Lentuo Intl (OTC:LASLY) Stock, Quote.Headers.trade-ideas

Lentuo International Inc operates as an automobile retailer. The company is engaged in the sales of new and leased automobiles and the provision of automobile repair and maintenance services, and the provision of automobile leasing services. It also provides automobile insurance and financing, and other automobile-related services.

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RBC Capital analyst Gregory Renza reiterates Amgen (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMGN#NASDAQ">AMGN</a>) with a Outperform and maintains $324 price target.

Price Target

Reiteration

Analyst Ratings

AMGN

RBC Capital Reiterates Outperform on Amgen, Maintains $324 Price Target

WIIM

ALUR

Allurion Technologies shares are trading higher after the company on Thursday announced its intention to initiate a clinical study combining its Allurion program with GLP-1 agonists to improve muscle mass and overall body composition.

Truist Securities analyst Patrick Scholes maintains Carnival (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CCL#NYSE">CCL</a>) with a Hold and raises the price target from $29 to $30.

Truist Securities Maintains Hold on Carnival, Raises Price Target to $30

Apple Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) may be facing a softer iPhone cycle, but at least <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/iphone">one analyst isn't worried</a>. 
Despite trimming iPhone sales estimates for the year, Bank of America Securities&#8217; Wamsi Mohan remains bullish. He reiterated a Buy rating with a $253 price target—just slightly lower than before.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">iPhone Demand Wobbles, But Margins Hold Strong</h2>
The iPhone 16 rollout faces a staggered launch of Apple Intelligence features. Mohan cut his forecast for total iPhone units in fiscal 2025 and 2026. His new estimates call for 229 million iPhones in 2025. That&#8217;s down from 239 million. For 2026: 246 million (down from 257 million).
However, thanks to Apple's strong gross margins and robust Services growth, the earnings impact remains minimal.
Apple's first quarter earnings report is set for Jan. 30, and expectations are still high. Mohan forecasts $126 billion in revenue, slightly ahead of Wall Street's consensus at $124 billion. But for the second quarter, he expects weaker guidance, modeling just 49 million iPhone sales. That&#8217;s down from his prior 56 million estimate.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/01/43172806/tesla-lost-15-billion-in-brand-value-in-2024-report-says-did-elon-musks-political-push-hurt-ev-giant">Tesla Lost $15 Billion In Brand Value In 2024, Report Says: Did Elon Musk&#8217;s Political Push Hurt EV Giant?</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">China Worries Overblown? Price Cuts Could Be A Game Changer</h2>
Apple's struggles in China have been a major investor concern, but Mohan sees recent price cuts as a key factor that could change the narrative. With some iPhones now priced under 6,000 RMB, they qualify for a 15% Chinese government subsidy, which could drive demand.
Meanwhile, regulatory pressures—both in China and the U.S.—could ease under the new Donald Trump administration. Mohan believes Apple will navigate EU and DOJ scrutiny much as it has in the past, keeping its focus on AI innovation and its upcoming iPhone 17 launch.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">iPhone SE: The Wildcard For Apple's In-House Chips</h2>
Apple's long-rumored iPhone SE refresh is expected to land in the second quarter of 2025, and it could be more than just a budget-friendly offering. The new SE is set to debut Apple's first in-house 5G modem, a move that could eventually reduce reliance on Qualcomm Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QCOM#NASDAQ">QCOM</a>) and boost margins further. Mohan expects 5 million units sold per quarter, making it an important test run for Apple's insourcing ambitions.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Apple&#8217;s Earnings Power Remains Intact</h2>
Despite iPhone sales volatility, Apple's services growth (+14% expected in FY25) and margin strength keep Mohan optimistic. 
Investors may focus on short-term iPhone headwinds, but with AI, WWDC, and a refreshed iPhone lineup ahead, Apple's long-term thesis remains rock solid.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/01/43176248/tiktok-ban-effect-smartphones-with-app-installed-hit-ebay">TikTok Ban Effect: Smartphones With App Installed Hit Ebay</a></li>
</ul>
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AAPL

QCOM

Apple Q1 Earnings Might Not Miss A Beat, Even As iPhone Sales Stumble: Analyst

RBC Capital analyst Logan Reich reiterates Starbucks (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SBUX#NASDAQ">SBUX</a>) with a Outperform and maintains $115 price target.

