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☆ Renewables giant Orsted exits several offshore wind markets, pauses dividend after turbulent year
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Sam Meredith | Www.Linkedin.Com In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Burbo Bank, Liverpool Bay, England, viewed from the sea turbines on Burbo wind farm off the UK coast. Danish renewables giant Orsted on Wednesday announced plans to cut jobs, pause its dividend payouts to shareholders and exit several offshore wind markets after a tumultuous year of rising costs. Orsted, the world's largest offshore wind developer, said it planned to take steps "to become a leaner and more efficient" organization following a year marked by "substantial challenges." Nipper said the company's financial results had been "adversely affected" by impairments on U.S. offshore projects taken in the third quarter of 2023. Orsted canceled two major offshore wind farm projects in the U.S. late last year, citing high inflation, rising interest rates and supply chain bottlenecks.

Persons: Ørsted, Mads Nipper, Nipper, Orsted Organizations: Burbo Bank, Wednesday, Orsted Locations: Liverpool Bay, England, Danish, Norway, Spain, Portugal, London, Copenhagen, U.S

☆ Trump-admiring populist Milei lashes out at Argentina's governors after major reform bill setback
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Sam Meredith | Www.Linkedin.Com In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Argentina's President Javier Milei accused governors of seeking "to destroy" his sweeping economic reform bill, shortly after his ruling party abruptly withdrew the package from the floor of the country's lower house. The so-called "omnibus" bill, which had received support in general terms from opposition lawmakers last week, was rejected on Tuesday during an article-by-article approval process. The package of measures is a core tenet of Milei's push to reform Latin America's third-largest economy. Among other issues, the bill seeks to privatize state entities, increase penalties for social protests and scale back some environmental protections. Milei's Libertad Avanza party has pledged to send the bill back to committees to be debated when governors "understand that it is the people who need it, not the government."

Persons: Javier Milei, Jimena Blanco, Verisk Maplecroft Organizations: National, CNBC Locations: Argentina, Buenos Aires, Americas

☆ Oil major BP accelerates pace of share buybacks even as full-year profit slides over 50%
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Sam Meredith | Www.Linkedin.Com In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Analysts had anticipated net profit of $13.9 billion for full-year 2023, according to an LSEG-compiled consensus. BP posted fourth-quarter net profit of nearly $3 billion, beating analyst expectations of $2.6 billion. BP increased the pace of its share repurchases, announcing intentions to execute a $1.75 billion share buyback prior to reporting first-quarter results. The company said it was committed to announcing a $3.5 billion share buyback for the first half of the year. British rival Shell on Thursday reported stronger-than-anticipated full-year profits, announcing a 4% increase to its dividend and a fresh $3.5 billion share buyback program.

Persons: Murray Auchincloss Organizations: BP, Analysts, Shell Locations: London

If you want to be happy in life, especially as you age, "you have to look at other things besides dreams." Instead, it can mean reorienting yourself towards finding joy in small things, in what you can control and in wanting what you already have. But the work can pay off: Positivity is linked to a longer and healthier life. Small things delight her on a daily basis: Listening to books on tape, taking careful walks, old movies on TV, a scoop of ice cream after dinner. She reminds herself that "everyone has things that don't work out," and that what matters is resilience — being "capable of adjusting your thoughts and dreams."

Persons: Shirley Hodes, Hodes, who's, Ruth Sweedler, Hodes didn't, didn't, couldn't, doesn't Organizations: CNBC Locations: North Carolina

U.S. consumers have cut back on spending this year, and they plan to continue to do so through the holidays, a new CNBC-Morning Consult survey has found. The vast majority of adults (92%) have reduced their spending over the past six months, according to a poll fielded on behalf of CNBC by Morning Consult, a company that conducts survey research to inform decision-making. Consumers remain cautious in their spending and they're being more discerning about where and when to part with hard-earned cash. The most common categories for spending cuts over the past six months were clothing and apparel (63%), restaurants and bars (62%), and entertainment outside the house (56%), a pattern that held steady from our June survey. The next biggest categories for cuts were groceries (54%), recreational travel and vacations (53%) and electronics (50%.)

