INTEL STARTS TO DO WELL WHILE INVESTMENTS BEGIN TO SWELL

1) BHP – Mining Giant Hits a Rough Patch, But Dividends Cushion the Blow ⛏️

• Q4 Profit Dive: BHP’s full-year underlying profit fell 26% to $10.16B, dragged down by soft iron ore demand from China and lower prices across key exports. Still, this was in line with analyst expectations.

  
  

• Dividend Update: They cut the final dividend to $0.60, but it’s still better than analysts anticipated. That gave the stock a small bump (~1%) amidst broader dips.

  
  

• Quick Take: BHP’s revenue resilience comes with a sting—commodity softness. Dividend support helps, but watch mining demand and China closely.

2) Palo Alto Networks – Cybersecurity Boss Poised for Domination 🤖

• Earnings Highlight: Q4 revenue came in at $2.54B (+16% YoY), with EPS of $0.95, both beating expectations.

  
  

• What’s Next: FY2026 guidance looks strong: revenue ~$10.5B (+14%), EPS $3.75–3.85, and FCF margins of ~38–39%.

  
  

• M&A Play: CEO is pushing a $25B acquisition of CyberArk to build an integrated cybersecurity platform. Analysts love the strategy; stock popped ~4–7%.

  
  

• Quick Take: PA networking is thriving on demand, profits, and growth. Platform vision + CyberArk = watch this space.

3) Home Depot – Slight Earnings Missed, But Still Steady👷🏼‍♂️

• Quarterly Results: HD reported EPS of $4.68, just under the $4.71 estimate; revenue came in at $45.28B, also a slight miss.

  
  

• Stock Reaction: Mixed—but management commentary on full year outlook was unchanged which was great news. Currently a Hold (Zacks Rank #3).

  
  

• Quick Take: Modest earnings miss in a paycheck market—nothing catastrophic but not exciting. Keep an eye on same-store comps and consumer sentiment.

4) Intel – SoftBank Jump Starts a Comeback? 💻

• Big Move: SoftBank is buying a $2B stake in Intel at $23/share, making it one of Intel’s top shareholders. That triggered an ~6–7% rally in stock price.

  
  

• U.S. Gov Wants 10% of Intel: The Trump administration is reportedly in talks to turn up to $10.9B in CHIPS Act grants into equity—potentially making the U.S. government Intel’s largest shareholder with a ~10% stake.

  
  

• Why It Matters: The deal not only injects capital but signals renewed confidence in Intel’s role in U.S. chip manufacturing. Talks of a possible U.S. federal stake add intrigue.

  
  

• Quick Take: SoftBank’s cash and political buzz may help Intel dig out of rough years—but USD 23 sets a new floor for the bear-prone stock.

What It Means for Investors

• Tech & Cybersecurity: PA Networks is thriving; Intel has a shot at resurrection—but exercise due diligence.

  
  

• Cyclicals & Retail: BHP exposed to commodity cycles; Home Depot hinges on consumer and home trends.

  
  

• Stay Balanced: Growth, defense, and recovery—mix assets smartly depending on your time horizon.