SBUX

RBC Capital Reiterates Outperform on Starbucks, Maintains $115 Price Target

Mizuho analyst Maheep Mandloi maintains Shoals Technologies Gr (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHLS#NASDAQ">SHLS</a>) with a Outperform and lowers the price target from $7 to $6.

SHLS

Mizuho Maintains Outperform on Shoals Technologies Gr, Lowers Price Target to $6

RBC Capital analyst Nik Modi reiterates Kimberly-Clark (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KMB#NYSE">KMB</a>) with a Outperform and maintains $165 price target.

RBC Capital Reiterates Outperform on Kimberly-Clark, Maintains $165 Price Target

Mizuho analyst Vijay Rakesh maintains Texas Instruments (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TXN#NASDAQ">TXN</a>) with a Neutral and lowers the price target from $200 to $190.

Mizuho Maintains Neutral on Texas Instruments, Lowers Price Target to $190

TransCode Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RNAZ#NASDAQ">RNAZ</a>) shares are moving higher Friday after the company announced that the first patient in Cohort 3 of its Phase 1 clinical trial has been dosed with its lead candidate, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/01/n42971496/transcode-therapeutics-announces-first-patient-dosed-in-third-cohort-with-lead-candidate-in-phase-">TTX-MC138 on Tuesday</a>.
What To Know: The company&#8217;s Safety Review Committee approved the progression to the third cohort following a favorable review of safety and pharmacokinetic data from Cohorts 1 and 2. No significant safety or dose-limiting toxicities have been reported in the earlier cohorts. The pharmacokinetic data from these cohorts has been consistent with preclinical and Phase 0 trial results. Patients from the earlier cohorts remain in the study and are continuing to receive additional doses of TTX-MC138.
The third cohort will receive a dose approximately double that administered in the second cohort. Preliminary analyses indicate that TTX-MC138 has demonstrated pharmacodynamic activity, with a 66% inhibition of miR-10b expression at 24 hours post-infusion, similar to findings from the earlier Phase 0 trial. The increase in activity observed with the escalated dose in Cohort 2 suggests a favorable pharmacokinetic profile for the drug.
Sue Duggan, TransCode&#8217;s Senior Vice President of Operations, commented that the commitment from clinical sites could enable a swift completion of the third cohort. Enrollment in the study is ongoing based on the Safety Review Committee&#8217;s continued review of cumulative safety data.
RNAZ Price Action: TransCode shares were up 21.2% at $6.67 at the time of writing, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?new_user=False&amp;backend=google-oauth2">Benzinga Pro.</a>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent012425&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="521" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/24122048/Screenshot-2025-01-24-at-12.20.12-1024x521.png" alt="" class="wp-image-749200" style="width:471px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/24122048/Screenshot-2025-01-24-at-12.20.12-1024x521.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/24122048/Screenshot-2025-01-24-at-12.20.12-300x153.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/24122048/Screenshot-2025-01-24-at-12.20.12-768x391.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/24122048/Screenshot-2025-01-24-at-12.20.12.png 1420w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43190630/american-express-q4-record-spending-and-card-acquisitions-9-topline-growth-17-dividend-hike">American Express Q4 Earnings: Revenue Beat, Record Spending and Card Acquisitions, 17% Dividend Hike And More</a></li>
</ul>
Image via Transcodetherapeutics.

RNAZ

TransCode Therapeutics Shares Are Surging Today: What's Going On?

