Check out the companies making headlines in midday trading: 3M — The stock skyrocketed 23% to hit a 52-week high after the maker of office supplies and adhesives reported stronger-than-expected quarterly results. 3M posted second-quarter adjusted earnings of $1.93 per share, exceeding an LSEG estimate of $1.68 per share. Its revenue also came in above expectations. Dexcom — Shares plummeted 40.7% after the medical device maker missed expectations for second-quarter revenue and offered weak full-year guidance for the measure. Dexcom said it earned $1 billion in revenue during the three-month period, under the consensus forecast of $1.04 billion from analysts polled by LSEG. Coursera — The online course provider soared 44.7% after reporting $170 million in second-quarter revenue, above the consensus estimate of $164 million from analysts surveyed by LSEG. On the other hand, the company said it lost 15 cents a share, while analysts anticipated earnings of 1 cent per share. Newell Brands — The Rubbermaid and Yankee Candle parent surged 40.5% after announcing adjusted earnings of 36 cents per share for the second quarter, well above the consensus estimate of 21 cents a share, according to LSEG. However, Newell saw just $2.03 billion in revenue, slightly under the $2.05 billion figure expected by Wall Street. Deckers Outdoor — Shares of the footwear company advanced 6.3% on its better-than-expected fiscal first-quarter earnings report. Deckers, which saw its sales boosted by brands Uggs and Hoka, posted earnings of $4.52 per share on revenue of $825 million. That exceeded analysts’ expectations for earnings of $3.48 per share on revenue of $808 million, per LSEG. Boston Beer — The alcoholic beverages producer popped 7.5% after reaffirming its outlook for full-year earnings per share despite a weak second quarter. Boston Beer earned $4.39 per share on $579 million in revenue, while analysts surveyed by LSEG penciled in earnings of $5.02 a share and revenue at $597 million. Mohawk Industries — The flooring company rallied 19.5% on a stronger-than-expected adjusted earnings in the second quarter. Mohawk also said it would be able to generate annualized savings of $100 million through cost-cutting initiatives. Bristol Myers Squibb — The pharmaceutical stock surged almost 11.4% after beating estimates on the top and bottom lines in its second-quarter report. Bristol Myers Squibb posted adjusted earnings of $2.07 per share on $12.20 billion of revenue. Analysts surveyed by LSEG were looking for $1.63 in earnings per share on $11.55 billion of revenue. Revenue rose 9% year over year, fueled in part by the blood clot prevention drug Eliquis. Norfolk Southern — Shares of the railroad operator gained 10.9% after a second-quarter earnings beat. Norfolk Southern’s adjusted earnings came in at $3.06 per share, exceeding the $2.86 per share analysts polled by LSEG had predicted. Revenue was in line with expectations. WW International — The Weight Watchers parent tumbled 12.5% following a Morgan Stanley downgrade to equal weight from overweight. Morgan Stanley said medications used for treating obesity are a long-term headwind on the company’s main business. Charter Communications — The telecommunications company popped 16.6% after posting $13.69 billion in revenue for the second quarter, above the $13.59 billion analysts polled by FactSet had predicted. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization came in at $5.67 billion, also topping the Street’s forecast for $5.48 billion Coinbase — The crypto exchange’s stock added 4.9%, following the digital currency’s move higher. Bitcoin was last up more than 4%. Southwest Airlines — The air carrier’s stock slipped 3% on the back of a Deutsche Bank downgrade to hold from buy after its profit slid in the second quarter. In addition to reporting earnings this week, Southwest also announced major changes to its business, including the elimination of open seating. DoorDash — The food delivery stock advanced 4% after Redburn Atlantic initiated coverage as a buy. The firm gave a price target that indicates upside of approximately 68% from Thursday’s closing level. Alexander & Baldwin — Shares of the real estate investment trust surged 6.3%, hitting a new 52-week high, after reporting second-quarter results that beat expectations. Alexander & Baldwin posted revenue of $51 million, above the consensus estimate of $48.3 million, according to analysts polled by FactSet. Piper Sandler upgraded its rating on the stock to overweight from neutral, seeing further upside. First Solar — Shares gained 4.9% after Guggenheim reiterated its buy rating on the provider of solar solutions ahead of its second-quarter results next week. The firm thinks the market has “significantly overreacted” to potential political risks surrounding the upcoming election and sees the company as positioned to benefit from accommodative policy regardless of which party wins the White House. Sweetgreen — Shares rallied 5.2% after Oppenheimer reiterated the salad chain as a top pick. The stock has more than