Latest news with #RobertFord
Business Insider
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Mercadolibre (MELI) Gets a Buy from Bank of America Securities
In a report released today, Robert Ford from Bank of America Securities reiterated a Buy rating on Mercadolibre (MELI – Research Report), with a price target of $3,000.00. The company's shares opened today at $2,540.01. Confident Investing Starts Here: Easily unpack a company's performance with TipRanks' new KPI Data for smart investment decisions Receive undervalued, market resilient stocks right to your inbox with TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter According to TipRanks, Ford is a 4-star analyst with an average return of 14.1% and a 63.04% success rate. In addition to Bank of America Securities, Mercadolibre also received a Buy from Citi's Joao Soares in a report issued today. However, yesterday, Jefferies downgraded Mercadolibre (NASDAQ: MELI) to a Hold. Based on Mercadolibre's latest earnings release for the quarter ending March 31, the company reported a quarterly revenue of $5.32 billion and a net profit of $494 million. In comparison, last year the company earned a revenue of $4.33 billion and had a net profit of $344 million
Asharq Al-Awsat
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Syria's al-Sharaa Under Trump's Spotlight, Admiring ‘Strong' Leaders
A hundred days after Ahmed al-Sharaa was sworn in as Syria's president, US officials are still proceeding with caution regarding his administration. There are concerns about the potential for chaos, which could create fertile ground for extremist groups and allow Iran to maintain its foothold in the country. Additionally, there are growing anxieties over Türkiye's expanding influence across Syria and its implications for Israel. These points were highlighted in discussions with Robert Wood, a former US ambassador who held various positions at the State Department and served at the US Mission to the United Nations; Robert Ford, former US ambassador to Syria; Henri Barkey, senior fellow for Middle Eastern Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and former government official; and Ayman Abdel Nour, a Syrian-American political analyst and journalist. While caution is urged in evaluating al-Sharaa's leadership, it remains unclear whether his actions will translate into meaningful governance. According to Wood, the current situation in Syria can be described as highly complex, especially considering recent violence, and experts are watching closely to see how al-Sharaa navigates these challenges. While his hosting of a national unity conference has drawn some positive attention, concerns remain about the broader implications of his leadership. Ford shares a similar perspective, acknowledging that Shara's actions often align with what one would expect from a head of state. Notably, his agreement with Mazloum Abdi, leader of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), is seen as a potential step toward greater internal stability, provided it is properly implemented. However, Barkey emphasizes that Abdi controls a much larger force than other groups like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which likely made it necessary for al-Sharaa to strike a deal with him. If Abdi forms alliances with other minority groups, such as the Druze, he could become a key figure of opposition to al-Sharaa's rule. Additionally, al-Sharaa faces the challenge of reducing his reliance on Turkish support, while also proving his ability to act independently on the international stage. US diplomats, however, remained cautious about al-Sharaa's leadership, with some expressing skepticism about his ability to lead effectively. While he appears to be acting presidentially, concerns persist regarding his control over extremist factions within his government, as well as recent security violations in Latakia and Tartus. Experts note that despite his ascent to power, Sharaa has yet to unite the country, with some pointing to the collapse of the regime's military as a key factor in his rise. A significant point of criticism from Barkey is al-Sharaa's appointment of former jihadists as governors in key areas, including Latakia and Tartus, as well as his reliance on family members and loyalists within his government. While some US officials argue that Sharaa's government may not be directly involved in recent incidents, uncertainty remains about who in his administration might be complicit. For his part, Abdel Nour highlights a shift in public perception of al-Sharaa since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024. Initially, Syrians—including Alawites—were relieved by Assad's ousting, but nearly 100 days into Sharaa's presidency, tensions have risen due to discrepancies between al-Sharaa's rhetoric and the reality on the ground, particularly in relation to key figures like Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani and mid-level officials. Key Questions Raised on Accountability and Rule of Law Ford echoed concerns about al-Sharaa's ability to address critical issues, including accountability and the rule of law, especially following the unrest in Latakia and Tartus. Despite al-Sharaa's formation of a committee to investigate the incidents, Ford questions whether those responsible for violations will be held publicly accountable, stressing that such actions are crucial for maintaining trust within security forces and the broader public. Wood acknowledged the significance of al-Sharaa's national unity conference yet remains deeply concerned about the potential agreements Sharaa may strike with the SDF. While he sees positive signs, he underscores the importance of thorough investigations into recent killings, as the identities of those responsible remain unclear. US Perspectives on al-Sharaa's Leadership Abdel Nour describes two prevalent perspectives in Washington regarding al-Sharaa's leadership. One, held by military and security figures with experience in Iraq, doubts that the new Syrian leadership will bring significant change, regardless of its outward appearance. The other viewpoint suggests giving al-Sharaa several months to adjust to the new reality. Fears Over ISIS Prisoners and Regional Stability A significant concern raised by Wood is the potential release of approximately 9,500 ISIS fighters currently held in over 20 prisons across Syria, should Sharaa reach a deal with the SDF. These fighters could pose a serious security threat not only to Syria but to Iraq and the broader region. Ford added that al-Sharaa's past, particularly his involvement with jihadist factions like Jabhat al-Nusra and ISIS, raises questions about his true political motivations. Ford wonders whether al-Sharaa used these groups for political leverage. Iran's Influence and Regional Dynamics Both Wood and Ford emphasize the importance of monitoring Iran's role in Syria. Ford warns that further instability could provide Iran with opportunities to rebuild its influence in certain Syrian communities, which he believes would not align with US national security interests. Wood stresses that neighboring countries, including Israel and Türkiye, have a strong interest in a unified Syria to avoid further regional instability. Professor Barkey cautions that while Iran's influence in Syria has not been eliminated, Tehran will likely continue to pursue ways to reassert its presence. Türkiye-Israel Tensions and the Future of Syria Concerns over a potential Turkish-Israeli confrontation in Syria are growing. Ford points out that Türkiye, a key player with growing ties to al-Sharaa's government, could play a significant role in Syria's future. He worries that a direct conflict between Turkish and Israeli forces, potentially involving airstrikes or proxy engagements, could escalate tensions in the region. However, Barkey believes that such a scenario is unlikely to escalate into direct military confrontation. Instead, he suggests that the Turkish-Israeli rivalry will remain largely political, with both countries focusing on strategic interests in the region, particularly in Syria's south where Israel is concerned about the resurgence of Hezbollah or other new actors. In discussions surrounding Syria's new constitution, Ford sees little value in UN Security Council Resolution 2254 and the Constitutional Committee led by UN Special Envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen. Similarly, Barkey shares Ford's skepticism, noting that he sees limited potential for the UN to bring about meaningful change unless Arab countries step in with support. Barkey also echoes the view held by many that US President Donald Trump was unpredictable in his decision-making. He added that Trump had a deep admiration, though not fascination, for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, viewing him as one of the 'strongmen' capable of shaping the future of their countries as they see fit. Looking ahead, Barkey remains uncertain about Syria's future, acknowledging that the situation is highly unpredictable. He suggests that if Syria were to experience another war or a severe collapse of law and order, it is highly probable that ISIS could resurge. The US government, Barkey speculates, is likely deeply concerned that without American forces acting as a buffer or deterrent, the stability of the region could be further jeopardized in the event of a breakdown in Syria.
CNBC
05-05-2025
- Health
- CNBC
Abbott Labs CEO on federal health care spending, investing in healthy people and weight loss drugs
Robert Ford, Abbott Labs CEO, joins 'Power Lunch' to discuss government spending on health care and technological investments.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Abbott Laboratories (ABT) Q1 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Growth in Medical Devices ...
