Ericsson AB (NASDAQ:ERIC) – Ericsson AB exceeded analysts’ expectations in the second quarter, benefiting from cost-cutting measures amid a challenging market. The Swedish company reported a 14% increase in adjusted earnings before interest and taxes, reaching $307 million (3.23 billion Swedish kronor), excluding amortizations. Despite a 7% decline in net sales, revenues exceeded projections. The stock rose 4.2% in pre-market trading.

Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA), Uber (NYSE:UBER), Lyft (NASDAQ:LYFT) – Tesla introduced a new rear-wheel-drive version of the long-range Model 3, costing $5,000 less than the all-wheel-drive variant, now priced at $42,490. Other model prices remained unchanged. After an 11-day rally, Tesla shares plummeted 8.4% on Thursday, reacting to the postponement of its autonomous robotaxi launch to October for prototype adjustments. Initially scheduled for August 8 by Elon Musk, the delay negatively impacted Tesla shares and favored competitors like Uber and Lyft, underscoring Tesla’s leading position in the autonomous vehicle sector. Additionally, UBS downgraded Tesla shares due to rapid appreciation driven by AI enthusiasm, deemed exaggerated by analysts including Joseph Spak. They also point to a more cautious EV market and challenges like reduced sales and intense competition, leading to a sell recommendation. Tesla will report quarterly results on July 23. In pre-market trading, Tesla shares fell 1.4%, while Uber shares fell 0.2% and Lyft shares rose 0.7%.

Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO) – An Oxford University study linked Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic to lower rates of dementia and other mental issues, raising expectations about the diabetes treatment’s secondary benefits. Patients treated with Ozempic had a 48% lower risk of dementia compared to those using sitagliptin, an older drug, and also showed reduced cognitive deficits and smoking risks. The stock rose 1.2% in pre-market trading.

Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) – Pfizer announced Thursday it is back in the race to launch an effective weight loss pill. The announcement, however, failed to dispel concerns about its oral GLP-1 program, which may be too late. The program had safety and side effect issues affecting previous experimental pills. Pfizer now bets on a new daily version of danuglipron to resume larger studies. Shares, which rose 1.1% on Thursday, are up 0.8% in pre-market trading on Friday.

QuantumScape (NYSE:QS) – QuantumScape shares soared 30.5% on Thursday following the announcement of a deal with Volkswagen that could lead to large-scale production of solid-state EV batteries. The partnership will allow Volkswagen’s battery company PowerCo to industrialize QuantumScape’s new batteries, promising lower costs, longer range per charge, and greater safety.

General Motors (NYSE:GM) – General Motors plans to invest at least $900 million to retool a car factory in Lansing, Michigan, to produce electric vehicles, announced Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm on Thursday. GM will also receive $500 million in government subsidies to convert the plant for EVs.

Stellantis (NYSE:STLA) – Chrysler’s parent company is set to receive subsidies totaling $584.8 million to convert its factories in Belvidere, Illinois, and Kokomo, Indiana, to produce electric vehicles and components, as part of the Biden administration’s efforts to boost EV manufacturing in the US. The stock rose 0.2% in pre-market trading.

Magnificent Seven – On Thursday, the massive sell-off of major tech company stocks resulted in the second-largest single-day market capitalization elimination for the “Magnificent Seven” on record. The drops in all seven stocks resulted in a collective loss of $598 billion, the largest since February 2022. Tesla fell 8.4%, Nvidia -5.6%, Meta -4.1%, Alphabet -2.9%, Amazon -2.4%, Apple -2.3%, and Microsoft -2.5%.

Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) – Republican lawmakers have requested an intelligence assessment from the Biden administration on Microsoft’s $1.5 billion investment in the UAE-based AI company G42, citing concerns about the transfer of sensitive technology and G42’s historical ties with China. The stock rose 0.3% in pre-market trading.

Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) – Apple agreed to open its tap-to-pay mobile payment system to competitors, announced the European Union’s antitrust regulator on Thursday, though it has not yet fully adjusted its business practices to comply with new tech rules. The company faces multiple investigations under the EU Digital Markets Act. The stock rose 0.4% in pre-market trading.

Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) – The UK grocery regulator has threatened Amazon with a formal investigation if it does not improve its compliance with a sector code designed to protect suppliers. Amazon received criticism for its low compliance score, falling to 47% in 2024 from 59% in 2023. The stock rose 0.1% in pre-market trading.

Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) – Intel is making progress in the software sector, led by Greg Lavender since 2021. The company, which acquired three software firms, aims to reach $1 billion in software revenue by 2027. Lavender focuses on AI and security services, highlighting the demand for the Gaudi 3 chip. The stock fell 0.3% in pre-market trading.

Micron Technology (NASDAQ:MU) – Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te thanked Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra for continued investment and confidence in the island during a rare public meeting with a foreign tech executive. Despite Taiwan being home to TSMC, the world’s largest contract chipmaker, it is unusual for the president to have publicized meetings with foreign tech executives. Lai praised Micron for long-term investment in Taiwan and advancing DRAM chip technology. The stock rose 0.1% in pre-market trading.

Paramount Global (NASDAQ:PARA) – The merger of Paramount Global with Skydance Media illustrates that winning can sometimes mean losing, at least in big Wall Street deals. Paramount shares fell 20% in 2024 and 75% over the past five years, disappointing investors who expected a good deal. The merger benefits National Amusements and Skydance more than public shareholders, especially non-voting Class B shareholders.

Fastenal (NASDAQ:FAST) – Fastenal’s financial results are imminent, with investors eagerly anticipating growth. The industrial distributor reports second-quarter numbers on Friday morning. Wall Street expects earnings of 51 cents per share on sales of $1.9 billion, compared to 52 cents and $1.8 billion in the second quarter of 2023.

Grab Holdings (NASDAQ:GRAB) – Singapore’s competition regulator questioned Grab and Trans-cab about competition concerns following the acquisition of the taxi operator last year. The transaction, around $74 million, could reduce passenger choices and result in higher prices due to a potential driver shortage. The stock rose 1.1% in pre-market trading.

Boeing (NYSE:BA) – Boeing informed some 737 Max customers that deliveries scheduled for 2025 and 2026 could face additional delays of three to six months. Boeing is close to selling about 24 777X jets to Korean Air in a deal estimated between $4 billion and $6 billion, expected to be finalized at the Farnborough Airshow in July. After a surprise order of 33 Airbus A350 jets in March, Korean Air is back in talks with its traditional supplier. The stock fell 0.7% in pre-market trading.

RTX (NYSE:RTX) – Raytheon Technologies, under RTX, announced on Thursday it received a $1.2 billion contract to supply Germany with additional Patriot air and missile defense systems. This new order represents the second Patriot contract for Germany this year.

Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) – The Pentagon will resume F-35 fighter jet deliveries next week despite delays in a hardware and software update. The decision will allow Lockheed Martin to receive about $700 million by year-end. With delays in the full TR-3 upgrade, jets were accumulating in the Texas yard, risking weather damage and limiting pilot training. The jets will be delivered with intermediate training capability and receive the full upgrade later.

Chevron (NYSE:CVX), Hess Corp (NYSE:HES) – Chevron and Hess expect the US Federal Trade Commission to review their merger proposal in the third quarter. The FTC plans to delay its decision on blocking Chevron’s $53 billion acquisition of Hess until it resolves an arbitration case with Exxon Mobil.

Devon Energy (NYSE:DVN) – Devon Energy shares fell 3.2% over the past 7 days after announcing the acquisition of Grayson Mill Energy’s assets. The reaction appears exaggerated for a deal that could prove highly profitable. The $5 billion cash and stock purchase of Williston Basin assets involves issuing new shares, worrying investors about earnings per share dilution. Devon will also need to increase its debt, but the deal is expected to significantly boost earnings and free cash flow, potentially offsetting these concerns.

Sunnova Energy (NYSE:NOVA), SunRun (NASDAQ:RUN), SunPower (NASDAQ:SPWR) – Solar energy company shares rose significantly on Thursday, driven by a weaker-than-expected inflation index, raising expectations that the Federal Reserve will start lowering interest rates sooner. Companies like Sunnova Energy, SunRun, and SunPower led gains yesterday, rising 19.1%, 15.5%, and 7.2%, respectively. In pre-market trading, Sunnova shares rose 1.5%, SunRun shares rose 1.6%, while SunPower shares were stable.

