Today we are watching…
1. Alphabet (#googl)
The expectations set by investors for Sundar Pichai’s Alphabet were exceedingly low as advertisers slash budgets around the world in response to consumers’ hesitation to splash on big brands. Interestingly, however, the company’s financial results revealed engagement actually rising to four times its levels during the SuperBowl last quarter. Of course, there was less purchasing activity from the mass web surfers, but revenue growth didn’t slow down as badly as the market feared. Shares in Alphabet jumped 13% after reporting!
2. Ford (#ford)
The world’s automobile makers fare terribly in economic downturns without stay-at-home orders rendering car use obsolete. Ford released its earnings card yesterday for the first quarter, and it’s expected a pre-tax loss of five-billion-dollars. Investors are concerned with the cash burn, however, mainly because we’re heading into an even worse affected quarter. The company honors its debt and pay its bills (unlike some car companies), and it has $35 billion remaining that should get it to the end of the year if production is completely shut off. Investors are also facing a cut dividend and pulled guidance for the year, so the selling ensues!