we're seeing tremendous growth for Amazon Pharmacy, One Medical, and Amazon Clinic. We reinvented the Amazon Pharmacy experience throughout 2023 to make it more affordable and convenient for customers to get the prescription medications they need through RxPass, automatic coupons, partnerships, and more. We expanded Amazon Clinic nationwide, and since launch, the marketplace has seen a 96% customer satisfaction rating. Unfortunately, these changes will result in the elimination of a few hundred roles across One Medical and Amazon Pharmacy.

Persons: Neil Organizations: Amazon Pharmacy, Amazon Clinic, Pharmacy, CARE

Elsewhere, Goldman Sachs reiterated a buy rating on Nvidia and raised its price target on the high-flying semiconductor maker. Yet his price target sits at $225, implying an upside of 19.7% as he sees opportunity elsewhere. "Anyone pulling up a chart of UBER share price performance in 2023 will think, 'That's a scary chart. Analyst Sarah James upgraded the insurer to overweight from neutral and hiked her price target o $372 from $334. — Alex Harring 5:42 a.m.: Goldman hikes Nvidia price target Things continue to look up for Nvidia , according to Goldman Sachs.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Piper Sandler, Alexander Potter, Potter, Tesla, Alex Harring, Bernstein, Uber, Nikhil Devnani, Devnani, — Alex Harring, Keith Horowitz, Horowitz, Cantor Fitzgerald Cigna, Cantor Fitzgerald, Sarah James, James, Ben Hendrix, Hendrix, Christopher Horvers, Horvers, Barbie, Goldman, FY4Q, Toshiya Hari, Fred Imbert Organizations: CNBC, JPMorgan, Mattel, Nvidia, Citi, Investors, Citizens, Financial, New York Community Bancorp, Aozora, T Bank, RBC Capital, Warner Bros, Golden Globes, Microsoft Locations: California, New, Friday's

☆ 10 of our stocks report earnings next week. Here's what we want to see from each
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-27 | by ( Zev Fima | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +16 min

All three major averages posted gains for the third consecutive week, lifted by solid quarterly earnings and positive economic data. Earnings season ramps up next week, with five of the Super Six mega-cap stocks delivering results. Employment numbers are the most important economic data, with Friday's January nonfarm payrolls report carrying the most weight. The January ISM Manufacturing report on Thursday and December's factory orders report Friday are expected to show the sector still in contraction mode. But earnings and commentary this week from peer Sartorious made us encouraged about a return to growth in 2024.

