Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) – iPhone 16 sales in China grew 20% in the first three weeks compared to its 2023 predecessor, driven by demand for Pro and Pro Max models, which increased 44%. Despite strong competition from Huawei and others, initial sales show signs of success. On another front, Donald Trump claimed to have received a call from Apple CEO Tim Cook about fines imposed by the European Union. Apple was fined $15 billion, plus an antitrust fine of $2 billion. Trump assured Cook that if elected, he would protect American companies from such penalties. Shares rose 0.9% in pre-market trading.

Sobr Safe (NASDAQ:SOBR) – Sobr Safe withdrew a public offering of units. The alcohol detection company decided not to proceed with the offering, which involved common stock and warrants, without disclosing values. Shares surged 108.8% in pre-market trading after closing 0.4% higher on Thursday.

ASML (NASDAQ:ASML) – Samsung delayed ASML equipment deliveries to its $17 billion Texas factory due to a lack of key customers. The $200 million EUV machines were initially scheduled for delivery this year but were postponed. Production, originally planned for 2024, may now begin in 2026. ASML shares rose 2.5% in pre-market trading.

Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA), Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (NYSE:TSM) – Nvidia shares hit an intraday record following TSMC’s optimistic sales forecast, boosting investor confidence in demand for AI chips. TSMC shares rose 9.8% on Thursday, while Nvidia gained 0.9%, reflecting growing optimism in the chip sector. Nvidia shares were up 1.2% pre-market, while TSMC shares fell 1.0%.

Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) – Intel is seeking to sell a minority stake in its Altera unit, valued at around $17 billion, to raise funds. After market losses and a stock price decline, the company is considering private investor proposals, shifting from a previously planned 2026 IPO. Shares rose 0.5% in pre-market trading after closing 0.6% higher on Thursday.

Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST) – JPMorgan analyst Jeremy Tonet recommends buying Vistra shares, highlighting its exposure to ERCOT, natural gas generation, and nuclear option. Despite a 317% rise over the past 12 months, Tonet forecasts an additional 31% increase, citing potential nuclear contracts as a positive catalyst. Shares rose 1.8% in pre-market trading after closing down 6.2% on Thursday.

Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL) – Google will transfer its Gemini app team to its AI lab, DeepMind, to streamline its structure and accelerate generative AI development. Sundar Pichai stated this will improve feedback and new model implementation. Demis Hassabis, DeepMind’s CEO, will lead the team. Additionally, Google appointed Nick Fox as its new head of research, ads, and commerce division, replacing Prabhakar Raghavan, who will take the role of chief technologist. The move is aimed at adapting to the rapid evolution of AI. Shares rose 0.3% in pre-market trading after closing down 1.4% on Thursday.

Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) – Amazon executive Matt Garman defended the company’s five-day-a-week in-office policy, stating that employees who disagree should find other jobs. He emphasized that innovation is more effective in person, and the current three-day policy has not met the company’s goals. Additionally, AWS expects Nvidia’s new Blackwell chips to be ready by early 2025, following a production delay. Nvidia had promised availability by the end of 2024, but manufacturing adjustments postponed the plan. AWS will receive the first major shipments next year. Shares rose 0.2% in pre-market trading after closing 0.3% higher on Thursday.

Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS) – The FCC proposed fining ESPN $147,000 for misusing emergency alert tones in promotions for the 2023-2024 NBA season. The FCC prohibits using these tones outside of official alerts to avoid confusion. ESPN has been fined in 2015 and 2021 for similar violations. Disney shares rose 0.2% in pre-market trading after closing down 0.2% on Thursday.

BP Plc (NYSE:BP) – BP is considering selling a minority stake in its offshore wind energy business to reduce its renewable energy investments. Under pressure from shareholders, CEO Murray Auchincloss is focusing on high-margin businesses. BP continues to develop large wind projects but has revised its expansion plans. Shares rose 1.2% in pre-market trading after closing 1.3% higher on Thursday.

Archer-Daniels-Midland (NYSE:ADM) – Archer-Daniels-Midland was accused of intentionally neglecting the maintenance of safety systems at its grain plant, contributing to a 2023 explosion that severely injured a worker. According to Reuters, the incident is part of a series of safety problems at ADM’s facilities in Decatur, Illinois. Shares rose 0.3% in pre-market trading after closing 0.6% higher on Thursday.

