Financial News

US Factory New Orders Hold Steady in February, Ex-Transportation Orders Higher

New orders for US factory goods were roughly flat in February, compared with expectations for a 0.2% decrease in a survey compiled by Bloomberg as of 7:30 am ET following a flat reading in the previous month.Excluding a 5.3% drop in transportation orders, new orders would have been up 1.2% after a 0.5% gain in January, well above the expectations for a 0.4% gain.Durable goods new orders were revised up to a 1.3% decline from the advance estimate of a 1.4% decline and follows a 0.4% decrease in January.Nondurable goods new orders increased by 1.5% after a 0.5% increase in the previous month.Factory unfilled orders were up 0.1%, as were factory inventories.Factory shipments rose by 1.4% and when combined with already-published advance estimates for retail and wholesale sales, shows business sales on pace for a 1.7% gain in the month.

Market Chatter: Zelenskyy Says Druzhba Oil Pipeline Repairs Completion Expected in Spring

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the country has made significant progress in restoring the Druzhba oil pipeline, with repairs expected to be completed in spring, Reuters reported Friday, citing remarks released by his office.Ukraine will complete that as agreed and aim to finish the work by spring, Zelenskyy said, adding that much of the work has already been completed, but repairs to destroyed storage tanks have taken longer, the report said.Ukraine has been accused by Hungary and Slovakia of trying to delay pipeline repairs, a claim Kyiv has denied.Both countries have lost access to deliveries of Russian oil through the pipeline since late January, when the pipeline became a target of a Russian drone strike in western Ukraine, the report said. Hungary and Slovakia have had a close political and energy relationship with Russia since the latter's invasion of Ukraine.Hungary has opposed a 90-billion-euro ($103 billion) European Union loan to Ukraine until pipeline flows are resumed, the report added.has reached out to Ukraine's Energy Ministry for a comment.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

Middle East Conflict Derails Solar Supply Chains, Revives Cost Pressures, Wood Mackenzie Says

The Middle East conflict is disrupting solar project execution and delaying the development of alternative manufacturing hubs, tightening global supply chains, and reintroducing cost pressures, Wood Mackenzie strategists said in a note on Friday.Yana Hryshko, senior research analyst and Head of Global Solar Supply Chain at Wood Mackenzie, said that the near-term impact is being felt across projects under construction in the region, where about 110 gigawatts of solar capacity is under execution or advanced stages of development.Developers and engineering, procurement, and construction contractors are delaying shipments, adjusting delivery schedules, and reassessing procurement timelines as uncertainty grows around logistics and transport routes.Rising risks along key maritime corridors have driven up freight rates and insurance costs, pushing regional project capital expenditure higher by an estimated 1-3%, while commissioning timelines in some cases are being delayed by several months.Hryshko said the disruption is spilling into global markets. Shipping costs from China to Europe have climbed since the onset of the conflict, rising by about 18% on routes to Rotterdam and about 10% to Southern Europe.Developers are absorbing these increases, reversing expectations of continued cost declines across the solar sector.Though the short-term effects are significant, Wood Mackenzie analysts say the longer-term implications could be more profound.The Middle East had been emerging as a potential solar manufacturing hub, supported by low-cost energy, favorable industrial policies, and proximity to key markets.Wood Mackenzie announced that manufacturing capacity across modules, cells, and upstream segments exceeded 30 GW, with ambitions to supply both domestic and export demand.However, the ongoing conflict is delaying project timelines, deferring investment decisions, and shifting focus toward operational resilience.The slowdown extends beyond module assembly to critical supporting components such as solar glass, aluminum frames, and mounting structures, which are essential for building competitive local supply chains.Wood Mackenzie projected that global supply chain diversification is likely to stall as a result. Instead of accelerating the development of alternative manufacturing bases, the disruption is reinforcing reliance on established supply chains, particularly in China, where scale and cost advantages remain unmatched.Similarly, vulnerabilities in upstream supply are becoming more apparent in the US. Though US module assembly capacity is projected to reach 50-60 GW by 2026, domestic solar cell production remains limited, leaving manufacturers dependent on imports.Wood Mackenzie said a significant portion of this supply comes from regions now exposed to elevated geopolitical risk, including Oman and Ethiopia.The consultancy projected that the US could lose 20-25% of its external cell supply if disruptions materialize, potentially driving cell prices higher by $0.2 to $ 0.4 per watt and affecting project economics and expansion plans.

