Apple Raises Quarterly Dividend and Announces $100B Stock Buyback
The major averages had a mixed first day of May following the latest slate of corporate earnings results. First quarter results are coming in strong and big tech continues to carry the tape. Meanwhile, oil prices slipped after Iran reportedly issued a response through Pakistan mediators to the latest U.S. amendments to a draft agreement to end the war.Additionally, President Trump announced via Truth Social that he plans to increase tariffs charged to the EU for cars and trucks coming into the U.S. to 25%. In his post on the matter, the president accused the EU of "not complying" with a previous trade deal.Get caught up quickly on the top news and calls moving stocks with these five Top Five lists.1. STOCK NEWS:Applereported, gave a better-than-expected forecast, raised its quarterly dividend, and announced an additional $100B stock repurchase programSanDiskand Western Digitalboth reportedwith upbeat outlooksExxon Mobiland Chevronboth reportedMultiple analystsRobloxfollowing its quarterly reportRedditreported better-than-expected2. WALL STREET CALLS:Robloxat Raymond James, BofA and BTIG after a guidance resetHersheyto Buy at TD CowenCaterpillarto Equal Weight at Morgan StanleyParamount Skydanceat Overweight from Underweight at Morgan StanleyElf Beautyto Equal Weight at Morgan Stanley3. AROUND THE WEB:Metaacquired AI robot startup Assured Robot Intelligence, Bloomberg reportsNew Trump Mediachief faces business mix challenge, WSJ reportsKKRhas secured over $10B to launch Helix Digital, a company that will design, build, own and run infrastructure for AI, Bloomberg saysLululemon'sboard members have been under pressure, with directors dealing with a proxy fight from the company's estranged founder, a big-name activist investor waiting for its opportunity, and the board being pushed to recruit a new CEO, WSJ saysBPis reviewing possible sale of North Sea assets, Bloomberg says4. MOVERS:Esperiongained after entering an agreement to befor $3.16 per shareFive9increased afterand providing guidance for FY26 and Q2Cerusand Atlassianwere higher afterSummit Therapeuticsand Ryan Specialtywere lower afterAlignment Healthcarefell afterand providing guidance for Q25. EARNINGS/GUIDANCE:Gates Industrial, with CEO Ivo Jurek commenting, "We executed well in the first quarter"Moderna, with EPS and revenue beating consensusTerex, with CEO Simon Meester commenting, "We are off to a good start and executing to plan"AutoNation, with EPS beating consensusColgate-Palmoliveand backed its guidance for FY26INDEXES:The Dow fell 152.87, or 0.31%, to 49,499.27, the Nasdaq gained 222.13, or 0.89%, to 25,114.44, and the S&P 500 advanced 21.11, or 0.29%, to 7,230.12.
