So far, Apple’s AI strategy appears underfunded by contrast with the Big Tech cluster. Simultaneously, it is difficult to ignore AI’s underlying problems.
Stocks sold off to end the week as negative overshadowed solid earnings reports from the mega-cap tech companies, which show the AI trade is alive and well
On July 31, Microsoft and Meta respectively released their latest quarterly earnings reports, with both performances far exceeding market expectations.
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Shares of content delivery company Fastly (NYSE:FSLY)
fell 5% in the afternoon session after the White House announced a new round of steep global tariffs, sparking concerns of a trade war and its impact on the U.S. and global economies. This move creates significant uncertainty for businesses and investors. The new tariffs, with rates of up to 41% on imports from 68 countries and the European Union, prompted a broad market sell-off, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq index showing notable weakness. Adding to the bearish sentiment was a weaker-than-expected July jobs report, which revealed that employers created only 73,000 jobs, far below economists' expectations. This combination of trade fears and signs of a slowing labor market has created a "risk-off" environment, leading investors to pull back from growth-oriented sectors like software and technology.
A number of stocks fell in the afternoon session after the White House announced a new round of steep global tariffs, sparking concerns of a trade war and its impact on the U.S. and global economies. This move creates significant uncertainty for businesses and investors. The new tariffs, with rates of up to 41% on imports from 68 countries and the European Union, prompted a broad market sell-off, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq index showing notable weakness. Adding to the bearish sentiment was a weaker-than-expected July jobs report, which revealed that employers created only 73,000 jobs, far below economists' expectations. This combination of trade fears and signs of a slowing labor market has created a "risk-off" environment, leading investors to pull back from growth-oriented sectors like software and technology.
Looking for the most active stocks in the S&P500 index on Friday? Dive into today's session and discover the stocks that are dominating the trading activity and setting the pace for the market.
Amazon’s shares were down more than 8% in Friday’s midday session after the Amazon Web Services cloud unit’s second-quarter performance and third-quarter guidance disappointed Wall Street.
Shares of higher education company Perdoceo Education (NASDAQ:PRDO)
jumped 3.2% in the afternoon session after the company reported strong second-quarter results that surpassed analyst expectations for both earnings and revenue. The education provider posted revenue of $209.6 million, a 25.7% increase from the previous year, driven by a 17.4% rise in total student enrollments. The company's adjusted earnings per share landed at $0.67 and surpassed the consensus estimate of $0.60. In a show of confidence, management boosted shareholder returns. The board authorized a new $75 million share buyback program and approved a 15.4% increase in the quarterly dividend. The company also provided an optimistic full-year forecast, which further bolstered investor sentiment.
Shares of manufacturing company Leggett & Platt (NYSE:LEG)
fell 12% in the morning session after the company reported second-quarter results that showed a drop in sales and a weak forecast, with a broader market downturn adding to the negative sentiment. The furniture and bedding component maker's sales decreased by 6% from the prior year. While adjusted earnings per share ticked up slightly, the figure missed some analyst estimates. The company's outlook also concerned investors, as it expected a mid-teens volume decline in its Bedding Products segment. Leggett & Platt did maintain its full-year guidance, but that forecast still projected an annual sales drop. The negative report landed amidst a wider market sell-off, which was triggered by a weak U.S. jobs report and the announcement of new tariffs.
Shares of real estate technology company eXp World (NASDAQ:EXPI)
fell 15.4% in the morning session after the company reported disappointing second-quarter financial results, including a significant earnings miss and a net loss.
