Market Update
Europe Movers: Mercedes Benz, NatWest Group, Pearson
Inga Muller
05 May, 2025
Frankfurt
Mercedes-Benz Group gained 1.6% to €53.30 after the German vehicle manufacturer reported first-quarter 2025 results.
Revenue declined to €33.22 billion from €35.87 billion, net profit dropped to €1.68 billion from €2.97 billion, and diluted earnings per share fell to €1.74 from €2.86 a year ago.
“Weak consumer sentiment and the impact of a significant increase in US tariffs will weigh on growth this year, particularly in the USA,” the company said in a release to investors.
In China, the tariffs are expected to contribute to a significant slowdown in exports, amid persistently weak domestic demand; however, fiscal stimulus should support growth in return, the company added in the statement.
Overall, the company estimated a noticeable slowdown in global growth to just over 2%, partially offset by an increase in sales of mid-size vans in China.
Pearson plc advanced 0.7% to 1,182.50 pence after the UK-based learning company released a first-quarter trading update.
Group sales were up 1%, with growth expected to accelerate in the second half of the year, and sales in the higher education segment were up 6%.
The company launched a £350 million share buyback program during the quarter.
“We continue to make good progress against our strategy, supporting our medium-term growth outlook,” the company said in a release to investors.
Assessment and qualification sales were up 1% in the quarter, virtual learning sales decreased 4%, English language learning sales edged down 6%, and enterprise learning and skills sales were up 1%.
NatWest Group plc surged 0.7% to 479.10 pence after the UK-based banking and financial services company reported first-quarter 2025 results.
Total income increased by 14.5% to £3.98 billion from £3.47 billion, and attributable profit edged up 36.4% to £1.25 billion from £918 million a year ago.
The company guided fiscal 2025 return on tangible equity to be at the upper end of its previous estimated range of between 15% and 16%.
Income excluding notable items is expected to be at the upper end of the company’s previously guided range of £15.2 billion and £15.7 billion.
The bank expects group operating costs, excluding litigation and conduct costs, to be around £8.1 billion, including around £0.1 billion of one-time integration costs.
Europe Movers: Mercedes Benz, NatWest Group, Pearson
Inga Muller
05 May, 2025
Frankfurt
Mercedes Benz Group gained 1.6% to €53.30 after the German vehicle manufacturer reported first-quarter 2025 results.
Revenue declined to €33.22 billion from €35.87 billion, net profit dropped to €1.68 billion from €2.97 billion, and diluted earnings per share fell to €1.74 from €2.86 a year ago.
“Weak consumer sentiment and the impact of a significant increase in US tariffs will weigh on growth this year, particularly in the USA,” the company said in a release to investors.
In China, the tariffs are expected to contribute to a significant slowdown in exports, amid persistently weak domestic demand; however, fiscal stimulus should support growth in return, the company added in the statement.
Overall, the company estimated a noticeable slowdown in global growth to just over 2%, partially offset by an increase in sales of mid-size vans in China.
Pearson plc advanced 0.7% to 1,182.50 pence after the UK-based learning company released a first-quarter trading update.
Group sales were up 1%, with growth expected to accelerate in the second half of the year, and sales in the higher education segment were up 6%.
The company launched a £350 million share buyback program during the quarter.
“We continue to make good progress against our strategy, supporting our medium-term growth outlook,” the company said in a release to investors.
Assessment and qualification sales were up 1% in the quarter, virtual learning sales decreased 4%, English language learning sales edged down 6%, and enterprise learning and skills sales were up 1%.
NatWest Group plc surged 0.7% to 479.10 pence after the UK-based banking and financial services company reported first-quarter 2025 results.
Total income increased by 14.5% to £3.98 billion from £3.47 billion, and attributable profit edged up 36.4% to £1.25 billion from £918 million a year ago.
The company guided fiscal 2025 return on tangible equity to be at the upper end of its previous estimated range of between 15% and 16%.
Income excluding notable items is expected to be at the upper end of the company’s previously guided range of £15.2 billion and £15.7 billion.
The bank expects group operating costs, excluding litigation and conduct costs, to be around £8.1 billion, including around £0.1 billion of one-time integration costs.
India Indexes Extend Gains Despite Weak Bank Earnings, Crude Oil Drops to 4-Year Low
Arjun Pandit
05 May, 2025
Select
Stock market indexes in India advanced in Monday's trading as investors reviewed the fresh batch of earnings, and crude oil prices eased.
The Sensex and Nifty indexes advanced as investors increased exposures to recently beaten-down stocks.