doubled in 2024. FTAI Aviation — The engine materials company popped 6.9% following Stifel’s upgrade to buy from hold. Stifel said the stock is worth buying given industry dynamics, even if considered expensive. Texas Roadhouse — The restaurant chain climbed 2% after second-quarter earnings topped expectations. Texas Roadhouse earned $1.79 per share, above the $1.64 per share estimate from analysts surveyed by LSEG. Revenue came in line with expectations at $1.34 billion. Colgate-Palmolive — The consumer packaged goods maker rose 3% on better-than-forecast earnings in the second quarter. Colgate-Palmolive reported adjusted earnings of 91 cents per share on $5.06 billion in revenue, while analysts polled by LSEG anticipated 87 cents a share and revenue of $5.01 billion. — CNBC’s Yun Li, Pia Singh, Sean Conlon, Jesse Pound, Hakyung Kim and Lisa Kailai Han contributed reporting.
After last month’s excitement over stimulus plans, Chinese stocks now face mounting challenges as earnings have yet to pick up and heightened U.S. trade tensions loom. “Stock picking remains important with [the] headwind of tariffs, a weaker currency and persistent deflation,” Morgan Stanley chief China equity strategist Laura Wang and a team said in a report Thursday. For investment options, she referred to the firm’s survey of China stocks the investment bank’s analysts already cover. The firm screened for stocks that could outperform depending on which of three scenarios unfolded. Only the bear case accounted for significant U.S. tariffs and restrictions. The base and bull cases assumed the status quo in U.S.-China relations. The bear case also expects 1 trillion yuan, or $140 billion, in fiscal stimulus a year and MSCI China earnings per share growth of 3% this year and 5% next year. Morgan Stanley’s basket of bear case stocks only includes overweight-rated names with a dividend yield above 4% this year. They also have free cash flow yield above 4% from 2023 to 2025 and market capitalization above $2 billion, among other factors. The companies must not be on Morgan Stanley’s lists of stocks at a disadvantage from Republican policy and supply chain diversification. The only consumer name that made the list was Tingyi , a Hong Kong-listed company that owns instant noodles brand Master Kong. The company is also PepsiCo ‘s exclusive manufacturer and seller in China. Tingyi’s net profit in beverages rose nearly 26% in the first half of 2024 compared to a year ago, while that of instant noodles rose 5.4%. Morgan Stanley expects Tingyi’s earnings per share to grow 12% this year and 11% in 2025. Other Chinese companies that made Morgan Stanley’s bear case basket included two state-owned energy stocks: drilling company China Oilfield Services and Cosco Shipping Energy Transportation , which specializes in shipping oil and natural gas. Both stocks are listed in Hong Kong, as is the only industrials name on the bear case list, Sinotruk . The truck manufacturer is also state owned. Morgan Stanley expects China Oilfield Services can grow earnings per share by 41% this year and 33% next year, while Cosco Shipping Energy Transportation can see its earnings rise 33% this year, before slowing to 16% growth next year. Sinotruk earnings can grow 18% this year and 17% next year, according to Morgan Stanley estimates. MSCI China constituents are on track for their 13th straight quarter of earnings misses, despite recent improvements in economic data, Morgan Stanley’s Wang said. “We expect further earnings downward revisions amid lingering deflationary pressure and geopolitical uncertainties until more policy clarity emerges.” Asia equity fund managers have modestly increased their exposure to China since September’s stimulus announcements, Morningstar strategist Claire Liang said in a phone interview Friday. “But many managers have said whether this rally can continue will depend on whether the policies can see real results,” Liang said in Mandarin, which was translated by CNBC. Beyond stabilizing the economy, she said the managers are looking for whether corporate earnings can recover. China’s October data release on Friday underscored a slow economic recovery despite the latest barrage of stimulus announcements. Industrial production missed forecasts. Fixed asset investment grew more slowly than forecast as the drop in real estate investment steepened, albeit with new home sales narrowing their decline. Only retail sales beat expectations with 4.8% growth . For China’s export-heavy economy, the risk of U.S. tariffs has only risen over the past two weeks as the Republican Party has taken control of the U.S. Congress and President-elect Donald Trump has filled his cabinet with China hawks. Morgan Stanley’s U.S. policy team expects Trump to impose tariffs soon after he takes office, and potentially hit Europe and Mexico along with China imports. While China is better positioned than six years ago to stave off the effects of targeted tariffs, the analysts said global duties on U.S. imports would hit China as much as targeted tariffs did in 2018.