Legendary investor Warren Buffett has helped Berkshire Hathaway Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>) (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>) outperform the S&amp;P 500 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/25/01/42832123/warren-buffett-beats-sp-500-in-2024-how-oracle-of-omahas-returns-compare-over-past-20-years">on many occasions.</a>
A large position in Apple Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) helped Berkshire in recent years, but Buffett has been selling the stock and could sell more in future quarters.
What Happened: Buffett's third-quarter holdings report revealed that the investor known as the Oracle of Omaha <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/11/41993666/warren-buffetts-berkshire-hathaway-slashes-apple-bofa-holdings-adds-dominos-pizza-in-q3">reduced his stake</a> in Apple by 25%, selling 100 million of the 400 million shares owned.
With 300 million shares still owned, Apple remains a large weighting in the value of Berkshire Hathaway, and investors are keeping a close eye on whether Buffett will continue to trim his position.
Apple had many years of outperforming the stock market, but in recent months has struggled. The company lost market share and sales in China.
A <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/01/43042851/apple-shares-dip-as-iphone-sales-in-china-decline-sharply-in-2024-whats-going-on">recent report revealed</a> Apple saw a 17% year-over-year sales decline in China for its iPhones, marking its largest single-year drop in the key country. This was the biggest annual drop for iPhones in China since 2016, leaving questions as to what Apple's future in the region looks like.
Apple fell behind the Chinese smartphone companies Vivo and Huawei in terms of market share in the country. Apple's 15% trailed the 17% and 16% of Vivo and Huawei, respectively.
The concerning iPhone sales are one of the reasons Apple stock has fallen 13.5% in the last month compared to a 1.4% gain for the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>), which tracks the S&amp;P 500. Over the last year, Apple&#8217;s 14.8% gain has also trailed the +25.6% gain for the SPY. 
Benzinga recently polled readers to see what they think will happen next.
"Will Warren Buffett sell his Apple stock after the company lost $510 billion in market cap and saw declining iPhone sales in China?" Benzinga asked.
The results were:
<ul>
<li>No, he'll hold on for the long term: 56%</li>
<li>Yes, he'll start reducing his position soon: 44%</li>
</ul>
The poll saw a near even split between respondents, with a majority saying Buffett isn't going to sell more Apple stock in the near term.
<ul>
<li>You may not be a billionaire like Warren Buffett, but you can uncover hidden gems in the stock market using our proprietary data and pattern recognition — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42927075/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet">check out five stocks flying under the radar that deserve your attention.</a></li>
</ul>
 Why It's Important: With Apple's declining stock price, the company was recently passed by Nvidia for the title of the world's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/01/43150661/apples-510-billion-market-cap-drop-opens-door-for-nvidia-to-reclaim-worlds-largest-company-title-amid-iphone-makers-china-struggles">most valuable company</a>. At the time of writing, Nvidia was valued at $3.566 trillion, and Apple ranked second at $3.355 trillion.
Apple is offering discounts on iPhone 16 models to try to win back customers after declining sales. The company also sees strong iPhone sales in other regions, which could make Chinese concerns overblown.
Buffett <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/24/10/41188299/if-you-invested-1-000-in-apple-stock-when-warren-buffett-bought-shares-heres-how-much-youd-have">previously called Apple</a> "probably the best business" he knew in the world, and it has remained a key investment for the Oracle of Omaha since he first took a stake of 9.8 million shares in 2016.
&#8220;I don&#8217;t think of Apple as a stock. I think of it as a third business,&#8221; Buffett once said in reference to Berkshire&#8217;s insurance and railroad interests being two large business segments.
While Buffett has bought more Apple shares since that initial purchase and also sold on several occasions, the stock continues to be his largest holding and a key to the valuation of Berkshire Hathaway.
Buffett's next 13F filing, expected in February, will reveal whether he further reduced his Apple holdings in the fourth quarter.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/top-stories/24/12/42706002/warren-buffett-said-selling-disney-was-a-huge-mistake-legendary-investor-should-have-been-buying">Warren Buffett Said Selling Disney &#8216;Was A Huge Mistake&#8217;: Legendary Investor &#8216;Should Have Been Buying&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
The study was conducted by Benzinga from Jan. 22, 2025 through Jan. 23, 2025. It included the responses of a diverse population of adults 18 or older. Opting into the survey was completely voluntary, with no incentives offered to potential respondents. The study reflects results from 115 adults.
Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

Exclusives

EXCLUSIVE: Will Warren Buffett Sell More Apple Stock After iPhone Sales Drop In China? 56% Say This

RBC Capital analyst Tom Narayan upgrades Magna International (TSX:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MG#TSX">MG</a>) from Sector Perform to Outperform and raises the price target from C$41 to C$52.

Upgrades

TSX:MG

RBC Capital Upgrades Magna International to Outperform, Raises Price Target to C$52