Market sentiment improved after the international price of crude oil dropped to a four-year low of $56.45 a barrel after OPEC+ announced it would increase production after a meeting on Saturday.
Saudi Arabia, the leader of the OPEC+, decided to flood the market by as much as 2 million barrels over the six months to November and influence other members to curtail their excess production.
Investors also took note of a possible thawing of trade tensions between the U.S. and China after Beijing showed a willingness to discuss tariffs and trade frameworks.
Over the weekend, Singapore's long-ruling party, PAP, won another landslide victory in the general election held over the weekend, giving a boost to the new prime minister, Lawrence Wong.
In Australia, the Labor Party, headed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, increased its tally of members in the lower house of the parliament after the federal election on Sunday.
India Indexes and Stocks
Avenue Supermarts decreased 2.6% to ₹3,954.70, and the parent company of D Mart reported a 2% decline in profit in the March quarter.
Kotak Mahindra declined 5.5% to ₹2,070.50, and the financial services provider reported that revenue increased 17% and profit declined 14% in the March quarter.
State Bank of India decreased 1.4% to ₹2,070.50, and the financial services provider reported a profit in the March quarter declined 10% to ₹18,643 crore.
Marico Ltd. advanced 3.5% to ₹718.0, and the consumer products maker said March quarter profit rose 8%.
Tata Motors increased 1% to ₹661.70, and the company's board approved the sale of ₹500 crore non-convertible bonds.
India Indexes Extend Gains Despite Weak Bank Earnings, Crude Oil Drops to 4-Year Low
Arjun Pandit
05 May, 2025
Select
Stock market indexes in India advanced in Monday's trading as investors reviewed the fresh batch of earnings, and crude oil prices eased.
The Sensex and Nifty indexes advanced as investors increased exposures to recently beaten-down stocks.
Market sentiment improved after the international price of crude oil dropped to a four-year low of $56.45 a barrel after OPEC+ announced it would increase production after a meeting on Saturday.
Saudi Arabia, the leader of the OPEC+, decided to flood the market by as much as 2 million barrels over the six months to November and influence other members to curtail their excess production.
Investors also took note of a possible thawing of trade tensions between the U.S. and China after Beijing showed a willingness to discuss tariffs and trade frameworks.
Over the weekend, Singapore's long-ruling party, PAP, won another landslide victory in the general election held over the weekend, giving a boost to the new prime minister, Lawrence Wong.
In Australia, the Labor Party, headed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, increased its tally of members in the lower house of the parliament after the federal election on Sunday.
India Indexes and Stocks
Avenue Supermarts decreased 2.6% to ₹3,954.70, and the parent company of D Mart reported a 2% decline in profit in the March quarter.
Kotak Mahindra declined 5.5% to ₹2,070.50, and the financial services provider reported that revenue increased 17% and profit declined 14% in the March quarter.
State Bank of India decreased 1.4% to ₹2,070.50, and the financial services provider reported a profit in the March quarter declined 10% to ₹18,643 crore.
Marico Ltd. advanced 3.5% to ₹718.0, and the consumer products maker said March quarter profit rose 8%.
Tata Motors increased 1% to ₹661.70, and the company's board approved the sale of ₹500 crore non-convertible bonds.
India Update
Arjun Pandit
05 May, 2025
Select
India Indexes and Stocks
Avenue Supermarts decreased 2.6% to ₹3,954.70, and the parent company of D Mart reported a 2% decline in profit in the March quarter.
Kotak Mahindra declined 5.5% to ₹2,070.50, and the financial services provider reported a 17% increase in revenue and 14% decrease in profit in the March quarter.
India Update
Arjun Pandit
05 May, 2025
Select
India Indexes and Stocks
Avenue Supermarts decreased 2.6% to ₹3,954.70, and the parent company of D Mart reported a 2% decline in profit in the March quarter.
Kotak Mahindra declined 5.5% to ₹2,070.50, and the financial services provider reported a 17% increase
India Update
Arjun Pandit
05 May, 2025
Select
India Indexes and Stocks
Avenue Supermarts decreased 2.6% to ₹3,954.70, and the parent company of D Mart reported a 2% decline in profit in the March quarter.
Kotak Mahindra declined 5.5% to ₹2,070.50, and the financial services provider
India Update
Arjun Pandit
05 May, 2025
Select
India Indexes and Stocks
Avenue Supermarts decreased 2.6% to ₹3,954.70, and the parent company of D Mart reported a 2% decline in profit in the March quarter.
