UnitedHealth (UNH) PT Trimmed to $385 at UBS
The revised price target follows statements made by UnitedHealth's reinstated CEO during the company's annual meeting on June 2, wherein he confirmed that updated 2025 guidance will be issued alongside the Q2 earnings report scheduled for July 29. Despite the adjustment, UnitedHealth, boasting a market capitalization of $273.56 billion, continues to demonstrate robust financial performance, with an 8.06% year-over-year revenue growth.
UBS noted that CEO Hemsley's use of the word 'prudent' to describe the upcoming outlook made analysts think the company might lower its earnings guidance from the earlier estimate of $22.50 per share. As more investors now expect earnings to be closer to $20 per share for 2025, UBS has adjusted its own forecast to match this new expectation.
A senior healthcare professional giving advice to a patient in a clinic.
UBS also lowered its profit expectations for Medicare Advantage, cutting the expected margin by 0.5% to 1.5%. The firm also reduced its forecast for Optum Health's profit margin from 5% to 4.5%, showing a more cautious view of how well the business will perform in the near future.
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) delivers health benefit plans, clinical care and management, data analytics, and pharmacy solutions to a broad range of stakeholders, including individuals, employers, government entities, and healthcare providers.
While we acknowledge the potential of UNH as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.
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Yahoo
11 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq climb in bounce back from Friday sell-off
US stocks made gains Monday as Wall Street regrouped amid a slew of fresh headwinds, including disappointing labor data and continuing trade uncertainty. The benchmark S&P 500 (^GSPC) climbed 0.7%, while the blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) rose 0.6%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) led the gains, rising about 1%. The moves follow a sharp pullback on Wall Street on Friday. All three major indexes posted their worst weekly declines in months, ending a run of positive market moves. The S&P 500 fell 2.4%, marking its steepest drop since late May. The Dow slumped 2.9% in its worst week since early April, while the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) shed 2.2%. The declines were exacerbated Friday after July's jobs report came in weaker than expected, and previous months' tallies were revised sharply lower, flipping the narrative on the labor market's strength. It led President Trump to lash out at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which publishes the monthly jobs report, and fire its commissioner. Trump suggested he would nominate a new head for the agency in the coming days. Trump's battle with the Fed and Chair Jerome Powell has also remained in focus. Traders tempered expectations around interest rate policy following the bank's decision last week to leave rates unchanged for a fifth consecutive meeting. But after the weak jobs data, almost 90% of bets are on a cut in September. At the same time, investors are examining fallout from Trump's implementation of tariffs. The updated tariffs set to come into full effect this week range from 10% to 41% on a wide range of trading partners and raise concerns about rising costs amid broader inflationary pressures. Meanwhile, Tesla (TSLA) stock edged higher on Monday before the bell by 2% after reports emerged that the company had granted CEO Elon Musk 96 million shares worth about $29 billion. Read more: The latest on Trump's tariffs Earnings season continues to roll on with a busy week of corporate releases. Over 100 S&P 500 companies are set to report, with spotlights on Palantir (PLTR), Eli Lilly (LLY), and Disney (DIS). Stocks open higher following market sell-off US stocks opened higher on Monday, rebounding from a sharp sell-off spurred by disappointing labor data and tariff uncertainty. The S&P 500 (^GSPC) climbed 0.6% on Monday, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) rose 0.9%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) moved up 0.5%. Markets are coming off a Friday sell-off sparked by tariffs on dozens of countries that start on Aug. 7 and monthly jobs revisions to the downside that implied a labor market slowdown is underway. Trending tickers in premarket trading: Opendoor, Palantir, Tesla, Joby, Tyson Here's a look at what's trending in markets ahead of the opening bell: Opendoor (OPEN) stock popped 16% ahead of second quarter results on Monday morning. As my colleague Jake Conley has detailed, the stock has seen a resurgence in investor interest, powered by a bull case by EMJ Capital and speculative bets posted on Reddit forums. Palantir (PLTR) stock rose 2%. On Friday, the company announced it snagged a contract with the US Army that combines over 75 agreements into one package deal worth $10 billion over the next decade. The software and AI data company will report earnings after the bell on Monday. Tesla (TSLA) shares added more than 2% after the company approved a new pay package worth $29 billion for CEO Elon Musk amid an intense court battle in Delaware. The pay package is designed to boost Musk's voting power over time, which shareholders say is key to keeping him focused on the company and its mission, the special committee said in the filing. Joby (JOBY) shares climbed 5% premarket after the electric air taxi developer said it would acquire Blade Air Mobility's helicopter rideshare business for as much as $125 million. The deal would