In a continued show of financial robustness, Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) has declared a 4.2% increase in its quarterly dividend, raising it from $1.19 per share to $1.24 per share. This adjustment marks the 62nd consecutive year the healthcare giant has increased its dividend, underscoring a long-standing commitment to delivering shareholder value. The new dividend rate elevates the annual payout to $4.96 per share, up from the previous $4.76 per share. Johnson & Johnson has scheduled the next quarterly dividend payout for June 4, 2024, with May 21, 2024, set as the record date for shareholders eligible to receive the dividend. Additionally, the ex-dividend date is announced as May 20, 2024.

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) reported lower-than-expected quarterly revenue as sales from its leading psoriasis treatment, Stelara, underperformed amidst looming market competition. The pharmaceutical giant saw its shares drop nearly 2% in premarket trading due to flat sales of Stelara, which amounted to $2.45 billion for the first quarter, falling short of the projected $2.6 billion. Despite the setback with Stelara, whose key patent expired last year, J&J has managed to delay the entry of biosimilar competitors in the U.S. until 2025. This strategic move is expected to bolster the drug’s contributions to J&J’s revenue through 2024 and 2025. On a brighter note, J&J’s blood cancer therapy Darzalex performed well, with sales increasing by 19% to $2.69 billion, aligning close

Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) has announced its financial outcomes for the first quarter of 2024, demonstrating robust growth with net revenues reaching $15.1 billion, up from $14.5 billion in the corresponding quarter last year. The firm's profitability also saw an uplift, with net income hitting $3.4 billion, or $2.02 per diluted share, an increase from the previous year's $3 billion, or $1.70 per diluted share. CEO Ted Pick praised the firm's performance, stating, "In the first quarter of 2024, Morgan Stanley generated net revenues of $15 billion and earnings of $2.02 per share for a 20% return on tangible equity." He highlighted the firm's achievement of $7 trillion in client assets across Wealth and Investment Management, backed by strong net new asset growth, as well as noting the strengt

AT&T (NYSE:T) has released its financial results for the first quarter of 2024, maintaining a steady performance with revenues holding at $30 billion, mirroring figures from the previous year. The Dallas-based telecommunications leader announced a diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.47, with an adjusted EPS of $0.55. The company also reported an operating income of $5.8 billion, an adjusted figure of $6 billion, and a net income of $3.8 billion. Additionally, the adjusted EBITDA stood at $11 billion. A notable financial highlight was the significant increase in cash from operating activities, which climbed by $0.9 billion to $7.5 billion. Free cash flow also saw a substantial rise, surging by $2.1 billion to reach $3.1 billion. AT&T's CEO, John Stankey, commented on the quarterl

Constellation Brands (NYSE:STZ) experienced a rise in its share value on Thursday following the release of its fourth-quarter earnings, which exceeded analyst forecasts. The company announced a revenue of $2.14 billion, topping predictions of $2.1 billion. Additionally, Constellation Brands reported adjusted earnings of $2.26 per share, outpacing the anticipated $2.10 per share. The company's beer division was highlighted as a key driver of this quarter's success, posting an impressive 11% increase in sales compared to the same period last year. In contrast, the wine and spirits segment didn't perform as well, showing a 6% drop in sales. Despite this dip, the robust performance of the beer business helped bolster the overall quarterly results for Constellation Brands.

Establishment Labs Holdings (NASDAQ:ESTA) has announced a pivotal development in its quest for U.S. market approval of its Motiva Implants. According to a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has slated a pre-approval inspection of the company's manufacturing facilities for the second quarter of 2024. This scheduled inspection marks a crucial milestone in Establishment Labs' regulatory journey, potentially paving the way for the approval of Motiva Implants in the United States. Read More #UnitedStates #News #Nasdaq #Food #SEC

Adidas stock price soared more than 7% on Wednesday, reaching a two-year high, after the sportswear manufacturer announced impressive quarterly results and upgraded its 2024 financial forecast. The spike in shares came as the German company revealed it had exceeded analysts' expectations in its recent earnings report on Tuesday. Adidas cited robust sales momentum in its retro "terrace" footwear lines, including popular models like the Samba, Gazelle, and Campus, as key growth drivers. This resurgence in retro styles, along with gains in performance sportswear, contributed significantly to the positive results. Wedbush analysts have noted that these segments are seeing particularly strong demand, which has helped bolster Adidas's market position. Meanwhile, Stifel's Cedric Lecasble emphasiz