Persons: nonfarm, December's, Sartorious, We've, Stanley Black, Decker, We're, We'd, Royal Philips, Crane, Woodward, ServisFirst, Cadence Bancorporation, CADE, Johnson, Phillips, Avery Dennison, Columbus McKinnon, Robinson, SIRI, Cardinal Health, Parker, DOV, Pitney Bowes, Ferrari N.V, CSW, COLM, W.W, Grainger, Dwight Co, Jim Cramer's, Jim Cramer, Jim, Tim Cook, Justin Sullivan Organizations: Gross, Procter, Gamble, Gillette, Super, Consumer, JPM Healthcare, Amazon, Microsoft, Honeywell, Aerospace, Solutions, Apple Watch, Masimo, Vision Pro, Franklin Resources, Resource Partners, Bank of Marin Bancorp, Bank7 Corp, Pacific Premier Bancorp Inc, Provident Financial Holdings, Dynex, Cliffs Inc, Nucor Corp, Whirlpool Corp, F5 Networks, Capital Southwest Corp, Harbors Investment Corp, Crane Co, Payne, Equity, Heartland Financial, Cadence, FinWise Bancorp, Five Star Bancorp, PotlatchDeltic Corporation, Sanmina Corporation, Pfizer, General Motors Corp, United Parcel Service, JetBlue Airways Corporation, Smith Corp, Marathon Petroleum Corp, HCA Healthcare, Oshkosh Corporation, SYSCO Corp, Danaher Corp, Johnson Controls, M.D.C . Holdings, Commvault Systems Inc, Hope Bancorp, Hubbell Incorporated, Malibu Boats, Polaris Industries, Inc, Camden National Corp, Cambridge Bancorp, Microsoft Corp, Starbucks Corp, Devices, Electronic Arts Inc, Juniper Networks, Stryker Corp, Lending, Canadian, Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited, Mondelez, Chubb Corporation, Modine Manufacturing, Partners, Management, Hawaiian Holdings, Manhattan Associates, Unum Group, UNM, Axos, Enova, Boston Properties, Boeing Co, Novo Nordisk, Mastercard Inc, Roper Technologies, Boston Scientific Corporation, MarketAxess Holdings, Fisher, Aptiv PLC, Hess Corp, Nasdaq, United Microelectronics Corp, Rockwell Automation, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd, Avery, Avery Dennison Corp, Extreme Networks, Otis Worldwide Corporation, OTIS, Columbus, Columbus McKinnon Corp, Central Pacific Financial Corp, Brinker International, Fortive Corporation, Qualcomm, Technology, Metlife, Hanover Insurance, Barn Holdings, CONMED Corporation, DLH Holdings Corp, Meritage Homes Corporation, Honeywell International, Eaton Corp, Altria, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, Merck, Co, Enterprise Products Partners, Dorian LPG, SiriusXM Holdings, Cardinal, Hannifin Corporation, Allegheny Technologies Incorporated, Tractor Supply Company, Trane Technologies, Dover Corp, Huntington Ingalls Industries, Brunswick Corporation, Dickinson, Canada Goose Holdings, Kirby Corp, WEC Energy Group, WestRock Company, Allegro MicroSystems, Ball Corporation, Broadridge Financial, BrightSphere Investment Group, CMS Energy Corp, Lancaster Colony Corp, Rogers Communications Inc, Sanofi, Apple, Atlassian Corporation, United States Steel Corp, Corp, Adtalem Global, Homes, DXC Technology Company, Eastman Chemical Company, Gen, Post Holdings, America, Columbia Sportswear Company, Exxon Mobil Corp, Chevron Corporation, Myers Squibb Co, CIGNA Corp, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Charter Communications, AON, Cboe, Dwight, Banco Santander, Jim Cramer's Charitable, CNBC, Apple Vision, Getty Locations: China, East, United States, Europe, Cleveland, Alexandria, California, Corning, Canadian Pacific, Teradyne, TER, Novo, Hanover, PBI, Skechers U.S.A, Bristol, Chile

Dec 5 (Reuters) - Eli Lilly (LLY.N) on Tuesday said its recently approved obesity treatment Zepbound is now available in U.S. pharmacies and could cost $550 a month for customers whose health insurance does not cover the drug, or half the list price. Wall Street analysts expect sales of Zepbound to reach about $2 billion in 2024, and for sales of Novo Nordisk's (NOVOb.CO) rival obesity drug Wegovy to hit around $7.5 billion. An Eli Lilly and Company pharmaceutical manufacturing plant is pictured at 50 ImClone Drive in Branchburg, New Jersey, March 5, 2021. When the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Zepbound in November, Lilly said it would launch after the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday. Lilly's obesity drug has the same active ingredient, tirzepatide, as its previously approved diabetes drug Mounjaro, which has been used off-label for weight loss since its 2022 launch.

Persons: Eli Lilly, Wegovy, danuglipron, Zepbound, Lilly, Mike Segar, Eli Lilly's, Patrick Wingrove, Manas Mishra, Khushi, Arun Koyyur, Alexander Smith, Bill Berkrot Organizations: Wall Street, Novo, Pfizer, Company, REUTERS, CVS, U.S . Food, Drug Administration, U.S, Thomson Locations: U.S, Branchburg , New Jersey, Indianapolis, New York, Bengaluru

REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsDec 1 (Reuters) - Retailers like Amazon.com and Foot Locker are signaling optimism for holiday season sales after stronger-than-expected figures during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, as heavy discounts lured budget-strained customers on the peak U.S. shopping days. Early estimates on holiday shopping have been encouraging to some investors after retailers sounded cautious notes in the lead-up to the season. "We know we're buying for wallet share with a value-conscious consumer this holiday season. Deep discounts have been a key feature heading into this year's holiday shopping season and holiday discounts could get even bigger in December, according to some retail executives. Kohl's (KSS.N) CEO Tom Kingsbury said last week the company was "coming out on holiday very aggressively in terms of promotions."