Research Alert: CFRA Keeps Strong Buy Recommendation On Shares Of Amazon.com, Inc.

CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:Ahead of AMZN's Q1 print, we trim our 12-month target to $285 from $296, 30x our 2027 EPS of $9.48 (was $9.87; 2026 to $7.60 from $8.00). While this remains a premium to the ~25x peer average, it implies a three-year PEG of 1.5x vs. 2.0x for peers. Our revised estimates reflect elevated AI investment, with total net capex likely rising 50%+ to roughly $200B (~60% three-year CAGR), with a large portion of these investments monetized in 2027/2028. At this scale of spend, alongside strong demand for AMZN's in-house chips (Trainium2 largely sold out; Trainium3 nearly fully subscribed), strong AWS backlog figures, and expanding power capacity, we have high conviction that AWS growth can accelerate from ~20% in 2025 to the high-20% range in 2026 and the mid-30% range in 2027. Elsewhere, we expect continued retail margin expansion, driven by improved fulfillment efficiencies and strength in high-margin digital ads. Profit growth should improve in 2H 2026 as Amazon Leo costs move from the P&L to the balance sheet.

Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index Falls Sharply in Preliminary April Survey

The University of Michigan's preliminary consumer sentiment index fell to 47.6 in April from 53.3 in March, much lower than expectations for an increase to 51.5 in a survey compiled by Bloomberg.The current conditions index decreased to 50.1 in April from 55.8 in March, while the expectations reading fell to 46.1 from 51.7."Demographic groups across age, income, and political party all posted setbacks in sentiment, as did every component of the index, reflecting the widespread nature of this month's fall," said Michigan, adding that consumers cite the Iran conflict for unfavorable changes to the economy.Respondents saw one-year inflation expectations at 4.8%, up sharply from 3.8% in March, while five-year inflation expectations increased to 3.4% from 3.2%.The twice-monthly Michigan Sentiment index measures consumer sentiment early in the current month (the preliminary estimate) and is then revised later in the month (the final estimate). The headline index is a combination of the current assessment and expectations for the near future.An increase in the reading suggests consumers are more confident, a positive for stocks if that confidence translates into spending. Increased demand is usually inflationary, a negative for bonds.

Update: Market Chatter: Meta Platforms Reassigning Top Engineers to New Applied AI Engineering Division

(Updates with Meta Platforms' response in the third paragraph.)Meta Platforms (META) is reassigning its top engineers from other departments to its new applied artificial intelligence engineering division to drive the competitiveness of its AI models, The Information reported Thursday, citing a company memo.According to the news outlet, Meta vice president Maher Saba said in the memo that the transfers are not optional and the initiative is among the company's highest priorities as it would allow it to "compete in the AI race."Meta Platforms declined to comment when reached by.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)Price: $631.33, Change: $+2.94, Percent Change: +0.47%

University of Michigan One-Year US Inflation Expectations Jump to 4.8% from 3.8%, Five-Year 3.4% Vs. 3.2%

Canada's Labor Market Shows A Lack of Dynamism, Central Bank to Stay on The Sidelines, Says TD

Canada's economy added 14,000 jobs in March, or 0.1% month over month, which is more-or-less in line with consensus expectations for a 15,000 gain, said TD after Friday's Labour Force Survey (LFS).Employment was essentially flat across job types, with full-time employment edging down slightly, or 1,000, while private-sector employment rose by 15,000 on the month.The unemployment rate was unchanged at 6.7% after February's increase. The labor force grew by 15,000 in March, while the participation rate was unchanged at 64.9%.The data suggests that the high unemployment rate is "mostly driven by slower hiring, rather than by increased layoffs."The LFS came in as expected, showcasing the lack of dynamism in the Canadian labor market, stated TD. The unemployment rate remains elevated, with the lack of hiring showcasing the general apprehension in the economy. With the economy continuing to progress in fits and starts, and uncertainty sky-high, the outlook is for subdued job growth and a steady unemployment rate.The outlook remains "fraught," with the energy shock beginning to be felt in the Canadian economy, and no clarity on the direction of the conflict, added the bank. How long the Middle East conflict lasts and energy supplies remain disrupted will determine the size of the inflation shock.For now, weak demand conditions should provide some offset to inflationary pass-through, allowing the Bank of Canada to stay on the sidelines and wait to see how things play out, according to TD.

