Global X AgTech & Food Innovation ETF (NASDAQ: KROP)

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Public Live: Bull Case for AgTech and Food Innovation as an Investment

Global X AgTech & Food Innovation ETF

Portland Gen Electric (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/POR#NYSE">POR</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $1.21 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $1.09 by 11.01 percent. This is a 51.25 percent increase over earnings of $0.80 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $940.000 million which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $828.972 million by 13.39 percent. This is a 26.17 percent increase over sales of $745.000 million the same period last year.

Earnings

Earnings Beats

Portland Gen Electric Q1 2024 Adj EPS $1.21 Beats $1.09 Estimate, Sales $940.000M Beat $828.972M Estimate

Eric Melis, VP of Global Brand Marketing, Carbonated Soft Drinks at PepsiCo,&nbsp;said: &quot;Jack is renowned worldwide for his incredible football skills and the enjoyment he takes from the game. We celebrate those who personify our attitude on and off the pitch and can&#39;t wait for him to support us in bringing more enjoyment to football fans around the world as part of the Pepsi family.&quot;

PepsiCo Signs Football Star Jack Grealish As Global Brand Ambassador In Multi-year Partnership

TotalEnergies (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TTE#NYSE">TTE</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $2.14 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $2.06 by 3.88 percent. The company reported $56.278 in sales this quarter. This is a 100.00 percent decrease over sales of $62.603 billion the same period last year.

TotalEnergies Q1 2024 Adj EPS $2.14 Beats $2.06 Estimate, Sales $56.278 Down From $62.603B YoY

<div>Underlying sales growth excluding OPM1&nbsp;and Strategic Review2&nbsp;of&nbsp;3%.</div>
<div>Strong operational progress in all divisions and continued execution momentum across our 2024 strategic priorities.</div>
<div>Continuing to infuse our products with AI and on-track to include AI features in more than 40 Higher Education titles for the Fall semester.</div>
<div>Initial &pound;300m share buyback completed; the previously announced &pound;200m buyback extension has commenced.</div>

Pearson Says It Will See Q1 Underlying Sales Growth Excluding OPM And Strategic Review Of 3%; On Track To Achieve 2024 Guidance With Expected Momentum For 2H

Car rental company&nbsp;Hertz Global Holdings (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HTZ#NASDAQ">HTZ</a>) is now looking to remove 30,000 electric vehicles from its fleet, significantly higher than the number announced earlier this year.
What Happened: Earlier this year, Hertz announced that it is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/01/36606533/tesla-bulls-at-odds-after-hertzs-ev-selloff-blow-for-musks-company-or-black-eye-mom">looking to reduce its EV fleet by 20,000 units</a> through 2024, citing high repair costs as the driving factor. However, at the company&#8217;s first-quarter earnings call on Thursday, company COO Justin Keppy said that it has increased the EV disposal plan by another 10,000 units. 
As of the end of the first quarter, the company had already sold about 10,000 EVs, he said, on which it incurred vehicle depreciation costs of $195 million. 
&#8220;Upon completion, we anticipate that the remaining EV fleet will be better aligned with attractive demand for EVs with a priority on our rideshare business,&#8221; Keppy said.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/04/38107547/hertzs-mega-tesla-gamble-backfired-due-to-sky-high-repair-costs-unusually-high-accident-rates-an" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hertz&#8217;s Mega Tesla Gamble Backfired Due To Sky-High Repair Costs, Unusually High Accident Rates And Customers&#8217; Charging Anxiety</a> 
The decision to further reduce EVs within the fleet will help it align better with demand and lower operating costs, Keppy said. The company expects to see the benefits of reducing EVs from the fleet in the second half and for EVs deployed outside of rideshare to comprise just about 5% of its global fleet as of the end of 2024.
Why It Matters: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/04/38434391/struggle-for-hertz-continues-as-stock-loses-23-heres-why">Hertz on Thursday reported</a> an adjusted loss of $1.28 per share, much higher than the analyst consensus estimate of a loss of 44 cents. 
"Fleet and direct operating costs weighed on this quarter's performance," said CEO Gil West. "We're tackling both issues – getting to the right supply of vehicles at an acceptable capital cost while at the same time driving productivity up and operating costs down."
Price Action: Hertz stock closed down 19.3% at $4.68 per share, according to data from <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro.</a> The stock is down 54.1% year-to-date. 
Check out more of Benzinga's Future Of Mobility coverage by&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
Read More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38452299/tesla-ceo-elon-musk-denies-human-rights-abuses-in-most-ev-battery-production-those-that-do-use-very">Tesla CEO Elon Musk Denies Human Rights Abuses In Most EV Battery Production: &#8216;Those That Do&#8230;Use Very Little&#8217;</a>
Photo by EQRoy on Shutterstock