Organizations: CNBC, Morning Locations: Detroit, Hollywood

A tray of Rolex watches are seen on a dealer's stand at the London Watch Show on March 19, 2022 in London, England. Prices for luxury watches are near a two-year low on the secondhand market, reversing a rally that brought timepieces like Rolex, Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet to record highs during the pandemic. The average price of a watch sold secondhand has fallen 31% since March 2022, according to WatchCharts, a luxury watch price tracker. At the market's peak, the average price of a luxury watch sold secondhand soared to $45,108, with buyers paying up to five times the retail value for in-demand watches. "It was interesting that the price hike mainly happened among three family-owned brands: Rolex, Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet.

Persons: Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Paul Altieri, Audemars, Tim Stracke Organizations: London, Rolex Locations: London, England, German

3M posted $7.99 billion in revenue, beating analysts' estimates of $7.87 billion, according to Refinitiv. Elsewhere, RTX reported second-quarter earnings that topped Wall Street expectations, posting $1.29 in adjusted earnings per share on $18.32 billion in revenue. The home appliance company posted revenue of $4.79 billion, lower than the consensus estimate of $4.82 billion, according to Refinitiv. It did beat on earnings expectations, reporting adjusted earnings of $4.21 per share, higher than the $3.76 estimate. The company notched adjusted earnings per share of $3.29, while analysts estimated $2.70 per share.

Persons: Refinitiv, RTX, it's, Biogen, Morgan Stanley, FactSet, General Motors, Invesco, Andrew Schlossberg, BTIG, Sherwin, Williams, Yun Li, Samantha Subin, Sarah Min, Tanaya Macheel, Brian Evans, Alex Harring Organizations: Spotify, Alaska Air, Pratt & Whitney, Airbus, General, GE, Whirlpool, Revenue, LG Electronics, LG Energy, GM, Refinitiv, UPS, Teamsters, Xerox –, Xerox, Packaging Corp, America, Secure

Stocks paying high dividend yields could become "increasingly important" for investors' portfolios, according to Trivariate Research founder and CEO Adam Parker. Energy company Chevron , the largest market-cap company on the list, offers a dividend yield of 3.7%. Almost 50% of analysts covering the stock have either a strong buy or buy rating on shares, according to Refinitiv. Three-quarters of analysts covering the company have either a strong buy or buy rating on shares, per Refinitiv. IBM is another high and steady yielding stock named by Trivariate, with a dividend yield of 4.7%.

Persons: Stocks, Adam Parker ., Morgan Stanley, Parker, Chevron, Philip Morris, Jacek Olczak, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Research, Federal, Energy, Chevron, Telecommunications, Verizon, Refinitiv, IBM Locations: FactSet

JPMorgan's chief global markets strategist, Marko Kolanovic, advises investors to play commodities against recession risks. Kolanovic named natural gas as his top pick within the commodities sector. Investors can look to the United States Natural Gas Fund LP (UNG) to gain exposure to the commodity; it's down about 48% year to date. The strategist forecasts U.S. natural gas prices to undergo a 25% rally in the next few months on expectations of a supply growth reversal. Backwardation is what happens when the spot price is higher than the price of the approaching futures' contracts.

Persons: Marko Kolanovic, Kolanovic, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: United States Natural Gas Fund, DB Agriculture Fund, Brent Oil Fund Locations: U.S

Revenue in the company's product and maintenance category came in at $922.8 million, compared to analysts' estimates for $928.8 million, according to StreetAccount. Whirlpool posted $4.21 in adjusted earnings per share, coming above Refinitiv analysts' estimates of $3.76 earnings per share. The company's projected third-quarter earnings also topped analysts' estimates. F5 Networks — The cloud-based software company's shares popped 7% after posting a top- and bottom-line beat in its fiscal third quarter. Analysts called for $2.86 in earnings per share and revenue of $699 million, according to Refinitiv.