April Preliminary University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment 47.6 Vs. Expected 51.5, Prior 53.3

February Factory New Orders Excluding Transportation Rise 1.2% Vs. Expected 0.4% Gain, Prior 0.5% Increase

February Factory New Orders Flat Vs. Expected 0.2% Decrease, Prior Flat Reading

Wages "Seemingly Popped" In March and Bank of Canada Will Keep An Eye On That, says BMO

BMO's Douglas Porter says the bottom line to be taken from Friday's Canadian employment data is that "for a refreshing change", results were "no big surprise" in March, and he adds the big picture take away is that job growth has been quite modest over the past year, but so, too, has been the growth in the available labour force, holding the unemployment rate steady.Porter says the only really new news was that wages "seemingly popped", which the Bank of Canada will keep on eye on, particularly as it is already on high alert for signs of any spillover from higher energy prices to broader inflation.Canadian employment, Porter notes, rose by a "moderate" 14,100 in March after a "tough start" to 2026. Given that employment had plunged by a combined 108,700 positions in the first two months of the year, no one is going to mistake this small back-up as a sign of strength, especially when full-time jobs actually nudged down a bit further last month, he says.Still, Porter adds, even a small plus sign is a positive, as is the stable jobless rate, which held at 6.7% -- actually a tick lower than a year ago.Porter notes the labor force also edged up 15,000 after two big declines as the participation rate steadied, but the number of people in the workforce has only risen 0.4% in the past year, just a tad below job growth.Overall, Porter says, Friday's LFS was "bizarrely" close to consensus and gets a passing grade of 57.1 on BMO's scoring system. "That will barely move the needle for the Bank of Canada debate," he adds.Porter notes one "wrinkle" was that average hourly wages popped, unexpectedly, to a 4.7% year-over-year pace, the fastest in more than a year and well up from 3.9% the prior month. "Wages can be a bouncy series, but that's a big bounce, and a move that bears watching."Meantime, he also notes, total hours worked edged up 0.2% month over month after a 'deep dive' in February. That still left them down at a 0.4% annual rate for all of Q1. With a half-decent productivity gain in the quarter, that could still work with BMO's 1.5% estimate for Q1 gross domestic product growth, Porter says.

US Natural Gas Update: Futures Down Amid Bearish Gas Storage Data, Weather Forecasts

US natural gas futures held steady on Friday after weekly storage data landed broadly in-line with forecasts, offering little in the way of new direction for the markets.The front-month Henry Hub natural gas contract, along with the continuous contract, traded down 0.52% to $2.65 per million British thermal units.The Energy Information Administration reported a net injection of 50 billion cubic feet into storage for the week ended April. 3, which was above the prior week's 36 Bcf injection, but below the 57 Bcf that was injected into storage during the same week last year.Besides this, the actual figures were ahead of forecasts that were expecting a net injection of 41 Bcf for the week, according to data compiled by Investing.com.According to the Energy Buyer's Guide, the markets found no new directional momentum from these results, while noting that they expect next week's report to show a slightly smaller build, "before injections pick up in the following weeks."Globally, there is growing optimism about a potential peace deal with the US, Israel and Iran, as US President JD Vance departed to Pakistan, in order to hold talks with Iranian officials. Vance said that a "good faith effort" from the Iranian side could lead to a "successful" deal.Weather forecasts have continued to turn bearish, with most parts of the US expected to see above-normal temperatures from April 17 to April 23, according to the National Weather Service.US dry gas production saw a minor recovery, at 107.0 Bcf per day, after slipping from 108.6 Bcf per day to 106.6 Bcf per day earlier this week, according to NRG Energy.LNG feedgas to export terminals remains near capacity, estimated at 18.9 Bcf for Friday, as global supply and demand dynamics remain tight.

