Super Micro Computer (NASDAQ:SMCI) – An analyst has joined the optimistic group regarding the shares of Super Micro Computer, with an increase of about 856% over the last 12 months. Rated Overweight, JPMorgan analyst Samik Chatterjee justifies the “premium valuation” due to the rapid growth of the artificial intelligence server market. SMCI shares are up 2.6% in pre-market trading.
Seagate Technology (NASDAQ:STX) – Shares of Seagate Technology advanced 4.2% to reach $91.88 in pre-market trading, following a positive review by Morgan Stanley analysts who upgraded their rating from Equal Weight to Overweight. They also raised the target price for the shares from $73 to $115.
Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL), Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) – Apple, Google, and Meta are under investigations under the EU’s new Digital Markets Act, aiming to challenge the power of tech giants. Violations could lead to hefty fines of up to 10%, reflecting a global crackdown on Big Tech’s anti-competitive practices. Google stated on Monday that it would continue to defend its practices, with Google’s competition director, Oliver Bethell, highlighting significant operational changes in Europe.
Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) – Apple faces multiple consumer lawsuits accusing it of monopolizing the smartphone market, in line with the antitrust case filed by the U.S. government and 15 states. Allegations include suppression of technology to increase competition. Apple denies the charges.
Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) – According to The Verge, Microsoft has appointed Pavan Davuluri as the new leader responsible for the Windows and Surface sector, as per an internal memo. Additionally, Mikhail Parakhin, responsible for Bing and advertising, will leave these roles to pursue new opportunities. Mustafa Suleyman, appointed to lead consumer artificial intelligence, now oversees his work, while Parakhin will temporarily report to the chief technology officer.
Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) – Amazon is contesting a $34.6 million fine imposed by CNIL, the French data protection body, for a system considered “excessively intrusive” in monitoring employees. The company claims the systems are standard in the industry and essential for security and efficiency.
Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL) – Dell Technologies reduced its workforce as part of an initiative to cut costs, including limiting hiring and reorganizations. With about 120,000 employees in February 2024, down from 126,000 the previous year, the layoffs reflect the decline in PC demand, contributing to an 11% drop in fourth-quarter revenue. Dell also notes a continued reduction in revenue from other businesses due to changes in the commercial relationship with VMware (NYSE:VMW).
Equinix (NASDAQ:EQIX) – Equinix announced on Monday an independent investigation conducted by its audit committee in response to allegations made by short-seller Hindenburg Research in its recent report. The allegations concern accounting practices and were denied by Equinix.
Salesforce (NYSE:CRM) – Salesforce faces the challenge of integrating generative AI into its portfolio amid fierce competition in a market estimated at $40 billion. The company has integrated generative AI with Einstein Copilot and customizable tools, seeking to transform sales and customer service. Success in this reinvention promises to accelerate business growth.
Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) – Ericsson announced on Monday the layoff of about 1,200 employees in Sweden as part of cost-cutting measures due to reduced customer spending on 5G equipment. With slowing sales, the company faces a challenging market in 2024.
Flutter Entertainment (NYSE:FLUT) – Flutter, a world leader in online betting, forecasts a 30% increase in its core profit this year, driven by the exceptional growth of its American brand Fanduel, with an estimated profit in the US between $635 million and $785 million. The company also expects a core profit of $1.63 billion to $1.83 billion in other markets.
DraftKings (NASDAQ:DKNG) – Shares of DraftKings have shown an impressive increase of almost 170% over the last 12 months. Ben Chaiken of Mizuho initiated coverage of the shares with a buy rating and a target price of $58, highlighting the company’s underestimated profit potential. He emphasized the reduction of external marketing costs in established states and operational leverage as promotional expenses decrease. Chaiken also mentioned opportunities for improvement in customer retention and maximizing free cash flow. DraftKings shares are up 1.2% in Tuesday’s pre-market.
GameStop (NYSE:GME) – GameStop shares saw their best performance in over three months on Monday, ahead of the anticipated quarterly earnings report, ending the day with a 15.4% increase, the largest since December 13, 2023. The fourth-quarter results will be announced after the market closes on Tuesday. Analysts expect earnings of 30 cents per share and revenue of $2.05 billion.
Digital World Acquisition (NASDAQ:DWAC) – Shares of Digital World Acquisition surged on Monday following the official completion of its merger with Donald Trump’s social media company. The SPAC is now named Trump Media & Technology Group Corp (NASDAQ:DJT).
WeWork (NYSE:WE) – Adam Neumann and his associates have proposed to buy the bankrupt WeWork for more than $500 million, potentially bringing the controversial startup founder one step closer to regaining control. This move marks another chapter in the company’s tumultuous history.
United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) – The past year was challenging for UPS, which revised its three-year targets in 2021. Shares, which closed above $200 in June 2021, are now around $156.57. The company will discuss its strategies at a crucial event on Tuesday in Louisville, Kentucky.
