Shareverse Archives - Page 8 of 13

August 1, 2024September 12, 2025

Rolls-Royce shares surge to all-time high as dividend is reinstated

Rolls-Royce shares surged over 11% to reach a record high on Thursday 1st August 2024 following the reinstatement of its dividend and an increase in its profit outlook, buoyed by robust first-half results

The British aerospace and defence giant announced an underlying profit of £1.1 billion for the first half of the year and projected this to grow to between £2.1 billion and £2.3 billion for the full year of 2024.

This projection surpasses the previous forecast of £1.7 billion to £2.0 billion made in its full-year results for 2023 and exceeds market expectations.

Rolls-Royce one-year share price as of: 1st August 2024 (12pm)

July 31, 2024September 12, 2025

ASML and AMD shares climb on positive U.S. geopolitical news

ASML

Shares in the Dutch company ASML soared by around 10% on Wednesday 31st July 2024 following a Reuters report indicating that the firm might be exempt from the broadened export restrictions on chipmaking equipment to China.

Additionally, it was also reported that the U.S. is contemplating an expansion of the foreign direct product rule.

U.S. chip export restrictions to China could exclude allies such as the Netherlands, Japan, South Korea, Israel, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia. Taiwan is the home of TSMC, the world’s biggest chip manufacturing plant.

AMD

Shares of global semiconductor companies surged on Wednesday 31st July 2024, lifted by positive earnings within the sector and reports suggesting potential easing of U.S. export restrictions to China.

AMD emerged as one of the standout performers, with its shares climbing over 9% in U.S. premarket trading following a robust second-quarter earnings report.

July 29, 2024September 12, 2025

Apple’s iPhone crown slips again in China

Apple has been ousted from the top five smartphone vendors in China during Q2, as local brands like Huawei continue to escalate competition

Apple is no longer among the top five smartphone vendors in China as local brands take over the market.

Apple’s market share in China has declined, falling to 14% in the second quarter from 15% in the first quarter and 16% 2023.

For the first time in history, domestic vendors have taken over all top five positions in China.

According to reports, incorporating Apple’s Intelligence systems in its products in mainland China will be crucial over the next 12 months, as Chinese brands are rapidly integrating generative AI into their designs.

This is not good news for Apple. The company is facing challenges, notably lagging behind in the AI innovation race, and compounded by a rapidly falling share of the mobile market in China.

July 26, 2024September 12, 2025

OpenAI announces a search engine called SearchGPT

OpenAI on Thursday 25th July 2024 announced a prototype of its search engine, called SearchGPT, which aims to give users “fast and timely answers with clear and relevant sources.”

The company has announced plans to eventually incorporate the tool, presently in testing with a select user group, into its ChatGPT chatbot.

The introduction of ChatGPT could have significant implications for Google’s search engine dominance. Since ChatGPT’s debut in November 2022, there has been growing concern among Alphabet’s investors that OpenAI may capture a portion of Google’s market share by offering consumers innovative methods to obtain information on the internet.

Alphabet three month share price as of 25th July 2024

OpenAI’s ChatGPT was incorporated into Microsoft’s search engine Bing as Copilot and the companies have kept market dominance with this shrewd AI move. Google, on the other hand, has struggled to keep up in the AI race and may now be suffering the effects.

This announcement could have implications for Microsoft’s Copilot as well.

July 25, 2024September 12, 2025

Luxury brand Gucci-owner Kering share price hits a seven-year low after weak forecast

Kering, the owner of Gucci, experienced a drop in its share value on Thursday 25th July 2024 following the announcement of a significant revenue decrease in the first half of the year, coupled with a subdued outlook for the latter half.

Kering’s shares fell by up to 9% as the markets opened, trading at levels not seen since August 2017.

Kering one year share price chart 24th July 2024 (am)

The luxury group announced late Wednesday 24th July 2024 that its revenue dropped by 11% in the first half of 2024, in comparison to the same period the previous year. The company reportedly attributed the decline to a slowing market in most regions, with the exception of Japan.