Tech

Another Blow To Tesla? Hertz's EV Disposal Plan Jumps By 10K As Car-Rental Company Aims For 95% Gas-Powered Fleet By Year-End

The latest GDP and inflation figures have sparked concerns among investors, hinting at a potential economic downturn worse than a recession.
What Happened: The U.S. economy&#8217;s first-quarter growth, at an annualized rate of 1.6%, fell significantly short of the anticipated 2.5%, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bea.gov/data/gdp/gross-domestic-product" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bureau of Economic Analysis</a>. This is also a decline from the 3.4% increase in the fourth quarter, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/economy/news/the-us-economy-may-be-barrelling-towards-stagflation-an-outcome-worse-than-recession/articleshow/109603356.cms">reported</a> Business Insider.
&#8220;This was a worst of both worlds report – slower than expected growth, higher than expected inflation,&#8221; wrote David Donabedian, chief investment officer of CIBC Private Wealth US.
Simultaneously, consumer prices experienced a more significant than expected surge, constraining the Federal Reserve&#8216;s ability to take action. This combination of sluggish growth and rising prices is a classic indicator of stagflation, a scenario that is notoriously challenging to combat.
The last time the U.S. faced stagflation was in the 1970s, a period characterized by geopolitical tensions leading to an OPEC oil embargo and a subsequent surge in energy prices. This, combined with high government spending and the dollar&#8217;s detachment from gold, resulted in double-digit inflation and a tumbling economy.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/04/38434513/us-growth-slows-in-q1-yet-inflation-acceleration-signals-stagflation-the-worst-poss?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">US Growth Slows In Q1, Yet Inflation Acceleration Signals Stagflation: &#8216;The Worst Possible Outcome For The Fed&#8217;</a>
Analysts are wary of parallels to this period, with JPMorgan&#8216;s Jamie Dimon warning of a potential return to the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/24/04/38432014/bank-of-america-thinks-2024-is-starting-to-look-like-2015-but-in-reverse-while-jamie-dimon-warns-202">stagflationary 1970s</a>. Despite the current market optimism, the U.S. may be heading towards a similar economic scenario, especially with the recent surge in fiscal spending and potential inflation drivers like green industrialization and global remilitarization.
However, the likelihood of stagflation remains uncertain. Despite persistent high inflation, the market is still pricing in at least one rate cut this year, and demand conditions remain strong. The upcoming personal consumption expenditures report will provide a clearer picture of inflation&#8217;s trajectory and the Fed&#8217;s potential policy adjustments, according to Donabedian.
Why It Matters: The U.S. economy&#8217;s potential descent into stagflation comes amid a series of concerning economic indicators. The Federal Reserve&#8217;s decision to maintain <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38425604/feds-high-interest-rate-policy-spurs-debate-over-economic-impact-this-is-the-path-of-a-potential-pro">high interest rates</a> throughout 2024 due to persistent inflation has raised questions about its impact on the economy. 
This decision has also sparked concerns about <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/04/38109673/top-economist-flags-warning-signs-of-possible-recession-in-us-economy-it-certainly-">a potential recession</a>, as indicated by the Economic Cycle Research Institute&#8217;s Leading Economic Index, which has been on a downward trend for the past year.
Despite these warning signs, the U.S. economy is predicted to grow at a robust <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/broad-u-s-equity-etfs/24/04/38405106/us-economy-expected-to-grow-2-5-in-q1-not-a-hard-landing-and-hardly-a-soft-one">2.5% growth rate</a> in the first quarter of 2024, following a 3.4% growth in the last quarter of 2023. 
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/04/38429782/us-economy-grows-1-6-in-q1-slightly-below-expectations-as-price-pressures-weigh-o?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">US Economy Grows 1.6% In Q1, Slightly Below Expectations As Price Pressures Weigh On Spending</a>
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Global