Boeing (NYSE:BA) – Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun will step down by the end of the year, along with board chairman Larry Kellner and Stan Deal from the commercial airplanes business, amid a management shift due to a safety crisis exacerbated by recent incidents. Boeing’s board has begun the search for a new CEO, and the successor will face challenges in rebuilding trust with regulators, customers, and the public as the company seeks external solutions. Additionally, the labor union IAM District 751, representing 32,000 Boeing workers in Washington, seeks a seat on the company’s board, aiming for greater influence. Boeing is reviewing union proposals during ongoing contract negotiations.
Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) – Tesla will offer US customers a one-month free trial of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology, as revealed by CEO Elon Musk on Monday, in response to sales and profit margin pressures. Musk hopes to boost FSD adoption, though the rate has been declining in North America. In other related news, Canada’s leading port is registering a significant increase in car imports from China, surpassing arrivals from the US and Mexico, with Tesla shipping electric vehicles from its Shanghai Gigafactory. Chinese shipments have quadrupled over the last year, driven by Tesla.
Lucid (NASDAQ:LCID) – Lucid will secure $1 billion in financing from an affiliate of the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF). The investment reflects Lucid’s competitive advantage, with the Saudi government seeking to diversify its economy. The company plans to use the funds for corporate purposes and capital expenditures.
Fisker (NYSE:FSR) – Fisker’s lack of funds led to the collapse of negotiations with a major automaker, while the New York Stock Exchange plans to delist its shares due to “abnormally low” prices. Failing to meet financial obligations, the company faces uncertainties about its future, with speculations about possible bankruptcy.
Stellantis NV (NYSE:STLA) – Stellantis is cutting about 400 white-collar jobs in the US as the Jeep and Ram automaker transitions to electric vehicles. The move, affecting 2% of the global engineering, technology, and software team, takes effect on March 31.
Citigroup (NYSE:C) – Citigroup is in the final stages of a broad overhaul to simplify its structure and improve performance, reducing 5,000 employees since September. CEO Jane Fraser announced the largest personnel reorganization, part of a goal to globally reduce 20,000 jobs over the next two years.
MicroStrategy (NASDAQ:MSTR), Coinbase Global (NASDAQ:COIN) – Shares of MicroStrategy and Coinbase, linked to cryptocurrency, saw pre-market increases of 4.4% and 2.5%, respectively, as Bitcoin (COIN:BTCUSD) rallied, nearing the $71,000 mark.
Carlyle Group (NASDAQ:CG) – Carlyle Group is exploring options for Hexaware Technologies, including a possible initial public offering that could raise $1 billion. Other alternatives include selling stakes to companies or investors. Hexaware provides IT and business process services.
Blackstone (NYSE:BX) – Blackstone-owned Crown Resorts retained its license to operate the Melbourne casino, addressing irregularities including tax evasion and money laundering. Victoria’s gaming regulator considers the issues resolved but maintains strict oversight. Crown paid fines of $163 million.
Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO) – Novo Nordisk announced on Monday the acquisition of Cardior Pharmaceuticals for up to $1.1 billion, aiming to bolster its cardiovascular portfolio and expand its focus beyond diabetes and weight-loss therapies. The deal includes Cardior’s leading compound, CDR132L, currently in mid-stage Phase II clinical trials for treating heart failure, with plans to also investigate its efficacy in cardiac hypertrophy. The transaction, expected to close in the second quarter, will not impact Novo Nordisk’s operational profit targets for 2024.
AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV) – AbbVie plans to acquire Landos Biopharma for up to $212 million, expanding its arsenal of drugs for immune system diseases. Landos is in mid-stage trials of NX-13 for ulcerative colitis. The deal is anticipated to close in the second quarter.
AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN), Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) – CEOs of AstraZeneca and Pfizer expressed support for the expansion of the biopharmaceutical industry in China, highlighting the country’s crucial role in innovation and the development of new drugs. This comes as the US considers legislation to reduce the pharmaceutical industry’s dependence on Chinese manufacturing.
McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) – McDonald’s ended its partnership in Sri Lanka, closing 12 outlets due to “standard issues”. While specifics were not detailed, local reports suggest concerns about hygiene. The country is recovering from a financial crisis.
Albertsons (NYSE:ACI), Kroger (NYSE:KR) – A Colorado court scheduled a preliminary hearing to assess the proposed acquisition of Albertsons by Kroger in mid-August, ahead of a US antitrust challenge. The companies agreed to postpone the FTC’s proceedings to a later date.
Unilever (NYSE:UL) – Amsterdam may surpass London as the potential headquarters for Unilever’s ice cream unit, valued at $18.4 billion, according to the company’s CEO. The Netherlands is favored following Unilever’s restructuring announcement last week.