Kering are not alone in suffering a drop in share value, as luxury brands including LVMH and Burberry also experienced weaker trade declines noted in recent reports.

A deceleration of luxury purchases in China is cited as one of the major reasons for the declines.

July 25, 2024September 12, 2025

U.S. stocks slip as Nasdaq tumbles for worst day since 2022 – Tesla and Alphabet fall

Stocks sold off Wednesday 24th July 2024, blighted by underwhelming reports from Tesla and Alphabet – leading the Nasdaq Composite and the S&P 500 to post their worst sessions since 2022.

The S&P 500 index dropped to closing at 5427, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq slid around 3.65% to end at 17342. The Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 504 points closing at 39853.

Nasdaq Comp one day chart 24th July 2024

Shares of Google parent company Alphabet fell 5% for their biggest one-day drop since 31st January, when they dropped 7.5%. Although Alphabet reported good numbers, YouTube advertising revenue came in below the consensus estimate causing share to dip.

Alphabet one day chart 24th July 2024

Tesla shares declined around 12% – their worst day since 2020 – on weaker-than-expected results and a 7% year-on-year drop in auto revenue.

Tesla one day chart 24th July 2024

July 24, 2024September 12, 2025

World’s largest luxury group LVMH slumps after Q2 revenue miss

Shares in LVMH fell on Wednesday after the luxury group on Tuesday 23rd July 2024 released its earnings for the first half of 2024

Shares in the world’s largest luxury group LVMH pulled-back on Wednesday 24th July 2024 after its second-quarter sales came in below analysts expectations

Other luxury sector stocks, including Gucci-owner Kering which is set to report earnings on Wednesday 24th July, also retreated.

LVMH one year share price chart from July 2023

July 24, 2024September 12, 2025

Tesla shares fall after weaker-than-expected results

Tesla’s shares dropped in U.S. pre-market trading following the electric car maker’s Q2 earnings report, which fell short of expectations.

The company saw a 7% year-on-year decrease in automotive revenue for the June 2024 quarter, down to $19.9 billion, and a decline in its ‘adjusted’ earnings margin.

Investors are divided on Tesla’s stock, with some concerned that the core car business is struggling, while others remain optimistic about Musk’s vision for autonomous driving.

Tesla continues to lead in U.S. electric vehicle sales, yet it’s facing declining market share as competitors emerge, partly due to its older range on offer and Elon Musk’s occasional controversial public statements.

Attention has shifted to other aspects of Tesla’s narrative, such as the anticipated introduction of a new mass-market vehicle to refresh its vehicle lineup. Musk reportedly re-affirmed that Tesla plans to launch an ‘affordable’ car in the upcoming year.

Tesla 3-year share price chart as at: 23rd July 2024

The earnings also highlighted his robotaxi vision. Musk shared his ‘expectation’ of a future where Tesla owners could allow their vehicles to operate in an Uber-like ride-hailing environment, with the cars driving autonomously.

And then we have the prospect for the greatly hyped arrival of Tesla’s humanoid robot due in 2025.

As we all know – Musk does much more than EVs.

July 23, 2024September 12, 2025

Elon Musk suggests Tesla will use humanoid robots in 2025

Tesla boss Elon Musk says the electric car maker will start producing and using humanoid robots from next year.

In a social media update, Elon Musk stated that Tesla will initially employ the robots, with plans to commence production for sale by 2026.

He had earlier anticipated that the robot, named Optimus, would be operational in Tesla factories by this year’s end. Additionally, companies such as Honda Rototics and Boston Dynamics are also advancing their humanoid robot technologies.

“Tesla will have genuinely useful humanoid robots in low production for Tesla internal use next year and, hopefully, high production for other companies in 2026,” Mr Musk posted on his social media platform X.

July 18, 2024September 12, 2025

Worst day for Nasdaq since 2022 as investors continue to rotate out of tech. S&P 500 slides – Dow gains

On Wednesday 17th July 2024, the Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500 pulled-back as investors continued to shift from tech stocks to more interest rate-sensitive sectors.