Deere and Co (NYSE:DE) – The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is investigating Deere for potential restrictions in its equipment repair policies, which may violate the “right to repair,” Reuters reports. The investigation, launched in September 2021, is evaluating whether Deere unfairly prevented customers from repairing their own products. The company is cooperating with the FTC and already faces lawsuits from farmers over these practices. Deere also signed an agreement last year allowing farmers to repair their equipment at independent shops. Shares were flat in pre-market trading after closing down 1.0% on Thursday.

SolarWinds (NYSE:SWI) – SolarWinds plans to open an office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2025 due to rapid business growth in the Middle East. Since 2022, sales in the region have grown in double digits. The company is considering relocating its headquarters from Cork, Ireland, to Dubai, reflecting its focus on the region.

General Motors (NYSE:GM) – GM plans to expand its investments in lithium and other essential minerals for electric vehicles in the U.S. after increasing its stake in a Nevada mine to nearly $1 billion. The automaker formed a joint venture with Lithium Americas to develop the Thacker Pass mine, extending its access to lithium for 20 years. Shares rose 0.2% in pre-market trading after closing 0.8% higher on Thursday.

CSX Corp. (NASDAQ:CSX) – CSX received a subpoena from the SEC related to previously disclosed accounting errors and certain non-financial performance metrics. The company, which corrected these errors in August, is cooperating with the investigation. While the errors were not material to previous periods, they could have impacted 2024 results if repeated. Shares fell 6.7% on Thursday.

Boeing (NYSE:BA) – Boeing requested to sell up to $25 billion in shares and bonds, but it is awaiting SEC approval, which may take days or weeks. Issues related to aircraft safety disclosures could be delaying the process. Boeing seeks to raise funds to bolster its cash position after burning $8 billion this year.

Catalent (NYSE:CTLT), Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO) – U.S. consumer groups and labor unions urged the FTC to block Novo Holdings’ acquisition of Catalent, citing concerns about competition in weight loss drugs and gene therapies. The $16.5 billion deal could hinder the development of competitors like Amgen and Pfizer.

Supernus Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:SUPN) – Supernus Pharmaceuticals released results from a Phase 2a study of an antidepressant therapy, showing effective reduction in depression symptoms.

Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS), Blackstone (NYSE:BX) – Goldman Sachs and Blackstone sold $475 million in loans to private funds backed by securities. These loans allow funds to delay liquidity requests from investors. Blackstone bought the riskiest part, and Goldman seeks to expand this practice, benefiting from low credit risk involved. The strategy reflects a growing partnership between banks and private lenders to optimize balance sheets and minimize exposure to risk capital under Basel III rules.

New York Community Bancorp (NYSE:NYCB) – Flagstar Bank, a unit of New York Community Bancorp, plans to lay off about 1,900 employees. Around 700 cuts have already occurred, with another 1,200 following the sale of the mortgage servicing unit to Mr. Cooper for $1.4 billion, expected in Q4 2024.

Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRK.A), Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) – Berkshire Hathaway sold more Bank of America shares, unloading 8.7 million shares for $370 million on October 15. The previous week, it sold 9.5 million shares for $382.4 million, continuing to reduce its stake below 10%.

Home Bancorp (NASDAQ:HBCP) – The Home Bancorp board increased the quarterly dividend from $0.25 to $0.26 per share, raising the annual payout to $1.04 per share. The dividend will be paid on November 8, with a yield of 2.3%, based on a $45.00 share price.

Nomura Holdings (NYSE:NMR) – Major Japanese financial institutions temporarily suspended trading with Nomura Holdings following a market manipulation scandal. At least 10 companies, including insurers and banks, halted activities until the brokerage implements corrective measures. Nomura faces a temporary loss of clients and declining shares, worsening its recent crisis.

Pony AI – Chinese autonomous driving company Pony AI, backed by Toyota, filed for an initial public offering (IPO) in the U.S. The company’s revenue nearly doubled to $24.7 million in H1 2024, but it still posted a $51.3 million loss. Pony AI operates a fleet of 250 robotaxis with 33.5 million kilometers of autonomous driving.

Assai (NYSE:ASAI) – Brazilian retailer Assai revised its 2025 store opening forecast, now planning around 10 new stores, half its previous target. The company, which seeks to reduce its leverage after accelerated expansion, expects to resume growth in 2026 with 20 new stores.

PepsiCo (NASDAQ:PEP), Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO) – Pepsi and Coca-Cola bottlers in the West Bank face shortages of cans and sugar due to the closure of the Allenby Bridge. Pepsi’s production fell by 35%, and its factory operates with only one shift per day. Coca-Cola also faces shortages of essential supplies.

