Market Analysis: April 24th, 2025

Global Market Update

Canadian Markets

Canada’s TSX Index advanced, buoyed by rising oil and gold prices, which lifted the broader commodities sector.  The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) released a forecast pointing to muted economic growth in the first quarter, with a more severe downturn expected in the months ahead. The CFIB estimates that the Canadian economy grew at an annualized rate of 0.8% in Q1. However, it projects a significant contraction of 5.6% annualized for the second quarter, citing ongoing economic pressures.

American Markets

American stock indexes rose broadly, led by strong gains in the technology sector. Shares of Nvidia and cloud computing companies saw notable increases, driving much of the upward momentum on Wall Street.  Shipping data released revealed that Global container shipping volume is set to contract by 1% on  the tariff implementation.  In March, the U.S. resale housing market slowed sharply as high mortgage rates discouraged buyers, worsening affordability issues. Existing home sales fell 5.9% to an annual rate of 4.02 million—the largest monthly drop since November 2022—falling short of the 4.15 million expected by economists.

European Markets

European markets rose as investors reacted to corporate earnings. Shares of Kering, the luxury fashion group, fell by 2% after its first-quarter results disappointed expectations. European Central Bank (ECB) policymaker Robert Holzmann, released a statement saying that interest rate cuts should be postponed until there’s greater clarity on international tariff developments.

In the UK, stocks closed flat as a warning from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that the British economy could be among the hardest hit by a potential global trade war. Adding to the complexity, Bank of England (BoE) Governor Andrew Bailey indicated that the central bank is likely to cut interest rates next month. The BoE is closely watching the escalation of global trade tensions and their possible impact on domestic economic stability.

Corporate Stock News

Adobe IncADBE is integrating AI models from OpenAI and Google into Firefly app, now also launching on mobile. More models (fal.ai, Luma, Runway) expected soon.

Alaska Air Group IncWithdrew full-year forecast citing macro uncertainty. Q2 adjusted EPS guided at $1.15–$1.65 vs. $2.47 est. Q1 adjusted loss: $0.77/share.

American Airlines Group IncWithdrew 2025 profit forecast. Q1 net loss widened to $473M ($0.72/share) vs. $312M prior year. Previous EPS outlook was $1.70–$2.70.

Boeing CoPlans to resell planes blocked from China due to tariffs. Returning jets to U.S. amid strong global demand. Effort aims to cut costs and debt.

Bristol Myers Squibb CoQ1 revenue of $11.2B beat estimates. EPS $1.20. Raised FY revenue to $45.8B–$46.8B and EPS to $6.70–$7.00.

Chipotle Mexican Grill IncLowered annual comp sales guidance to low single digits. Q1 comp sales +0.4%. EPS of $0.29 beat by $0.01; revenue missed.

Columbia Banking System Inc & Pacific Premier Bancorp IncColumbia to acquire Pacific Premier in ~$2B all-stock deal (3.6% premium). Combined firm will hold ~$57B in deposits.

Discover Financial ServicesQ1 profit rose 30%, net interest income hit $3.56B. Provision for credit losses down 17% YoY. NIM rose to 12.18% after student loan portfolio sale.

Dow IncQ1 net loss of $290M ($0.44/share) vs. $538M profit last year. Adjusted EPS of $0.02 beat estimates. Expanding asset review in Europe.

Edwards Lifesciences CorpQ1 EPS of $0.64 beat estimates. Raised 2025 sales outlook to $5.7B–$6.1B. Reaffirmed EPS of $2.40–$2.50. Tariff impact estimated at $0.05/share.

FirstEnergy CorpQ1 adjusted EPS of $0.67 beat estimates. Benefited from rate hikes and 4% distribution delivery growth. Segment contributions up YoY.

General Motors CoShifting Toledo plant from EV to ICE transmission production due to demand, not tariffs. No updates yet on second EV drive line.

Hasbro IncQ1 revenue up 17.1% YoY to $887.1M. Digital gaming up 46%. EPS $1.04 beat by $0.37. Annual forecast maintained despite tariff risk.

IBM (International Business Machines Corp)Forecasts Q2 revenue of $16.4B–$16.75B vs. $16.33B est. Rarely gives quarterly outlook, citing trade uncertainty. Sticks to ?5% revenue growth goal.

Jack in the BoxSelling Del Taco, suspending dividend, and closing 150–200 underperforming restaurants. CEO restructuring to reduce debt and improve performance.

Kimberly-Clark CorpFinal bidders (RGE, APP, Suzano SA) vying for $4B tissue unit. Bids due mid-May. Sale part of ongoing corporate restructuring.

Lam Research CorpQ3 revenue $4.72B beat estimates on AI chip demand. Expects Q4 revenue of ~$5B (±$300M). EPS $1.04 beat by $0.03. Strong in China and Taiwan.

Las Vegas Sands CorpQ1 EPS of $0.59 beat est. Revenue of $2.86B missed slightly. Singapore strength offset Macao softness.

Lions Gate Entertainment CorpShareholders approved separation of studio business from Starz to focus on streaming. Studio division owns 20,000+ film/TV titles.

Merck & Co IncQ1 adjusted EPS $2.22 beat est. Revenue fell 2% to $15.5B. Reaffirmed revenue guidance but trimmed EPS to $8.82–$8.97.

Molina Healthcare IncQ1 EPS of $6.08 beat estimates. Revenue rose 12% to $10.63B. Reaffirmed 2025 targets: $42B revenue, $24.50+ EPS. Medicaid cost ratio at 90.3%.

Newmont CorporationQ1 EPS of $1.25 beat est. Gold prices rose 41% YoY; production down 8.3%. Costs rose to $1,651/oz. Stock gained post-report.

PepsiCoCut 2025 EPS guidance (now -3%). Q1 EPS of $1.48 missed by $0.01. Revenue fell 1.8% to $17.92B. Organic volume down 2%. Blamed tariffs and weak demand.

Procter & Gamble CoCut FY25 guidance: now flat revenue (prior: 2–4% growth), EPS $6.72–$6.82 (prior: $6.91–$7.05). Q3 sales of $19.78B missed est.

Raymond James Financial IncMissed Q2 revenue estimates as tariff-related uncertainty hurt investment banking. Investment banking revenue was $216M vs. $251.1M est. Total revenue of $3.40B missed $3.42B est. Private client group revenue rose 6% to $2.49B, driven by higher asset and admin fees. Shares fell after hours.

Teck Resources LtdTECK Q1 EPS of C$0.60 beat C$0.32 est. Revenue up to C$2.29B. Copper sales rose 11%. Maintained 2025 guidance. FX helped results.

Texas Instruments IncForecasts Q2 revenue of $4.17B–$4.53B and EPS of $1.21–$1.47, both above est. Stock gained despite YTD drop. CEO warned of H2 tariff risk.

United Rentals IncQ1 EPS of $8.86 beat est. Revenue of $3.72B topped expectations. Rentals up 7.4%. Reaffirmed full-year revenue guidance of $15.6B–$16.1B.