Movers: 3M, Alaska Air, General Electric, General Motors, Xerox

Scott Peters
25 Jul, 2023
New York City

General Motors declined 3.2% to $38.09 despite the automaker lifting its full-year earnings outlook. 

Second quarter revenue increased 25.1% to $44.7 billion and net income soared 51.7% to $2.6 billion from $1.7 billion and diluted earnings per share increased to $1.83 from $1.14 a year ago. 

The company forecasted annual net income attributable to stockholders between $9.3 billion and $10.7 billion, compared to the previous outlook between $8.4 billion and $9.9 billion. 

3M Company rose 4.6% to $109.26 after the diversified company reported better-than-expected quarterly earnings and the company reiterated its annual sales outlook and revised higher its annual earnings estimate. 

Second quarter revenue declined 4.5% to $8.3 billion and the company swung to a net loss of $6.8 billion from a profit of $78 million and diluted earnings per share of ($12.35) from 14 cents a year ago. 

The current quarter results included the settlement charge related to the public water system of $14.19 billion. 

The settlement still needs approval from a judge and the payment will be made over 13 years. 

The company said it will halt production of PFAS chemicals by the end of 2025. 

Per- and polyfluorinated substances, known collectively as PFAS or "forever chemicals" were used by firefighters in training sessions around the country at airports, military bases and other facilities. 

The training exercises used foams laced with high concentration of PFAS, said one of the lead attorneys, Scott Summy, suing 3M and other companies to Associated Press. 

3M raised its full-year 2023 adjusted earnings per share expectations to $8.60 to $9.10 from the previous estimate between $8.50 and $9.00. 

The company said adjusted total sales growth in the range of -5% to -1%, reflecting adjusted organic sales growth of -3% to flat, which remains unchanged. 

3M forecasted adjusted operating cash flow for the year 2023 between $5.9 billion to $6.3 billion contributing to 90% to 100% adjusted free cash flow conversion, which remains unchanged.

Verizon Communication Inc decreased 0.3% to $33.85 after the company reported mixed quarterly results.

Revenue in the quarter increased to $32.6 billion and earnings per share excluding one-time items was $1.21.

General Electric Company increased 4.5% to $115.57 after the engineering company reported stronger-than-expected quarterly earnings. 

Total revenue increased 18% to $16.7billion from $14.1 billion and net loss attributed to shareholders shrank to $23 million from $949 million and diluted loss per share fell to 2 cents from 86 cents a year ago.   

The company monetized its 32% stake in GE HealthCare for $2.2 billion and plans to redeem all its outstanding preferred shares for $2.8 billion on September 15. 

The company also lifted its full-year earnings outlook on the strong demand for its engines and products in the aerospace division and record orders in its renewable energy business. 

The company revised its organic revenue growth outlook in the low-double-digit range, up from the high-single-digit range and adjusted earnings per share range to between $2.10 and $2.30, up from the previous range between $1.70 and $2.00. 

The company guided free cash flow between $4.1 and $4.6 billion, up from the previous estimate range between $3.6 and $4.2 billion.   

Xerox Holdings Corp soared 9.2% to $16.93 after the workspace technology provider reported second quarter earnings ahead of market expectations. 

Revenue increased 0.4% to $1.75 billion and net loss attributable to shareholders rose to $61 million from $4 million and diluted loss per share rose to 41 cents from 5 cents a year ago.  

The company forecasted 2023 revenue growth between flat and down low-single-digits in constant currency. 

Alaska Air Group, Inc dropped 10.6% to $47.68 despite the regional airline reporting better-than-expected revenue and earnings. 

The airline reported second quarter revenue increased 7% to $2.84 billion and net income increased to $240 million from $98 million and diluted earnings per share rose to $1.86 from 76 cents. 

The company forecasted full-year earnings per share between $5.50 and $7.50 a share.  

The airline repurchased 871,987 shares of common stock for approximately $39 million in the second quarter, bringing total repurchases to $57 million for the six months ended June. 

The company anticipates share repurchases of at least $100 million in the remainder of 2023.