Economics

US Economy Faces 'Worst Of Both Worlds' As Stagflation Threat Looms Large

Tesla, Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) shares extended their gains for the third consecutive session on Thursday, following the release of the electric vehicle maker&#8217;s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/04/38390883/tesla-q1-earnings-highlights-ev-giant-misses-wall-street-estimates-makes-cost-cuts-invests-in-ai-sp" rel="noreferrer noopener">quarterly results</a>.&nbsp;Gary Black&nbsp;of&nbsp;Future Fund&nbsp;shared his insights on the stock&#8217;s movement and the company&#8217;s future trajectory.
What Happened: According to Black, the 17.6% surge in Tesla&#8217;s stock post-earnings is attributed to the optimistic product outlook conveyed in the earnings report and confirmed by CEO&nbsp;Elon Musk&nbsp;during the earnings call.&nbsp;
&#8220;There is no other way to interpret this language than that TSLA is readying new more affordable models using both the&nbsp;next gen&nbsp;and existing manufacturing platforms for first production by 2025/1H,&#8221; the analyst said. This, according to the fund manager, is bullish since it points to the company expanding its total addressable market with more affordable compact vehicles to the mass segment by mid-2025.
See Also:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/everything-you-need-to-know-about-tesla-stock" rel="noreferrer noopener">Everything You Need To Know About Tesla Stock</a>
However, Black noted that Musk&#8217;s emphasis on Tesla&#8217;s commitment to autonomy has yet to resonate with institutional investors. The lack of discussion on the&nbsp;robotaxi&nbsp;opportunity since the earnings release suggests that investors remain cautious. 
Black pointed out that the minimal impact on Uber and Lyft shares indicates that investors may not perceive Tesla&#8217;s unsupervised ride-hailing as a significant threat to these companies.&nbsp;
But he did not rule out narrative change on Aug. 8, when Tesla is scheduled to unveil robotaxis. &#8220;So far TSLA's continued focus on more affordable&nbsp;non-robotaxi&nbsp;vehicles seems to be what's important,&#8221; he said.
Why It Matters:&nbsp;Despite the stock rally, skepticism remains among some analysts.&nbsp;GLJ Research&#8216;s&nbsp;Gordon Johnson&nbsp;interpreted Tesla&#8217;s product roadmap language as indicating a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/04/38398667/tesla-bulls-praise-musks-q1-earnings-call-see-ev-giant-on-collision-course-with-ube" rel="noreferrer noopener">potential abandonment of the sub-$30K car</a>, with a shift towards cost-reduction strategies for existing models.&nbsp;
Concerns persist regarding Tesla&#8217;s core auto gross margin and significant free cash flow depletion, prompting cautious outlooks from analysts like&nbsp;Wedbush&#8216;s&nbsp;Daniel Ives.
Tesla ended Thursday&#8217;s session up 4.97% to $170.18, according to<a target="_blank" href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/lxquj26b2sag" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;Benzinga Pro data.</a>
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Future Of Mobility coverage by&nbsp;<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/04/38402856/tesla-bull-says-elon-musk-delivered-rip-the-band-aid-off-q1-but-cautions-this-could">Tesla Bull Says Elon Musk Delivered &#8216;Rip The Band-Aid Off&#8217; Q1 But Cautions This Could Derail Bullish Thesis</a>
Image generated using AI on Adobe Shutterstock

Analyst Color

Equities

Trading Ideas

TSLA

Tesla's Robotaxi Plan Hasn't Excited Investors, But Fund Manager Gary Black Says This Is What Matters More: 'No Other Way To Interpret This...'

In a recent episode of CNBC&#8217;s &#8220;Mad Money,&#8221; host Jim Cramer lauded Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMG#NYSE">CMG</a>) for its ability to thrive despite a sluggish economy, attributing its success to its &#8220;self-help&#8221; strategy.
What Happened: Cramer, on Thursday, highlighted the performance of companies that can sustain growth despite economic challenges. He specifically pointed to Chipotle, commending its ability to improve and expand its operations, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/25/cramer-praises-chipotle-for-growing-despite-a-slowing-economy.html">reported</a> CNBC.
"When we're looking for reasons to buy a stock in this environment, we want companies that generate constant self-help. Chipotle does it by improving throughput — how many people that they can serve, say, every 15 minutes," he said. "It just keeps getting better and better and that's got nothing to do with GDP or inflation woes."
The fast-casual chain recently released its quarterly earnings, surpassing Wall Street&#8217;s expectations. Despite raising prices, Chipotle experienced a surge in both sales and foot traffic, leading to a more than 6% increase in its share price by Thursday&#8217;s close.
Cramer suggested that Chipotle&#8217;s success could be attributed to its ability to meet consumer demand by enhancing its service speed, a strategy that is independent of broader economic factors like inflation and GDP.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/04/38374423/elon-musk-reacts-as-ark-invest-analyst-says-its-going-to-be-very-hard-for-tesla-rivals-to-catch-?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk Reacts As ARK Invest Analyst Says &#8216;It&#8217;s Going To Be Very Hard&#8217; For Tesla Rivals &#8216;To Catch Up To</a>
He also noted that this kind of &#8220;self-help&#8221; approach could counteract the market&#8217;s current concerns, particularly in light of the ongoing challenges such as increased interest in the bond market.
"It takes a special kind of stock to do well when the economy's slowing while inflation just won't quit," he said.
Why It Matters: Chipotle&#8217;s recent financial performance has been impressive. The company&#8217;s first-quarter revenue increased by 14.1% year-over-year to $2.702 billion, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/04/38417218/chipotle-mexican-grill-q1-earnings-revenue-beat-eps-beat-comparable-sales-up-7-and-more">beating the consensus estimate</a>. The company&#8217;s comparable restaurant sales also saw a 7% year-over-year increase, driven by higher transactions and a 1.6% rise in the average check.
Chipotle&#8217;s strong financial results led to a rise in its stock price, prompting analysts to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/04/38430514/chipotle-mexican-grill-analysts-raise-their-forecasts-after-better-than-expected-earnings">raise their forecasts</a> for the company&#8217;s future performance. The company&#8217;s international expansion also reached a milestone with the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/04/38360106/chipotle-to-spice-up-kuwait-city-new-location-marks-decade-long-international-expansion">opening of its first location</a> in Kuwait City, marking a decade of international growth.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/04/38399275/no-choice-elon-musk-reacts-as-x-user-reveals-main-reason-why-the-billionaire-is-re-organizing-te?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&#8216;No Choice:&#8217; Elon Musk Reacts As X User Reveals &#8216;Main Reason&#8217; Why The Billionaire Is &#8216;Re-Organizing&#8217; Tesla</a>
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 Kaustubh Bagalkote</a> 
 
