Gainers:
Aspen Aerogels (+52%): The aerogel specialist did better than expected. Buoyed by the lithium battery industry and the good health of its thermal barriers segment, it posted record quarterly sales, up 107% year-on-year, a clearly positive EBITDA and robust gross margins (at 37%). Confident for the future, it anticipates a 59% increase in annual revenues.
Carvana (+42%): The used car dealer continues to confirm its solid recovery. Supported by its cost-cutting program and high interest rates, which are driving buyers towards used vehicles, it reported a surprise rise in retail sales (+16%), a record adjusted EBITDA margin and a positive outlook for the future. The stock rose 120% since the beginning of the year.
Immunitybio (+30%): The biotech specializing in treatments for cancer and infectious diseases has scored a double coup. A week ago, the FDA, the American health regulator, approved Anktiva, its bladder cancer therapy, paving the way for its commercialization this month. This week, the Group published positive results for the same treatment in the fight against non-small cell lung cancer. Speculation about a takeover of the company is therefore rife. Pinterest (+19%): The social network is doing well. Thanks to strong advertising revenues, its quarterly results exceeded consensus, with sales up 23%. The Group also anticipates sustained revenue growth in the second quarter, again ahead of expectations. In the wake of these results, a number of analyst firms have raised their target price on the stock.
Moderna (+16%): The biotech reported lower quarterly sales than in the previous year, which were hampered by a 91% decline in Covid vaccine sales, but were nevertheless well above Wall Street estimates, as well as a smaller-than-expected loss. Investors also supported the company's plans for a vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which should be submitted for regulatory approval later this year and marketed alongside those of rivals Pfizer and GSK. Paramount Global (+20%): The Paramount saga continues. While the entertainment group published its quarterly results this week, with sales up by almost 6% and a net loss halved, it continues to attract covetous interest. Approached a few weeks ago by several suitors, including Skydance Media, the cinema giant has received a new joint offer from Sony and Apollo Global Management, who are proposing $26 billion to take over the group's assets.
Anglo American (+3%): The mining group is the object of much interest. After having received a takeover offer of almost $40 billion from the giant BHP, which it rejected, it is said to have received signs of interest from its Swiss counterpart Glencore. That's all it took for the market to imagine a future bidding war for the company, which continues to drive the British FTSE 100 index to new heights.
Losers:Qorvo (-18%), Skyworks Solutions (-14%): Telephone equipment manufacturers, suppliers to Apple among others, are suffering from falling demand for smartphones and inflation. Although Qorvo's results for the past quarter were decent, the group anticipates a downturn in the next quarter, and its forecasts miss the consensus. Its rival makes a similar assessment. Both groups are also penalized by high reseller inventory levels, and increased competition from Broadcom and Qualcomm. Note that Qorvo retains the confidence of analysts, while support for Skyworks is waning. CVS Health Corporation (-18%): The American pharmacy and healthcare giant disappointed. It reported higher but below-consensus quarterly sales, weighed down by the health services division and higher medical costs in its health insurance business. The Group also lowered its full-year profit forecasts.
Cloudflare Inc (-17%): The cybersecurity and networking company disappointed investors. In its quarterly results, Cloudflare reported a larger-than-expected operating loss. This deterioration is mainly due to a significant increase in costs and marketing expenses over the period. Despite continued sales growth, these lower-than-expected results caused concern among investors, leading to a significant fall in the company's share price.
Starbucks (-15%): The American coffee chain is suffering from inflation. Faced with declining patronage in the USA and China, its two biggest markets and together accounting for 61% of its customer base, it reported quarterly sales down 4% worldwide and net profit down 15%, both below expectations. The Group went a step further by reducing its annual forecasts, and management's clumsy communication following the earnings report didn't help.
|
By 
