Expedia (NASDAQ:EXPE) – Expedia revealed plans on Monday to cut approximately 1,500 jobs globally, about 9% of its workforce, as part of an “organizational and technological transformation.” The decision follows a moderate revenue forecast for 2024, with declining airfare prices. Expedia’s restructuring will incur pre-tax charges and cash expenses between $80 million and $100 million.
Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL) and Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) – Google Cloud has criticized Microsoft for cloud computing practices that they claim seek a harmful monopoly to technological development. Microsoft’s collaboration with OpenAI has heightened concerns. Microsoft rejected the claims, citing healthy competition. Both companies exchanged criticism over licensing agreements. Additionally, Google plans to relaunch its AI tool for creating images of people soon, after interruptions due to inaccuracies in historical representations. Google DeepMind CEO, Demis Hassabis, announced that the tool would be back in the coming weeks to correct the detected flaws. Microsoft, in turn, has partnered with French startup Mistral AI to make its artificial intelligence models available on Azure, expanding its offerings beyond OpenAI. Mistral develops large language models, with its latest, Mistral Large, now accessible to Azure customers. The startup plans to expand to other platforms soon.
Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) – Apple is exploring new wearable devices such as a fitness ring, smart glasses, and AirPods with cameras. Rumors include a HomePod with a screen, Apple Sports app, iMessage security update, and the departure of an AirPods executive. Meanwhile, the Vision Pro faces acceptance challenges.
Micron Technology (NASDAQ:MU) – Micron Technology has begun mass production of its high-bandwidth memory semiconductors (HBM) for Nvidia’s (NASDAQ:NVDA) latest artificial intelligence chip. The HBM3E will consume 30% less energy and meet the growing demand for AI.
Broadcom (NASDAQ:AVGO) – Broadcom is selling its End-User Computing (EUC) unit for $4 billion to KKR (NYSE:KKR), simplifying its portfolio after the $69 billion acquisition of VMware. The EUC will operate as an independent entity under KKR’s current management. In other news, Broadcom CEO Hock Tan’s annual compensation exceeded $161.8 million last year, driven by a $160.5 million stock award vested over five years. His base salary remained at $1.2 million, while his total compensation increased by 167%.
Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) – Amazon Web Services Mexico, a branch of Amazon.com, unveiled an investment of over $5 billion to establish a data center cluster in Mexico, in response to the growing demand for cloud services. The project, located in Querétaro, will be implemented over 15 years. This investment comes in a context of “nearshoring,” with companies transferring operations from Asia to Mexico due to supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic.
Alibaba (NYSE:BABA) – Alibaba’s Daraz Group announced layoffs to streamline and speed up the structure, according to CEO James Dong. The exact number of layoffs was not disclosed. Daraz faces financial challenges and seeks sustainability, focusing on customer experience and product diversification. Additionally, Alibaba leads a major funding round for Chinese AI startup Moonshot AI, reflecting its return to significant investments in pursuit of growth. Valued at about $2.5 billion, Moonshot AI seeks to compete with giants like OpenAI and Google.
Kroger’s (NYSE:KR) and Albertsons (NYSE:ACI) – The FTC and eight states are suing to block the $24.6 billion deal between Kroger’s and Albertsons, fearing an increase in food prices and negative impacts on competition. Kroger defends the merger but faces criticism from lawmakers and unions about potential market harm. The Biden administration’s attempt to block the merger between Kroger and Albertsons could significantly influence key states like Nevada and Arizona, both affected by food inflation. Democrats see this as an opportunity for electoral appeal, highlighting Americans’ concerns about high prices.
Charter Communications (NASDAQ:CHTR) and Altice USA (NYSE:ATUS) – Charter Communications is considering acquiring Altice USA, a smaller cable provider. Altice USA’s shares soared with the news, while Charter explores the deal’s viability with financial advisors.
Vodafone (NASDAQ:VOD) – Vodafone is likely to have a minority stake in a combined entity with Swisscom’s Fastweb if a deal on a merger of their Italian operations is reached, according to sources. The discussions aim to reduce Vodafone’s debt and consolidate a declining telecom market in Italy.
Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS) – Blackwells Capital, a Walt Disney shareholder, urges the company to adopt an artificial intelligence strategy, envisioning up to a 129% increase in share value. While Disney contests proposals, evidence shows its long trajectory in technology, including investments in augmented reality and partnerships to create immersive experiences. Additionally, David Greenbaum has been appointed president of Disney Live Action and 20th Century studios, succeeding Sean Bailey. Disney seeks to recover box office performance, committing to film quality. Greenbaum, former president of Searchlight Pictures, brings his experience and creative sensitivity to the new role.
Boeing (NYSE:BA) – A panel of experts examining Boeing’s safety practices identified a “disconnect” between leadership and employees regarding the safety culture, among other concerns. The report follows fatal accidents involving the 737 MAX and quality issues. Boeing promises to review the recommendations and fired the head of the 737 Max program after a recent air incident. Changes include new leaders and quality measures as the company faces scrutiny and pressure to resolve manufacturing issues.
