Cyber Attacks, Economic Trends, and Market Moves
Henry Schein Inc: Cyber Attack Impact on Profit Forecast
Henry Schein Inc, a leading dental products distributor, faced a setback as a cyber attack in October disrupted its manufacturing and distribution divisions. The company lowered its adjusted 2023 profit forecast, citing an estimated hit of 55 to 75 cents per share from the cyber attack. The new forecast also considers “softening macroeconomic conditions,” with full-year adjusted profit expectations now between $4.43 and $4.71 per share.
Mizuho Financial Group Inc: Revised Profit Forecast Amid Economic Outlook
Japanese bank Mizuho Financial Group Inc revised its full-year profit forecast upward due to a weaker yen and a positive economic outlook as Japan approached monetary policy normalization. The bank raised its profit forecast to 640 billion yen, surpassing analysts’ estimates. Mizuho attributed part of its solid earnings to the rapid rate hikes by the U.S. Federal Reserve, contributing to increased income from loans in its U.S. business.
StoneCo Ltd:
Strong Q3 Performance in Financial Services Segment
Brazilian financial tech firm StoneCo Ltd reported a more than quadrupled adjusted net profit in the third quarter, surpassing analysts’ estimates. The strong performance, driven by solid growth in its financial services segment, showcased the company’s disciplined execution of its strategy. StoneCo reported revenue of 3.1 billion reais, in line with estimates and boosted by a 29% increase in revenues from its financial services segment.
Royal Bank of Canada:
Leadership Change at City National Bank
City National Bank, the U.S. unit of Royal Bank of Canada, announced the appointment of Howard Hammond as its Chief Executive Officer, effective November 27. Hammond, joining from Fifth Third Bancorp, will replace Kelly Coffey, who will assume the role of CEO of City National Entertainment, the bank’s entertainment division.
Alibaba & JD.com:
Alibaba reported year-on-year growth in Singles Day sales, while JD.com reported record-high sales volumes.
Google Inc.
Google is in talks to invest in fast-growing artificial intelligence chatbot startup Character.AI.
JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs:
The 2 big American Bank CEO’s, JPMorgan’s Jamie Dimon and Goldman Sachs’ David Solomon will attend Britain’s Global Investment Summit.
Boeing Inc.
Boeing anticipates new orders at the Dubai Airshow, including a potential order for 90 Boeing 777X jets by Emirates.
BP. Edison and Shell Plc
BP, Edison, and Shell press a U.S.-EU energy group to intervene in a dispute with Venture Global LNG over contract supplies.
Exxon Mobil:
Exxon Mobil Corp: Lithium Production Plans and Iraq Oilfield Exit
Exxon Mobil is set to announce its lithium strategy, aiming to start production in Arkansas by 2026 with partner Tetra Technologies. Separately, Iraq has signed a settlement agreement with Exxon to finalize its exit from the West Qurna 1 oilfield.
Ford Motor Co:
Mixed Votes on Tentative Labor Agreement
Production workers at Ford’s Louisville assembly and Kentucky truck plants voted against a tentative labor agreement, signaling uncertainty over its approval and potential impact on Ford’s costs.
Livent Corp:
Merger Talks with Allkem Australian Investors
Livent Corp, a U.S. lithium major, begins meeting Allkem Australian investors ahead of a vote on the $10.6 billion merger that would create the world’s third-largest lithium producer.
Netflix Inc:
Streaming services, including Netflix, Walt Disney, and Warner Bros Discovery, will pay bonuses of approximately $40 million per year as part of a tentative labor agreement reached with SAG-AFTRA actors.
Novo Nordisk A/S:
Positive Data on Heart Benefits of Obesity Drug
Novo Nordisk’s shares rose as the market reacted to data showing the heart protective benefits of its obesity drug, Wegovy, are not solely due to weight loss.
Nvidia Corp:
U.S.-China Chip Dynamics
U.S. curbs on China have created a game of “catch me if you can” with Nvidia and other companies, affecting the interests of both countries and potentially accelerating Chinese innovation.
Starbucks Corp:
NLRB Rejects Union Dissolution Bid
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) rejected a Starbucks barista’s bid for an election to dissolve a union at a Buffalo, New York, store, as the worker pursues a lawsuit claiming the agency’s structure is unconstitutional.
Tesla Inc:
EG Group’s Expansion of EV Charging Network
EG Group, owned by the Issa brothers, plans to buy Tesla ultra-fast charging units to expand its electric vehicle charging network across Europe, aiming for more than 20,000 EV chargers at its own sites.
Brookfield Corp and AustralianSuper’s Ongoing Battle Over Origin Energy Bid
In a surprising turn of events, AustralianSuper, the largest pension fund in Australia, has rejected a last-minute offer from Brookfield Corp and its partner EIG. The consortium proposed that AustralianSuper drop its opposition to their $10.5 billion bid for Origin Energy, a major Australian energy company. AustralianSuper, however, remains steadfast in its decision to reject the bid, stating that it significantly undervalues Origin Energy’s long-term worth.
First Quantum Minerals Faces Operational Challenges Amid Protests in Panama
Canadian miner First Quantum Minerals Ltd has encountered operational challenges at its mine in Panama. The company has announced a reduction in ore processing activities due to ongoing protests against the mining project, leading to blockades at a critical port. Protesters are expressing concerns over a mining contract signed between the Panamanian government and First Quantum Minerals, alleging corruption and favoritism towards the Canadian mining company.