Kotak Mahindra declined 5.5% to ₹2,070.50, and the financial services provider
India Update
Arjun Pandit
05 May, 2025
Select
India Indexes and Stocks
Avenue Supermarts decreased 2.6% to ₹3,954.70, and the parent company of D Mart reported a 2% decline in profit in the March quarter.
Kotak Mahindra decl
India Update
Arjun Pandit
05 May, 2025
Select
India Indexes and Stocks
Avenue Supermarts decreased 2.6% to ₹3,954.70, and the parent company of D Mart reported a 2% decline in profit in the March quarter.
Kotak Mahindra declined 5.5% to ₹2,070.50, and the financial services
U.S. Job Market Remained Resilient Amid Tariff Flip-flops In Early April
Barry Adams
02 May, 2025
New York City
Wall Street indexes advanced in Friday's trading, and broader indexes are set to gain after a week of choppy trading.
The S&P 500 index advanced 1.1%, and the Nasdaq Composite gained 1.8%, and investors reacted to a flood of earnings and the latest update on nonfarm payrolls.
Apple Inc., Amazon, Airbnb, Exxon Mobil, and Chevron were in focus after they reported quarterly results.
This week, investors reviewed a flood of earnings, including updates from leading tech companies Microsoft and Meta Platforms on Thursday.
Investors reacted positively to the increase in payrolls in April, but the gain slowed sharply from the downwardly revised March data.
U.S. Job Growth Slowed Down In April Amid Tariff Uncertainty
The U.S. economy added 177,000 net new jobs in April, lower than the downwardly revised 185,000 in March, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday.
Employment in the healthcare sector increased by 52,000 jobs, in the transportation and warehousing by 29,000, in the financial activities increased by 14,000, and in the social assistance by 8,000.
The gains were ahead of market expectations because the two surveys that collect information were conducted in the second week in April, and the full impact of the country-specific tariff campaign may not be reflected in the data.
The jobless rate in April was unchanged at 4.2%, and the average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls rose by 6 cents, or monthly 2% or annual 3.8%, to $36.06.
Commodities, Currencies, Indexes, Yields
The S&P 500 index increased 0.9% to 5,653.70, the Nasdaq Composite edged up 0.7% to 17,836.78, and the Russell 2000 index was up 1.5% to 2,005.89.
The yield on 2-year Treasury notes edged higher to 3.79%, 10-year Treasury notes increased to 4.30%, and 30-year Treasury bonds advanced to 4.78%.
WTI crude oil decreased $0.20 to $59.03 a barrel, and natural gas prices edged higher by $0.08 to $3.56 a thermal unit.
Gold increased by $8.07 to $3,245.55 an ounce, and silver edged down by $0.06 to $32.38.
The dollar index, which weighs the US currency against a basket of foreign currencies, decreased by 0.40 to 99.84, and it traded at the lowest level since April 2022.
U.S. Stock Movers
Apple Inc. declined 2.8% to $207.29, despite the technology company reporting strong quarterly results.
The popular iPhone maker reported a slight decline in its sales in China and estimated that the tariff-related costs in the year are likely to be $900 million.
Amazon.com Inc. increased 1.2% to $192.55, and the online marketplace operator reported strong quarterly results, and the company's annual outlook was tempered by tariffs' impact.
Airbnb Inc. decreased 2.8% to $120.50, and the short-term rental company issued a disappointing revenue outlook for the second quarter.
Exxon Mobil increased 1.5% to $107.34, and the energy company
Revenue in the first quarter was flat at $81.1 billion, net income decreased to $7.7 billion from $8.2 billion, and diluted earnings per share eased to $1.76 from $2.06 a year ago, respectively.
U.S. Job Market Remained Resilient Amid Tariff Flip-flops In Early April
Barry Adams
02 May, 2025
New York City
Wall Street indexes advanced in Friday's trading, and broader indexes are set to gain after a week of choppy trading.
The S&P 500 index advanced 1.1%, and the Nasdaq Composite gained 1.8%, and investors reacted to a flood of earnings and the latest update on nonfarm payrolls.
Apple Inc., Amazon, Airbnb, Exxon Mobil, and Chevron were in focus after they reported quarterly results.
This week, investors reviewed a flood of earnings, including updates from leading tech companies Microsoft and Meta Platforms on Thursday.
Investors reacted positively to the increase in payrolls in April, but the gain slowed sharply from the downwardly revised March data.
U.S. Job Growth Slowed Down In April Amid Tariff Uncertainty
The U.S. economy added 177,000 net new jobs in April, lower than the downwardly revised 185,000 in March, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday.