give Joby access to a network of air terminals in key areas like New York City. Blade Air (BLDE) stock rocketed nearly 30% higher on the news. Tyson Foods (TSN) stock increased 4% after the company reported fiscal third quarter results that beat expectations. The company raised its annual revenue forecast and said it expects resilient demand for chicken to offset weakness in the beef segment as high cattle prices weigh on profits. Check out more trending tickers here. Wayfair stock surges after online furniture retailer swings to a profit Wayfair (W) stock shot up 10% in premarket trading on Monday after the online furniture retailer reported its highest revenue growth and profitability since 2021. Wayfair posted diluted earnings of $0.11 per share, above estimates for a loss of $0.37 per share, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. Revenue rose 5% to $3.27 billion, beating Wall Street's expectations of $3.12 billion. Net revenue in the US rose 5.3% to $2.9 billion in the quarter, while international net revenue increased 3.1% to $399 million. "We are optimistic that sales growth, along with management's commitment to controlling expenses/investments, may create a longer-term positive inflection in earnings revisions, on top of what we view as an attractive valuation," JPMorgan's Christopher Horvers wrote in a note ahead of earnings. "Further, over the next three to five years, [Wayfair] should outgrow the category given the longer-term shift toward online retailing and its advantaged assortment/ supply chain as the largest scaled online specialty player in the industry." Read more live coverage of corporate earnings here. Good morning. Here's what's happening today. Economic data: Factory orders (June) Earnings: Hims & Hers (HIMS), Palantir (PLTR), Tyson (TSN), Wayfair (W) Here are some of the biggest stories you may have missed over the weekend and early this morning: Job market worries in focus as earnings season rolls on Tesla approves near-$30B stock award for Musk US says rare earth talks with China 'halfway there' Trump to name new Fed governor, jobs data head in coming days Boeing defense union strikes for first time since 1996 Morgan Stanley's Wilson: Buy stocks dip on earnings strength Citi's gold bears turn bullish on US growth, inflation concerns Joby to acquire Blade Air's passenger business for $125M Swiss stocks decline on US tariffs, push for lower drug prices Oil slides as traders assess OPEC+ hike and Russian risks Oil eased on Monday as investors digested OPEC+'s latest supply increase, helping to counter a threat from Washington to move against Russian oil flows. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Morgan Stanley's Wilson: Buy stocks dip on earnings strength Morgan Stanley's strategist Michael Wilson said on Monday that investors should buy into bthe selloff in US stocks because of the robust earnings outlook for the coming year. Bloomberg reports: Read more here. Citi's gold bears turn bullish on US growth, inflation concerns Citigroup Inc (C) have turned from bearish to bullish on its gold (GC=F) forecast, with analysts now predicting bullion will rally to a record high in the near term due to a worsening US economy and inflation-boosting tariffs. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Goldman with a sobering view on the consumer Goldman Sachs out this morning with a subdued outlook on the US consumer following Friday's lackluster jobs report. Good read on the consumer from the WSJ today, mirrors what Procter & Gamble's (PG) CEO told me on earnings day. Goldman's chief economist Jan Hatzius: "We expect the weakness in consumer spending to continue in the second half of the year and forecast 0.8% real spending growth in 2025H2. Our view is underpinned by the expectation of a sharp slowdown in real income growth from its elevated pace in 2025H1. Income growth will be hit in Q3 by the phasing out of the one-off 2025H1 government transfer payments and in Q4 by the Medicaid and SNAP benefit cuts included in the new fiscal bill, which will take effect in 2025Q4 and affect lower-income households in particular. We also see higher tariff-driven inflation to impose a drag on real income growth in the second half of the year. Finally, we expect weak job growth due to lower immigration, cuts in government and healthcare hiring, and a tariff-related decline in activity. We expect declines in both business and residential investment in the second half of the year." Swiss stocks decline on US tariffs, push for lower drug prices Swiss stocks took a hit on Monday as the market reopened after a holiday. Worries about the impact from President Trump's 39% export tariffs and a push for drugmakers to lower prices have caused tension in the market. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Gold steady with weak job data bolstering the precious metal Gold (GC=F) held gains after a two month run of positivity as weak jobs data gave another reason to look towards haven assets. Bloomberg reports: Read more here. Stocks open higher following market sell-off US stocks opened higher on Monday, rebounding from a sharp sell-off spurred by disappointing labor data and tariff uncertainty. The S&P 500 (^GSPC) climbed 0.6% on Monday, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) rose 0.9%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) moved up 0.5%. Markets are coming off a Friday sell-off sparked by tariffs on dozens of countries that start on Aug. 7 and monthly jobs revisions to the downside that implied a labor market slowdown is underway. US stocks opened higher on Monday, rebounding from a sharp sell-off spurred by