Author: Fiona Craig
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USDA Partners with Palantir in $300m Deal to Upgrade Farm Services
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has entered into a $300 million Blanket Purchase Agreement with Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:PLTR) to enhance how it delivers services to farmers under its National Farm Security Action Plan. The deal supports the USDA’s “One Farmer, One File” initiative, designed to streamline access to government programmes by reducing administrative complexity…
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AT&T Tops Q1 Forecasts on Strong Revenue and Subscriber Gains
Shares of AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) edged 0.8% higher after the telecom group reported first-quarter results that came in ahead of market expectations, driven by solid revenue growth and continued subscriber additions. Adjusted earnings per share were $0.57, beating the consensus estimate of $0.55, while revenue rose 2.9% year-on-year to $31.5 billion, also exceeding forecasts of…
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Intuitive Surgical Tops Q1 Expectations, Shares Move Higher
Shares of Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ:ISRG) rose 2.4% in premarket trading on Wednesday after the company reported first-quarter results that exceeded expectations on both revenue and earnings, supported by increased use of its robotic surgical systems. The Sunnyvale-based group, best known for its da Vinci robotic platforms used in minimally invasive procedures, also offers the Ion…
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United Airlines Cuts 2026 Outlook as Fuel Costs Climb
Shares of United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) edged 1.2% higher in premarket trading on Wednesday, even after the carrier lowered its full-year earnings forecast, citing rising fuel costs driven by the Iran conflict. The airline now expects adjusted earnings for 2026 to come in between $7 and $11 per share, down from its previous guidance of $12…
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Adobe Unveils $25bn Buyback, Shares Move Higher
Shares of Adobe Inc (NASDAQ:ADBE) rose more than 2% in premarket trading on Wednesday after the company introduced a new share repurchase programme worth up to $25 billion. The buyback initiative, which is set to run through April 2030, comes as the Photoshop developer looks to bolster investor confidence amid growing concerns over the impact…
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Oil Holds Near $100 as Hormuz Disruptions Persist Despite Ceasefire Extension
Oil prices remained close to the $100 mark on Wednesday, as ongoing supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz kept markets tense despite U.S. President Donald Trump announcing an indefinite extension of the ceasefire with Iran. Brent crude, the global benchmark, rose 0.6% to $99.07 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate gained 0.6% to…
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Trump Extends Iran Ceasefire; United Margins Under Pressure — What’s Driving Markets: Dow Jones, S&P, Nasdaq, Wall Street Futures
Futures tied to major U.S. equity indices moved higher after U.S. President Donald Trump announced an extension of the Iran ceasefire just ahead of its expiration. However, continued disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is keeping oil prices elevated, while rising fuel costs are weighing on airline profitability, including at United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL).…
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BofA Flags Three Sectors to Buy, One to Sell After Iran Shock
Bank of America strategist Michael Hartnett is advising investors to position for gains in commodities, Chinese equities, and U.S. consumer discretionary stocks, while taking a negative stance on the U.S. dollar. The strategy reflects ongoing trade tensions, concerns over U.S. fiscal stability, and a broader shift away from American assets. Hartnett highlights commodities as a…
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Systematic Funds Ramp Up Equity Buying, Add $86 Billion: Goldman
Systematic hedge funds have sharply increased their exposure to equities over the past week, deploying $86 billion into the market, according to a note released by Goldman Sachs late Thursday. The bank said these algorithm-driven investors, commonly referred to as CTAs, purchased stocks at a speed that ranks among “the largest in history” over the…
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FOMO Driving Stocks to Record Levels, Says Barclays
Equity markets are pushing to new highs largely due to investors rushing in out of fear of missing further gains, according to a recent note from Barclays. Analyst Emmanuel Cau wrote that “FOMO has lifted equities to new highs,” even as signals from oil and interest rate markets point to a more cautious backdrop. Cau…