After a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/10/41634391/royal-caribbean-cruises-posts-q3-earnings-beat-but-analysts-say-all-is-not-well">successful third quarter</a>, one analyst is optimistic about the cruise line industry heading into fourth-quarter earnings.
The Cruise Analyst: Goldman Sachs analyst Lizzie Dove published a note on the cruise line industry ahead of earnings. Here are her ratings and price targets:
<ul>
<li>Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RCL#NYSE">RCL</a>), reiterating a Buy rating and lowering its price target from $275 to $270.</li>
<li>Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NCLH#NYSE">NCLH</a>), reiterating a Buy rating and lowering its price target from $35 to $34.</li>
</ul>
Royal Caribbean Takeaways: Dove noted potential foreign exchange and crude oil headwinds for Royal Caribbean, causing a 30-cent reduction in their EPS forecasts. Still, the analyst is optimistic.
&#8220;Though our investor conversations around this headwind have increased in recent days, we are confident than RCL can still maintain its current guidance for 2025 to have a $14 handle,&#8221; Dove said. &#8220;On a constant currency basis, we expect RCL to guide to moderate net yield growth on a constant currency basis, with somewhere close to a high 3%/low 4% handle possible by our math.&#8221;
The analyst is most looking forward to Royal Caribbean&#8217;s Investor Day presentation and new long-term targets. Dove is interested in the company&#8217;s progress in its private island investments in Mexico and the Caribbean and a potential stock buyback program.
Dove estimates that Royal Caribbean can buy back around $15 billion in shares from 2025 to 2027.
Norweigan Cruise Line Takeaways: The analyst noted concerns among investors in the company&#8217;s yield growth and 2025 guidance. Dove thinks such concerns are already priced in and the company has the opportunity for overperformance.
&#8220;Still, we believe this is now priced into the stock and well understood by investors, and don't see this as a reason to not own NCLH. In fact, we think NCLH has sufficiently lowered the bar and see potential for outperformance on both yield and costs.&#8221;
The analyst also listed several cost-reduction measures by the Miami, Florida-based company including onboard initiatives and fuel and energy savings.
Also Read:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43190630/american-express-q4-record-spending-and-card-acquisitions-9-topline-growth-17-dividend-hike">American Express Q4 Earnings: Revenue Beat, Record Spending and Card Acquisitions, 17% Dividend Hike And More</a></li>
</ul>
Image Courtesy: Royal Caribbean Cruises

Equities

Travel

NCLH

'Potential For Outperformance': Goldman Sachs Analyst Is Optimistic Ahead Of Royal Caribbean, Norweigan Cruise Earnings

Mizuho analyst Siti Panigrahi maintains Twilio (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TWLO#NYSE">TWLO</a>) with a Outperform and raises the price target from $140 to $150.

TWLO

Mizuho Maintains Outperform on Twilio, Raises Price Target to $150

Mizuho analyst Vijay Rakesh maintains Qorvo (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QRVO#NASDAQ">QRVO</a>) with a Neutral and raises the price target from $80 to $90.

QRVO

Mizuho Maintains Neutral on Qorvo, Raises Price Target to $90

In the current session, the stock is trading at $218.41, after a 1.11% spike. Over the past month, Chart Industries Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GTLS#NYSE">GTLS</a>) stock increased by 13.22%, and in the past year, by 82.74%. With performance like this, long-term shareholders are optimistic but others are more likely to look into the price-to-earnings ratio to see if the stock might be overvalued.

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1737740757_0.png" alt="Past Year Chart" />

<h3>Chart Industries P/E Compared to Competitors</h3>
The P/E ratio measures the current share price to the company's EPS. It is used by long-term investors to analyze the company's current performance against it's past earnings, historical data and aggregate market data for the industry or the indices, such as S&amp;P 500. A higher P/E indicates that investors expect the company to perform better in the future, and the stock is probably overvalued, but not necessarily. It also could indicate that investors are willing to pay a higher share price currently, because they expect the company to perform better in the upcoming quarters. This leads investors to also remain optimistic about rising dividends in the future. 
Compared to the aggregate P/E ratio of 28.65 in the Machinery industry, Chart Industries Inc. has a higher P/E ratio of 61.37. Shareholders might be inclined to think that Chart Industries Inc. might perform better than its industry group. It's also possible that the stock is overvalued. 

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1737740757_1.png" alt="Guage" />

In conclusion, the price-to-earnings ratio is a useful metric for analyzing a company's market performance, but it has its limitations. While a lower P/E can indicate that a company is undervalued, it can also suggest that shareholders do not expect future growth. Additionally, the P/E ratio should not be used in isolation, as other factors such as industry trends and business cycles can also impact a company's stock price. Therefore, investors should use the P/E ratio in conjunction with other financial metrics and qualitative analysis to make informed investment decisions.

GTLS

Price Over Earnings Overview: Chart Industries

RBC Capital analyst Tom Narayan upgrades Magna International (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MGA#NYSE">MGA</a>) from Sector Perform to Outperform and raises the price target from $41 to $52.