disappointing labor data and tariff uncertainty. The S&P 500 (^GSPC) climbed 0.6% on Monday, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) rose 0.9%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) moved up 0.5%. Markets are coming off a Friday sell-off sparked by tariffs on dozens of countries that start on Aug. 7 and monthly jobs revisions to the downside that implied a labor market slowdown is underway. Trending tickers in premarket trading: Opendoor, Palantir, Tesla, Joby, Tyson Here's a look at what's trending in markets ahead of the opening bell: Opendoor (OPEN) stock popped 16% ahead of second quarter results on Monday morning. As my colleague Jake Conley has detailed, the stock has seen a resurgence in investor interest, powered by a bull case by EMJ Capital and speculative bets posted on Reddit forums. Palantir (PLTR) stock rose 2%. On Friday, the company announced it snagged a contract with the US Army that combines over 75 agreements into one package deal worth $10 billion over the next decade. The software and AI data company will report earnings after the bell on Monday. Tesla (TSLA) shares added more than 2% after the company approved a new pay package worth $29 billion for CEO Elon Musk amid an intense court battle in Delaware. The pay package is designed to boost Musk's voting power over time, which shareholders say is key to keeping him focused on the company and its mission, the special committee said in the filing. Joby (JOBY) shares climbed 5% premarket after the electric air taxi developer said it would acquire Blade Air Mobility's helicopter rideshare business for as much as $125 million. The deal would give Joby access to a network of air terminals in key areas like New York City. Blade Air (BLDE) stock rocketed nearly 30% higher on the news. Tyson Foods (TSN) stock increased 4% after the company reported fiscal third quarter results that beat expectations. The company raised its annual revenue forecast and said it expects resilient demand for chicken to offset weakness in the beef segment as high cattle prices weigh on profits. Check out more trending tickers here. Here's a look at what's trending in markets ahead of the opening bell: Opendoor (OPEN) stock popped 16% ahead of second quarter results on Monday morning. As my colleague Jake Conley has detailed, the stock has seen a resurgence in investor interest, powered by a bull case by EMJ Capital and speculative bets posted on Reddit forums. Palantir (PLTR) stock rose 2%. On Friday, the company announced it snagged a contract with the US Army that combines over 75 agreements into one package deal worth $10 billion over the next decade. The software and AI data company will report earnings after the bell on Monday. Tesla (TSLA) shares added more than 2% after the company approved a new pay package worth $29 billion for CEO Elon Musk amid an intense court battle in Delaware. The pay package is designed to boost Musk's voting power over time, which shareholders say is key to keeping him focused on the company and its mission, the special committee said in the filing. Joby (JOBY) shares climbed 5% premarket after the electric air taxi developer said it would acquire Blade Air Mobility's helicopter rideshare business for as much as $125 million. The deal would give Joby access to a network of air terminals in key areas like New York City. Blade Air (BLDE) stock rocketed nearly 30% higher on the news. Tyson Foods (TSN) stock increased 4% after the company reported fiscal third quarter results that beat expectations. The company raised its annual revenue forecast and said it expects resilient demand for chicken to offset weakness in the beef segment as high cattle prices weigh on profits. Check out more trending tickers here. Wayfair stock surges after online furniture retailer swings to a profit Wayfair (W) stock shot up 10% in premarket trading on Monday after the online furniture retailer reported its highest revenue growth and profitability since 2021. Wayfair posted diluted earnings of $0.11 per share, above estimates for a loss of $0.37 per share, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. Revenue rose 5% to $3.27 billion, beating Wall Street's expectations of $3.12 billion. Net revenue in the US rose 5.3% to $2.9 billion in the quarter, while international net revenue increased 3.1% to $399 million. "We are optimistic that sales growth, along with management's commitment to controlling expenses/investments, may create a longer-term positive inflection in earnings revisions, on top of what we view as an attractive valuation," JPMorgan's Christopher Horvers wrote in a note ahead of earnings. "Further, over the next three to five years, [Wayfair] should outgrow the category given the longer-term shift toward online retailing and its advantaged assortment/ supply chain as the largest scaled online specialty player in the industry." Read more live coverage of corporate earnings here. Wayfair (W) stock shot up 10% in premarket trading on Monday after the online furniture retailer reported its highest revenue growth and profitability since 2021. Wayfair posted diluted earnings of $0.11 per share, above estimates for a loss of $0.37 per share, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. Revenue rose 5% to $3.27 billion, beating Wall Street's expectations of $3.12 billion. Net revenue in the US rose 5.3% to $2.9 billion in the quarter, while international net revenue increased 3.1% to $399 million. "We are optimistic that sales growth, along with management's commitment to controlling expenses/investments, may create a longer-term positive inflection in earnings revisions, on top