North America:

  • Bank of America reported strong Q1 financial performance with increased profits and record trading revenues, despite a $540 million FDIC lawsuit penalty.
  • Apple shares surged 6% after the Trump administration exempted smartphones and computers from new tariffs on Chinese imports.
  • Citigroup reported a higher-than-expected Q1 profit of $4.1 billion, driven by a surge in stock trading, and appointed Carmen Haddad as Vice Chair of Citi Wealth at Citi Private Bank.
  • Caterpillar Inc. appointed Joseph E. Creed as its new CEO, effective May 1, with an annual salary increase to $1.5 million.
  • Meta Platforms is facing a legal battle with the FTC over past acquisitions, while planning to train AI models in the EU.
  • Johnson & Johnson surpassed quarterly sales and profit estimates, raised its dividend by 4.8%, and increased its full-year outlook.
  • Applied Materials acquired a 9% stake in Dutch firm BE Semiconductor Industries, boosting BESI's shares.
  • Lowe's agreed to acquire Artisan Design Group for approximately $1.33 billion in cash.
  • AMD announced the commencement of chip production in Arizona and increased AI server production in the US.
  • Chevron is finalizing the return of 500,000 barrels of Venezuelan oil due to payment uncertainties from U.S. sanctions.
  • Boeing faces halted deliveries to Chinese airlines due to U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods.

Europe:

  • TotalEnergies secured a 15-year LNG supply contract with the Dominican Republic and anticipates Q1 2025 hydrocarbon production at the higher end of its guidance.
  • Beiersdorf reported a 3.3% revenue growth in Q1 2025, driven by strong demand for dermatology products and Tesa's adhesive business.
  • Ericsson exceeded Q1 2025 financial expectations with a 44% increase in core earnings, despite inventory concerns and looming US tariffs.
  • Publicis Groupe reported a 9.4% increase in Q1 2025 net revenue, with significant new contract wins.
  • Sika AG reported a 1.1% increase in Q1 sales, maintaining its 2025 fiscal outlook despite unpredictable markets.

Rest of the world:

  • HDFC Bank stock price reached a four-month high following a cut in deposit rates.
  • Google received a cease and desist order from Japan's Fair Trade Commission for anticompetitive practices.
  • UBS and other global banks reduced China's GDP growth forecasts to 3.4% for the current year and 2025 due to the trade war.
  • Kazakhstan reported a 3% drop in oil output, remaining above its OPEC+ quota.