Persons: Mike Segar, Jimmy Lee, we've, Mary Dillon, Tom Kingsbury, Cos, Jason Benowitz, Deborah Sophia, Juby Babu, Pooja Desai Organizations: REUTERS, Adobe Analytics, National Retail Federation, Wealth Consulting, Amazon, Black, BofA, Walmart, Abercrombie, Fitch, American Eagle Outfitters, Roosevelt, Thomson Locations: Robbinsville , New Jersey, U.S, Bengaluru

☆ Jim Cramer blasts the prospect of a Humana-Cigna deal — it could never be approved by regulators
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Kevin Stankiewicz | In Kevinstankiewicz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

That's a major reason why we took a stake in the company in April 2022 and a key growth area for the health insurance industry overall. As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB.

Persons: Jim Cramer, Cigna, I've, Jim, It's, That's, Joe Biden, Biden, Lina Khan, Jim Cramer's, Ty Wright Organizations: Street, Humana, Express, Aetna, CVS Health, Cigna, Federal Trade Commission, Justice Department, FTC, CNBC, Bloomberg, Getty Locations: U.S, Louisville , Kentucky

☆ Jim Cramer looks at why Eli Lilly is the 'only drug stock that’s working' right now
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Paulina Likos | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Every weekday the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer releases the Homestretch audio feature in time for the last hour of trading on Wall Street. Elsewhere, Jim Cramer called biopharma stock Eli Lilly (LLY) "the only drug stock that's working" in a competitive health care field. As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB.

Persons: Jim Cramer, Stocks, Locker, Mary Dillon's, Eli Lilly, Lilly, bode, Jim, FTC's Lina Khan, Jim Cramer's Organizations: CNBC, Meta, Club, UnitedHealth, FTC, Jim Cramer's Charitable

☆ US health insurers Humana, Cigna in talks to merge - WSJ
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Signage for Humana Inc. is pictured at a health facility in Queens, New York City, U.S., November 30, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 29 (Reuters) - Health insurers Cigna (CI.N) and Humana (HUM.N) are in talks for a merger, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter. Cigna's shares were down 4.4% in noon trading, while Humana's stock was flat. The companies did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment. Reporting by Manas Mishra in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj KalluvilaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Cigna, Manas Mishra, Sriraj Organizations: Humana Inc, REUTERS, Health, Cigna, Wall Street, Thomson Locations: Queens , New York City, U.S, Bengaluru

REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 29 (Reuters) - Cigna (CI.N) and Humana (HUM.N), two of the biggest U.S. health insurers, are in talks for what could be the largest merger announced in 2023, according to a source familiar with the matter. A Humana and Cigna combination would give the merged company the scale to rival UnitedHealth Group (UNH.N) and CVS Health (CVS.N). In July 2016, the Justice Department filed lawsuits against two health insurance mergers on the same day, saying they would lead to less competition and higher prices for Americans. Health insurers have been facing higher medical costs as people return for procedures they had put off during the pandemic. Humana in February said that it would sell its commercial business but keep its Medicare Advantage products.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Cigna, Cigna's, Aetna, Bill Baer, Andre Barlow of Doyle, Barlow, Mazard, Bernstein, Lance Wilkes, Craig Garthwaite, Manas Mishra, Diane Bartz, Deena Beasley, Caroline Humer, Bill Berkrot Organizations: Humana Inc, REUTERS, Street Journal, UnitedHealth, CVS Health, Humana’s, Medicare, Affordable, Justice Department, Humana, U.S ., Reuters, Northwestern University, Thomson Locations: Queens , New York City, U.S, Cigna, Bengaluru, Washington, Los Angeles

Shein has not determined the size of its offering or the valuation at IPO, the sources said. Shein, Goldman and JPMorgan declined to comment, while Morgan Stanley did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The most valuable China-founded enterprise to go public in the United States so far is ride-hailing giant Didi Global's (92Sy.MU) debut in 2021 at $68 billion valuation. In 2021, the comparable number was $300 billion when the IPO market was close to its peak. Fast fashion retailers have been gaining popularity in the United States, with Shein taking away market share from the likes of Gap (GPS.N) as shoppers look for fresher styles.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, Shein, Goldman, Didi Global's, Jason Benowitz, David, Dee, Delgado, CSRC, Simon Property, Sumeet Singh, It's, Pritam Biswas, Ananya Mariam Rajesh, Kane Wu, Anirban Sen, Rishabh, Scott Murdoch, Miyoung Kim, Stephen Coates Organizations: Amazon, JPMorgan, Bloomberg, Arm Holdings, Roosevelt, REUTERS, China Securities Regulatory Commission, U.S, Reuters, Securities and Exchange Commission, SPARC Group, Forever, Brands, Simon, Aequitas Research, China's Shanghai Securities, Street, Thomson Locations: United States, China, U.S, Singapore, New York City, Shein, Bengaluru, Hong Kong, New York, Sydney