Employment in the healthcare sector increased by 52,000 jobs, in the transportation and warehousing by 29,000, in the financial activities increased by 14,000, and in the social assistance by 8,000.
The gains were ahead of market expectations because the two surveys that collect information were conducted in the second week in April, and the full impact of the country-specific tariff campaign may not be reflected in the data.
The jobless rate in April was unchanged at 4.2%, and the average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls rose by 6 cents, or monthly 2% or annual 3.8%, to $36.06.
Commodities, Currencies, Indexes, Yields
The S&P 500 index increased 0.9% to 5,653.70, the Nasdaq Composite edged up 0.7% to 17,836.78, and the Russell 2000 index was up 1.5% to 2,005.89.
The yield on 2-year Treasury notes edged higher to 3.79%, 10-year Treasury notes increased to 4.30%, and 30-year Treasury bonds advanced to 4.78%.
WTI crude oil decreased $0.20 to $59.03 a barrel, and natural gas prices edged higher by $0.08 to $3.56 a thermal unit.
Gold increased by $8.07 to $3,245.55 an ounce, and silver edged down by $0.06 to $32.38.
The dollar index, which weighs the US currency against a basket of foreign currencies, decreased by 0.40 to 99.84, and it traded at the lowest level since April 2022.
U.S. Stock Movers
Apple Inc. declined 2.8% to $207.29, despite the technology company reporting strong quarterly results.
The popular iPhone maker reported a slight decline in its sales in China and estimated that the tariff-related costs in the year are likely to be $900 million.
Amazon.com Inc. increased 1.2% to $192.55, and the online marketplace operator reported strong quarterly results, and the company's annual outlook was tempered by tariffs' impact.
Airbnb Inc. decreased 2.8% to $120.50, and the short-term rental company issued a disappointing revenue outlook for the second quarter.
Exxon Mobil increased 1.5% to $107.34, and the energy company
Revenue in the first quarter was flat at $81.1 billion, net income decreased to $7.7 billion from $8.2 billion, and diluted earnings per share eased to $1.76 from $2.06 a year ago, respectively.
U.S. Movers: Amazon, Apple, MasterCard, McDonald’s, Thomson Reuters
Scott Peters
02 May, 2025
New York City
Apple Inc. declined 3.8% to $205.25 despite the smartphone maker reporting higher sales and earnings in the second quarter.
Sales jumped to $95.36 billion from $90.75 billion, net income climbed to $24.78 billion from $23.64 billion, and diluted earnings per share rose to $1.65 from $1.53 a year ago.
Sales increased in all geographic regions except in Greater China, where sales eased to $16.0 billion from $16.37 billion a year earlier.
All product categories registered higher sales except for wearables, home, and accessories, where sales declined to $7.52 billion from $7.91 billion a year ago.
The company proposed a cash dividend of 26 cents per share, an increase of 4%, payable on May 15 to shareholders on record as of May 12.
Amazon.com Inc. declined 3.2% to $184.10 after the e-commerce retailer reported first-quarter 2025 results.
Net sales edged up to $155.67 billion from $143.31 billion, net income surged to $17.13 billion from $10.43 billion, and diluted earnings per share rose to $1.59 from 98 cents a year ago.
Free cash flow decreased to $25.9 billion for the trailing twelve months, compared with $50.1 billion for the trailing twelve months ended March 31, 2024.
“We launched Amazon.ie in Ireland, offering over 200 million products with low prices, fast delivery, and local prime membership,” the company said in a release to investors.
Amazon guided second-quarter net sales to grow between 7% and 11% to between $159.0 billion and $164.0 billion from $148.0 billion a year ago, and operating income to be between $13.0 billion and $17.5 billion, compared to $14.7 billion in the same quarter in 2024.
McDonald’s Corp. dropped 0.2% to $313.01 after the fast-food restaurant chain reported first-quarter 2025 results.
Revenue declined to $5.96 billion from $6.17 billion, net income edged down to $1.87 billion from $1.93 billion, and diluted earnings per share fell to $2.60 from $2.66 a year ago.
Global comparable sales decreased 1%, impacted by the 3.6% lower comparable sales in the U.S.
MasterCard Inc. eased 0.04% to $546.40 after the digital payment company reported first-quarter 2025 results.
Revenue edged up to $7.25 billion from $6.35 billion, net income jumped to $3.28 billion from $3.01 billion, and diluted earnings per share rose to $3.59 from $3.22 a year ago.
During the first quarter, the company repurchased 4.7 million shares for a total of $2.5 billion and paid $694 million in dividends.