Tyson Foods (NYSE:TSN) – Tyson Foods heir John R. Tyson was fined for DUI in June, paying $960 in fines and serving 32 hours of community service. His 90-day jail sentence was suspended. Tyson was suspended as CFO after the incident and later replaced by Curt Calaway. He remains on medical leave.

PPG Industries (NYSE:PPG) – PPG Industries announced it will lay off 1,800 employees in the U.S. and Europe and close plants as part of a cost-cutting program. The company will also sell its architectural coatings business for $550 million and expects to save around $175 million annually from these changes.

Earnings

Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) – The global streaming and content production company beat Q3 expectations with earnings per share (EPS) of $5.40, surpassing the $5.12 forecast. Net income for the period was $2.36 billion. Revenue reached $9.83 billion, adding 5.1 million subscribers, totaling 282.7 million. Netflix exceeded analysts’ revenue estimates of $9.77 billion and 282.15 million paid subscribers. The Q4 forecast is $10.13 billion in revenue and $4.23 EPS. Netflix expects advertising to drive growth through 2026. Shares rose 5.7% in pre-market trading after closing down 2.0% on Thursday.

Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ:ISRG) – The advanced surgical robotics and medical solutions company beat Q3 expectations with adjusted earnings per share of $1.84, above the forecast of $1.64. Revenue rose 17% to $2.04 billion, surpassing the $2.01 billion projection. The number of procedures using the Da Vinci robot grew 18%, driving sales of disposable instruments. Shares rose 6.3% in pre-market trading after closing down 0.6% on Thursday.

WD-40 (NASDAQ:WDFC) – The maintenance and lubrication products manufacturer beat Q4 2024 expectations with earnings per share of $1.23 and revenue of $156 million, above the $149.19 million estimates. The gross margin rose to 54.1%, and net income was $16.8 million. The company projects growth between 6% and 11% in 2025.

Crown Holdings (NYSE:CCK) – The metal beverage and product packaging company reported a Q3 loss of $1.47 per share, or $175 million, due to pension settlement charges. Adjusted earnings were $1.99, beating estimates of $1.81. Revenue rose 0.2% to $3.07 billion, slightly above the $3.06 billion expected. The company forecasts full-year adjusted earnings between $6.25 and $6.35.

First National Bank (NYSE:FNB) – The traditional and corporate banking services provider reported net income of $110.1 million in Q3 2024, down from $145.28 million the previous year. Earnings per share were $0.30, compared to $0.40 last year. Net interest income fell to $323.33 million, down from $326.58 million the previous year.

OceanFirst Bank (NASDAQ:OCFC) – The regional community banking services provider reported net income of $25.12 million in Q3 2024, up from $20.67 million the previous year. Earnings per share rose to $0.42, beating the previous year’s $0.33. Net interest income was $82.22 million, down from $91 million last year.

Bank OZK (NASDAQ:OZK) – The regional diversified financial services bank reported record net income of $177.1 million in Q3 2024, a 4.4% increase from the previous year. Diluted earnings per share rose to $1.55, 4% higher than the prior year. Net revenue before provisions reached $282.6 million, up 7%. Loans and deposits grew 15.3% and 19.6%, respectively.

Alpine Income Property Trust (NYSE:PINE) – The commercial real estate investment trust (REIT) reported Q3 2024 revenue of $13.48 million, beating estimates of $12.03 million. Net income was $3.35 million, reversing a loss from the prior year. Diluted earnings per share were $0.21, while funds from operations (FFO) increased 14%, reaching $6.69 million.

Marten Transport (NASDAQ:MRTN) – The refrigerated goods transportation company reported net income of $3.8 million in Q3 2024, a significant drop from $13.6 million the previous year. Earnings per share were $0.05, down from $0.17 last year. Total operating revenue was $237.4 million, below estimates of $243.89 million.

Metropolitan Commercial Bank (NYSE:MCB) – The commercial banking services provider reported a net interest margin of 3.62% in Q3 2024, an increase of 18 basis points. Diluted earnings per share were $1.08, down from $1.50 in the previous quarter. Loans totaled $5.9 billion, with deposits of $6.3 billion. The bank maintains strong liquidity with $3.1 billion available. The quarter included $12.6 million in pre-tax expenses related to regulatory reserves and digital transformation initiatives.

MGP Ingredients (NASDAQ:MGPI) – The distilled beverages and food ingredients producer forecast a 24% drop in Q3 sales to $161.5 million, below estimates of $186.5 million. Adjusted earnings per share are expected to be $1.29, lower than the $1.44 expected. The company also lowered its full-year revenue and earnings forecast. Full results are scheduled for release on October 31.