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Yahoo
16 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Apple (AAPL) Faces Margin Pressures Ahead of Earnings — BofA Still Says Buy
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is one of the . On July 28, Bank of America maintained a 'Buy' rating on the stock with a price target of $235. The firm believes that Apple faces a tough setup as it heads into its third fiscal quarter results due on July 31st. Investors continue to watch closely for margin pressures from tariffs and ongoing regulatory concerns. 'We see client sentiment as fairly negative given uncertain impact from tariffs, U.S. DOJ investigation (Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL) TAC payments), App Store headwinds, and slow progress in AI.' -BofA analysts wrote in a note. The firm believes that gross margins (GM) are going to be the highlight of the earnings report, with the June quarter guide of 46% at the mid-point, which includes the 'impact of $900mn of tariff-related costs.' Copyright: dennizn / 123RF Stock Photo It models the September quarter period as the 'trough,' anticipating gross margins to improve on the back of a 'better mix of higher ASP products, including the slim iPhone ('Air'), which we expect Apple to launch this fall.' While margin concerns exist, the firm anticipates in-line results for the current quarter and also potentially a slight revenue beat. Upcoming product cycles may also prove to be good for the company, as 'iPhone form factor changes have helped drive higher replacement rates in the past.' Apple is a technology company known for its consumer electronics, software, and services. While we acknowledge the potential of AAPL 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. READ NEXT: and Disclosure: None. Sign in to access your portfolio
NBC News
an hour ago
- NBC News
Union Pacific to buy Norfolk in $85 billion mega U.S. railroad deal
July 29 (Reuters) - Union Pacific said on Tuesday it would buy smaller rival Norfolk Southern in an $85-billion deal to create the country's first coast-to-coast freight rail operator and reshape the movement of goods from grains to autos across the U.S. If approved, the deal would be the largest-ever buyout in the sector and combine Union Pacific's stronghold in the western two-thirds of the United States with Norfolk's 19,500-mile network that primarily spans 22 eastern states. The two railroads are expected to have a combined enterprise value of $250 billion and would unlock about $2.75 billion in annualized synergies, the companies said. The $320 per share price implies a premium of 18.6% for Norfolk from its close on July 17, when reports of the merger first emerged. The companies said on Thursday they were in advanced discussions for a possible merger. The deal will face lengthy regulatory scrutiny amid union concerns over potential rate increases, service disruptions and job losses. The 1996 merger of Union Pacific and Southern Pacific had temporarily led to severe congestion and delays across the Southwest. The deal reflects a shift in antitrust enforcement under U.S. President Donald Trump's administration. Executive orders aimed at removing barriers to consolidation have opened the door to mergers that were previously considered unlikely. Surface Transportation Board Chairman Patrick Fuchs, appointed in January, has advocated for faster preliminary reviews and a more flexible approach to merger conditions. Even under an expedited process, the review could take from 19 to 22 months, according to a person involved in the discussions. Major railroad unions have long opposed consolidation, arguing that such mergers threaten jobs and risk disrupting rail service. 'We will weigh in with the STB (regulator) and with the Trump administration in every way possible,' said Jeremy Ferguson, president of the SMART-TD union's transport division, after the two companies said they were in advanced talks last week. 'This merger is not good for labor, the rail shipper/customer or the public at large,' he said. The companies said they expect to file their application with the STB within six months. The SMART-TD union's transport division is North America's largest railroad operating union with more than 1,800 railroad yardmasters. The North American rail industry has been grappling with volatile freight volumes, rising labor and fuel costs and growing pressure from shippers over service reliability, factors that could further complicate the merger. Union Pacific's shares were down about 1.3%, while Norfolk fell about 3%. Consolidation The proposed deal had also prompted competitors BNSF, owned by Berkshire Hathaway BRKa.N, and CSX CSX.O, to explore merger options, people familiar with the matter said. Agents at the STB are already conducting preparatory work, anticipating they could soon receive not just one, but two megamerger proposals, a person close to the discussions told Reuters on Thursday. If both mergers are approved, the number of Class I railroads in North America would shrink to four from six, consolidating major freight routes and boosting pricing power for the industry. The last major deal in the industry was the $31-billion merger of Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern that created the first and only single-line rail network connecting Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. That deal, finalized in 2023, faced heavy regulatory resistance over fears it would curb competition, cut jobs and disrupt service, but was ultimately approved. Union Pacific is valued at nearly $136 billion, while Norfolk Southern has a market capitalization of about $65 billion, according to data from LSEG.
Business Wire
2 hours ago
- Business Wire
NCR Voyix Maintains Global Leadership in Self-Checkout Shipments, According to Datos Insights
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NCR Voyix, a leading global provider of digital commerce solutions, has once again been named the world's leading supplier of self-checkout (SCO) technology, according to the newly released Global EPOS and Self-Checkout 2025 report by Datos Insights. The report highlights NCR Voyix's continued leadership in the global SCO market, with a published 22% share of total shipments in 2024—nearly double that of the next closest vendor. The company's performance contributed to 2024 being the second-highest year ever for global SCO shipments. NCR Voyix reinforced its position as the preferred partner for retailers navigating labor challenges, evolving consumer expectations and the growing demand for frictionless checkout experiences. 'NCR Voyix is proud to be recognized once again for its excellence in self-checkout,' said Darren Wilson, EVP & President, Retail at NCR Voyix. 'Our continued investment in innovation and customer success is helping retailers around the world deliver faster, smarter and more secure checkout experiences.' The Datos Insights report also highlights NCR Voyix's position across key global regions, with a 54% share of the North American market. The report also identifies the Company as the top SCO supplier in multiple regions, including LATAM. As retailers continue to modernize their front-end operations, NCR Voyix remains at the forefront of delivering scalable, AI-powered self-checkout solutions that enhance operational efficiency and elevate the customer experience. For more information on NCR Voyix, visit and follow NCR Voyix on X, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook. About NCR Voyix NCR Voyix Corporation (NYSE: VYX) is a leading global provider of digital commerce solutions for the retail and restaurant industries. NCR Voyix transforms retail stores and restaurant systems with comprehensive, platform-led SaaS and services capabilities. NCR Voyix is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with customers in more than 35 countries across the globe. About Datos Insights: Datos Insights is the leading research and advisory partner to the financial services and retail technology industries, empowering firms to make high-stakes decisions with confidence and speed. Its distinctive combination of proprietary data, analytics, and deep practitioner expertise provides actionable insights that enable clients to accelerate critical initiatives, inspire decisive action, and de-risk strategic investments to achieve faster, bolder transformation.