RBC Capital Upgrades Magna International to Outperform, Raises Price Target to $52

NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) shares are moving lower on Friday following soft guidance from Texas Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TXN#NASDAQ">TXN</a>).
What To Know: Texas Instruments expects 2025 fiscal-year first-quarter revenue between $3.74 billion and $4.06 billion, versus analysts estimate of $4.15 billion. The company also anticipates earnings per share in the range of $0.94 to $1.16, below the $1.37 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/43195119">consensus estimate</a>.
Furthermore, Texas Instruments expects an effective tax rate of 12% for the 2025 fiscal-year.
NVIDIA shares may be trading lower following soft guidance from Texas Instruments as both companies are in the semiconductor industry and may face similar headwinds. Texas Instruments&#8217; guidance may signal upcoming challenges, including weaker demand or other potential challenges.
Other companies in the semiconductor field that are trading lower following the soft guidance from Texas Instruments, include Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>) and ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ASML#NASDAQ">ASML</a>).
For the fourth-quarter, Texas Instruments reported revenue of $4.01 billion, exceeding analysts estimate of $3.85 billion. The company also posted earnings per share of $1.30, beating the $1.17 estimate.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43196106/rigetti-computing-quantum-stargate">Rigetti Computing, Quantum Stocks Soar On Project Stargate</a>
NVDA Price Action: At the time of writing, NVIDA stock is trading 2.19% lower at $144.01, according to data from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>.
Image: via Shutterstock

ASML

INTC

NVDA

What's Going On With NVIDIA Stock Friday?

Goldman Sachs expects a gradual recovery in end-market growth throughout the year as the Tools and the contract research organizations (CROs) enter 2025 after underperforming in 2024.
Bioprocessing is anticipated to gain momentum as the year progresses, with instruments poised for recovery by mid-year, potentially achieving healthy growth rates by the fourth quarter. However, investor skepticism remains high following overly optimistic guidance in 2024.
Improved visibility, normalized supply chains, and stable ordering patterns suggest better conditions for 2025, although debates around large pharma spending are expected to dominate early-year discussions.
Goldman Sachs analyst Matthew Sykes is cautiously optimistic about a potential recovery in the Life Sciences Tools sector in 2025. However, investor interest in this area remains low.
The analyst writes that the health care sector saw the fastest pace of net buying in five months last week—except for segments like Life Sciences Tools &amp; Services.
This hesitation stems from repeated disappointments in market recovery, ongoing declines in revenue and earnings forecasts, and persistently high valuations.
Danaher Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DHR#NYSE">DHR</a>) and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TMO#NYSE">TMO</a>) are scheduled to release their fourth-quarter 2024 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/calendars/earnings" rel="noreferrer noopener">earnings next week</a>.
Sector allocations among traditional, long-only investors have slightly increased, which is a positive sign.
A BofA Securities&nbsp;report in December highlighted that the Life Sciences Tools sector struggled in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42490115/despite-higher-valuations-some-life-sciences-tools-stocks-create-good-opportunities-analyst" rel="noreferrer noopener">fiscal year 2024</a>.
Pharmaceutical and biotech companies' spending dropped after pandemic-related overspending, and demand in China stayed weak. This led some Life Sciences companies to lower their already-conservative fiscal year revenue forecasts as the year progressed.
For most of fiscal year 2024, Life Sciences company valuations remained higher than pre-COVID levels but declined after the U.S. elections. Looking ahead to fiscal year 2025, initial forecasts and management comments suggest a mixed outlook.
Over the past two years, hedge funds have driven most of the sector's activity, but their recent pullback, combined with mutual funds' growing interest, could pave the way for broader investor engagement—if the sector demonstrates sustainable recovery.
For this to happen, large biopharma companies, the sector's key customers, need to stabilize spending amid challenges like the Inflation Reduction Act and patent cliffs.
Increased R&amp;D investment would also be crucial. While M&amp;A could support this shift, their net impact is expected to be neutral.
However, M&amp;A activity may still encourage investment to replenish product pipelines for major pharmaceutical companies.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/25/01/43192622/hca-healthcare-q4-earnings-beat-steet-estimates-despite-hurricane-impact-announces-10-billion-share-buyback-program" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HCA Healthcare Q4 Earnings Beat Steet Estimates Despite Hurricane Impact, Announces $10 Billion Share Buyback Program</a></li>
</ul>
Photo by MargJohnsonVA via Shutterstock

Health Care

iShares Dow Jones US Pharmaceuticals Index Fund

iShares Dow Jones US Health Care Provides Index Fund

iShares Trust Dow Jones US Healthcare Sector Index Fund

Goldman Sachs Predicts Gradual Recovery For Tools And Contract Research Sector In 2025, Stable Large Pharma Spending Key To Recovery

BABA

Citigourp Global Markets 2% Protected Notes Linked To The Djia

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Shares of US-listed Chinese stocks are trading higher amid China's efforts to  get insurers to invest in stocks and support markets.

