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☆ Walmart sees lower 2023 performance in time of economic uncertainty
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( Siddharth Cavale | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

"There's still a lot of trepidation and uncertainty with the economic outlook. "So, that makes us cautious on the economic outlook because we simply don't know what we don't know." Home Depot (HD.N) also forecast weaker-than-expected annual profits on Tuesday as soaring prices hit demand for home-improvement products. They want the allure of savings and Walmart provides that," said McNew, whose firm holds about 350,000 Walmart shares. Walmart signs are displayed inside a Walmart store in Mexico City, Mexico March 28, 2019.

☆ Walmart cautious on economy, forecasts annual earnings below estimates
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Feb 21 (Reuters) - Walmart Inc (WMT.N) forecast full-year earnings below estimates on Tuesday, saying it was cautious about the economic outlook for 2023 and that consumers were likely to continue shopping for lower-priced items that could pressure its margins. "There's still a lot of trepidation and uncertainty with the economic outlook. "So, that makes us cautious on the economic outlook because we simply don't know what we don't know." Walmart forecast fiscal 2024 earnings of $5.90 to $6.05 per share, compared with analysts' estimates of $6.50 per share, according to Refinitiv IBES data. Still, Walmart reported strong demand in the quarter ended Jan. 31, posting total revenue of $164.05 billion, a 7.3% increase from last year.

☆ Goldman Sachs expects ECB to raise rates thrice this year
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Feb 21 (Reuters) - Goldman Sachs said it was expecting the European Central Bank to raise interest rates thrice this year, taking the terminal rate to 3.5% from 3.25% estimated earlier. In a note dated late Monday, the brokerage said in addition to an increase of 50 basis points in March and 25 basis points in May, it was estimating a 25 basis-point hike in June. Goldman's change in expectations comes after hawkish commentary from ECB board member Isabel Schnabel and French central bank chief Francois Villeroy de Galhau, two influential policymakers from the 26-member Governing Council on Friday. Markets currently see ECB rates peaking at around 3.7% by the end of summer. Reporting by Reshma Rockie George; Editing by Anil D'SilvaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Suncor Energy names Exxon veteran Rich Kruger as CEO
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Feb 21 (Reuters) - Canada's Suncor Energy Inc (SU.TO) said on Tuesday former Exxon Mobil Corp executive Rich Kruger would take over as its chief executive from April 3, replacing interim boss Kris Smith, sending its shares up nearly 3% in afternoon trading. Kruger, a near 40-year veteran of Exxon (XOM.N), served as CEO of Imperial Oil Ltd (IMO.TO) for six years before retiring in 2019. "Investors are likely going to see this as a key reason to expect a complete positive change in the safety culture at SU," Eight Capital analysts said. Smith replaced Mark Little as CEO in July following a worker death, which was the fifth fatality at the company since 2019. The company named Smith as its finance chief in place of Alister Cowan, who plans to retire at the end of the year.

Meanwhile, money markets are currently pricing in a terminal rate of 5.3% by July. BofA Global Research also expects a 25bps hike in the Fed's June meeting, pushing the terminal rate up to a 5.25%-5.5% range. It had earlier pencilled in two rate hikes of 25 bps each in the March and May meetings. "Resurgent inflation and solid employment gains mean the risks to this (only two interest rate hikes) outlook are too one-sided for our liking," BofA wrote in a client note. Before the recent U.S. data, J.P. Morgan had forecast the terminal rate at 5.1% by the end of June.

☆ Wall St eyes lower open as producer prices rebound
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Johann M Cherian | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A Labor Department report showed producer prices climbed 0.7% in January after a 0.2% fall in the previous month. "You're also seeing the job market still very strong as well, with claims coming in less than expected," Zaccarelli added. ET, Dow e-minis were down 274 points, or 0.8%, S&P 500 e-minis were down 47.5 points, or 1.14%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were down 185.75 points, or 1.46%. Traders will also scrutinize remarks from other Fed officials, including St. Louis Fed President James Bullard, to assess the central bank's tone on monetary policy. Reporting by Johann M Cherian and Sruthi Shankar in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'SilvaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Wall St slides as inflation, jobless claims data fuel rate-hike angst
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Johann M Cherian | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Another set showed the number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell last week, offering more evidence of the economy's resilience. "You're also seeing the job market still very strong as well, with claims coming in less than expected." The Fed is seen pushing the benchmark rate above the 5% mark by May and keeping it above those levels till the year-end. Traders will also scrutinize remarks from other Fed officials, including St. Louis Fed President James Bullard, to assess the central bank's tone on monetary policy. The S&P index recorded two new 52-week highs and one new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 28 new highs and 22 new lows.

