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☆ Snap surges 10% as it gets a major boost from AI and paid subscribers
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( Shubhangi Goel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Snap's revenue growth was attributed to AI features and growth in Snapchat+ users. Spiegel said Snap has also introduced AI tools for creators, which it has been pushing to onboard onto the platform recently. However, Snap projected that the current quarter will only see the number of users grow by 8 million to 451 million. Related storiesPaid subscribers and AI are boosting SnapThe CEO also attributed the revenue growth to paid subscriptions. Snap's 443 million user base is small compared to Meta's 3.3 billion users, and TikTok's more than 1 billion users, both of which it directly competes with for ad revenue.

Persons: —, Evan Spiegel, Spiegel, James Heaney Organizations: Service, Google, Jefferies

☆ Netflix reports earnings after the bell. Here's what Wall Street is watching
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-18 | by ( Samantha Subin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Netflix reports after the bell Thursday, ushering in the start of earnings season for Wall Street's biggest media and technology giants. Analysts expect the streaming behemoth to post earnings of $4.74 per share on about $9.53 billion in revenue, according to analysts polled by LSEG. The analyst regards upside to subscriber additions, commentary surrounding margin expansion and a reacceleration in revenue as key for investors. Jefferies analyst James Heaney expects these programs and a strong content slate position Netflix well for a second-quarter subscriber beat. Netflix has made strides within advertising, disclosing in May that there were 40 million active monthly users in the tier.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Eric Sheridan, Morgan Stanley's Benjamin Swinburne, Jefferies, James Heaney, JPMorgan's Doug Anmuth, Morgan Stanley's Swinburne, Evercore ISI's Mark Mahaney, Jessica Ehrlich, Jason Bazinet, Piper Sandler's Matt Farrell, Farrell Organizations: Netflix, Wall Street's, LSEG, Bank of America

Bank of America, meanwhile, raised its price target on Costco after the company announced an increase to its membership fees. Analyst James Heaney assumed coverage of Roblox with a hold rating — down from a buy — and $42 price target, which implies a 5.9% potential increase. Rakers' new target price suggests the stock — which is up 24.8% this year — could gain another 11.4%. Analyst Robert Ohmes upped his price target by $88 to $962 on Costco, suggesting shares could gain 8.8%. Its price target of $385 implies upside of 26.2% from Wednesday's close.

Persons: Jefferies, Roblox, downgrades, James Heaney, Heaney, RBLX, — Pia Singh, Wells, Aaron Rakers, Rakers, Wamsi Mohan, Mohan, There's, Robert Ohmes, Ohmes, Fred Imbert Organizations: CNBC, Spotify Technology, Bank of America, Costco, Silo AI, Silo, AMD, Apple, of America, Apple's, Conference, U.S, Apple Vision, America, Jefferies, Spotify Locations: Wells Fargo, Europe, North America, Nod.ai, U.S, China, India, Canada, Wednesday's

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves premarket: Salesforce, Snowflake, Pure Storage and more
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Sarah Min | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Check out the companies making headlines before the bell: Salesforce — Salesforce popped more than 9% after the cloud software company reported fiscal third-quarter earnings that beat analysts' expectations. Snowflake posted adjusted earnings of 25 cents per share on revenue of $734 million. It also issued first-quarter and full-year earnings guidance that also topped estimates. On Wednesday, the company announced a $10 billion share buyback, raised its dividend and reinstated its full-year guidance. Pure Storage — The data storage stock tumbled 14.5% in Thursday's premarket after offering a weak revenue outlook.

Persons: Salesforce, Nutanix, Snowflake, Morgan Stanley, Robinhood, James Heaney, Synopsys — Synopsys, FactSet, Goldman Sachs, — CNBC's Brian Evans, Michelle Fox, Alex Harring, Jesse Pound, Samantha Subin Organizations: LSEG, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Nvidia, Jefferies, General Motors, Ford, Ford Motor, United Auto Workers Locations: U.K, Thursday's

Goldman Sachs raised its price target on General Motors after the stock's best day since early 2021. The bank reiterated a buy rating as well as a top pick label, accompanied by a $300 per share price target. Goldman Sachs also maintained its buy rating and increased its target price to $345 per share from $340. To be sure, it maintained its $16 per share price target, which implies more than 3% downside from Wednesday's $16.52 close. — Brian Evans 5:45 a.m ET: Goldman raises GM price target Goldman Sachs analyst Mark Delaney increased his price target on General Motors to $45 from $42 after a series of bullish moves by the auto giant.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, 31.6x, Eric Heath, Wells, Andrew Nowinski, — Brian Evans, José Neves, Marvin Fong, Brian Evans, Salesforce, Brad Sills, Kash Rangan, Jefferies, Snapchat, Pinterest, James Heaney, Meta Marshall, Mark Delaney, Delaney, Fred Imbert Organizations: CNBC, General Motors, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Wall, Bank of America, SNAP, Goldman, GM Locations: Okta, America

☆ Snap plunges 11% on ugly earnings and analyst warnings that 'issues are intensifying' at the social media company
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( Morgan Chittum | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The social media company also warned first-quarter revenue could drop up to 10% compared to the year prior. In a note to clients, a Jefferies analyst warns that Snap's problems are only "intensifying." A lot companies had to slash digital advertising budgets amid a slowing economy last year, resulting in big hits for social media platforms like Snap. Jefferies slashed Snap's 2023 revenue estimates by 2% and assumed 0% growth, per a note to clients on Wednesday. Despite recent cost savings initiatives at the company, he predicted intensifying margin pressures for Snap.

☆ Jefferies downgrades Snap, says revenue estimates are 'too optimistic' as uncertainties loom
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Samantha Subin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Analyst James Heaney downgraded the technology stock to hold from buy, saying in a note to clients Thursday that a difficult macro picture should pressure Snap's revenue growth over the next year. "We believe that SNAP will continue to face several headwinds, including the iOS14.5 privacy changes, a worsening macro picture, and intense competition," he said. "While many of these factors are well understood, [consensus revenue estimates] still appear too optimistic, particularly given the lack of company specific catalysts." That drop could protect Snap shares to the downside if not for its "lack of profitability and clear product catalysts," Heaney said. "We believe SNAP's multiple should remain discounted relative to peers given our muted expectations for revenue growth over the next few years," Heaney wrote.

☆ Here are Thursday's biggest analyst calls: Tesla, Amazon, Nike, Nio, Verizon, Disney, Snap & more
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

Guggenheim names Nike a top 2023 pick Guggenheim said Nike's brand remains "healthy and strong." Bank of America names Amazon a top 2023 pick Bank of America said Amazon is a "share gainer" that will continue in 2023. " Morgan Stanley upgrades Verizon to overweight from equal weight Morgan Stanley said Verizon shares are "historically" attractive. Morgan Stanley downgrades AT & T to equal weight from overweight Morgan Stanley said it sees a more balanced risk/reward. Morgan Stanley downgrades Lockheed Martin to equal weight from overweight Morgan Stanley said it sees more "limited upside" for shares of the defense company. "

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