Vista Energy (NASDAQ:VIST) – Vista reported earnings per share of $0.74 last quarter, up from $0.61 per share the previous year, but below analysts’ estimate of $1.40 per share. The company had revenue of $396.72 million, slightly below expectations but significantly up from $230.98 million a year ago. The company projects earnings of $1.52 per share and revenues of $475.58 million for the next quarter, and $6.33 per share in $1.7 billion revenues for the current fiscal year. The stock fell 0.6% in pre-market trading.

Bain Capital (NYSE:BCSF), Envestnet (NYSE:ENV) – Bain Capital will acquire Envestnet for $4.5 billion, adding to its portfolio a financial software provider serving 16 of the 20 largest US banks. Bain Capital offers $63.15 per share in cash. The average target price is $69.21, according to LSEG data. Investors like Reverence Capital, BlackRock, Fidelity Investments, Franklin Templeton, and State Street Global Advisors support the deal.

Citigroup (NYSE:C) – Citigroup, in hiring Viswas Raghavan as head of banking, awarded him shares valued at about $41 million. These shares compensate for what he lost leaving JPMorgan. Raghavan, reporting to CEO Jane Fraser, cannot immediately sell the shares, which will vest in tranches through 2031. The stock rose 0.4% in pre-market trading.

JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:JPM) – JPMorgan plans to increase its market share, targeting 15% of consumer deposits in the country and 20% of credit card spending. With $1.1 trillion in retail deposits in the first quarter, the bank invests in modernization and capabilities to maintain long-term leadership. The bank will report second-quarter numbers today. Analysts estimate the bank will report earnings of $5.88 per share, exceeding last year’s $4.75. Key concerns for investors include the bank’s capital plans, the impact of new regulations, and net interest income, expected at $22.78 billion, up from $21.78 billion last year. The stock rose 0.1% in pre-market trading.

Jefferies Financial Group (NYSE:JEF) – Jefferies hired Stefani Silverstein from Goldman Sachs as managing director focused on tech mergers and acquisitions, according to Bloomberg. Silverstein, based in New York, will start at Jefferies after a leave period. She worked at Goldman since 2016 and previously at Barclays Plc for about seven years.

Iris Energy (NASDAQ:IREN) – Iris Energy shares fell about -16% over the past seven days after Culper Research questioned the Bitcoin mining company’s ability to support high-performance computers used in generative AI. Culper alleged the company’s data centers lack sufficient power for this. With low profitability in Bitcoin mining, some in the sector consider redirecting infrastructure to high-performance computing. The stock rose 0.2% in pre-market trading.

Block (NYSE:SQ), Core Scientific (NASDAQ:CORZ) – Block, the payment technology company led by Jack Dorsey, is positioned to stand out in the cryptocurrency mining industry. Analysts emphasize that disclosing profit margins will be crucial for Wall Street to assess the potential earnings impact. The deal with Core Scientific, where Block will supply bitcoin mining chips, marks a significant step, but financial transparency on specific deal details will be key for investors. In pre-market trading, Block shares rose 1%, while Core shares rose 0.1%.

Nike (NYSE:NKE) – Longtime Nike executive Thomas Clarke will assume the role of senior advisor to CEO John Donahoe and the leadership team. Clarke, with the company since 1980 and former president of innovation, will now focus on growth initiatives. John Hoke, with 30 years at the company, will replace Clarke. The stock rose 0.4% in pre-market trading.

Estée Lauder (NYSE:EL) – Estée Lauder announced that Tracey Travis will step down as CFO after 12 years on June 30, 2025. A successor has been identified and will be named in the coming weeks. Travis, who joined from Ralph Lauren, was instrumental in Estée Lauder’s financial growth and strategic acquisitions.

Dollar General (NYSE:DG) – Dollar General agreed to pay $12 million in fines for safety violations including blocked exits, inaccessible fire extinguishers, and improper storage, as disclosed by the US Department of Labor. The company must also improve store safety and implement corrective measures, including hiring additional safety managers and extensive training.

Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) – The Beastie Boys sued Brinker International in federal court in New York, alleging the company used their 1994 song “Sabotage” to promote the Chili’s restaurant chain without permission, implying a false endorsement. They seek monetary damages and a prohibition on using their work.