☆ DocuSign to lay off 10% of workers in second round of cuts
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Feb 16 (Reuters) - Digital document signature product provider DocuSign Inc (DOCU.O) said on Thursday that it would cut about 10% of its workforce, its second round of layoffs in five months. The company, which has seen slower growth in 2022 after a pandemic boom, announced a 9% job reduction in September. DocuSign expects to take charges of $25 million to $35 million on the restructuring plan, with the majority being incurred in the quarter ending April 30. As of Jan. 31, 2022, the company had 7,461 employees, according to a regulatory filing. Reporting by Akash Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'SilvaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ U.S. NIH starts trial for Shionogi's COVID-19 pill
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Feb 15 (Reuters) - The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) said on Wednesday that it had started a clinical trial to evaluate Japan's Shionogi & Co Ltd's (4507.T) experimental oral antiviral drug to treat COVID-19. The drug, S-217622 or ensitrelvir, will be tested in adult patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Ensitrelvir is an oral antiviral agent taken once daily for five days to suppress replication of the virus. The trial will enroll about 1,500 people from different sites across the world, the government health organization said in a statement. Reporting by Mariam E Sunny; Editing by Anil D'SilvaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Biogen CEO bets on Alzheimer's drug, pipeline to return to growth
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( Manas Mishra | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Feb 15 (Reuters) - Biogen Inc (BIIB.O) Chief Executive Officer Christopher Viehbacher said on Wednesday he is banking on high-profile launches of Alzheimer's disease treatment Leqembi and depression drug zuranolone, as well as deals, to help the company return to revenue growth. A controversial approval and problematic launch of previous Alzheimer's disease drug Aduhelm, which like Leqembi was developed with Eisai Co Ltd (4523.T), have further dented investor sentiment. Biogen is also hoping to gain U.S. approval of depression treatment zuranolone this year. Biogen forecast full-year adjusted profit of $15 to $16 per share, compared with analysts' estimates of $15.72 per share. The company reported a fourth-quarter adjusted profit of $4.05 per share, beating estimates compiled by Refinitiv IBES by 57 cents.

Ford can save up to $2.5 billion this year through better management of production schedules and a drop in commodity prices, the company's chief financial officer, John Lawler, said at an auto conference. The automaker posted dismal quarterly results earlier this month and blamed chip shortages, supply chain disruptions and production "instabilities" for adding to its costs. Lawler has said Ford faces $5 billion in higher costs this year and that the company will be "very aggressive" in reducing expenses in its manufacturing, supply chain and distribution operations. Longer term, the company aims to reduce dealer inventories and drive more transactions online, among other measures, according to Chief Executive Jim Farley. Making an EV more aerodynamic can save "thousands of dollars in battery costs," Farley said.

SummarySummary Companies Retail sales up 3% in Jan vs. est. A Commerce Department report showed retail sales surged 3% in January, driven by purchases of motor vehicles and other goods. "These numbers (retail sales) beat consensus by a long shot and it just shows that the consumer is still in a good spot," said Peter Cardillo, chief market economist at Spartan Capital Securities in New York. Of the more than half of the S&P 500 firms that have reported results so far, nearly 70% have topped profit expectations, as per Refinitiv data. ET, Dow e-minis were down 82 points, or 0.24%, S&P 500 e-minis were down 11.25 points, or 0.27%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were down 25.5 points, or 0.2%.

☆ Cable maker Credo slumps on forecast hit as top customer cuts orders
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Feb 15 (Reuters) - Credo Technology Group Holding (CRDO.O) forecast fourth-quarter revenue well below estimates on Tuesday following a cut in orders from the cable maker's largest customer, sending its shares down as much as 43% on Wednesday. The stock, which fell to $11.07, is set for its worst day since going public in January last year at an issue price of $10. According to a company filing, one of Credo's customers accounted for 44% of its revenue in the second quarter of fiscal 2023. Credo, which makes cables used in data centers, said it was expecting fourth-quarter revenue of $30 million to $32 million, below estimates of $58.3 million, according to Refinitiv data. Credo, which also designs chips, currently outsources all its semiconductor manufacturing to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (2330.TW).

