The stock market witnessed significant movements today as several major companies reported their fourth-quarter earnings, leading to notable shifts in their share prices. Comcast experienced a fall of more than 6% following a decline in broadband and cable TV customers. In contrast, Las Vegas Sands saw a surge of over 7% in its stock price after announcing mixed quarterly results. These movements come amid a series of earnings reports and forecasts that are shaping investor sentiment.
Comcast's share price suffered a decline of more than 6% after the company reported a decrease in both broadband and cable TV customers during the fourth quarter. The telecommunications giant earned 96 cents per share, excluding items, on a substantial revenue of $31.92 billion. However, the loss of 139,000 domestic broadband customers and 311,000 cable users overshadowed these earnings. This decline reflects ongoing challenges in the cable industry as consumers increasingly shift towards streaming services.
Las Vegas Sands enjoyed a significant boost as its stock rose over 7% following the release of its quarterly results. The casino and resort operator reported mixed outcomes but managed to capture investor interest with positive aspects of its performance. The company's stock reacted favorably despite the varied results, indicating investor confidence in its long-term prospects.
In the healthcare sector, Cigna faced a substantial setback with its shares plummeting 11%. The company's fourth-quarter earnings fell short of consensus estimates, disappointing investors and leading to a sell-off. This result highlights the challenges facing health-care companies amid evolving market dynamics and regulatory pressures.
Caterpillar, on the other hand, exceeded Wall Street expectations by earning $5.14 per share, excluding items. This was higher than the forecasted $5.02 per share, showcasing Caterpillar's robust operational performance. The company's better-than-expected earnings underscore its resilience in a challenging economic environment.
Microsoft faced a decline of around 4% in its share price after issuing lighter-than-expected revenue guidance for the current quarter. The software giant's forecast raised concerns among investors about potential slowdowns in growth and profitability.
Tesla managed to defy weaker-than-expected fourth-quarter results by gaining 4% in its share price. Despite missing market expectations, investor enthusiasm for Tesla's future prospects and innovation in the electric vehicle industry remains strong.
ServiceNow reported earnings of $3.67 per share, excluding items, on revenue of $2.96 billion. The company's earnings performance reflects its continued growth and ability to meet market demands.
International Business Machines (IBM) experienced a robust premarket rally with shares jumping nearly 10%. The legacy tech company reported fourth-quarter earnings that surpassed analyst expectations, signaling a positive outlook for IBM's strategic initiatives.
In contrast, Levi Strauss saw its stock fall by 7% after issuing a 2025 forecast that fell below market expectations. This forecast dampened investor confidence and led to a sell-off in Levi Strauss shares.
Southwest Airlines reported fourth-quarter revenue of $6.93 billion, which was slightly below the $6.96 billion projected by analysts polled by FactSet. The airline's performance reflects ongoing challenges in the travel industry as it navigates fluctuating demand and operational constraints.
Northrop Grumman's shares slipped 2% following its failure to meet sales expectations for the fourth quarter. The defense company's results highlighted the competitive pressures within the industry and the ongoing need for strategic adjustments.
Dow experienced a dip of about 3% after posting fourth-quarter operating earnings and revenue that fell short of expectations. Additionally, the company issued softer-than-expected first-quarter revenue guidance, further dampening investor sentiment.
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