 
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 extensive Benzinga Ecosystem, including native data, APIs, and more to 
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Jim Cramer Praises Chipotle's 'Self-Help' Strategy Amid Economic Slowdown: 'Inflation Just Won't Quit'

GXO&#39;s partnership with Virgin Media O2 has helped remove 48 tonnes of single use plastic since 2021
GXO has driven a&nbsp;94%&nbsp;reduction in single use plastics across its logistics operation

GXO Drives Major Plastic Reduction For Virgin Media O2, Eliminating 48 Tonnes Since 2021

Ohio Valley Banc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/OVBC#NASDAQ">OVBC</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.58 per share. This is a 29.27 percent decrease over earnings of $0.82 per share from the same period last year. The company reported $14.89 million in sales this quarter. This is a 3.89 percent decrease over sales of $15.49 million the same period last year.

OVBC

Ohio Valley Banc Q1 EPS $0.58 Down From $0.82 YoY, Sales $14.89M Down From $15.49M YoY

Gogoro And Nebula Energy Launch Battery Swapping Ecosystem And Gogoro Crossover Smartscooter In Nepal

BNR will change the ratio of its American depositary shares (the &quot;ADSs&quot;) to Class A ordinary shares from one (1) ADS representing one (1) Class A ordinary share to one (1) ADS representing ten (10) Class A ordinary shares (the &quot;ADS Ratio Change&quot;).

Burning Rock Biotech To Adjust ADS To Ordinary Share Ratio Effective May 15

~ Over the past 20 years, AOI has grown to be the largest cold pressing oil plant in the
APAC region, pressing strictly GMO free conventional and organic oilseeds ~

COOT

Reported Earlier, Australian Oilseeds Secures Contracts With Woolworths And Costco For Non-GMO Cold-Pressed Oils

Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>), is undergoing its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38309742/laid-off-by-tesla-heres-what-you-get-and-cant-do-with-their-severance-offer">biggest workforce reduction</a> ever in a bid to combat slowing demand and falling margins. The company has decided to cut over 10% of its workforce or about 14,000 jobs. But where have the maximum slashings taken place? Benzinga examines using the data (as of April 2024) at hand.&nbsp;
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">United States</h3>
According to WARN notices filed with the states of Texas and California, Tesla will eliminate 3,332 jobs in California and 2,688 positions in Texas, totaling over 6,000 positions, starting June 14.&nbsp;
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Region</td>
<td>Number of Jobs Cut</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>California</td>
<td>3,332</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Texas</td>
<td>2,688</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Germany</h3>
Tesla&#8217;s Giga Berlin plant in Germany, which currently employs around 12,500 workers, was initially reported to be losing about 3,000 heads. Tesla, however, denied this and said it was planning to cut only around 400 jobs, representing approximately 3% of the factory&#8217;s workforce, according to a Reuters report.&nbsp;
These layoffs come amidst a challenging sales market for electric cars in Europe, prompting Tesla to optimize production efficiency.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/everything-you-need-to-know-about-tesla-stock" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Everything You Need to Know About Tesla Stock</a>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">China</h3>
Chinese media <a href="https://en.tmtpost.com/post/7048616">reports</a> suggest that more than 20% of Tesla&#8217;s workforce in the country could be affected by the layoffs, with some departments losing as much as half of their staff.
Tesla China is reportedly offering severance packages ranging from N+1 to N+3 (one month's pay per year of service, plus additional months&#8217; wages).
Giga Shanghai, according to media reports, employs roughly 20,000 workers. An estimated 20% reduction would imply 4,000 job losses, a lot less than in the United States.&nbsp;
But when assuming that the known layoffs in other regions — totaling about 6,400 — are final, then Tesla's cuts in China would go up to 7,600, the most in any region.
However, it is important to note that corporate layoffs usually happen in several stages over a company's financial calendar year.
Overview of Tesla&#8217;s Global Workforce Reduction
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/26022508/Tesla-Layoffs-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-310039" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/26022508/Tesla-Layoffs-1024x683.jpg 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/26022508/Tesla-Layoffs-300x200.jpg 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/26022508/Tesla-Layoffs-768x512.jpg 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/26022508/Tesla-Layoffs-1536x1024.jpg 1536w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/26022508/Tesla-Layoffs.jpg 1620w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
Graphic by: Ramakrishnan M/Benzinga
Employee Count Back To 2022 Levels?
<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/igHeT/full.png" alt="" /></figure>
Why It Matters: Tesla&#8217;s layoffs reflect the broader challenges facing the company, including declining sales, pricing pressures, and the need to optimize production efficiency. 
CEO Elon Musk, however, managed to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/04/38402856/tesla-bull-says-elon-musk-delivered-rip-the-band-aid-off-q1-but-cautions-this-could">assuage some investor concerns</a> after a dismal quarterly earnings showing by promising to roll out cheaper EV models even as he doubles down on his "blindingly obvious" <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38424183/tesla-is-betting-big-on-robotaxi-but-this-rival-thinks-elon-musks-vision-could-be-more-than-5-years">robotaxi vision</a> for the company.
Read Next:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/04/38451359/tesla-investor-touts-ev-giants-billions-mile-leap-in-gathering-self-driving-data-ho" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tesla Investor Touts EV Giant&#8217;s Billions-Mile Leap In Gathering Self-Driving Data: &#8216;How Can Any Automaker Catch Up?&#8217;</a>
Photo via Shutterstock

Tesla's Biggest Layoffs Mapped: Where Has EV Giant Cut Most Jobs?

<ul>
<li>MAV Capital is an alternative asset manager focused on agribusiness with approximately&nbsp;R$550 million&nbsp;in assets under management in sector specific private credit funds, led by a best-in-class and highly seasoned team with extensive experience in the sector;</li>
<li>The transaction aims to consolidate Vinci&#39;s position across the agribusiness segment in&nbsp;Brazil, a substantially underserved segment by the investment industry;</li>
<li>Brazil&nbsp;exhibits numerous competitive advantages and is currently recognized as a key global player, while locally agribusiness and related activities are a meaningful contributor to the country&#39;s GDP;</li>
<li>The acquisition is aligned with Vinci&#39;s long-term growth plan, enabling Vinci to further expand its product offering by enhancing its credit segment and creating a dedicated vertical to the Agribusiness sector;</li>
</ul>

VINP

Reported Earlier, Vinci Partners To Acquire MAV Capital, Expanding Reach In Brazil's Agribusiness Sector

Belite Bio&nbsp;entered into a securities purchase agreement with an institutional investor, for the purchase and sale of up to an aggregate of 651,380 American Depositary Shares of the Company (&quot;ADSs&quot;), each ADS representing one ordinary share of the Company at a purchase price of&nbsp;$38.38&nbsp;per ADS, and the warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 651,380 ADSs, which will have an initial exercise price equal to&nbsp;$44.14&nbsp;per ADS and will be immediately exercisable and expire on the five-year anniversary of the issuance, in a registered direct offering. The closing of the offering is expected to occur on or about April 30, 2024, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

BLTE

Reported Earlier, Belite Bio Secures $25M In Registered Direct Offering With Institutional Investors

Heritage Commerce (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HTBK#NASDAQ">HTBK</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.17 per share which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $0.18 by 5.56 percent. This is a 45.16 percent decrease over earnings of $0.31 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $42.140 million which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $42.284 million by 0.34 percent. This is a 19.00 percent decrease over sales of $52.024 million the same period last year.