☆ Biogen sees modest 2023 revenue from Alzheimer's disease drug
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( Manas Mishra | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Feb 15 (Reuters) - Biogen Inc (BIIB.O) said on Wednesday that Alzheimer's disease drug Leqembi would bring in modest revenue for the year although it might not be enough to offset costs tied to its launch. Biogen has a 50% share of U.S. profits on Leqembi, which it developed with lead partner Eisai Co Ltd (4523.T). "Over the last couple of years, the company has lost its way somewhat and now it is in a declining revenue," Viehbacher said. Biogen expects full-year adjusted profit of $15 to $16 per share, compared with analysts' estimates of $15.72 per share. The company reported a Q4 adjusted profit of $4.05 per share, above Refinitiv IBES estimates of $3.48 per share.

☆ Lyft says lower prices to hit profit, shares drop 30%
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Nivedita Balu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

President John Zimmer said in an interview with Reuters that the company planned "lower prices" and fewer hours of peak pricing, which he called "less prime time." Lyft had room to lower prices because the market was strong, he added. Uber shares were down 2.5%, a day after Uber reported a surprise fourth-quarter profit and forecast a current-quarter profit well above the average analyst estimate. Lyft forecast first-quarter revenue of about $975 million, below analyst estimates of $1.09 billion, according to Refinitiv data. Chief Financial Officer Elaine Paul blamed the forecast on seasonality and lower prices, including fewer Prime Time hours.

☆ Bed Bath & Beyond to wind down Canada operations
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Feb 10 (Reuters) - Bed Bath & Beyond's Canadian operations are going out of business, according to a court filing on Friday, two days after the retailer quickly raised cash to stave off a U.S. bankruptcy. The Canadian division, which operates 54 Bed Bath & Beyond stores and 11 buybuy BABY stores, is insolvent, the filing posted on the website of consultancy Alvarez & Marsal showed. Bed Bath & Beyond in January had raised doubts about its ability to continue as a going concern just months after it announced more than $500 million in new financing, as well as job cuts and 150 store closures. As of Nov. 26, the Bed Bath & Beyond banner in Canada had total assets of about $427.4 million and total liabilities of about $342.8 million, the filing showed. Buybuy BABY Canada had assets worth $52.7 million and liabilities of about $86.9 million.

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☆ PayPal pauses stablecoin work amid regulatory scrutiny of crypto - Bloomberg News
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Feb 10 (Reuters) - PayPal Holdings Inc (PYPL.O) is pausing work on its stablecoin as regulators increase scrutiny of cryptocurrencies and a key partner on the project faces a probe by the New York State Department of Financial Services, Bloomberg News reported on Friday. PayPal had hoped to debut the stablecoin, which will be backed one for one by the dollar, in the coming weeks, Bloomberg reported, citing a person with knowledge of the matter. "We are exploring a stablecoin; if and when we seek to move forward, we will of course, work closely with relevant regulators," a spokesperson for the payments firm said in an emailed statement. A string of high-profile bankruptcies has sparked tough global regulatory scrutiny of firms operating in the crypto industry. Reporting by Manya Saini in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'SilvaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Biden administration moving toward blocking JetBlue-Spirit merger - Politico
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

"We continue to work through the regulatory process to demonstrate how this merger will increase competition in the airline industry," JetBlue said in an emailed statement. Earlier this week, JetBlue officials answered questions and gave depositions as the DoJ pressed on with its anti-trust review. On Feb. 8, Spirit Airlines said it expects U.S. anti-trust regulators to decide whether to allow the low-cost carrier to proceed with the merger in the "next 30 days or so". JetBlue prevailed in a months-long bidding war for Spirit Airlines after the ultra-low-cost carrier accepted its offer in late July. Reporting by Manya Saini in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Sourasis Bose; Editing by Anil D'SilvaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

The company also said it incurred $6 million in one-time costs associated with its plans to merge with Fox Corp (FOXA.O), which News Corp Executive Chairman and Fox Co-Chairman Rupert Murdoch scrapped in January. To combat the slowdown, Thomson said there were a number of initiatives underway, including the job cuts. The layoffs will be made across all businesses and result in savings of at least $130 million on an annualized basis. Advertising revenue in the second quarter fell 10.6% to $464 million during the quarter. Revenue was $2.52 billion in the second quarter ended Dec. 31, while analysts on average expected $2.55 billion, according to Refinitiv data.