General Electric (NYSE:GE) officially completed its historic breakup into three independent companies today, marking a significant shift for the once-dominant industrial conglomerate. The move signifies the culmination of efforts by CEO Larry Culp to revitalize the company after years of struggle. GE's aerospace and energy divisions will begin trading as separate entities on the New York Stock Exchange, following the spin-off of its healthcare business. This finalizes Culp's strategic plan, announced in late 2021, a decision that eluded previous leadership as GE expanded into diverse sectors. GE's immense financial clout was evident when its finance arm was deemed "too big to fail" during the 2008 financial crisis. However, the company faced continuous challenges, culminating in its remova

Despite the anticipation surrounding Hong Kong's ETF debut, the inflows remain dwarfed by the outflows from US-based ETFs, raising concerns about Bitcoin's (CRYPTO:BTC) price trajectory. Hong Kong's ETFs witnessed $217 million in net inflows, while US ETFs saw $298 million in net outflows, indicating a significant disparity in market sentiment. Institutional inflows from ETFs played a pivotal role in Bitcoin's recent rally, with US ETFs contributing substantially to the cryptocurrency's surge past $50,000 earlier. However, the lackluster trading activity in Hong Kong ETFs on their debut suggests subdued market participation, although it could set a precedent for broader Asian crypto exposure. With Bitcoin slipping below $60,000 post the ETF debut, there's speculation that failure to hold t

Rincon Resources shared progress in its exploration endeavours for the quarter ended March 31, notably at the West Arunta Project. During the three months, the company conducted the inaugural diamond drilling program at the Pokali IOCG prospect, revealing three zones of copper sulphide mineralisation in the first completed diamond hole, 24WADD001. Preliminary pXRF analysis showed positive results, with copper mineralisation reaching up to 7.21% Cu. The company also completed an oversubscribed placement, raising $1.4 million, coupled with a quarter-end cash balance of $2.1 million, supporting ongoing exploration across its three key assets in Western Australia. Claim N

IT service management company NEXTDC is reportedly planning a $56 million expansion in Malaga, targeting the AI trend. Seeking $1.3 billion from equity markets for nationwide growth, the company highlights new data centres in Sydney and Melbourne. The Malaga Project involves a five-story building on a 10,000m2 site adjacent to an existing facility, with an estimated power draw of 2MW. The City of Swan supports the plan, pending a decision by a development assessment panel. Full story: https://grafa.com/news/nextdc--asx-nxt--targets-ai-trend-with--56m-malaga-expansion-217380

Azure Minerals secured shareholder approval for its acquisition by SH Mining, backed by Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. and Hancock Prospecting. The resolutions were passed at recent meetings, including the scheme meeting and extraordinary general meeting. Pending final consent from the Supreme Court of Western Australia, the acquisition will proceed, leading to Azure's delisting from the ASX and shareholders receiving $3.70 cash per share on May 9. Read More #Mining #Australia #News #ASX #Court

Full story: https://grafa.com/news/optimism--op--price-may-drop-under--2-shortly-222538 Optimism's (CRYPTO:OP) price struggles below its mid-April uptrend line, lacking support from both the broader market and Bitcoin. The altcoin exhibits a negative correlation with Bitcoin, hindering its recovery even as Bitcoin (CRYPTO:BTC) rallies. Bearish signals intensify as the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) indicator suggests further decline, potentially pushing OP below $2.0. Failure to establish a golden cross and the inability to surpass key support levels at $2.33 and $2.11 reinforc

In a significant shift within the logistics and delivery sector, United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS) is set to become the new primary air cargo provider for the United States Postal Service (USPS), marking the end of USPS' long-standing partnership with FedEx. Announced on Monday, this move comes as FedEx decided to step back, prioritizing a more profitable contract over continuing its 22-year relationship with USPS. FedEx, which had regarded USPS as its largest customer for its air-based Express segment, openly stated its willingness to abandon the partnership should the terms fail to meet its profitability criteria. This comes against the backdrop of a dwindling contract value, with FedEx's earnings from USPS dropping to approximately $1.73 billion in fiscal 2023, down from $2.4 billion in