The S&P 500 dropped 1.39%, closing at 5588. The tech-geared Nasdaq tumbled 2.77%, finishing at 17996, marking its worst session since December 2022 and ending below 18000 for the first time since 1st July 2024.

Conversely, the Dow Jones Industrial Average resisted the downward trend, gaining around 243 points, or to close at 41198. This advance led the index to close above the 41000 milestone.

Nasdaq Composite 17th July 2024 – one day chart

S&P 500 17th July 2024 – one day chart

Dow Jones 17th July 2024 – one day chart

July 17, 2024September 12, 2025

Market rotation helps Dow to a 743-point one day gain to close at a record high. Russell 2000 and crypto benefit

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at a record high Tuesday 16th July 2024, rallying 743 points for its biggest one-day increase in more than a year, as the bull run appeared to broaden.

The small cap-focused Russell 2000 also rose for the fifth straight day, rising 3.5% fast closing in on a new record high as the money continues to rotate from tech stocks.

Russell 2000 index one year chart

The Dow Jones finished at 40,954, marking an increase of 1.85% for the day. It has experienced consistent daily gains since the previous week, culminating in an overall rise of over 4% over the past five trading days. The closing value on Tuesday 16th July 2024 represents the largest single-day gain since June 2023.

Dow one year chart as at: 16th July 2024

The market saw an uptick amidst a broader rally, driven by the news that June retail sales exceeded expectations, strong earnings reports to date, and the expectation of a benchmark interest rate reduction by the Federal Reserve in September.

Positive remarks from the Federal Reserve about potential interest rate cuts are bolstering market sentiment. Additionally, the buzz surrounding Trump’s re-election campaign and the recent assassination attempt on Trump at one of his election rallies seem to be influencing market movements as well.

However, Donald Trump reportedly said Taiwan should pay the U.S. for defence, in an interview with Bloomberg Businessweek published on Tuesday 16th July 2024. His comment had a negative impact on chip and tech stocks.

Crypto is enjoying the market rotation as more money is being ploughed back into cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin jumped from a low point in July 2024 of just below $56,000. Altcoins are also enjoying a mini-recovery.

Bitcoin benefitting from markets rotation – one year chart

July 15, 2024September 12, 2025

Burberry share price slides as company announces profit warning

Burberry shares slide on Monday 15th July 2024 after the UK luxury fashion group announced a profit warning and a dividend halt and said its chief executive officer (CEO) was being replaced.

The maker of the iconic trench coat described a ‘disappointing’ fiscal first-quarter 2025 in a trading update.

Burberry reportedly said that if the recent trading slowdown continues, it expects to report an operating loss for the first half of this year and full-year operating profit below current consensus.

Shares in the 168-year-old British luxury giant were down 15% on Monday 15th July 2024 in early London trading.

Burberry share price falls to around 745 on Monday 15th July 2024 – one year share price chart

July 15, 2024September 12, 2025

Dow rises more than 400 points to hit intra-day of 42000 then trims back before close

Let the rotation begin

The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged on Friday 12th July 2024 as investors began to diversify beyond the technology sector.

The Dow closed at 40,000.90, after hitting a new all-time high of 40,257.

The S&P 500 added 0.55% to 5,615, and the Nasdaq Composite went up 0.63% to 18,398. However, on Thursday 11th July 2024 the S&P 500 experienced its worst day since late April due to a major market rotation, with Nvidia dropping 5.6%.

Investors rotated from tech to industrial stocks in the Dow on Friday, hoping that slowing inflation might lead to a Federal Reserve rate cut in September.

The Dow gained 1.6% for the week, spurred by a report showing a 0.1% decline in the consumer price index for June. Recent reports suggest that the Federal Reserve might indeed consider a rate cut in September if inflation continues to slow.

While the AI growth has been dominant, other market catalysts, such as potential rate cuts, can also drive different sectors, including utilities.

Good earnings, improving economic news and the promise of a rate cut are combining to become the perfect storm for U.S. stocks.

July 11, 2024September 12, 2025

Big Tech and AI stocks push S&P 500 and Nasdaq to new all-time highs!