Stabilization of Humira sales after the initial erosion, coupled with strong growth of its newer drugs Skyrizi and Rinvoq for autoimmune disorders, could provide a floor to its earnings in 2024. "Now it's a question of what will the volume erosion look like?" In the fourth quarter, Humira sales dropped 26.5% to $573 million in international markets such as Europe, where it already faces competition from multiple less expensive versions. Overall, Humira sales rose 4.6% to $5.58 billion, in line with estimates, lifted by growth in the U.S. market. Excluding items, AbbVie earned $3.60 per share in the fourth quarter, beating analysts' average estimates by 4 cents.

☆ Lyft shares plunge as lower pricing plan weighs on revenue forecast
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( Nivedita Balu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"Which means lower prices and less prime time." Lyft forecast first-quarter revenue of about $975 million, which fell below analyst estimates of $1.09 billion, according to Refinitiv data. Lyft forecast first-quarter adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), a key measure of profitability that strips out some costs, of between $5 million and $15 million. For the fourth quarter, Lyft reported an adjusted EBITDA of $126.7 million, excluding the $375 million it had set aside for increasing insurance reserves. Active riders rose 8.7% to 20.36 million for the fourth quarter, Lyft said, above the FactSet estimate of 20.30 million.

Feb 9 (Reuters) - Online travel booking company Expedia Group Inc (EXPE.O) missed Wall Street estimates for fourth-quarter profit on Thursday, hit by a spike in cancellations and bad weather near the end of the quarter. Travel demand has generally been strong throughout last year despite recession and inflation fears. Expedia posted revenue of $2.62 billion, missing Wall Street estimates of $2.7 billion. The company's quarterly adjusted profit was $1.26 per share, short of analysts' expectations of $1.67 per share, according to Refinitiv data. "They said last quarter that they're seeing evidence that they're getting better marketing ROI-wise, but it's not coming through in the numbers for us," he added.

☆ Lyft's weak revenue forecast knocks down shares
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Feb 9 (Reuters) - Lyft Inc (LYFT.O) on Thursday forecast current-quarter revenue below Wall Street estimates, blaming the impact of extremely cold weather on some of its major markets and lower prices during peak hours, sending its shares tumbling 28%. Lyft forecast first-quarter revenue of about $975 million, which fell below analyst estimates of $1.09 billion, according to Refinitiv data. Lyft forecast first-quarter adjusted earnings before interest, taxes depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), a key measure of profitability that strips out some costs, of between $5 million and $15 million. For the fourth quarter, Lyft reported an adjusted EBITDA of $126.7 million, excluding the $375 million it had set aside for increasing insurance reserves. Active riders rose 8.7% to 20.36 million for the fourth quarter, Lyft said, above the FactSet estimate of 20.30 million.

☆ News Corp announces job cuts, misses estimates for earnings
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Feb 9 (Reuters) - Media conglomerate News Corp (NWSA.O) said on Thursday that it would cut 1,250 jobs after it missed estimates for second-quarter earnings due to weakness in its news and digital real estate businesses. "A surge in interest rates and acute inflation had a tangible impact on all of our businesses," Chief Executive Robert Thomson said in a statement. Advertising revenue fell 10.6% to $464 million during the quarter. Revenue was $2.52 billion in the second quarter ended Dec. 31, while analysts on average expected $2.55 billion, according to Refinitiv data. Reporting by Chavi Mehta in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'SilvaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ UK says norovirus cases sharply rise in England
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Feb 9 (Reuters) - Norovirus cases in England are 66% higher than the average at this time of year, official data showed on Thursday, with the biggest rise in confirmed infections seen in those aged 65 years and over. Outbreaks caused by the vomiting and diarrhoea-causing norovirus have surged in hospitals, schools and care homes, with majority of cases in care home settings, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said. The UKHSA added that while elevated levels were expected in those aged 65 years and over, the number has not been seen in over a decade. "The number of people in hospitals with norovirus has risen significantly in line with what we are seeing in the community and in care homes," NHS Medical Director Professor Sir Stephen Powis said. Reporting by Amna Karimi in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva and Sriraj KalluvilaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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