Target delivered better-than-expected earnings during the critical holiday sales period as the retailer’s in-house brands and easy delivery options drew its strongest traffic and same-store sales growth in more than a decade. The company’s adjusted earnings per share hit a new record and its digital sales surged more than 25 percent for the fifth year in a row, even as its net income slid 26.5 percent.
New orders for key U.S.-made capital goods unexpectedly fell in December amid declining demand for machinery and primary metals, pointing to a further slowdown in business spending on equipment that could crimp economic growth.
Lyft now expects to be valued at between $20 billion and $25 billion in its IPO, the sources said, adding that the roadshow is expected to last for about two weeks. The sources cautioned that the plans were still subject to change and market conditions.
The talks are aimed at “achieving needed structural changes in China that affect trade between the United States and China. The two sides will also discuss China’s pledge to purchase a substantial amount of goods and services from the United States,” the White House said in a statement.
HSBC Holdings turned in a disappointing annual profit as higher costs and a stocks rout chipped away at its trading businesses, while warning that an economic slowdown in China and Britain would throw up further hurdles this year.
Uber is aiming for an IPO that could value it at as much as $120 billion. Chief Executive Dara Khosrowshahi has worked to shore up the company’s balance sheet by selling unprofitable units and completing fundraising including investments from SoftBank Group Corp. and Toyota Motor Corp. , and a large debt sale.
Farmers are waiting for more clarity on trade deals before buying equipment. The company said Friday that initial orders of tractors, combine harvesters and other equipment were weak, contributing to the lower-than-expected quarterly profits.
The music-streaming company, which is already the second-largest podcasting platform, said it would buy podcast publisher Anchor in a move to increase its presence in other forms of audio. It also said it is buying podcast producer Gimlet Media.
While January is typically a slower month for new-vehicle sales, analysts say the rising stock levels are becoming problematic because car companies will start this year with more unsold inventory than they had three years ago when U.S. auto sales peaked at 17.55 million for the year.
“The hypothetical scenario features the largest unemployment rate change to date,” said Randal Quarles, the Fed’s vice chairman for supervision, in a written statement. “We are confident this scenario will effectively test the resiliency of the nation’s largest banks.”
In a statement published Monday, 11 of the 14 members of the Lima Group called for a “peaceful transition through political and diplomatic means without the use of force.”
The group also underscored the need for an urgent delivery of humanitarian aid and insisted international governments “take measures to prevent the Maduro regime … from doing business in oil, gold and other assets.”
Alphabet Inc., parent company of the Internet search giant, reported mostly strong fourth-quarter results Monday afternoon. Revenue grew 22% year over year to $39.3 billion, beating Wall Street’s forecasts. That was driven by yet another quarter of 20% growth for the company’s colossal advertising business, which now generates more than $116 billion in revenue annually.