Revenue Growth: Sales increased 6.9% or 8.3% excluding COVID testing-related sales. Adjusted Earnings Per Share (EPS): $1.09, an increase of 11% compared to the prior year. Nutrition Sales Growth: 7% increase, driven by high-single-digit growth in adult nutrition and double-digit growth in US pediatric nutrition. Diagnostics Sales Decline: 5% decrease due to a decline in COVID-19 testing sales. EPD Sales Growth: 8% increase, with double-digit growth in more than half of key markets. Medical Devices Sales Growth: 12.5% increase, with diabetes care sales of continuous glucose monitors growing over 20%. Gross Margin: 57.1% of sales, an increase of 140 basis points compared to the prior year. Operating Margin: 21% of sales, reflecting an increase of 130 basis points compared to the prior year. Foreign Exchange Impact: Unfavorable year-over-year impact of 2.8% on first-quarter sales. Second Quarter EPS Forecast: Adjusted EPS expected to be in the range of $1.23 to $1.27. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 2 Warning Sign with CFG. Release Date: April 16, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) achieved high single-digit sales growth and double-digit earnings per share growth in the first quarter of 2025. The company's nutrition segment saw a 7% increase in sales, driven by high-single-digit growth in adult nutrition and double-digit growth in US pediatric nutrition. Medical devices sales grew 12.5%, with notable growth in diabetes care, electrophysiology, and structural heart segments. Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) expanded its gross margin by 140 basis points and operating margin by 130 basis points compared to the prior year. The company is on track to launch more than 25 key new products over the next three years, indicating a strong pipeline for future growth. Sales in the diagnostics segment declined by 5% due to a year-over-year decline in COVID-19 testing sales. The company faces financial impacts from new tariff policies, with an estimated tariff impact of a few hundred million dollars in 2025. Foreign exchange had an unfavorable year-over-year impact of 2.8% on first-quarter sales. Volume-based procurement programs in China negatively impacted core laboratory diagnostics growth. The company is navigating challenges in the Chinese market due to price-driven volume-based procurement programs, which have not resulted in volume offsets. Q: Can you explain the impact of tariffs on Abbott's financials and how the company plans to mitigate these effects? A: Robert Ford, CEO, explained that the tariffs are expected to have a financial impact of a few hundred million dollars in 2025, primarily affecting the US and China. Abbott plans to mitigate this through its diversified manufacturing network, which includes 90 sites worldwide. The company is leveraging its global manufacturing strategy to manage the impact and is considering various scenarios to offset the tariffs, including potential adjustments in FX, interest rates, and tax strategies. Q: What is the current status and future outlook for Abbott's Electrophysiology (EP) business, particularly regarding the Volt PFA system? A: Robert Ford, CEO, expressed optimism about the EP business, highlighting the early approval of the Volt PFA system in Europe. The initial feedback has been positive, and Abbott plans to expand the rollout across European markets throughout the year. The US approval is expected by early next year. The company is also focusing on integrating the Volt system with its existing mapping technologies to drive adoption. Q: How is Abbott addressing the challenges in its diagnostics business, especially in China? A: Robert Ford, CEO, acknowledged the challenges in China due to volume-based procurement (VBP) programs impacting pricing. Outside China, the diagnostics business grew by 7%. Abbott is focusing on improving performance in other geographies and exploring M&A opportunities to support growth. The company is also expanding its portfolio in the blood bank business with new nucleic acid testing systems. Q: What are the key drivers for Abbott's expected acceleration in organic growth in the second half of 2025? A: Robert Ford, CEO, indicated that new product launches, including the Volt PFA system, and improved comps in diagnostics and nutrition are expected to drive growth. The company anticipates better performance in the second half due to the ramp-up of recently launched products and recovery in its international nutrition business. Q: Can you provide an update on Abbott's Rhythm Management business and the rollout of the AVEIR product? A: Robert Ford, CEO, highlighted the strong performance of the Rhythm Management business, driven by the AVEIR leadless pacemaker. The company has expanded its accounts and increased physician training, leading to a significant increase in implants. Abbott is also developing next-generation leadless products to further enhance its market position. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Abbott Labs Stock Jumps on Strong Earnings, With $500M Investment in US Facilities
Abbott Laboratories shares surged Wednesday after the company reported first-quarter earnings that topped analysts' estimates. The medical device maker also said it plans to invest $500 million in Illinois- and Texas-based facilities set to open this year. The stock has added about one-quarter of its value over the past 12 Laboratories (ABT) shares surged Wednesday after the medical device maker said it plans to invest $500 million in U.S. operations and topped Wall Street's expectations with its first-quarter results. The company said Wednesday that two new manufacturing and R&D facilities in Texas and Illinois are set to open this year. Abbott expects to hire up to 200 people in Illinois and 100 in Texas for the projects, a spokesperson said. Shares of Abbott were up close to 4% in recent trading, making the stock one of the S&P 500's top daily performers. They've added about one-quarter of their value over the past 12 months. Abbott reported first-quarter revenue of $10.4 billion, up 4% year-over-year and roughly in line with the analyst consensus from Visible Alpha. Adjusted net income of $1.92 billion, or $1.09 per share, compared with $1.73 billion, or 98 cents per share, a year earlier, topping Wall Street's estimates. Medical device sales jumped 10% to $4.9 billion, also beating expectations. Looking ahead, Abbott maintained its full-year adjusted earnings per share (EPS) estimate of $5.05 to $5.25, versus the analyst consensus of $5.16. CEO Robert Ford said Abbott Labs had considered raising its EPS outlook prior to the Trump administration's recent announcements on tariffs, according to a transcript of the company's earnings call provided by AlphaSense. Read the original article on Investopedia