Shein's website drew 28.6 million unique monthly visitors in October, up 7.25% from a year earlier, according to Similarweb. Amazon trounces both online retailers with 56% of its 268 million unique monthly visits in October resulting in purchases, its data shows. Temu, which launched in the U.S. in September 2022, is offering deals for cheap goods for the holiday shopping season. Shein is ramping up holiday marketing in the U.S. and Europe as it extends its reach and products on its platform. Peter Pernot-Day, head of corporate strategy at Shein, said Shein has advised its marketplace sellers "to optimize their product listings" by "providing competitive pricing and keeping inventory up to date."

Persons: David, Dee, Delgado, Temu, Shein, Inditex's Zara, Melissa Minkow, Peter Pernot, Arriana McLymore, Nick Zieminski Organizations: REUTERS, Missguided, CI, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Singapore, Europe, Similarweb, New York

Analysts attended earnings calls in the third quarter armed with questions for healthcare and consumer companies about the potential effect on their sales from the growing popularity of these drugs, known as GLP-1 agonists. A Reuters analysis of earnings transcripts for the third quarter showed "GLP-1" or alternatives like "obesity" or "weight-loss medications" were mentioned 256 times across 29 U.S. and European healthcare and consumer companies. That's more than double the mentions for the second quarter, when those phrases came up 127 times. While some consumer companies have talked about factors such as fewer calories being consumed, "these kind of large extrapolations" seem to be a bit of a stretch, said BMO Capital analyst Evan Seigerman. For big pharma manufacturers like Pfizer (PFE.N) and Amgen (AMGN.O), analyst questions were aimed at their obesity drug candidates.

Persons: Lilly, George Frey, Jeff Jonas, it's, Eli Lilly's, John Furner, Mondelez, Eli Lilly, Evan Seigerman, LVMH, Rajesh Kumar, Jonas, Bhanvi Satija, Savyata Mishra, Arpan Varghese, David Gaffen, Shounak Organizations: Novo Nordisk, Pharmacy, REUTERS, Gabelli, Novo, Walmart, Walmart U.S, Hershey, Truist Securities, Krispy, BMO Capital, Danish, pharma, Pfizer, Devices, HSBC, Thomson Locations: Provo , Utah, U.S, United States, Novo, Bengaluru

LSEG Workspace, a financial news and data platform, calculated inventory turnover ratios of 30 major U.S. retailers for Reuters. "I am relatively pessimistic about the holiday season," said Gerald Storch, retail consultant and former Target vice chairman and ex-CEO of Hudson's Bay. Department stores' holiday season is "likely not going to be that strong," said David Swartz, a Morningstar analyst. Reuters Graphics Reuters GraphicsTo be sure, inventory turnover is not the only metric Wall Street investors use to judge retailers' inventory levels. Some are already slashing prices and dangling discounts to clear excess inventory before Black Friday, the start of holiday shopping season.

Persons: King, King of Prussia, Sarah Silbiger, Gerald Storch, Jeff Bornino, David Swartz, Ulta, pare, Jason Benowitz, Joseph Feldman, Jane Hali, Nordstrom, Brian Mulberry, Savyata Mishra, Ananya Mariam Rajesh, Richa Naidu, Siddharth Cavale, Aishwarya Venugopal, Rod Nickel Organizations: REUTERS, Dollar, Walmart, Reuters, North America, Kroger, Department, Morningstar, TJX Companies, Dick's Sporting, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Roosevelt, Telsey Advisory, Research, Associates, Nordstrom, Zacks Investment Management, Thomson Locations: King of, King, King of Prussia , Pennsylvania, U.S, Hudson's, North