Earnings Misses

HTBK

Heritage Commerce Q1 2024 GAAP EPS $0.17 Misses $0.18 Estimate, Sales $42.140M Miss $42.284M Estimate

With U.S. stock futures trading higher this morning on Friday, some of the stocks that may grab investor focus today are as follows:
<ul>
<li>Wall Street expects Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XOM#NYSE">XOM</a>) to report quarterly earnings at $2.20 per share on revenue of $78.35 billion before the opening bell, according to data from <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a>. Exxon Mobil shares fell 0.3% to $121.00 in after-hours trading.</li>
<li>Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) posted better-than-expected earnings and sales results for its third quarter on Thursday. The company's revenue increased 17% year-over-year to $61.9 billion, which beat the consensus estimate of $60.804 billion, according to Benzinga Pro. The tech giant reported quarterly earnings of $2.94 per share, which beat analyst estimates of $2.82 per share. Microsoft shares jumped 4.4% to $416.70 in the after-hours trading session.</li>
<li>Analysts are expecting Chevron Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVX#NYSE">CVX</a>) to post quarterly earnings at $2.87 per share on revenue of $50.66 billion. The company will release earnings before the markets open. Chevron shares fell 0.3% to $164.85 in after-hours trading.</li>
</ul>
Check out our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premarket/">premarket coverage here</a>
<ul>
<li>Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) posted upbeat results for its first quarter. Alphabet&#8217;s board authorized an additional share repurchase program of up to $70 billion and also announced its first-ever quarterly dividend. Alphabet shares jumped 11.5% to $176.08 in the after-hours trading session.</li>
<li>Analysts expect Phillips 66 (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PSX#NYSE">PSX</a>) to post quarterly earnings at $2.17 per share on revenue of $33.08 billion before the opening bell. Phillips 66 shares rose 0.3% to $157.77 in after-hours trading.</li>
</ul>
Also Check This Out: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38430578/top-3-financial-stocks-that-could-sink-your-portfolio-this-quarter">Top 3 Financial Stocks That Could Sink Your Portfolio This Quarter</a>

Pre-Market Outlook

GOOG

GOOGL

MSFT

Microsoft, Alphabet And 3 Stocks To Watch Heading Into Friday

The CNN Money Fear and Greed index showed a slight improvement in the overall market sentiment, while the index remained in the &#8220;Fear&#8221; zone on Thursday.
U.S. stocks settled lower on Thursday, following the release of economic reports.
The U.S. economy grew an annualized 1.6% in the first quarter, marking a notable slowdown from the 3.4% rate in the final quarter of 2023. However, analysts were expecting a 2.5% growth. The core price index for personal consumption expenditures increased by an annualized 3.7% in the first quarter versus a 2% gain in the prior three-month period.
Merck &amp; Co., Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>) reported better-than-expected first-quarter financial results and raised its 2024 guidance. Shares of Bristol Myers Squibb &amp; Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BMY#NYSE">BMY</a>) fell more than 8% on Thursday after the company swung to a loss in the first quarter. Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) shares dipped over 10% after reporting first-quarter results.
Most sectors on the S&amp;P 500 closed on a negative note, with communication services, health care and real estate stocks recording the biggest losses on Thursday. However, materials and emergy stocks bucked the overall market trend, closing the session higher.
The Dow Jones closed lower by around 375 points to 38,085.80 on Thursday. The S&amp;P 500 fell 0.46% at 5,048.42, while the Nasdaq Composite dipped 0.64% at 15,611.76 during Wednesday's session.
Investors are awaiting earnings results from Phillips 66 (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PSX#NYSE">PSX</a>), Chevron Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVX#NYSE">CVX</a>) and Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XOM#NYSE">XOM</a>) today.
At a current reading of 40.2, the index remained in the &#8220;Fear&#8221; zone on Thursday, versus a prior reading of 39.1.
What is CNN Business Fear &amp; Greed Index?
The Fear &amp; Greed Index is a measure of the current market sentiment. It is based on the premise that higher fear exerts pressure on stock prices, while higher greed has the opposite effect. The index is calculated based on seven equal-weighted indicators. The index ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 represents maximum fear and 100 signals maximum greediness.
Check This Out: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38430578/top-3-financial-stocks-that-could-sink-your-portfolio-this-quarter">Top 3 Financial Stocks That Could Sink Your Portfolio This Quarter</a>

Investor Sentiment Improves Slightly, But Dow Tumbles Over 350 Points

First Savings Financial (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FSFG#NASDAQ">FSFG</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.52 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $0.45 by 15.56 percent. This is a 3.7 percent decrease over earnings of $0.54 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $14.338 which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $14.684 million by 100.00 percent. This is a 100.00 percent decrease over sales of $22.428 million the same period last year.

