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  • Graniteshares | April 26th, 2024

Graniteshares | April 26th, 2024

Today's insights are courtesy of GraniteShares, they provide innovative, cutting-edge investment solutions for the high-conviction investor.

GOOD MORNING

Index/AssetDayMonthYear
Dow▼0.11%▼2.23%▲14.48%
S&P▲0.02%▼3.01%▲24.07%
Nasdaq▲0.10%▼4.46%▲31.89%
Bitcoin▼3.23%▼8.17%▲126.34%
10-Year▲1.16%▲9.82%▲36.38%

Here's everything you need to know today: Major movements across tech and economic landscapes capture our focus. Alphabet shakes off recent challenges to post stronger-than-expected quarterly earnings, launching its first-ever dividend amidst broader corporate shifts toward enhancing shareholder value. Meanwhile, Snap Inc. showcases a robust return to form, with its first-quarter earnings outperforming expectations, reflecting significant strides in digital advertising dynamics.

Elsewhere, the debut of cybersecurity firm Rubrik on the NYSE marks a bullish sentiment in the tech sector, underscored by a notable IPO performance. On a broader economic note, the U.S. faces headwinds with potential stagflation as growth slows and inflation concerns persist, raising alarms about long-term economic stability. Additionally, Comcast’s Peacock streaming service reports substantial revenue growth, highlighting the shifting dynamics in the streaming wars and setting up a landscape ripe for strategic competition and market realignments.

Let’s dive into more detail below.

BIG TECH

Alphabet Shines with $80.54 Billion Revenue, Unveils First Dividend

Alphabet's substantial revenue gains and a new dividend policy point to a resilient and thriving corporate strategy

BREAKING NEWS
After a lukewarm reception to Gemini and over 50 employees being fired for pro-Palestinian protests, Google revealed stronger-than-expected earnings for the latest quarter and declared its inaugural dividend.

With earnings per share (EPS) of $1.89, surpassing the anticipated $1.53, and revenue hitting $80.54 billion against forecasts of $78.59 billion, Alphabet has demonstrated robust financial health and signaled a new phase in shareholder returns.

The introduction of a quarterly cash dividend, set at 20 cents per share, marks a pivotal moment for the company, reflecting its confidence in sustained profitability and growth.

WHAT HAPPENED
In the detailed breakdown of its financial performance, Alphabet reported a 15% increase in revenue year-over-year, reaching $80.54 billion—its fastest growth since early 2022. Notably, YouTube advertising revenue and Google Cloud revenue also exceeded expectations, with figures of $8.09 billion and $9.57 billion, respectively, indicating strong sectoral performance. The announcement of a $70 billion share repurchase program further underscores Alphabet's aggressive strategy to enhance shareholder value. Additionally, the tech giant's move to initiate a dividend follows in the footsteps of Meta, which announced its first dividend earlier this year, highlighting a trend among tech behemoths to attract and retain investors through direct financial returns.

This strategic shift enhances Alphabet's appeal to a broader investor base and reflects a broader industry trend towards greater fiscal discipline and shareholder return amidst market volatility.

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SOCIAL MEDIA

Snapchat’s Stock Pops 23% as Revenue Growth & TikTok Ban Sends Shares Higher

Exceeding expectations with a strong quarterly performance, Snap's shares soared in after-hours trading as it reported a significant uptick in rev and recent TikTok ban

BREAKING NEWS
In an unexpected turnaround for one of the original social media platforms, Snap Inc. has reported a surprising first-quarter performance that saw its shares leap by over 23% in extended trading. This development comes as the company surpassed analysts' earnings expectations and demonstrated a robust return to double-digit revenue growth.

The market's response was swift and positive, highlighting the potential resurgence of Snap's financial health and strategic positioning.

WHAT HAPPENED
Snap's financial release on Thursday outlined a series of achievements that underscored its improved market performance. For the first quarter, Snap achieved an adjusted earnings per share of 3 cents, starkly outperforming the anticipated loss of 5 cents. Its revenue climbed to $1.19 billion, topping estimates by a notable margin and marking a 21% increase from the previous year's $989 million. 

The gains were largely attributed to refined advertising strategies and burgeoning demand for its direct-response advertising solutions, signaling a strategic pivot that appears to be paying dividends. 

The platform's global daily active users reached 422 million, slightly above expectations, with user engagement on content viewing notably rising—Spotlight viewership alone surged by 125% year-over-year.

IPO

Rubrik's IPO Soars 21% on NYSE Debut

Despite broader market downturns, Rubrik's stock surge underscores growing demand for cybersecurity solutions

BREAKING NEWS
Rubrik, a burgeoning star in Palo Alto, providing data security solutions to more than 6,100 customers, backed by tech giant Microsoft, has launched onto the New York Stock Exchange with a bang.

The company's stock leaped nearly 21% at the opening, signaling strong investor appetite and bestowing Rubrik with an impressive $6.77 billion market capitalization.

This stellar debut underscores a rejuvenating IPO market rallying around the prospects of an economic 'soft landing,' defying broader market downtrends.

WHAT HAPPENED
Marking a robust entry into the public market, Rubrik's shares opened at a commanding $38.6 against a set IPO price of $32, later stabilizing at $37. The company, garnering substantial funds amounting to $752 million from its IPO, stands out amid the recent volatility experienced by the small-cap index Russell 2000, which has seen a near 7% decline this month.

Established in late 2013, Rubrik has swiftly ascended as a competitive force in data security, counting heavyweights like Whirlpool, PepsiCo, and Goldman Sachs in its client roster, showcasing the growing clout and essentiality of cybersecurity solutions in the digital age.

LAST WEEK

Here’s what you missed

1. Alphabet's Dividend and Earnings Beat

Alphabet's shares surged by 14% after beating earnings expectations and announcing its first-ever dividend, signaling strong financial health and investor optimism.

2. Microsoft Exceeds Earnings Forecasts

Driven by robust performance in AI and cloud computing, Microsoft's financial results exceeded Wall Street targets, boosting its stock value.

3. U.S. Economic Growth and Inflation Concerns

The U.S. GDP grew at a slower-than-expected rate of 1.6% in the first quarter, with rising inflation rates stirring fears of economic stagnation and challenging central bank policies.

4. Federal Reserve Rate Cut Speculations Diminish

As inflation remains persistent and economic data disappoints, investors are reassessing the likelihood of rate cuts by the Federal Reserve.

5. Honda's $11 Billion EV Investment in Canada

Honda plans to invest $11 billion to establish an electric vehicle hub in Canada, aiming to build 240,000 EVs annually and reinforcing its commitment to electrification.

6. Net Neutrality Restored by FCC

The FCC has voted to reinstate net neutrality rules, reversing previous deregulations and aiming to ensure equal internet access for all users.

7. Meta Faces Market Value Decline

Meta Platforms experienced a significant decrease in market value as investors reacted to the company's announcement of increased AI spending, sparking concerns about future profitability.

8. Rubrik's Successful IPO

Cybersecurity firm Rubrik enjoyed a strong initial public offering, with its stock price jumping 16% on its debut, indicating high investor confidence and a positive market outlook.

9. Debate Over Tesla's Future Vehicle Strategy

Despite reporting strong earnings, Tesla's announcements regarding its vehicle lineup led to mixed reactions from analysts, raising questions about the company's strategic focus.

10. Inflation Challenges for the Federal Reserve

With the U.S. economy slowing down and inflation rates remaining high, the Federal Reserve faces difficult decisions on managing monetary policy without exacerbating economic issues.

Today's insights are courtesy of GraniteShares, they provide innovative, cutting-edge investment solutions for the high-conviction investor.

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