☆ Exclusive: Cigna explores shedding Medicare Advantage business -sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( David Carnevali | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Cigna is working with an investment bank to evaluate options for its Medicare Advantage business, which could fetch several billions of dollars in a potential divestment, the sources said. Cigna's Medicare Advantage business generated 4.4% of the company's $179.4 billion in revenue from external customers in 2022. Cigna also said profit margins in Medicare Advantage in 2023 continue to be below its long-term target of 4% to 5%, which it expected to remain the case in 2024. Cigna has said it expects changes to the government's star rating system, which informs some of the reimbursement decisions, will lead to a decrease in the rating of its Medicare Advantage business in payment-year 2024. Cigna said in September it would pay about $172 million to settle charges from U.S. prosecutors that it overcharged the Medicare Advantage program by making patients appear more ill than they actually were.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Cigna, Goldman Sachs, David Carnevali, Bill Berkrot Organizations: REUTERS, Cigna, Reuters, Medicare, U.S . Centers, Services, U.S . Department of Health, Human Services, Thomson Locations: Queens , New York City, U.S, HealthSpring, Bloomfield , Connecticut, New York

Roughly half of the S&P 500 (.SPX) companies have reported results thus far, with more than 77% exceeding results. But of that group, consumer discretionary companies have been the biggest surprise, on average exceeding earnings-per-share estimates by 19%, according to LSEG I/B/E/S data. A 4.9% rise in U.S. gross domestic product in the third quarter further highlights the health of the consumer. Including Monday's gains, the S&P 500 consumer discretionary index (.SPLRCD) is up nearly 19% this year, far outperforming the broader S&P 500, which is up nearly 8%. Reuters GraphicsAmong the other consumer discretionary names that have surpassed expectations are Amazon (AMZN.O), Hilton Worldwide Holdings (HLT.N) and Royal Caribbean (RCL.N).

Persons: LSEG, Jason Benowitz, Roosevelt, McDonald's, Brian Mulberry, Gerald Pascarelli, Aishwarya Venugopal, Ananya Mariam Rajesh, Anil D'Silva Organizations: Reuters Graphics, Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Royal, Zacks Investment Management, Thomson Locations: U.S, Royal Caribbean, Bengaluru

☆ P&G tops profit estimates on pricing boost, resilient demand
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Deborah Mary Sophia | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Timothy Aeppel/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 18 (Reuters) - Procter & Gamble (PG.N) topped market expectations for quarterly sales and profit on Wednesday, benefiting from higher prices as well as steady demand for its personal care products and cleaning supplies. While P&G's moves to consistently raise prices over the past several months have dented sales volumes with some cost-conscious shoppers turning to cheaper alternatives, the benefits from higher prices have helped bolster its profits. Gross margin improved 460 basis points to 52% in the quarter ended Sept. 30 and the company kept its annual profit outlook despite expectations for a $1 billion after-tax impact from unfavorable foreign exchange rates. P&G now expects sales growth to be in the range of 2%-4% for fiscal 2024, compared to its prior estimate of a 3%-4% rise, owing to currency fluctuations. Per-share profit of $1.83 per share also beat expectations of $1.72.

Persons: Timothy Aeppel, Andre Schulten, they're, Jason Benowitz, Deborah Sophia Organizations: Procter, REUTERS, Procter & Gamble, Gillette, Roosevelt, Thomson Locations: Tabler Station, West Virginia, U.S, Bengaluru

☆ For Teju Cole, Art Is a Lens on a History of Violence
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Brian Dillon | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

TREMOR, by Teju ColeNovelist, essayist, critic, photographer, teacher — most writers or artists are content with one or two of these titles, perhaps blurring the distinctions between main and side pursuits. “Tremor” is the most sundry and vagrant of Cole’s works to date, with abrupt changes in form, perspective and theme. (I almost wrote that Cole seems like a postcolonial version of Sebald — but Sebald is already the postcolonial Sebald.) A Nigerian American photographer and professor named Tunde is antiquing in Maine with his Japanese wife, Sadako, when they find a West African antelope headdress, or ci wara. A cheap artifact without provenance, it nonetheless starts Tunde thinking about colonial violence on both sides of the Atlantic.