FSFG

First Savings Financial Q2 2024 Adj EPS $0.52 Beats $0.45 Estimate, Sales $14.338 Miss $14.684M Estimate

Biofuel Demand Strengthens The Business Case For U.S. Agribusiness

Global Resources Q3 2023 Review: Macro Headwinds And Outlook

Your children's Thanksgiving dinner will be cheaper, according to Deutsche Bank

<a href="https://investorplace.com">InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice &amp; Trading Tips</a>
Google &ldquo;precision agriculture,&rdquo; and you get more than 9.3 million results. It&rsquo;s become a big part of the story around <a href="https://investorplace.com/industries/consumer-staples/agriculture/">agriculture stocks</a> and the use of technology.&nbsp;



What is precision agriculture?




&ldquo;Precision agriculture is a method of farming that uses technological innovations &ndash; including GPS guidance, drones, sensors, soil sampling and precision machinery &ndash; in order to grow crops more efficiently,&rdquo; states CropLife Canada.&nbsp;




Is there an ETF for this? There is.



The Global X AgTech &amp;Food Innovation ETF (NASDAQ:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/krop-stock-quote/">KROP</a>) launched in <a href="https://www.globalxetfs.com/introducing-the-global-x-agtech-food-innovation-etf-krop/">July 2021</a>. It was designed to invest in companies benefiting from agricultural technology, such as precision agriculture. The ETF&rsquo;s press release for the launch mentioned precision agriculture 12 times. It&rsquo;s that important to the success of the fund.&nbsp;



Unfortunately, KROP hasn&rsquo;t gained much traction, with just <a href="https://www.globalxetfs.com/funds/krop/">$4.5 million</a> in net assets. Nonetheless, there are many companies in the agriculture industry working on precision agriculture that make excellent Investments over the next few years.



<h2>AGCO (AGCO)</h2>


<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/agco_1600-300x169.jpg" alt="An image of AGCO's website, with a magnifying glass over the company logo."><div>Source: Pavel Kapysh/ShutterStock.com</div></div>


AGCO (NYSE:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/agco-stock-quote/">AGCO</a>) is the seventh-largest holding of KROP with a weight of 4.45%.



The company is a manufacturer of tractors and combines. Its <a href="https://www.agcocorp.com/brands.html">brands</a> include Massey Ferguson, Fendt, Valtra, Challenger and Gleaner. Looking through the company&rsquo;s various product pages, I noticed the <a href="https://www.agcocorp.com/brands/precision-planting.html">Precision Planting</a> brand, which develops smart products to help farmers improve planting and harvest operations.&nbsp;



In September, the company announced a <a href="https://www.realagriculture.com/2023/09/agco-to-acquire-majority-stake-in-trimbles-precision-agriculture-business-for-2-billion/">joint venture</a> with Trimble (NASDAQ:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/trmb-stock-quote/">TRMB</a>)&mdash;I&rsquo;m aware of it because of its Trimble Construction One construction software (my wife owns a small construction company)&mdash;that sees Trimble combine its precision agriculture business with AGCO&rsquo;s.&nbsp;




&ldquo;This landmark transaction creates a JV that becomes the premier mixed-fleet Precision Ag business in the world and accelerates AGCO&rsquo;s strategic transformation,&rdquo; said AGCO CEO Eric Hansotia.&nbsp;




AGCO gains 85% ownership in the joint venture in return for $2 billion cash. Trimble retains 15% of the business. It allows Trimble to focus on its core software businesses in construction and engineering while AGCO becomes a significant player in disruptive technologies such as precision agriculture.



I like AGCO&rsquo;s business a lot, and it&rsquo;s one of the best agriculture stocks out there. 



<h2>Corteva (CTVA)</h2>


<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/ctva-1600-300x169.jpg" alt="A Corteva (CTVA) sign in Indianapolis, Indiana."><div>Source: Jonathan Weiss / Shutterstock</div></div>


Corteva (NYSE:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/ctva-stock-quote/">CTVA</a>) is the 3rd-largest holding of KROP with an 11.29% weighting.&nbsp;



CTVA is a <a href="https://investors.corteva.com/">pure-play agriculture company</a> spun off from DowDupont in <a href="https://www.iclub.com/faq/Home/Article?id=639&amp;category=28&amp;parent=4#gsc.tab=0">June 2019</a>. DowDupont shareholders received a combination of cash and stock in the spinoff. Corteva generated $17.5 billion in revenue in 2022, with operating earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of $3.2 billion, making it a very profitable business.&nbsp;



Corteva has a page on its corporate website dedicated solely to <a href="https://www.corteva.com/who-we-are/outlook/the-power-of-precision-agriculture.html">precision agriculture</a>.&nbsp;




