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Nippon Paint upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Goldman Sachs

Nippon Paint upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Goldman Sachs

Goldman Sachs analyst Atsushi Ikeda upgraded Nippon Paint (NPCPF) to Buy from Neutral with a 1,470 yen price target The firm sees an attractive entry point, saying the company's core decorative paints business is largely unaffected by reciprocal tariffs and is a beneficiary of stabilizing petrochemical raw material prices.
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Sunrun Stock (RUN) Plummets 40% as U.S. Senate Targets Solar Credits
Sunrun Stock (RUN) Plummets 40% as U.S. Senate Targets Solar Credits

Yahoo

time7 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Sunrun Stock (RUN) Plummets 40% as U.S. Senate Targets Solar Credits

The solar sector is reeling after the release of the Senate Finance Committee's proposed tax-and-spending bill, which targets renewable energy sources. Sunrun (RUN), a major player in residential solar, was particularly vulnerable to the news, shedding almost 40% of its valuation in the past week. Having traded as high as $13.20 per share in late May, the stock is now languishing at ~$6 following this week's news. Easily unpack a company's performance with TipRanks' new KPI Data for smart investment decisions Receive undervalued, market resilient stocks right to your inbox with TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter In my view, the proposed incentive cuts pose a significant threat to Sunrun's viability, particularly given its ongoing inability to generate profits despite these benefits being in place. Without that financial support, a turnaround seems even less likely, leaving me firmly bearish on the stock. For those unfamiliar, Sunrun primarily operates under a third-party ownership (TPO) model. Instead of homeowners purchasing solar systems outright, Sunrun installs and owns the panels, allowing customers to either lease the system for a monthly fee or pay for the electricity it generates at a fixed rate. This model has gained popularity because it enables homeowners to adopt solar with little to no upfront cost. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which extended and enhanced the federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC), Sunrun, as the system owner, can claim a tax credit typically worth 30% of the system's cost. This significantly lowers installation expenses and enables Sunrun to pass those savings on to customers, making the model more financially appealing. The Senate Finance Committee has recently proposed eliminating solar tax credits in favor of supporting other energy sectors, such as geothermal, nuclear, and hydropower. If passed, this legislation would require Sunrun to absorb the full cost of its solar systems, which would inevitably be passed on to customers. The result would be a significant squeeze on margins and an acceleration of the company's ongoing cash burn. Senate Republicans are reportedly aiming to pass the bill before the July 4th holiday. Upon closer examination, this appears to mark a broader shift in U.S. energy policy away from residential solar and wind. The market has already begun to react, with notable declines in Sunrun's peers, including Enphase Energy (ENPH) and SolarEdge Technologies (SEDG), underscoring the potential sector-wide impact. There's still hope for solar advocates. The proposed bill faces strong resistance from Democrats, particularly from the original architects of the clean energy tax credits included in the Inflation Reduction Act. 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However, expectations for 2026 and beyond point to a sharp and sustained decline in demand. A closer look at Sunrun's financials reveals troubling signs. The company has consistently reported negative operating cash flow, with a loss of over $100 million in Q1 2025 and nearly $800 million in total for 2024, highlighting the financial pressure it faces even before potential incentive cuts take effect. Meanwhile, Sunrun, in its pursuit of growth opportunities, is becoming increasingly leveraged, increasing its risk profile should things take a turn for the worse. Moving forward, ongoing tariff pressures and the disappearance of incentive credits spell long-term trouble for solar installers. Analyst sentiment on Sunrun (RUN) stock is mixed. The stock carries a consensus Hold rating, based on seven Buy, six Hold, and four Sell ratings over the past three months. 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Philip Morris (PM) Defies the Naysayers as Smoking Stays Hot in 2025
Philip Morris (PM) Defies the Naysayers as Smoking Stays Hot in 2025

Yahoo

time32 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Philip Morris (PM) Defies the Naysayers as Smoking Stays Hot in 2025