Elon Musk at the tenth Breakthrough Prize ceremony held at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on April 13, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
The Hollywood Reporter | The Hollywood Reporter | Getty Images
On Saturday, Elon Musk shared who he is endorsing for Treasury secretary on X, a cabinet position President-elect Donald Trump has yet to announce his preference to fill.
Musk wrote that Howard Lutnick, Trump-Vance transition co-chair and CEO and chairman of Cantor Fitzgerald, BGC Group and Newmark Group chairman, will “actually enact change.”
Lutnick and Key Square Group founder and CEO Scott Bessent are reportedly top picks to run the Treasury Department.
Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, also included his thoughts on Bessent in his post on X.
“My view fwiw is that Bessent is a business-as-usual choice,” he wrote.
“Business-as-usual is driving America bankrupt so we need change one way or another,” he added.
Musk also stated it would be “interesting to hear more people weigh in on this for @realDonaldTrump to consider feedback.”
Howard Lutnick, chairman and chief executive officer of Cantor Fitzgerald LP, left, and Elon Musk, chief executive officer of Tesla Inc., during a campaign event with former US President Donald Trump, not pictured, at Madison Square Garden in New York, US, on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024.
Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images
In a statement to Politico, Trump transition spokesperson Karoline Leavitt made it clear that the president-elect has not made any decisions regarding the position of Treasury secretary.
“President-elect Trump is making decisions on who will serve in his second administration,” Leavitt said in a statement. “Those decisions will be announced when they are made.”
Both Lutnick and Bessent have close ties to Trump. Lutnick and Trump have known each other for decades, and the CEO has even hosted a fundraiser for the president-elect.
The Wall Street Journal also reported that Lutnick has already been helping Trump review candidates for cabinet positions in his administration.
On the other hand, Bessent was a key economic advisor to the president-elect during his 2024 campaign. Bessent also received an endorsement from Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, according to Semafor.
“He’s from South Carolina, I know him well, he’s highly qualified,” Graham said.
Money manager John Davi is positioning for challenges tied to President-elect Donald Trump’s tariff agenda.
Davi said he worries the new administration’s policies could be “very inflationary,” so he thinks it is important to choose investments carefully.
“Small-cap industrials make more sense than large-cap industrials,” the Astoria Portfolio Advisors CEO told CNBC’s “ETF Edge” this week.
Davi, who is also the firm’s chief investment officer, expects the red sweep will help push a pro-growth, pro-domestic policy agenda forward that will benefit small caps.
It appears Wall Street agrees so far. Since the presidential election, the Russell 2000 index, which tracks small-cap stocks, is up around 4% as of Friday’s close.
Davi, whose firm has $1.9 billion in assets under management, also likes staying domestic despite the tariff risks.
“We’re overweight the U.S. I think that’s the right playbook in the next few years until the midterms,” added Davi. “We have two years of where he [Trump] can control a lot of the narrative.”
But Davi plans to stay away from fixed income due to challenges tied to the growing budget deficit.
“Be careful if you own bonds for sure,” said Davi.