&ldquo;One study by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln found that almost 95 percent of growers using new technologies and data management tools said their investment was worthwhile,&rdquo; Corteva stated. &ldquo;In addition, 70 percent reported the technological assistance yielded higher profits.&rdquo;




The company&rsquo;s business is divided into two operating segments: Seeds (<a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/corteva-reports-third-quarter-and-year-to-date-2023-results-affirms-full-year-net--sales-and-earnings-guidance-301982344.html" target="_blank">34% of revenue</a>) and Crop Protection (66%). As the names infer, the former provides seeds to farmers for growing crops, while the latter helps keep these crops healthy and vibrant. They go hand in hand.&nbsp;



Despite a revenue slowdown in Q3 2023, the company&rsquo;s operating EBITDA through the first nine months of 2023 was $2.99 billion, 5% higher than a year ago.&nbsp;



It&rsquo;s important to note that businesses like Corteeva&rsquo;s are greatly affected by economic conditions. When farmers don&rsquo;t have much money, they buy less seed and crop protectants.&nbsp;



Generally, however, the global agriculture industry remains healthy.&nbsp;When it comes to agriculture stocks, this is one of the healthiest ones on the market. 



<h2>Unilever (UL)</h2>


<div><img width="300" height="169" src="https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/ul-unilever-1600-300x169.jpg" alt="The blue Unilever sign next to the desk inside de head office in Rotterdam, the Netherlands."><div>Source: BYonkruud / Shutterstock.com</div></div>


Unilever (NYSE:<a href="https://investorplace.com/stock-quotes/ul-stock-quote/">UL</a>) is the 11th-largest holding of KROP with a 4.04% weighting.&nbsp;



Although the company is known for <a href="https://www.unilever.ca/brands/?pageSize=48">brands</a> like Vaseline, Dove, Ponds, and Q-tips, and other non-food products, in Q3 2023, its Nutrition and Ice Cream segments generated combined revenues of <a href="https://www.unilever.com/files/6e7c3e28-0eb0-4b59-b958-ed7f3cff1a62/ir-q3-2023-full-announcement.pdf">5.4 billion euros</a> ($5.8 billion), or 36% overall.



As it said in its Q3 2023 announcement, it plans to focus on its 30 Power Brands, which account for 70% or more of its revenue. <a href="https://consumergoods.com/unilevers-new-direction-streamlined-portfolio-leadership-refreshes-power-brand-prioritization#:~:text=These%20power%20brands%20include%20Dove,consistently%20supported%20before%20anything%20else.">Food-related</a> Power Brands include Hellmann&rsquo;s mayonnaise and Magnum ice cream.&nbsp;&nbsp;




&ldquo;We will drive faster growth by stepping up innovation and investment behind our Power Brands; we will drive simplicity and productivity, leveraging the full strength of our operating model; and we will sharpen our performance culture through strong leadership and stretching goals,&rdquo; CEO Hein Schumacher said in late October.&nbsp;




In 2021, the company unveiled its Regenerative Agriculture Principles as a big step in working with its suppliers and partners to deliver agriculture best practices that improve the efficiency of the global food industry.&nbsp;



<a href="https://www.unilever.ca/news/2023/impact-results-from-unilevers-first-set-of-regenerative-agriculture-projects/">One of the projects</a> involved the company&rsquo;s Knorr soup and sauces brand working with Spanish tomato supplier Agraz. The partnership will help farmers protect their crops from decreased rainfall and depleted underground water reserves.



It did so through &ldquo;cutting-edge&rdquo; sensors and soil probes. These tools provide more precise water use, saving money while strengthening the production system.



Given Unilever wants to improve its gross margins, precision agriculture is helping in this regard.&nbsp;If you are looking for the top agriculture stocks, start here. 



On the date of publication, Will Ashworth did not have (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.com<a href="https://investorplace.com/corporate/investorplace-publishing-guidelines/"> Publishing Guidelines</a>.
<div>Will Ashworth has written about investments full-time since 2008. Publications where he&rsquo;s appeared include InvestorPlace, The Motley Fool Canada, Investopedia, Kiplinger, and several others in both the U.S. and Canada. He particularly enjoys creating model portfolios that stand the test of time. He lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia.</div><h3>More From InvestorPlace</h3>
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The post <a href="https://investorplace.com/2023/12/3-stocks-at-the-forefront-of-precision-agriculture-technology/">3 Stocks at the Forefront of Precision Agriculture Technology</a> appeared first on <a href="https://investorplace.com">InvestorPlace</a>.

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Latest News for Global X AgTech & Food Innovation ETF (NASDAQ:KROP)

Friday, July 30, 2021