Persons: NXP Organizations: Cadence, Revenue, Whirlpool, Networks Locations: StreetAccount, Revenue

As corporate earnings season reaches its peak in the coming weeks, Morgan Stanley advises traders to look for certain stock plays. Morgan Stanley chief equity strategist Mike Wilson said in a Monday note that he expects "performance dispersion to rise" as more companies report their earnings. Wilson recommends investors choose stocks that exhibit high earnings quality, strong free cash flow generation and improving earnings revision. Nonetheless, more than 90% of analysts covering the stock rate it a buy, according to Refinitiv. The company is set to report earnings Tuesday before the bell.

Persons: Morgan Stanley, Mike Wilson, Wilson, Morgan, Morgan Stanley's, Dara Mohsenian, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Dow Jones, Microsoft, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Health, UnitedHealth, Humana, Elevance, Dow, Health Care, SDPR Fund, Mobile, General Motors, GM, Colgate, Palmolive, Comcast, CNBC Locations: U.S, NBCUniversal

… The earth is screaming at us," Washington state Governor Jay Inslee said Sunday on ABC's "This Week." Washington state is switching to electric-powered ferries and stopping the sale of internal combustion cars after 2035, said Inslee. Palm Springs Mayor Grace Elena Garner, who also spoke on "This Week," highlighted the need for further resources from the federal government. She emphasized more funds for housing development are needed to ensure residents don't have to live outside in worsening environmental conditions. The U.S. must lead the climate fight "not just from a moral standpoint, but from [its] self-interest standpoint," Inslee said.

Persons: Bill Forte, Jay Inslee, Joe Biden's, Grace Elena Garner, Garner, Inslee Organizations: North Sky Communications Locations: Pacific, Lake Forest Park , Washington , U.S, U.S, Washington, Springs, Palm Springs

A "Hollywood ending" for Herc has been postponed, according to Bank America. Analyst Sherif El-Sabbahy double-downgraded shares to underperform from buy, citing the near-term impact from the ongoing writers and actors strike in Hollywood. Herc rents out equipment such as forklifts, generators and light towers companies across different industries, including entertainment. We expect the impact in Q2 will be notably higher, given work stoppages driven by the writers' (and now actors) strike." The stock is up 8.1% in 2023 as shares rallied more than 38% over the past 12 months.

Persons: Herc, Sherif El, Sabbahy, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Bank America Locations: Hollywood

CNBC Pro screened for companies scheduled to report earnings next week and found the ones that have a history of outperforming analyst expectations. The following stocks have beat analyst expectations for earnings at least 70% of the time, and on average rise at least 1% following their earnings report, according to data from Bespoke Investment Group. Visa Global payments company Visa , which is set to report Tuesday, has beaten earnings and revenue forecasts 95% and 89% of the time, respectively. The company will report results Monday after the main trading session. The company has a 75% record of beating Wall Street's expectations during its quarterly earnings reports.

Persons: Oppenheimer, Wall, CNBC's Michael Bloom, Fred Imbert Organizations: Google, Microsoft, Intel, Social, NXP Semiconductor, Investors, Procter, Gamble, Companies, CNBC Pro, Investment, Visa Global, Visa, Logitech Computer, Logitech

Carvana's recent rally may be reaching its end, according to Piper Sandler. The company's shares rose more than 20% this week after Carvana announced better-than-expected second quarter results and an agreement to restructure approximately $5.2 billion in debt on Wednesday. However, Piper Sandler's long-term outlook on the company's share in the used vehicle market remains unchanged. Analyst Alexander Potter downgraded shares to neutral from overweight. "Chasing the stock higher would necessitate an upward revision to CVNA's long-term used vehicle market share expectations, which we do not believe recent results substantiate," Potter added.