BP Plc (NYSE:BP) – BP Plc is quietly resuming investments in oil and gas, aiming to boost returns, but the lack of clear communication is hurting share value, says activist investor Bluebell Capital Partners. The company needs to clarify its strategy to boost the market.
Chevron (NYSE:CVX) – Chevron warned that its planned acquisition of Hess (NYSE:HES) might be disrupted, as Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM) and China National Offshore Oil Corporation claim the deal would trigger their right to increase their stakes in a project in Guyana. The companies are negotiating to resolve the deadlock.
UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) – A failure in a UnitedHealth system that resulted in nationwide prescription fill disruptions was caused by a ransomware attack by the group known as “Blackcat,” also identified as “ALPHV” and “Noberus”.
Citigroup (NYSE:C) and JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:JPM) – Citigroup appointed Viswas Raghavan as the new head of banking, coming from JPMorgan, amid an administrative restructuring. Raghavan will report directly to CEO Jane Fraser. JPMorgan, in turn, announced Doug Petno and Filippo Gori as co-directors of global banking.
Wells Fargo (NYSE:WFC) – Wells Fargo promoted company veteran Erik Karanik to boost the growth of its independent consulting business. Now head of independent solutions in the wealth and investment management unit, he will work with CEO Barry Sommers to strengthen the company’s multichannel model.
Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRK.B) – Berkshire Hathaway shares, led by Warren Buffett, fell on Monday due to investor concerns following US government warnings about a lawsuit against its energy company, PacifiCorp. Buffett tempered expectations, mentioning the challenge of wildfires and limited lucrative investment opportunities.
Coinbase Global (NASDAQ:COIN) – Coinbase Global, a cryptocurrency brokerage, saw its shares rise 4.7% in pre-market trading, following a 17% increase on Monday, driven by Bitcoin’s recovery. Bitcoin, the leading digital asset, rose to $56,600. Other crypto-related companies also saw gains, with MicroStrategy (NASDAQ:MSTR) up 6.5% and Marathon Digital (NASDAQ:MARA) advancing 8.6%.
Earnings
Hims & Hers (NYSE:HIMS) – The consumer-focused health platform saw an 18.2% increase in pre-market trading. Hims & Hers reported a profit of 1 cent per share and revenue of $247 million in the fourth quarter, while analysts surveyed by LSEG expected a loss of 2 cents per share and revenue of $246 million. Additionally, the company provided an outlook for current quarter revenue and adjusted EBITDA that significantly exceeded analysts’ expectations.
Unity Software (NYSE:U) – Unity fell 17% in pre-market trading after releasing a current quarter adjusted EBITDA outlook significantly below analysts’ expectations. Unity exceeded fourth-quarter revenue expectations but projected earnings between $45 million and $50 million, well below the consensus estimate of $113 million from analysts surveyed by FactSet.
Zoom Video (NASDAQ:ZM) – The videoconferencing company’s shares rose 11.7% in pre-market trading after releasing a fourth-quarter earnings report that exceeded expectations. Zoom reported a profit of $1.42 per share, excluding items, with revenue totaling $1.15 billion. Meanwhile, analysts surveyed by LSEG expected a profit of $1.15 per share and revenues of $1.13 billion. Additionally, the company announced a $1.5 billion share buyback program.
CarGurus (NASDAQ:CARG) – The online car trading platform experienced a 10% drop in pre-market trading due to its weak projection for the current quarter. CarGurus informed investors to expect earnings per share between 24 and 29 cents, along with estimated revenues between $201 million and $221 million. This contrasted with analysts’ expectations surveyed by LSEG, who anticipated earnings per share of 31 cents and revenues of $236 million. This discrepancy was highlighted in a quarterly report that exceeded Wall Street’s forecasts in both aspects.
STAAR Surgical (NASDAQ:STAA) – Shares of an ophthalmic product company fell about 3.9% in pre-market trading after releasing a fourth-quarter financial report that fell short of expectations, along with a cautious projection. Staar reported a profit of 16 cents per share, below analysts’ estimate of 17 cents per share, according to FactSet. Moreover, the company estimated its full-year revenue between $335 million and $340 million, while analysts expected $349 million.
iRobot (NASDAQ:IRBT) – iRobot shares initially rose 10% but fell 1.9% in pre-market trading. The company reported a loss of $63.6 million ($2.28 per share) in the last quarter, with revenue of $307.5 million. The revenue projection for 2024 is between $825 million and $865 million. The cancellation of the acquisition by Amazon and layoffs were announced.
Workday (NASDAQ:WDAY) – Workday’s adjusted earnings exceeded analysts’ expectations surveyed by LSEG, formerly known as Refinitiv, by 10 cents per share, reaching $1.57. On the other hand, revenue was in line with the consensus estimate of $1.92 billion. Additionally, Workday reaffirmed its fiscal year 2025 subscription revenue forecast. Shares are down -7.7% in Tuesday’s pre-market trading.