Quarter-to-date through April 28, the company repurchased 1.7 million shares at a cost of $884 million, which leaves $11.8 billion under repurchase authorization.
Thomson Reuters Corp. traded flat at $185.74 after the content-driven technology company reported first-quarter 2025 results.
Revenue jumped to $1.90 billion from $1.88 billion, net income fell to $434 million from $481 million, and diluted earnings per share dropped to 96 cents from $1.06 a year ago.
The company completed the acquisition of SafeSend in January for approximately $600 million, allowing it to expand its tax automation capabilities.
In February, the company raised its annual dividend by 10% to $2.38 per share.
Thomson Reuters guided second-quarter revenue to grow by 7%, compared to $1.74 billion in 2024, and the adjusted EBITDA margin to be approximately 36%, compared to 37.1% a year ago.
The company estimated full-year revenue to increase between 3% and 3.5%, compared to $7.26 billion in 2024.
Revenue for the “Big 3” segments, namely legal professionals, corporates, and tax and accounting professionals, is expected to grow by approximately 4% in 2025.
U.S. Movers: Amazon, Apple, MasterCard, McDonald’s, Thomson Reuters
Scott Peters
02 May, 2025
New York City
Apple Inc. declined 3.8% to $205.25 despite the smartphone maker reporting higher sales and earnings in the second quarter.
Sales jumped to $95.36 billion from $90.75 billion, net income climbed to $24.78 billion from $23.64 billion, and diluted earnings per share rose to $1.65 from $1.53 a year ago.
Sales increased in all geographic regions except in Greater China, where sales eased to $16.0 billion from $16.37 billion a year earlier.
All product categories registered higher sales except for wearables, home, and accessories, where sales declined to $7.52 billion from $7.91 billion a year ago.
The company proposed a cash dividend of 26 cents per share, an increase of 4%, payable on May 15 to shareholders on record as of May 12.
Amazon.com Inc. declined 3.2% to $184.10 after the e-commerce retailer reported first-quarter 2025 results.
Net sales edged up to $155.67 billion from $143.31 billion, net income surged to $17.13 billion from $10.43 billion, and diluted earnings per share rose to $1.59 from 98 cents a year ago.
Free cash flow decreased to $25.9 billion for the trailing twelve months, compared with $50.1 billion for the trailing twelve months ended March 31, 2024.
“We launched Amazon.ie in Ireland, offering over 200 million products with low prices, fast delivery, and local prime membership,” the company said in a release to investors.
Amazon guided second-quarter net sales to grow between 7% and 11% to between $159.0 billion and $164.0 billion from $148.0 billion a year ago, and operating income to be between $13.0 billion and $17.5 billion, compared to $14.7 billion in the same quarter in 2024.
McDonald’s Corp. dropped 0.2% to $313.01 after the fast-food restaurant chain reported first-quarter 2025 results.
Revenue declined to $5.96 billion from $6.17 billion, net income edged down to $1.87 billion from $1.93 billion, and diluted earnings per share fell to $2.60 from $2.66 a year ago.
Global comparable sales decreased 1%, impacted by the 3.6% lower comparable sales in the U.S.
MasterCard Inc. eased 0.04% to $546.40 after the digital payment company reported first-quarter 2025 results.
Revenue edged up to $7.25 billion from $6.35 billion, net income jumped to $3.28 billion from $3.01 billion, and diluted earnings per share rose to $3.59 from $3.22 a year ago.
During the first quarter, the company repurchased 4.7 million shares for a total of $2.5 billion and paid $694 million in dividends.
Quarter-to-date through April 28, the company repurchased 1.7 million shares at a cost of $884 million, which leaves $11.8 billion under repurchase authorization.
Thomson Reuters Corp. traded flat at $185.74 after the content-driven technology company reported first-quarter 2025 results.
Revenue jumped to $1.90 billion from $1.88 billion, net income fell to $434 million from $481 million, and diluted earnings per share dropped to 96 cents from $1.06 a year ago.
The company completed the acquisition of SafeSend in January for approximately $600 million, allowing it to expand its tax automation capabilities.
In February, the company raised its annual dividend by 10% to $2.38 per share.
Thomson Reuters guided second-quarter revenue to grow by 7%, compared to $1.74 billion in 2024, and the adjusted EBITDA margin to be approximately 36%, compared to 37.1% a year ago.
The company estimated full-year revenue to increase between 3% and 3.5%, compared to $7.26 billion in 2024.
Revenue for the “Big 3” segments, namely legal professionals, corporates, and tax and accounting professionals, is expected to grow by approximately 4% in 2025.