Persons: Piper Sandler, Carvana, Piper Sandler's, Alexander Potter, Potter, RBC's Brad Erickson, —, Michael Bloom

The firm upgraded Blackstone shares at the start of 2023 on the belief that investors were over-penalizing Blackstone for its outflows in its Real Estate Income Trust division. "For the multiple to expand further, we'd want to see organic growth supported again by perpetual fund growth, which is currently weighed down by a depressed sentiment for real estate investing." Blackstone shares have rallied nearly 45% year to date. Worthington added that speculation over the stock being added to the S & P 500 has also fueled its rise. To be sure, Worthington thinks the real estate sector will likely "require a drop in rates to see a substantial improvement."

Persons: it'll, Blackstone . Blackstone, Kenneth Worthington, Worthington, Blackstone, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: JPMorgan, Blackstone ., Blackstone, Income

The dollar index dipped below the 100 level on July 14, marking its lowest level since mid-April 2022. "So there's just a dynamic where the overall access to capital funding improves when there's a weaker dollar in emerging markets, and vice versa. The Swiss bank found that the MSCI Emerging Markets index is trading near a 36% discount to the S & P 500. The three largest are: Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF , iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF . Core MSCI is higher by 9.6% in 2023, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets is up 8.2% and Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets has gained 7.4%.

Persons: Shannon Saccocia, Yung, Yu Ma, there's, Ma, Xingchen Yu, Yu, —, Michael Bloom, Sarah Min Organizations: U.S, UBS, Neuberger Berman, Wealth, Research, Wealth Management, Vanguard FTSE, Markets Locations: outflows, U.S, India, Vietnam, Swiss, America, South, Southeast Asia, Central, Eastern Europe

The residential solar panel company has outperformed both the Invesco Solar ETF and the S & P 500 in 2023. Sunnova shares are up 25%, while the fund has lost 2%. NOVA YTD mountain Sunnova Energy shares "We remain constructive on NOVA and residential solar growth in the U.S. longer-term. That said, the macro backdrop for U.S. residential solar remains challenging," Thakkar wrote in a Friday note. "Dealer growth has been a key driver of success in a difficult environment.

Persons: Ameet Thakkar, Thakkar, Sunnova, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Sunnova Energy, BMO, NOVA, Treasury Locations: U.S

Rare diseases treatment developer Travere Therapeutics has the potential for meaningful long-term value, according to JPMorgan. Analyst Anupam Rama initiated coverage on Travere with an overweight rating Friday. The December 2024 price target of $26 implies shares surging 66% from Thursday's close. Earlier this year, Filspari received accelerated approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The company is also awaiting regulatory feedback for pegtibatinase , which is designed to treat classical homocystinuria, a rare genetic metabolic disorder.

Persons: Anupam Rama, Filspari, Rama, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Travere Therapeutics, JPMorgan, U.S . Food, Drug Administration Locations: Thursday's, U.S

Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccines are seen on a table on May 7, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. Johnson & Johnson —The stock jumped 6%, lifting the 30-stock Dow Jones Industrial Average, after the the health care posted second-quarter revenue and adjusted earnings that topped Wall Street's expectations. Johnson & Johnson also lifted its full-year guidance as sales from the company's medtech business jumped. Discover Financial Services — Shares tumbled 14% after the company's second-quarter results missed analysts' estimates on both top and bottom lines. MarketAxess — The electronic trading platform rallied 5.6% after releasing its second-quarter results.

