 | | | | An investment bank is rising due to record trading revenue and a double-digit profit growth, a regional lender is reporting disappointing EPS, and a SPAC merger with a trading platform has ignited a 140% premarket rally. Here’s what you need to know. | |
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| | | | | What to Watch | Earnings: | Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. [PNFP]: Aftermarket FB Financial Corporation [FBK]: Aftermarket Kestra Medical Technologies, Ltd. [KMTS]: Aftermarket Applied Digital Corporation [APLD]: Aftermarket BioStem Technologies, Inc. [BSEM]: Aftermarket Skillsoft Corp. [SKIL]: Aftermarket TOMI Environmental Solutions, Inc. [TOMZ]: Aftermarket
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| | | | Investment Bank | Goldman Sachs Delivers Strong Q1 Results Fueled by Volatility-Driven Trading Gains | | Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) posted stronger-than-expected first-quarter results, with revenue climbing 6% year-over-year to $15.06 billion, surpassing analysts' projections of $14.76 billion. | The performance was bolstered by a surge in equities trading activity, as markets reacted to the economic uncertainty tied to U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent tariff announcements. | Revenue from equities trading soared 27% to an all-time high of $4.19 billion, capitalizing on increased market swings. | However, investment banking revenue declined by 8% to $1.91 billion, as deal-making slowed amid the broader geopolitical tensions and regulatory ambiguity triggered by trade measures. | Goldman’s fixed income business posted modest growth, with revenue rising 2% to $4.40 billion, supported by strength in mortgage-related products and structured lending. | Net earnings applicable to common shareholders rose 15% to $4.74 billion, equating to earnings of $14.12 per share—well above the $12.26 expected by analysts. | CEO David Solomon noted that while the firm enters the current quarter under less favorable conditions than earlier in the year, Goldman remains well-positioned to support clients through volatility. | The upbeat results arrive as rival banks voice concerns about economic headwinds stemming from Trump's tariff regime, which initially rattled markets before partial rollbacks were announced to ease investor tension. |
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| | Banking | M&T Bank Delivers Profit Growth, But EPS Misses Analyst Targets | | M&T Bank (NYSE: MTB) reported improved earnings for the first quarter of 2025, but the results are slightly short of Wall Street expectations. | Net income available to common shareholders rose to $547 million, compared to $505 million in the same period last year. | Reported earnings per share (EPS) reached $3.32, up from $3.02. However, analysts had projected EPS of $3.40, and shares dropped about 2.5% in premarket hours to $154.00. | Net operating income also climbed, reaching $594 million versus $543 million a year ago, with adjusted EPS rising to $3.38 from $3.09. | Total net interest income came in at $1.70 billion, up modestly from $1.68 billion last year, while the bank’s taxable-equivalent net interest income stood at $1.71 billion. | Notably, the provision for credit losses dropped to $130 million, down from $200 million in Q1 2024, indicating improved credit quality. | Noninterest income increased to $611 million from $580 million, contributing further to the revenue boost. | Despite the earnings growth, the shortfall versus analyst estimates have led to a cautious reaction from investors. |
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| | | | Printing Solutions | AstroNova Eyes FY26 Growth Despite Q4 Loss, Impairment Charges | | AstroNova (NASDAQ: ALOT) announced a strategic overhaul after posting a revenue drop in its fiscal fourth quarter and a net loss driven by a significant goodwill impairment. | The company is now targeting $3 million in annual savings through restructuring and operational realignment. | For the quarter ended January 31, 2025, revenue came in at $37.4 million, a 5.6% decline compared to the same period last year. | The company reported a net loss of $15.6 million, or $2.07 per share, largely due to a $13.4 million non-cash goodwill write-down. | Segment-wise, Product Identification revenue dipped 3.6% to $25.7 million, while the Test & Measurement unit saw a 9.9% slide to $11.7 million. | Full-year revenue stood at $151.3 million, marking a modest 2.2% gain year-over-year, despite setbacks from challenges related to the MTEX acquisition and the Boeing strike. | Looking forward, AstroNova has reaffirmed its guidance for fiscal 2026, forecasting revenue between $160 million and $165 million—an increase of roughly 7%. | The company also expects an adjusted EBITDA margin between 8.5% and 9.5%. Of the projected $3 million in savings, 40% is anticipated to be realized in the upcoming fiscal year. | AstroNova's leadership emphasized that the new cost initiatives and product simplification strategy are key to restoring profitability and driving long-term value. |
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| | Movers and Shakers | | SK Growth Opportunities Corporation [BULL] - Last Close: $13.25 | SK Growth Opportunities Corporation has officially combined its business with Webull Corporation, transitioning Webull into its wholly-owned subsidiary this morning. | This is why its shares are up nearly 140% in premarket trade. | My Take: Webull’s public debut via SKGR signals major growth ambitions in the retail trading space. If it can continue expanding market share and monetizing its active user base, BULL stock may have strong upside over the medium term. |
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| Third Harmonic Bio, Inc. [THRD] - Last Close: $3.64 | Third Harmonic Bio announced its formal liquidation plan today, sending its shares up 36% in premarket trading. | The company will distribute between $5.13 and $5.33 per share to investors. The payout is expected to begin in Q3 and totals approximately $246.6 million to $255.4 million, a substantial return for shareholders given recent share prices. | My Take: While liquidation isn’t the usual definition of “growth,” this is a smart exit for investors. For risk-averse shareholders, it’s a clean, cash-rich resolution in a sector full of uncertainty. |
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| Signing Day Sports, Inc. [SGN] - Last Close: $0.80 | Signing Day Sports is surging in premarket trading after announcing a non-binding letter of intent to acquire blockchAIn Digital Infrastructure, a profitable company generating $26.8 million in revenue and $4 million in net income in 2024. | The all-stock deal—valued at approximately $215 million—marks a major pivot into crypto mining, AI, and high-performance computing data hosting. | My Take: This is an aggressive leap for SGN, moving from sports tech into a booming infrastructure sector. If completed, this deal could dramatically reshape its trajectory—but keep a close watch on how the deal progresses. |
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| | Copper Breakout Watch (Sponsored) | On Behalf of Abitibi Metals | | | Billionaires. Bankers. Insiders. | All backing a small explorer with 950M lbs CuEq and high-grades. | Copper’s breaking out. This might be the next big one. | [Get the symbol here.] | *SGS Canada Inc. is responsible for the Technical Report. The Qualified Persons (“QPs”), as defined under NI 43-101, are Yann Camus, P.Eng., and Olivier Vadnais-Leblanc, P.Geo. |
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| | | | That’s all for today. Thank you for reading. If you have any feedback, please reply to this email. | Best Regards, | — Adam Garcia
Elite Trade Club |
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