Imagine a tobacco stock surging 53% in six months—yet that's exactly what Philip Morris International (PM) has achieved, defying the usual stigma attached to sin stocks and a declining global smoker base. Unlike many of its peers, PM's story stands apart: its traditional cigarette business remains stable, heated tobacco products are experiencing rapid growth, and oral nicotine offerings are gaining momentum. Easily unpack a company's performance with TipRanks' new KPI Data for smart investment decisions Receive undervalued, market resilient stocks right to your inbox with TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter Add a weak dollar boosting its predominantly international revenue, and it's clear PM's growth engine is running strong, justifying the rally and potentially signaling more upside ahead. Cigarettes may seem like a dying product, but Philip Morris International's (PM) combustible division is proving otherwise. In Q1, cigarette shipment volumes rose 1.1% to 144.8 billion units, and organic revenue increased 4%, fueled by an 8.3% price hike. Marlboro's enduring brand strength, along with a 0.4% market share gain to 24.8% (excluding the U.S. and China), highlights PM's pricing power and market resilience. Strategic local manufacturing has also helped preserve margins amid rising raw material costs. The results speak for themselves: combustible gross profit rose 5.3% organically, even with some headwinds from a commercial model change in Indonesia. PM's ability to raise prices without sacrificing volume underscores the strength of its brand. While the global cigarette market is shrinking by roughly 2% annually, PM's smart execution keeps the segment profitable, helping fund its transition to next-generation nicotine products. If combustibles are PM's foundation, IQOS is the growth engine. Heated tobacco unit (HTU) shipments surged 14.4% to 37.1 billion units last quarter, while global in-market sales rose 9.4%, including a 9.3% increase in Japan, where IQOS now holds a commanding 32.2% market share. Europe is also a key growth driver, with countries such as Hungary (41.9%) and Greece (34.4%) reporting impressive market penetration. Backed by $14 billion in R&D since 2008, IQOS now delivers higher margins than cigarettes, proving the investment is paying off. The strength lies in PM's efficient scale and relentless innovation. Its multi-category approach—bolstered by launches like IQOS ILUMA in Japan—continues to deepen consumer loyalty. Even amid challenges like the EU flavor ban in Italy, PM has offset losses with strong double-digit growth in Spain and Germany. With 38.6 million adult users globally, IQOS is far from niche—it's a global force driving PM's next phase of growth. Then there's ZYN, Philip Morris's nicotine pouch brand, which is rapidly gaining traction in the U.S. ZYN shipments soared 53% to 202 million cans last quarter, prompting the company to raise its full-year guidance to 800–840 million cans. International markets also contributed, with 53% growth in countries such as Pakistan and the UK. Thanks to margins exceeding 70%—about five points higher than those of combustibles—ZYN played a key role in helping smoke-free products contribute 44% of the total gross profit. Smart moves, such as early capacity expansions in March, ensured that supply kept up with demand. But ZYN isn't just a U.S. story—it's a global growth play. With 182% volume growth in non-Nordic international markets, PM is leveraging its global distribution muscle and FDA clearances to accelerate expansion. The 27.2% volume growth in Q1 reflects PM's successful pivot toward discreet, high-margin alternatives that resonate with younger consumers and working professionals. It's a textbook example of how to spot and capitalize on shifting consumer preferences. After an 80% rally, you might expect Philip Morris to be overvalued—but its forward P/E of 23, based on projected 2025 adjusted EPS of $7.36–$7.49, tells a more nuanced story. While that's not cheap for a tobacco stock, PM is far from typical. With 12–14% organic EPS growth forecasted for 2025—driven by 20.4% growth in smoke-free revenue and a weak dollar amplifying its 90%+ international earnings—this valuation appears well-supported. The weak dollar, in particular, is an underappreciated tailwind, boosting earnings in key international markets, such as Japan and Europe. Add to that $180 million in Q1 cost savings and a $2 billion efficiency target by 2026, and PM is positioned to continue expanding margins despite headwinds such as tax pressures in India. 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While its P/E of 23 isn't bargain-basement, it's a reasonable price for a business evolving into a modern, high-margin growth story. In my view, PM still appears to be an attractive option. Disclaimer & DisclosureReport an Issue Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

FTSE 100 Live: UK Stocks Set for Worst Week Since April
FTSE 100 Live: UK Stocks Set for Worst Week Since April

Bloomberg

time4 hours ago

  • Bloomberg

FTSE 100 Live: UK Stocks Set for Worst Week Since April

After rising this morning, the FTSE 100 ended the day in the red, as it rounds off its worst week since April. Still, Unite made a late gain after Goldman Sachs analysts said the British student accommodation provider was set to benefit from Trump's attempts to curb immigration, which are deterring international students away from the US. But the FTSE 250, while having slightly pared its earlier advances, ended the day higher and little changed on the week. That's despite this morning's worse-than-expected drop in retail sales, with volumes falling the most since 2023. In better news for the Treasury, the UK budget deficit came in smaller than estimated in May. Other data painted a mixed picture of Britons' personal perceptions of the economy and their finances. The pound outperformed most of its G-10 peers, though sits around flat now, hovering around the midpoint between $1.34 and $1.35. Gilt yields ended the day broadly little changed. Have a great weekend.

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