Persons: Johnson, Johnson Covid, Tesla, Abbott, Zions, Estee Lauder, StreetAccount, —, Yun Li, Jesse Pound, Samantha Subin, Michelle Fox Organizations: Netflix, Refinitiv, American Airlines –, American Airlines, IBM, Johnson, Dow Jones, Abbott, Discover Financial, Federal Deposit Insurance, Barclays Locations: Los Angeles , California, China, Freeport

In its latest quarter, Netflix posted earnings of $3.29 per share on revenue of $8.19 billion. IBM — The business services company's shares shed 0.7% following its mixed second-quarter earnings report. The company posted revenue of $15.48 billion, missing Wall Street's forecast of $15.58 billion, according to Refinitiv. IBM reported adjusted earnings of $2.18 per share, which was higher than analysts' consensus estimate of $2.01 per share. Tesla — Tesla shares fluctuated near the flatline following its second-quarter earnings announcement.

Persons: Refinitiv, Zions Organizations: Netflix, IBM, United Airlines — United Airlines, American Airlines, Zions Bancorp, Las Vegas Sands, Vegas Sands, Discover Locations: Newark , New Jersey, Las Vegas

The Biden Administration announced $39 billion in automatic loan forgiveness to 804,000, according to a July 14 press release from the U.S. Department of Education. This wave of student loan forgiveness is separate from the forgiveness plan outlined in August 2022 that the Supreme Court recently struck down in June 2023. Under Secretary James Kvaal said in the statement that "millions of borrowers had earned loan forgiveness but never received it." Who qualifies for the Biden Administration's student loan forgiveness? With the Biden administration's widespread student debt relief blocked by the Supreme Court, the future of student loan forgiveness is currently on hold.

Persons: James Kvaal, Kamala Harris, Mark Kantrowitz, they've, accrual Organizations: Biden Administration, U.S . Department of Education, Supreme Court, Federal, Department of Education, Biden, CNBC, of Education, Department, Education, Supreme, The, CNBC Select's, Facebook, Twitter

Solar and wind power generation is set to triple by 2030, according to a new report from the Rocky Mountain Institute, leading to a disruption in the global electricity sector. According to the report, solar and wind power will fuel 33% of electricity generation in 2030, up from 12% in 2022. RMI predicts solar energy, which is already the cheapest energy source in history, will halve in price by 2030, continuing the dramatic downward trajectory of solar and wind energy costs. CNBC Pro used FactSet data to screen for companies that are well-positioned to outperform from the rise of solar and wind energy production. Maxeon shares have popped 68% in 2023 and could jump another 50%, per the average price target on shares.

Persons: Morgan Stanley, Andrew Percoco, Percoco, MAXN, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Rocky Mountain Institute, RMI, CNBC, New York Stock Exchange, Nasdaq, Technologies, SolarEdge Technologies, Enphase Energy

Recent inflation data points to a strong economy that could propel the S & P 500 to break the 5,000-point threshold by the end of 2023, according to Peter Essele, head of portfolio management for Commonwealth Financial Network. June data for two closely watched inflation gauges released this week, the consumer price index and producer price index , showed costs easing across the board. That signals to Essele the S & P 500 can keep charging upward, with his prediction of the 5,000 level being reached implying the S & P 500 will gain another 11.8% from Wednesday's close. The S & P 500 has already had a stellar year, rising 17%. We could easily see the S & P 500 top 5,000 by the end of the year."

Persons: Peter Essele, Essele, Sam Stovall, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Commonwealth Financial Network, CPI, PPI, CNBC Locations: Wednesday's

The 2-year Treasury yield was down by more than 1 basis point at 4.847%. U.S. Treasury yields declined Tuesday as investors assessed what could be next for Federal Reserve monetary policy following remarks from central bank officials and ahead of key economic data. Investors considered the Federal Reserve's next interest rate policy moves ahead of key inflation data due this week and the central bank's upcoming meeting on July 25-26. Investors are also looking out for several major economic data points scheduled for this week, including the latest consumer inflation figures on Wednesday and wholesale inflation on Thursday. No key data is expected on Tuesday.

Persons: Mary Daly, Jerome Powell, CME's Organizations: Treasury, U.S, Federal Reserve, Investors, Federal, San Francisco Fed, Institution

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