One and One Green Technologies Announces $13 Million Follow-on Offering

One and One Green Technologies (YDDL) said Friday it signed an agreement with two institutional investors to sell about 1.7 million units in a follow-on offering of its securities at $7.50 per unit, for expected gross proceeds of about $13 million.Each unit comprises one Class A ordinary share and one warrant to buy one and a half Class A ordinary shares, the company said.The investors will have the right, for a 45-day period after closing, to buy an additional $3 million of units, One and One said.Net proceeds will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes.The offering is expected to close on or about April 13.Price: $7.14, Change: $-6.77, Percent Change: -48.67%

DLP Resources Confirms Magnetic Body at Esperanza Project in Peru

DLP Resources (DLP.V) said Friday that three-dimensional magnetic susceptibility imaging inversion on its Esperanza porphyry copper-molybdenum project in Peru delineated a strong magnetic body, providing geophysical evidence for locating concealed porphyry bodies.The company said its invention analysis delineated subsurface physical property structures down to 1,200 meters depth. The magnetic body has a volume of about 4.4 cubic kilometers, whose strike, dip, and depth perfectly align with a typical porphyry ore-forming model."The recent aeromagnetic drone survey over the Esperanza project together with the 3D inversion of the data has confirmed a coincident magnetic anomaly with our alteration mapping, spectral alteration mapping and ground geochemistry," President and Chief Executive Officer Ian Gendall said."The magnetic body, potentially related to a potassic core of a porphyry copper system is estimated to be at a depth of 200 to 700m below surface," Gendall added.DLP said it plans to conduct detailed rock chip sampling and additional extension of the magnetic survey. Permitting for a drill program in 2026 is currently underway.Price: $0.28, Change: $-0.02, Percent Change: -5.08%

Goldstorm Metals Announces LIFE Offering for up to $4 Million; Shares Down 8.3%

Goldstorm Metals (GSTM.V) late on Thursday announced a non-brokered private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $4 million.The private placement consisted of the sale of any combination of units at a price of $0.20 per HD unit, flow through units at a price of $0.24 per FT unit, and charity flow through units at a price of $0.31 per charity FT unit.The company said that each HD unit will be comprised of one common share of the company and one-half of one common share purchase warrant. Each warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one common share at an exercise price of $0.30 per common share for a period of 36 months following the closing of the offering.It added that each FT unit and charity FT unit will be comprised of one common share to be issued as a "flow-through share" within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and one-half of one warrant to be issued on a non-flow through basis.The net proceeds of the sale of units are expected to be used for general and administrative working capital and other corporate purposes.The offering is expected to close on or about the week of April 30, 2026, and is subject to certain conditions.The company's shares were last seen down $0.02 at $0.22 on the TSX Venture Exchange.Price: $0.21, Change: $-0.03, Percent Change: -12.50%

European Commission Seeks Public Feedback on Energy Regulator Cooperation Agency

The European Commission has begun seeking feedback on the performance of the EU Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators to identify areas for improvement, the Directorate-General for Energy said Friday.ACER was stablished in March 2011 to primarily support the integration of energy markets in the region and monitor market dynamics to deter any wholesale energy market manipulation.The four-week call for evidence, running through May 6, aims "to assess ACER's performance in relation to its objectives, mandate, and tasks, while exploring whether any adjustments are needed to enhance its effectiveness," according to the statement.All stakeholders, including energy regulators, market participants, industry experts, and civil society, were requested to provide their inputs on the agency's output, working methods, and interactions.The Commission said targeted surveys and interviews will also be conducted, along with the call for evidence, to facilitate the evaluation process.Evaluation findings will be presented to the European Parliament, the Council, and ACER's Board of Regulators in Q4, and will be made available to the public.

UBS Adjusts Price Target on O-I Glass to $18 From $21, Maintains Buy Rating

O-I Glass (OI) has an average rating of overweight and mean price target of $17.44, according to analysts polled by FactSet.(covers equity, commodity and economic research from major banks and research firms in North America, Asia and Europe. Research providers may contact us here: https://www..com/contact-us)Price: $10.98, Change: $+0.26, Percent Change: +2.43%

UBS Adjusts Price Target on Sonoco Products to $59 From $62, Maintains Neutral Rating

Sonoco Products Company (SON) has an average rating of overweight and mean price target of $63.78 according to analysts polled by FactSet.(covers equity, commodity and economic research from major banks and research firms in North America, Asia and Europe. Research providers may contact us here: https://www..com/contact-us)Price: $56.92, Change: $+0.85, Percent Change: +1.51%

UBS Adjusts Price Target on Silgan to $46 From $50, Maintains Neutral Rating

Silgan (SLGN) has an average rating of overweight and mean price target of $54.42 according to analysts polled by FactSet.(covers equity, commodity and economic research from major banks and research firms in North America, Asia and Europe. Research providers may contact us here: https://www..com/contact-us)Price: $42.05, Change: $+0.24, Percent Change: +0.57%