Persons: Teju Cole, —, “, Cole, W.G, Saturn ”, Tunde, Sadako Organizations: Harvard Locations: New England, Nigerian American, Maine, West

On the phone was 28-year-old Jimmy Zhong, a local party boy and Georgia alum who frequented Athens' drinking establishments. Robin Martinelli, Martinelli Investigations owner and private investigator. Martinelli said Zhong appeared resistant to her theories, especially when they began to focus on his circle of friends. Source: Zhong's social media profileHis parties were epic. Source: Zhong's social media profile

Persons: Jimmy Zhong, Zhong, Robin Martinelli, Martinelli, Montel Williams, " Martinelli, Jimmy, Zhong didn't, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Jimmy Choo, didn't, he'd, Satoshi Nakamoto, Stefana, CNBC Masic, Zhong couldn't, Jody Thompson, Thompson, Trevor McAleenan, Shaun MaGruder, McAleenan, that's, MaGruder, I've, wasn't, Trevor, I'm, coders, Nathaniel Popper, Popper, Bitcoin, Nobody, bitcoin, Michael Bachner, John Garland, Bachner, Ross Ulbricht, Chad Organizations: University of Georgia, Clarke County Police Department, rowdies, Clarke County Police, CNBC, Department of Justice, Martinelli Investigations, Broad, College, Ritz Carlton, Waldorf, Georgia Bulldogs football, Rose, IRS, Silk, Clarke, Investigators, Misfits, . Locations: Athens, Georgia, bitcoin, It's, Loganville , Georgia, Zhong's, Gainesville , Georgia, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, LA, Gainesville, Chad, Clarke County, Montgomery , Alabama, U.S

☆ CI Games shares drop on critical reviews of 'Lords of the Fallen'
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Adrianna Ebert | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SummaryCompanies CI Games shares extend losses to hit six month lowLosses follow some critical reviews of 'Lords of the Fallen'Critical reviews may affect sales - analystGDANSK, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Shares in Polish video game producer CI Games (CIG.WA) dropped as much as 18% to a six month low on Friday, adding to heavy losses the day before, following some critical reviews of its newest game "Lords of the Fallen". At 0844 GMT, CI Games shares were down 13.6% at 3.89 zlotys. The game release for PC and PlayStation 5 is set for Friday. CI Games' most popular game series is "Sniper Ghost Warrior", which has sold over 13 million copies. The first version of "Lords of the Fallen", released in 2014, sold over three million copies.

Persons: Piotr Bogusz, Bogusz, Adrianna Ebert, Sharon Singleton, Mark Potter Organizations: Games, IGN, Erste Group, Steam, CI Games, Thomson Locations: GDANSK

☆ Walgreens forecasts weak annual profit as COVID sales shrink
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Signage is seen outside of a Walgreens, owned by the Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc., in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., November 26, 2021. Walgreens' lower forecast comes at a time when the company tackles multiple challenges, like persistently weak prescription drug demand, reported walkouts by its pharmacy staff and a shift in focus towards integrated health services. It has also contended with weak sales of its consumer health products due to persistently high inflation. Walgreens announced a planned cost reduction of at least $1 billion and lowered capital expenditure by about $600 million. Excluding items, the company reported earnings of $0.67 per share for the quarter, compared to average analysts' estimate of $0.69 per share, according to LSEG data.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Tim Wentworth, Khushi Mandowara, Leroy Leo, Pooja Desai Organizations: Walgreens, Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Manhattan , New York City, U.S, Bengaluru

☆ US pharmacy chain Walgreens names Tim Wentworth as CEO
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Pigeons are seen resting on signage for Walgreens, owned by the Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc., in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., November 26, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 10 (Reuters) - U.S. pharmacy chain operator Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA.O) on Tuesday said it has appointed Tim Wentworth as its new chief executive and he will assume the role on Oct. 23. Last month, Rosalind Brewer had abruptly stepped down as CEO of the company after less than three years at the top job. Wentworth, who was CEO of Cigna's (CI.N) Evernorth unit till he retired in 2021, will also join the WBA Board of Directors. Walgreens has been looking to expand beyond its core business, with acquisitions of healthcare services operator VillageMD and urgent-care provider Summit Health.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Tim Wentworth, Rosalind Brewer, Wentworth, Urvi, Rashmi Organizations: Walgreens, Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc, REUTERS, WBA, Rite Aid, CVS Health, Summit Health, Thomson Locations: Manhattan , New York City, U.S, Bengaluru

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