of what we view as an attractive valuation," JPMorgan's Christopher Horvers wrote in a note ahead of earnings. "Further, over the next three to five years, [Wayfair] should outgrow the category given the longer-term shift toward online retailing and its advantaged assortment/ supply chain as the largest scaled online specialty player in the industry." Read more live coverage of corporate earnings here. Good morning. Here's what's happening today. Economic data: Factory orders (June) Earnings: Hims & Hers (HIMS), Palantir (PLTR), Tyson (TSN), Wayfair (W) Here are some of the biggest stories you may have missed over the weekend and early this morning: Job market worries in focus as earnings season rolls on Tesla approves near-$30B stock award for Musk US says rare earth talks with China 'halfway there' Trump to name new Fed governor, jobs data head in coming days Boeing defense union strikes for first time since 1996 Morgan Stanley's Wilson: Buy stocks dip on earnings strength Citi's gold bears turn bullish on US growth, inflation concerns Joby to acquire Blade Air's passenger business for $125M Swiss stocks decline on US tariffs, push for lower drug prices Economic data: Factory orders (June) Earnings: Hims & Hers (HIMS), Palantir (PLTR), Tyson (TSN), Wayfair (W) Here are some of the biggest stories you may have missed over the weekend and early this morning: Job market worries in focus as earnings season rolls on Tesla approves near-$30B stock award for Musk US says rare earth talks with China 'halfway there' Trump to name new Fed governor, jobs data head in coming days Boeing defense union strikes for first time since 1996 Morgan Stanley's Wilson: Buy stocks dip on earnings strength Citi's gold bears turn bullish on US growth, inflation concerns Joby to acquire Blade Air's passenger business for $125M Swiss stocks decline on US tariffs, push for lower drug prices Oil slides as traders assess OPEC+ hike and Russian risks Oil eased on Monday as investors digested OPEC+'s latest supply increase, helping to counter a threat from Washington to move against Russian oil flows. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Oil eased on Monday as investors digested OPEC+'s latest supply increase, helping to counter a threat from Washington to move against Russian oil flows. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Morgan Stanley's Wilson: Buy stocks dip on earnings strength Morgan Stanley's strategist Michael Wilson said on Monday that investors should buy into bthe selloff in US stocks because of the robust earnings outlook for the coming year. Bloomberg reports: Read more here. Morgan Stanley's strategist Michael Wilson said on Monday that investors should buy into bthe selloff in US stocks because of the robust earnings outlook for the coming year. Bloomberg reports: Read more here. Citi's gold bears turn bullish on US growth, inflation concerns Citigroup Inc (C) have turned from bearish to bullish on its gold (GC=F) forecast, with analysts now predicting bullion will rally to a record high in the near term due to a worsening US economy and inflation-boosting tariffs. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Citigroup Inc (C) have turned from bearish to bullish on its gold (GC=F) forecast, with analysts now predicting bullion will rally to a record high in the near term due to a worsening US economy and inflation-boosting tariffs. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Goldman with a sobering view on the consumer Goldman Sachs out this morning with a subdued outlook on the US consumer following Friday's lackluster jobs report. Good read on the consumer from the WSJ today, mirrors what Procter & Gamble's (PG) CEO told me on earnings day. Goldman's chief economist Jan Hatzius: "We expect the weakness in consumer spending to continue in the second half of the year and forecast 0.8% real spending growth in 2025H2. Our view is underpinned by the expectation of a sharp slowdown in real income growth from its elevated pace in 2025H1. Income growth will be hit in Q3 by the phasing out of the one-off 2025H1 government transfer payments and in Q4 by the Medicaid and SNAP benefit cuts included in the new fiscal bill, which will take effect in 2025Q4 and affect lower-income households in particular. We also see higher tariff-driven inflation to impose a drag on real income growth in the second half of the year. Finally, we expect weak job growth due to lower immigration, cuts in government and healthcare hiring, and a tariff-related decline in activity. We expect declines in both business and residential investment in the second half of the year." Goldman Sachs out this morning with a subdued outlook on the US consumer following Friday's lackluster jobs report. Good read on the consumer from the WSJ today, mirrors what Procter & Gamble's (PG) CEO told me on earnings day. Goldman's chief economist Jan Hatzius: "We expect the weakness in consumer spending to continue in the second half of the year and forecast 0.8% real spending growth in 2025H2. Our view is underpinned by the expectation of a sharp slowdown in real income growth from its elevated pace in 2025H1. Income growth will be hit in Q3 by the phasing out of the one-off 2025H1 government transfer payments and in Q4 by the Medicaid and SNAP benefit cuts included in the new fiscal bill, which will take effect in 2025Q4 and affect lower-income households in particular. We also see higher tariff-driven inflation to impose a drag on real income growth in the second half of the year. Finally, we expect weak job growth due to lower immigration, cuts in government and healthcare hiring, and a tariff-related decline in activity. We expect declines in both business and residential investment in the second half of the year." Swiss stocks decline on US tariffs, push for lower drug prices Swiss stocks took a hit on Monday as the market reopened after a holiday. Worries about the impact from President Trump's 39% export tariffs and a push for drugmakers to lower prices have caused tension in the market. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Swiss stocks took a hit on Monday as the market reopened after a holiday. Worries about the impact from President Trump's 39% export tariffs and a push for drugmakers to lower prices have caused tension in the market. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Gold steady with weak job data bolstering the precious metal Gold (GC=F) held gains after a two month run of positivity as weak jobs data gave another reason to look towards haven assets. Bloomberg reports: Read more here. Gold (GC=F) held gains after a two month run of positivity as weak jobs data gave another reason to look towards haven assets. Bloomberg reports: Read more here. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
San Francisco Chronicle
12 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
US tariffs put 30,000 South African jobs at risk, officials say
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — U.S. reciprocal tariffs have put an estimated 30,000 jobs at risk, South African authorities said Monday, four days before a 30% U.S. tariff on most imports from South Africa kicks in. South Africa was slapped with one of the highest tariff rates by its third-largest trading partner — after China and the EU — creating uncertainty for the future of some export industries and catapulting a scramble for new markets outside the U.S. Tariffs come into effect on Aug. 8. In an update on mitigation measures, a senior government official warned that an estimated 30,000 jobs were in jeopardy if the response to the higher tariffs was 'mismanaged'. 'We base this on the ongoing consultations that we have with all the sectors of the economy from automotive, agriculture and all the other sectors that are going to be impacted,' said Simphiwe Hamilton, director-general of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition. South Africa is already grappling with stubbornly high unemployment rates. The official rate was 32,9% in the first quarter of 2025 according to StatsSA, the national statistical agency, while the youth unemployment rate increased from 44,6% in the fourth quarter of 2024 to 46,1% in the first quarter of 2025. In his weekly public letter on Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa said that South Africa must adapt swiftly to the tariffs since they could have a big impact on the economy, the industries that rely heavily on exports to the U.S. and the workers they employ. 'As government, we have been engaging the United States to enhance mutually beneficial trade and investment relations. All channels of communication remain open to engage with the US,' he said. 'Our foremost priority is protecting our export industries. We will continue to engage the US in an attempt to preserve market access for our products.' President Donald Trump has been highly critical of the country's Black-led government over a new land law he claims discriminates against white people. Negotiations with the U.S. have been complicated and unprecedented, according to South Africa's ministers, who denied rumors that the lack of an ambassador in the U.S affected the result of the talks. The Trump administration expelled Ebrahim Rasool, South Africa's ambassador to Washington, in mid-March, accusing him of being a 'race-baiting politician' who hates Trump. International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola highlighted that even countries with ambassadors in the U.S. and allies of Washington had been hard hit with tariffs. However, Lamola confirmed that the process of appointing a replacement for Rasool was 'at an advanced stage'. The U.S. accounts for 7.5% of South Africa's global exports. However, several sectors, accounting for 35% of exports to the U.S., remain exempt from the tariffs. These include copper, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, lumber products, certain critical minerals, stainless steel scrap and energy products remain exempted from the tariffs. The government has been scrambling to diversify South Africa's export markets, particularly by deepening intra-African trade. Countries across Asia and the Middle East, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia have been touted as opportunities for high-growth markets. The government said it had made significant progress in opening vast new markets like China and Thailand, securing vital protocols for products like citrus. The government has set up an Export Support Desk to aid manufacturers and exporters in South Africa search for alternate markets. While welcoming the establishment of the Export Support Desk, an independent association representing some of South Africa's biggest and most well-known businesses called for a trade crisis committee to be established that brings together business leaders and government officials, including from the finance ministry. Business Leadership South Africa said such a committee would ensure fast, coordinated action to open new markets, provide financial support, and maintain employment. 'U.S. tariffs pose a severe threat to South Africa's manufacturing and farming sectors, particularly in the Eastern Cape. While businesses can eventually adapt, urgent temporary support is essential,' said BLSA in a statement.