On Wednesday, 10th July 2024, the S&P 500 reached a new record high, surpassing 5,600 for the first time, propelled by a significant surge in semiconductor stocks.

The S&P 500 index rose by 1.02%, ending the day at 5,633 and marking its seventh consecutive day of gains. The Nasdaq Composite increased, achieving a new all-time high closing at 18,647.

This year has seen the S&P 500 close at record highs some 37 times, with the Nasdaq following closely with 27 record high finishes.

S&P 500

Nasdaq Composite

The Dow Jones Industrial Average grew by 429 points, finishing at 39,721.

Note: figures rounded

July 11, 2024September 12, 2025

Japan’s Nikkei blast through 42000 to reach all-time high

Japan’s Nikkei 225 surpassed the 42,000 threshold for the first time ever during a widespread increase in Asia-Pacific markets on Thursday 11th July 2024.

This surge followed a rally in U.S. Big Tech stocks, fueled by optimism over a potential Federal Reserve rate cut moving ever closer.

The Nikkei climbed almost 1% to close at 42,224 driven by gains in technology shares, while the comprehensive Topix index advanced to finish at 2,929.

Nikkei index

July 9, 2024September 12, 2025

Japan, India and U.S. stock markets continue to hit new record highs!

Asia-Pacific markets witnessed highs on Tuesday 8th July 2024, mirroring the gains on Wall Street where the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite ended at record highs. India’s Nifty 50 index also hit an all-time high of 24401.2

Investors are anticipating the forthcoming U.S. consumer price index release to discern the Federal Reserve’s direction on interest rates.

Pundits

Pundits have moved this year from four 0.25% rate reductions to one and now maybe to two with the first in September 2024. The Fed trickles decisions out from its fickle stance and each time the markets move in anticipation like a lap dog eagerly awaiting a pat. It almost doesn’t matter what the Fed does – markets want to go up. However, a rate reduction and good economic and earnings news will drive the markets even higher, for a while.

Fickle Fed

Markets are currently anticipating earnings reports. The Federal Reserve, having considered the latest economic reports, has influenced the markets with a mix of indifferent decisions. AI and technology have significantly shifted the stock market landscape, with the potential for further growth – provided that earnings sustain the pace of AI investments and expenses.

Both the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite achieved record highs again overnight, alongside Japan’s Nikkei and Topix reaching new highs too.

The Nikkei 225 climbed to settle at 41580.17 after hitting a new high of 41769.35. The Topix also gained, closing at 2895.55, having touched a peak of 2907.21.

Nikkei

Topix

S&P 500

Nasdaq Composite

Nifty 50

July 8, 2024September 12, 2025

Tesla shares recover 2024 losses with a 27% rally in one week

Following a dismal beginning to 2024, Tesla’s stock has experienced a sharp rally, erasing its losses for 2023.

Tesla’s shares ended on Friday at $251.55, marking a 27% increase for the week.

The automaker announced on Tuesday 2nd July 2024 that its second-quarter vehicle deliveries surpassed forecasts.

Tesla 5-day chart – share price closed at 251.55

July 6, 2024September 12, 2025

S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit record highs again as job data raises chance of a Fed interest rate cut

Markets respond positively to job data as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq break record highs, again!

S&P 500 record high

Nasdaq Composite record high

Nasdaq 100 record high

U.S. non-farm payrolls increase

The U.S. economy added slightly more jobs than expected in June 2024 though the unemployment rate increased, the U.S. Labor Department reported Friday.

Non-farm payrolls increased by 206,000 for the month, better than the 200,000 Dow Jones forecast though less than the downwardly revised gain of 218,000 in May, which was cut sharply from the initial estimate of 272,000.

The unemployment rate unexpectedly rose to 4.1%, matching the peak since October 2021, presenting a conundrum for Federal Reserve officials as they consider their next steps in monetary policy. Projections had indicated that the unemployment rate would remain stable at 4%.

July 5, 2024September 12, 2025

Japan’s Nikkei passes 41000 – then trims gain slightly

On 5th July 2024, Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index climbed above 41,000 before retreating from its record close of 40,913.65.