NextEra Energy Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NEE#NYSE">NEE</a>) shares are trading higher after it <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/01/n43188070/nextera-energy-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2024-financial-results-available-on-companys-website" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported fourth-quarter FY24 results</a>.
Revenue of&nbsp;$5.385 billion missed the estimate of&nbsp;$7.525 billion and adjusted EPS of&nbsp;$0.53 was <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/earnings" rel="noreferrer noopener">in line with the consensus</a>.
Operating income declined to&nbsp;$941 million from $2.660 billion in the year-ago quarter.
Florida Power &amp; Light Company&nbsp;(<a target="_blank" href="https://www.investor.nexteraenergy.com/~/media/Files/N/NEE-IR/news-and-events/events-and-presentations/2025/2025-0124%20NEEQ42024News%20Release%20vFinal.pdf" rel="noreferrer noopener">FPL</a>) segment adjusted net income declined slightly to $845 million from $846 million in the&nbsp;third quarter&nbsp;of 2023.
Meanwhile, Next Energy Resources&#8217; adjusted earnings rose to $446 million from $361 million in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Cash flows from operating activities for the year totaled $13.260 billion, compared to $11.301 billion a year ago. As of December 31, 2024, cash and cash equivalents stood at $1.487 billion.
Outlook: For FY25, NextEra Energy continues to expect adjusted EPS of&nbsp;$3.45-$3.70. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/calendars/guidance" rel="noreferrer noopener">vs. consensus of&nbsp;$3.68</a>.
Also, NextEra Energy expects adjusted EPS of $3.63-$4.00 in 2026 and $3.85-$4.32 in 2027.
The company also expects to grow its dividends per share by approximately 10% annually through at least 2026, based on a 2024 baseline. In addition, NextEra Energy&#8217;s long-term financial expectations remain unchanged.
John Ketchum, chairman, president and chief executive officer, said, &#8220;Continuing our track record of providing long-term value for shareholders, we have delivered compound annual growth in adjusted earnings per share of more than 10% since 2021 and of approximately 10% over the past 10 years, both of which are the highest among all top-10 power companies.&#8221;
&#8221;Given the strength of both of our businesses, we will be disappointed if we are not able to deliver financial results at or near the top of our adjusted earnings per share expectations ranges in each year through 2027, while maintaining our strong balance sheet and credit ratings.&#8221;
Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/01/43174889/nextera-energy-charging-into-q4-earnings-will-clean-energys-powerhouse-keep-its-momentum" rel="noreferrer noopener">NextEra Energy: Charging Into Q4 Earnings — Will Clean Energy&#8217;s Powerhouse Keep Its Momentum?</a>
During the earnings call, the company stated that it inked a framework agreement with GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GEV#NYSE">GEV</a>) <a target="_blank" href="https://www.investor.nexteraenergy.com/~/media/Files/N/NEE-IR/news-and-events/events-and-presentations/2025/Final_Q4%202024%20Script.pdf" rel="noreferrer noopener">to </a>develop natural gas-powered generation solutions.
This partnership is expected to support multiple gigawatts of capacity for data centers, manufacturing reshoring, industrial electrification, and various energy customers, including utilities and commercial sectors.
Over the next four years, both companies plan to collaborate to identify key grid locations for new generation.
GE Vernova will provide advanced natural gas technologies and electrification solutions, while NextEra Energy will integrate renewable, storage, and gas-fired generation solutions for large energy loads.
Also, NextEra requested U.S. regulators for a licensing change for the Duane Arnold nuclear plant to potentially restart the Iowa facility and aims to revive the reactor by the end of 2028.
Investors can gain exposure to the stock via SPDR Select Sector Fund &#8211; Utilities (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLU#NYSE">XLU</a>) and Vanguard Utilities ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VPU#NYSE">VPU</a>).
Price Action: NEE shares are up 4.66% at $72.46 at last check Friday.
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NextEra Energy Reports Mixed Q4 Results, Enters Partnership With GE Vernova For Grid Solutions

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