Los Angeles Times
12 minutes ago
- Los Angeles Times
Stakes rise in the Russia-Ukraine war as Trump's deadline for the Kremlin approaches
The coming week could bring an important moment in the war between Russia and Ukraine, as President Trump's deadline for the Kremlin to reach a peace deal approaches — or it could simply melt away. Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff was expected in Moscow in the middle of this week, just before Trump's Friday deadline for the Kremlin to stop the killing or face potentially severe economic penalties from Washington. Previous Trump promises, threats and cajoling have failed to yield results., and the stubborn diplomatic stalemate will be hard to clear away. Meanwhile, Ukraine is losing more territory on the front line, although there is no sign of a looming collapse of its defenses. Witkoff was expected to land in the Russian capital on Wednesday or Thursday, according to Trump, following his trip to Israel and Gaza. 'They would like to see (Witkoff),' Trump said Sunday of the Russians. 'They've asked that he meet so we'll see what happens.' Trump, exasperated that Russian President Vladimir Putin hasn't heeded his calls to stop bombing Ukrainian cities, a week ago moved up his ultimatum to impose additional sanctions on Russia as well as introduce secondary tariffs targeting countries that buy Russian oil, including China and India. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday that officials are happy to meet with Trump's envoy. 'We are always glad to see Mr. Witkoff in Moscow,' he said. 'We consider (talks with Witkoff) important, substantive and very useful.' Trump said Sunday that Russia has proved to be 'pretty good at avoiding sanctions.' 'They're wily characters,' he said of the Russians. The Kremlin has insisted that international sanctions imposed since its February 2022 invasion of its neighbor have had a limited impact. Ukraine insists the sanctions are taking their toll on Moscow's war machine and wants Western allies to ramp them up. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday urged the United States, Europe and other nations to impose stronger secondary sanctions on Moscow's energy, trade and banking sectors. Trump's comments appeared to signal he doesn't have much hope that sanctions will force Putin's hand. The secondary sanctions also complicate Washington's relations with China and India, who stand accused of helping finance Russia's war effort by buying its oil. Since taking office in January, Trump has found that stopping the war is harder than he perhaps imagined. Senior American officials have warned that the U.S. could walk away from the conflict if peace efforts make no progress. The diplomatic atmosphere has become more heated as Trump's deadline approaches. Putin announced last Friday that Russia's new hypersonic missile, the Oreshnik, has entered service. The Russian leader has hailed its capabilities, saying its multiple warheads that plunge to a target at speeds of up to Mach 10 cannot be intercepted. They are so powerful, he said, that the use of several of them in one conventional strike could be as devastating as a nuclear attack. Also, one of Putin's top lieutenants warned that the Ukraine war could nudge Russia and the U.S. into armed conflict. Trump responded to what he called the 'highly provocative statements' by former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev by ordering the repositioning of two U.S. nuclear submarines. Putin has repeated the same message throughout the war: He will only accept a settlement on his terms and will keep fighting until they're met. Russia's relentless pounding of urban areas behind the front line have killed more than 12,000 Ukrainian civilians, according to the United Nations. It has pushed on with that tactic despite Trump's public calls for it to stop over the past three months. On the 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line, Russia's bigger army has made slow and costly progress. It is carrying out a sustained operation to take the eastern city of Pokrovsk, a key logistical hub whose fall could open the way for a deeper drive into Ukraine. Ukraine has developed technology that has allowed it to launch long-range drone attacks deep inside Russia. In its latest strike it hit an oil depot near Russia's Black Sea resort of Sochi, starting a major fire.
