A strong quarter from FedEx met high expectations but failed to fully reassure investors. FedEx Corp. ( FDX ) reported better-than-expected fiscal second-quarter earnings, driven by cost cuts and higher U.S. shipment volumes. Despite the solid results, the market response reflected lingering concerns about the months ahead. Key Points FedEx delivered adjusted earnings of $4.82 per share, well above expectations. Cost reductions and higher domestic volumes supported margins and revenue growth. Updated guidance lifted the outlook, but implied second-half pressures weighed on sentiment. Strong Quarterly Results Highlight Operational Progress FedEx reported adjusted earnings per share of $4.82 on revenue of $23.5 billion for its fiscal second quarter, exceeding Wall Street estimates on both profit and sales. A year earlier, the company earned $4.05 per share on $22 billion in revenue, highlighting meaningful year-over-year improvement. Management pointed to cost ...

A strong earnings report helped steady market confidence in Carnival’s recovery. Carnival Corporation ( CCL ) delivered stronger-than-expected fourth-quarter results, surprising investors with an earnings beat and the return of its dividend. The update offered fresh market context for traders following volatility across the cruise sector. Key Points Carnival posted adjusted earnings of $0.34 per share, well above expectations. Full-year profits jumped more than 60%, supported by strong demand and cost control. Shares rose as guidance eased concerns around industry oversupply and leverage. Strong Earnings and Dividend Signal Financial Stability Carnival reported fourth-quarter adjusted earnings of $0.34 per share, beating analyst estimates of $0.25. Revenue reached $6.3 billion, slightly below consensus expectations but still the highest fourth-quarter revenue in the company’s history. For the full year, Carnival generated adjusted net income of $3.1 billion, ...

Strong quarterly results were overshadowed by cautious near-term guidance. Nike ( NKE ) reported better-than-expected fiscal second-quarter earnings and revenue, but its shares fell sharply after management warned that sales are likely to decline in the current quarter. The market reaction reflects investor concern about ongoing weakness in China, pressure on margins, and slower progress in the company’s turnaround. Key Points Nike beat earnings and revenue estimates, posting adjusted EPS of $0.53 on $12.4 billion in revenue. Greater China sales fell 17%, while Converse revenue dropped 30%, weighing on overall growth. The company expects revenue to decline in the low-single digits this quarter, below prior expectations. Earnings Beat Shows Stability in Core Markets Nike ( NKE ) generated $12.4 billion in revenue for the quarter ended Nov. 30, up 1% year over year and slightly ahead of expectations. Adjusted earnings of $0.53 per share also exceeded estimates, even...

Strong results met cautious market reaction as guidance stayed unchanged. Accenture ( ACN ) reported better-than-expected first-quarter earnings and revenue, driven by steady demand for its consulting and AI-driven services. Despite the beat, shares moved lower as the company maintained its full-year outlook, shaping a more cautious market response. Key Points Accenture posted adjusted earnings of $3.94 per share on $18.7 billion in revenue, topping expectations. New bookings rose 10% to $20.9 billion, including $2.2 billion tied to AI offerings. The company reaffirmed its full-year adjusted earnings guidance of $13.52 to $13.90 per share. Earnings Beat Highlights Operational Strength Accenture ( ACN ) delivered adjusted earnings per share of $3.94, up 10% from a year earlier and ahead of analyst estimates. Revenue reached $18.7 billion, reflecting 5% growth in local-currency terms and modestly exceeding expectations. Operating performance also showed incrementa...

Strong earnings and guidance put Micron at the center of market attention. Micron Technology ( MU ) delivered better-than-expected earnings and issued significantly stronger revenue guidance, triggering a sharp move in its stock after the results were released. The report highlighted tight memory chip supply and accelerating demand tied to artificial intelligence infrastructure. Key Points Micron beat earnings and revenue expectations for the quarter Forward revenue guidance came in far above market estimates Shares jumped sharply as investors reacted to supply-demand dynamics Micron’s Earnings Beat and Guidance Breakdown Micron reported earnings per share of $4.78 on revenue of $13.6 billion for its fiscal first quarter, exceeding expectations on both measures. In everyday terms, the company generated more profit per share and higher sales than analysts had anticipated, signaling strong operating conditions. Guidance for the current quarter stood out even mo...

Lennar’s latest earnings show how affordability pressures are reshaping homebuilding. Lennar ( LEN ), one of the largest U.S. homebuilders, is under pressure after fourth-quarter results revealed sharply lower profitability and a cautious outlook for 2026. While demand hasn’t disappeared, the company’s results suggest the housing market has entered a tougher, lower-margin phase. Key Points Lennar beat revenue expectations but missed earnings as margins fell sharply Heavy incentives and lower home prices are weighing on profitability Management’s 2026 outlook points to continued pressure in housing What Drove Lennar’s Q4 Earnings Miss? Lennar reported fourth-quarter revenue of about $9.4 billion, slightly above expectations, supported by a 4% increase in home deliveries and an 18% jump in new orders. However, earnings told a different story. Adjusted earnings per share came in at $2.03, well below the $2.21 analysts expected. The main issue was margin compress...

A major all-stock deal highlights consolidation and AI-driven growth in education. Online education companies Coursera ( COUR ) and Udemy ( UDMY ) are joining forces in a landmark all-stock merger that underscores how the job market and AI adoption are reshaping workforce training. The deal aims to create a global learning platform better positioned for enterprise and skills-based demand. Key Points Coursera will combine with Udemy in an all-stock deal valuing the firm at about $2.5 billion Udemy shareholders receive a 26% premium and will own roughly 41% of the combined company The merger targets enterprise learning and AI-driven upskilling as consumer demand cools Why Are Coursera and Udemy Merging Now? The merger comes as online education companies face slower growth following the pandemic-era boom. Consumer enrollment has cooled, competition has intensified, and investors have grown more selective. By combining, Coursera and Udemy aim to gain scale, reduce c...

A softer labor market is changing how investors view stocks and interest rates. The U.S. job market weakened noticeably in late 2025, and those shifts are now influencing how investors think about the stock market as a whole. Rising unemployment, slower hiring, and mounting layoff announcements are forcing a reset in expectations for economic growth, interest rates, and where opportunities may lie for investors. Key Points The unemployment rate rose to 4.6%, the highest level since 2021 Job growth has stalled, with recent months showing net job losses Markets are increasingly focused on potential interest rate cuts in 2026 What’s Happening in the Job Market Right Now? The labor market has entered what economists describe as a “low-hire, low-fire” phase. Hiring has slowed sharply, layoffs are creeping higher, and the unemployment rate unexpectedly climbed to 4.6% in November. While that level is still modest by historical standards, it marks the weakest labor con...

A long-term Amazon partnership gives investors fresh confidence in Affirm’s outlook. Shares of Affirm Holdings ( AFRM ) surged after the company confirmed a major milestone: the renewal of its buy now, pay later partnership with Amazon through 2031. The update, shared during an investor meeting, helped push the stock toward recent highs and refocused attention on Affirm’s long-term growth story. Key Points Affirm extended its Amazon partnership through January 2031 on largely unchanged terms Shares jumped as investors welcomed stability and long-term visibility Strong revenue growth, improving profitability, and steady credit trends support the bullish case Why Is Affirm Stock Moving Higher? Affirm stock rallied after executives confirmed that its partnership with Amazon ( AMZN ) has been extended for another five years. While management did not disclose specific contract details, they described the renewal as a “win-win” that keeps Affirm deeply integrated into...