Nathan Dean, a Senior Policy Analyst, discusses the implications of Kamala Harris potentially becoming president after Biden's exit. Steve Man shares insights on Tesla's record earnings and its future strategies, while Lee Klaskow analyzes UPS's disappointing quarterly performance. Mandeep Singh highlights Alphabet's strong AI investments, contrasting its growth with competitors like Meta. The talk also covers Spotify's impressive financial performance and challenges facing Comcast and AstraZeneca amid shifting market dynamics.
Kamala Harris's potential presidency might maintain the status quo on corporate taxes, but could introduce significant consumer protections against big corporations.
UPS faces challenges from shipping pattern shifts and disappointing earnings, but analysts are optimistic about recovery through cost-cutting and seasonal demands.
Deep dives
Schwab and Thinkorswim Enhancements
Trading platforms have advanced through the integration of Ameritrade's technology into Schwab, notably enhancing the Thinkorswim platform. This upgrade offers traders robust charting and analysis tools designed to provide deeper market insights, which can help in better decision-making. Users can access Thinkorswim on multiple devices, including desktop and mobile, ensuring they stay informed about market trends and opportunities. Such features are especially beneficial for those actively engaged in trading, enabling them to visualize their trades more effectively.
Impact of Political Changes on Corporate Policies
The potential implications of Kamala Harris's presidency are discussed concerning sectors like banking, technology, and energy. Analysts suggest that her policy direction might largely maintain the status quo, particularly in areas like corporate taxes and regulations, although a more progressive stance could emerge based on her past actions. Specifically, there is speculation about increased consumer protections against large corporations and how her anti-fracking views could influence the energy sector. This shifting political landscape presents both challenges and risks for businesses in various industries.
UPS's Notable Stock Decline
UPS recently experienced its most significant stock decline in 25 years due to disappointing quarterly earnings and a lowered forecast for the year. The company noted a shift in shipping patterns, with customers opting for cheaper shipping methods that negatively impact margins. There is a variance in growth rates between business-to-consumer (B2C) and business-to-business (B2B), with B2C growth outpacing B2B. Analysts remain hopeful for a turnaround in the coming months, driven by cost-cutting measures and peak season demands.
Alphabet's Earnings and AI Investment
Alphabet reported strong earnings, driven by growth in its cloud computing services and digital advertising, though rising capital expenditures related to AI initiatives raised some investor concerns. The cloud segment, benefiting significantly from AI advancements, demonstrated a high single-digit contribution to its growth. Despite a modest downturn in advertising, especially from specific sectors like automotive, the core search business maintained impressive growth figures. This balanced performance highlights Alphabet's ability to generate revenue while strategically investing in future technologies.
On this week's podcast: Nathan Dean, Bloomberg Intelligence Senior Policy Analyst, discusses Joe Biden dropping out of Presidential race, and what a Harris Presidency could mean for investors. Steve Man, Bloomberg Intelligence Global Autos and Industrials Research Analyst, recaps Tesla earnings. Lee Klaskow, Bloomberg Intelligence Senior Transport, Logistics and Shipping Analyst, discusses UPS earnings. Mandeep Singh, Bloomberg Intelligence Senior Tech Industry Analyst, recaps Alphabet earnings. Astrazeneca CFO Aradhana Sarin, discusses company earnings. Geetha Ranganathan, Bloomberg Intelligence Analyst on US Media, joins to discuss Comcast and Spotify earnings.
The Bloomberg Intelligence radio show with Paul Sweeney and Alix Steel podcasts through Apple’s iTunes, Spotify and Luminary. It broadcasts on Saturdays and Sundays at noon on Bloomberg’s flagship station WBBR (1130 AM) in New York, 106.1 FM/1330 AM in Boston, 99.1 FM in Washington, 960 AM in the San Francisco area, channel 121 on SiriusXM, www.bloombergradio.com, and iPhone and Android mobile apps. Bloomberg Intelligence, the research arm of Bloomberg L.P., has more than 400 professionals who provide in-depth analysis on more than 2,000 companies and 135 industries while considering strategic, equity and credit perspectives. BI also provides interactive data from over 500 independent contributors. It is available exclusively for Bloomberg Terminal subscribers.