The Nikkei 225 serves as a crucial barometer for the Japanese stock market, representing the performance of prominent companies on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. It continues to stand at historically elevated levels.

Nikkei one year chart closes at 40912 after passing 41000 for the first time

July 4, 2024September 12, 2025

An important rare Earth metal

Tungsten is a critically important rare earth metal, renowned for its unique and valuable properties.

Tungsten has the highest melting point among all metals, which makes it exceptionally suitable for high-temperature applications.

Key aspects of its importance

Industrial and technological applications

Tungsten is used in many industries where hardness, high density, high wear resistance, and high-temperature resistance are required. This includes mining, construction, energy generation, electronics, aerospace, and defence sectors. It is used in weapons, autos, electric car batteries, semiconductors and industrial machinery.

Fact: approximately 2Kg of tungsten goes into every electric vehicle.

Alloys

Metals are frequently alloyed with Tungsten to enhance their strength without substantially adding to their weight. This property is vital for uses like arc-welding electrodes and heating elements in high-temperature furnaces.

Significance

Tungsten is acknowledged as a critical metal because of its economic significance and the scarcity of its sources. It is reported that China produces the majority of the world’s tungsten, controlling approximately 80% of the supply of this rare earth metal.

Durability and flexibility

Tungsten’s durability, flexibility, and resistance to corrosion contribute to its popularity across various industries and applications. It ranks among the hardest and most resilient materials found in nature.

These characteristics render tungsten not just crucial but also indispensable for numerous high-tech applications. The rarity of tungsten and the intricate nature of its extraction and refinement processes enhance its value even further.

World suppliers of tungsten

According to Statista.com the global tungsten market was valued at over $5 billion USD in 2022. It’s projected to grow significantly, with estimates suggesting it could reach over $9.5 billion USD by 2030

July 4, 2024September 12, 2025

Nasdaq and S&P 500 both hit new highs as markets close early for U.S. Independence Day!

The S&P 500 reached new heights in a shortened trading session on Wednesday 3rd July 2024, with investors seemingly dismissing lacklustre economic data.

The S&P 500 closed at a new high of 5537, while the Nasdaq Composite finished the session at 18188, buoyed by rallies in technology and AI stocks like Tesla and Nvidia. Both indices reached new all-time highs during the session and closed at record levels.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost just closed down at 39308.

Trading volume was subdued as the New York Stock Exchange closed early at 1 p.m. ET. The exchange will remain closed on Thursday 4th July 2024 for Independence Day celebrations.

S&P 500: One-year chart – index closed at a new record high

S&P 500 One-year chart closed at new record high

Nasdaq Composite: One-year chart closed at new record high

July 3, 2024September 12, 2025

Common investing mistakes to avoid

Avoiding common investing and trading pitfalls is crucial. Here are some typical investing errors you should try to avoid.

Warren Buffett wisely cautions against investing in businesses that are not well understood. It is crucial to have a deep understanding of the company, its market sector, the broader industry, and its financial stability before committing to an investment.

Understand your investment

Take time to research whether it be a company, fund, unit trust or savings account. Make sure you understand what you are doing. Not understanding the investment is a massive failing.

Love the company, but resist falling in love with it. An emotional attachment to a specific stock can obscure your judgement. Keep in mind that investing should be a process of making rational decisions based on data, not on personal emotions.

Patience

Successful investing demands patience. Don’t anticipate immediate results; give your investments the necessary time to mature. Resist the urge to frequently check the markets and make hasty uninformed decisions.

Investment turnover

Excessive trading, known as churning, can result in significant transaction fees and tax consequences. It is advisable to adopt a long-term investment strategy and minimize superfluous trades.

Attempting to time the market

Consistently timing the market is a difficult task. Instead, the emphasis should be on the duration of market involvement. Steady contributions and maintaining investments yield benefits in the long-term.

Getting even

Clinging to underperforming investments with the hope of just breaking even can be harmful. It’s crucial to assess each investment on its own merits and be prepared to take losses when needed. Run the winners!

Diversify

Investing all your funds in a single stock or asset class heightens the risk. Mitigate this by diversifying your investments across various asset types, industries, sectors and regions.

Cut emotions

Fear and greed often result in unwise decisions. It’s crucial to remain disciplined, adhere to your investment plan, and resist the urge to make hasty decisions driven by emotions.

You

Always maintain honesty with yourself when investing. Do not persuade yourself of anything other than the FACTS regarding your investment choices!

Keep in mind that investing is a journey where learning from mistakes is an integral part of the experience. By steering clear of these common pitfalls, you’ll set yourself up for greater long-term success.

Spread out your investments. Diversify. Aim for the long term. Remove emotion. Let the winners run. And doe your RESEARCH!

RESEARCH! RESEARCH! RESEARCH!

July 3, 2024September 12, 2025

S&P 500 closes above 5500 for the first time

On 2nd July 2024, the S&P 500 reached a significant milestone, closing above 5500 for the first time in its history.

This impressive achievement has prolonged the blistering rally of 2024, during which the index has reached 32 record highs. Since July 2023, the S&P 500 index has surged by more than 1000 points.

The rise in U.S. equities has been propelled by robust corporate earnings, the artificial intelligence (AI) boom, and the anticipation of interest rate reductions. Although some analysts warn that the market might be stretched too far, others are forecasting additional increases.

Many analysts have now raised their target for the S&P 500 to end the year at around 5700.

One year S&P 500 chart July 2023 to July 2024

July 2, 2024September 12, 2025

Amazon plans discount store to fend off the rise of Temu and Shein

Amazon is reportedly preparing to launch a new store section on its site dedicated to low-priced fashion and lifestyle items.

The move is aimed at competing with e-commerce upstarts Temu and Shein, both of which have ties to China.

The new storefront will offer unbranded products, with numerous items priced below $20. Amazon plans to ship these goods directly from China, targeting a delivery window of round 10 days. This initiative is a strategic move by Amazon to counter increasing competition and broaden its assortment while preserving competitive pricing.

While the precise launch date has not been announced, the storefront is anticipated to begin accepting products in the autumn of 2024.

June 27, 2024September 12, 2025

Amazon achieves a $2 trillion market cap for the first time

During intraday trading on Wednesday 26th June 2024, Amazon’s market capitalisation surpassed $2 trillion.

The company now stands among other tech giants like Nvidia, Apple, Alphabet, and Microsoft, which have also achieved a market cap of over $2 trillion ($3 trillion for in Nvidia Apple and Microsoft).

Amazon’s shares have experienced a significant increase in the past year.

Amazon one year chart from 27th June 2023 – 26th June 2024. Share price: 193.61

June 26, 2024September 12, 2025

Nvidia rebounds after half a trillion market cap slump

To put this figure into some perspective, the loss is comparable to the GDP output of a small country, such as Norway, Singapore, or the UAE, for example.

Global semiconductor stocks experienced volatility on Tuesday following a decline in Nvidia’s shares from the previous trading sessions.

Shares of chip firms in Europe and Asia fell in early trade as investors reacted to Nvidia losing more than $500 billion in market capitalization over three trading days. Some of the stocks recouped losses, however, as shares in the U.S. chipmaking giant recovered around 6 – 6.5% as of Tuesday 25th June 2024.

This follows a significant drop in Nvidia’s share value, which fell 13% over three consecutive sessions from the record highs achieved on Thursday 20th June 2024.

On Monday 24th June 2024, Nvidia’s stock closed down 6.7%, marking its second-largest decline of the year, yet the shares began to recover in early trading on Tuesday 25th June 2024.

Last week, the company surpassed Apple and Microsoft to become the most valuable U.S. company, achieving a market capitalization of over $3.4 trillion. However, by the end of Monday, Nvidia’s market value had declined by more than $540 billion from its intraday record on Thursday 20th June 2024.

Nvidia reported that the demand for its highly sought-after artificial intelligence graphics processing units (GPUs) continues to be strong.

Companies such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and Meta are investing billions of dollars in these chips to enhance their data centres and cloud services.