Business
Oil price jumps as US strikes on Iran rattle ceasefire and threaten UK SMEs
Hopes of a swift reopening of the Strait of Hormuz fade as Washington’s latest strikes leave UK SMEs counting the cost of another fuel and energy spike
The oil price has lurched higher again after the United States launched a fresh round of air strikes on Iranian missile sites and vessels Washington claims were laying mines in the Gulf, pushing the already-fragile peace process to the brink and dashing hopes of a near-term reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Brent crude, the international benchmark, was changing hands 3 per cent higher at around $99.16 a barrel by mid-morning in London, although that still leaves it below Friday’s close of just over $103. The bounce reverses a sharp Monday sell-off that had taken Brent to $97.76, its lowest level in more than a fortnight, as traders piled into the view that a US-Iran rapprochement was finally within touching distance.
Captain Tim Hawkins, a spokesman for US Central Command, insisted the latest action was narrow in scope. The strikes, he said on Monday, were designed to “defend our forces while using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire”. For the energy market, however, restraint is in the eye of the beholder. Iran’s negotiating team had only just touched down in Doha to thrash out an extension of the April ceasefire and a phased reopening of Hormuz when the Tomahawks flew.
A fortnight’s progress unwound in a single shift
For Britain’s small and medium-sized businesses, the timing could scarcely be worse. As Business Matters reported earlier this week, the ceasefire framework agreed in April had been quietly nudging Brent back towards double figures and easing pressure on forecourt prices for the first time since February.
Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, was at pains on Tuesday to insist that a deal remained on the table. “The president’s expressed his desire to make it,” he told reporters, before adding the now-familiar caveat: “He’s either going to make a good deal or no deal.” President Trump himself has described the negotiations as “proceeding nicely”, while threatening that the outcome will be “a Great Deal for all or no Deal at all”. Tehran has been marginally more emollient, with officials confirming that the two sides had “reached a conclusion on a large portion of the issues under discussion”, even if a final agreement is not yet imminent.
The market reaction in Asia and Europe tells its own story. The Nikkei 225, which had rallied 2.9 per cent on Monday to a record close of 65,158.19 on hopes of a settlement, slipped 0.3 per cent on Tuesday. China’s SSE Composite shed 0.6 per cent. In London the FTSE 100 opened 0.7 per cent firmer — a quirk of timing, given the UK and US exchanges were shut for the bank holiday on Monday and are now playing catch-up with the relief rally that lifted Germany’s Dax 2 per cent and France’s Cac 40 by 1.8 per cent.
Why Hormuz still matters to a corner shop in Croydon
The Strait of Hormuz remains, in the parlance of commodities desks, the single most important pinch-point on the planet. Roughly a fifth of the world’s seaborne oil and liquefied natural gas passes through the 21-mile-wide channel between Iran and Oman, and it has been effectively closed since late February. The International Energy Agency has described the resulting dislocation as the largest supply shock in the history of the global oil market, with cumulative Gulf supply losses now running well into ten figures of barrels.
That matters far beyond the trading floors of Geneva and Singapore. For the owner-managed engineering firm in the West Midlands, the family-run logistics operator in Felixstowe or the independent bakery in Glasgow, every dollar on a barrel of Brent feeds through to diesel, gas standing charges, packaging, and the cost of almost every shipped input. The Federation of Small Businesses has already warned that energy bills, business rates and rising employment costs are colliding to form what one chief executive described to me as a “slow-motion margin squeeze”.
The fear in Westminster is that yesterday’s modest progress on inflation is about to be reversed. Brent has risen more than 40 per cent since the start of the year, and a sustained move back above $100 would, on the Bank of England’s own modelling, push consumer prices inflation back above 4 per cent — making any further cut in Bank Rate this autumn distinctly unlikely. As Business Matters set out in its analysis of the SME impact, the cumulative drag on UK GDP from a prolonged Hormuz closure could reach £35 billion over two years.
Months, not weeks
The analyst community is, on balance, sceptical that even a comprehensive deal would deliver immediate relief. David Oxley, chief climate and commodities economist at Capital Economics, argues that although oil prices could fall back “sharply” on a credible settlement, a return to anything resembling normality is a 2027 story rather than a 2026 one.
“Oil prices would only trend lower when oil market fundamentals materially improve, which looks destined to stretch into 2027,” he said, pointing to the lingering damage at Middle Eastern production facilities and a tanker fleet that is, in physical terms, in the wrong place. “At best, it could take weeks for ships to reposition themselves. At worst, a lack of shipping could be a constraining factor for months and delay production timetables.”
June Goh, an oil analyst at Sparta Commodities, struck a similar note. “The underlying supply shortfall of 10 to 11 million barrels per day of crude oil does not go away immediately and will see markets still drawing inventories until Middle Eastern crude production is back online, which is months away,” she said.
There is also the rather awkward political subtext. Any agreement between Washington and Tehran in Doha would, by design, push the thornier question of Iran’s nuclear programme into a second phase of negotiations. According to reporting by CNBC, American officials are openly worried that Iran will use the breathing space won by an initial ceasefire to drag its feet on the nuclear file — a concern that is emboldening the more hawkish wing of Congress to demand bigger up-front concessions before any further sanctions relief.
What it means for British business
For SME owners trying to plan budgets for the second half of the year, the message from this week’s whipsaw is uncomfortable but clear. The direction of travel on oil remains down — but the journey is going to be jerky, sentiment-driven and acutely sensitive to every press release out of Doha and every drone sortie in the Gulf.
That argues for caution rather than complacency. Recent Business Matters reporting on SME cost pressures suggests that the firms emerging from this period in the strongest shape are those locking in fixed-price energy contracts where they can, stress-testing cash flow against a $110 scenario, and resisting the temptation to assume that the worst is behind them.
In Doha, the negotiating teams will be at it again tomorrow. On the trading floors of London, traders will be watching every twitch of the headline ticker. And in workshops and warehouses across the country, the slow, grinding question of how to pass on yet another round of input cost inflation to already-stretched customers will go on. As one Birmingham manufacturer put it to me this week: “We’ve been here before. We know how it ends. We just don’t know when.”
Business
Cbl & Associates Properties stock hits all-time high at 48.69 USD

Cbl & Associates Properties stock hits all-time high at 48.69 USD
Business
Jin Yan, Tri-continental portfolio manager, sells $87,175 in stock

Jin Yan, Tri-continental portfolio manager, sells $87,175 in stock
Business
BRP Inc. (DOO:CA) Shareholder/Analyst Call Prepared Remarks Transcript
Operator
[Interpreted] Forward-looking statements and non-IFRS measures. Today’s presentation may contain forward-looking statements, which are any predictions, projections or other statements about future events based on current expectations and assumptions.
Actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements because of a variety of risks and uncertainties, known and unknown. You can consult BRP’s public disclosures on SEDAR+, EDGAR and VRP’s website, including its management’s discussion and analysis for the fiscal year ended on January 31, 2026, and in other continuous disclosure materials filed from time to time with Canadian Securities regulatory authorities and the Securities and Exchange Commission for a description of the risks, uncertainties and other factors that could influence actual results. BRP does not undertake any duty to update forward-looking statements.
In addition, some of the financial measures discussed over the course of this presentation are not recognized measures under IFRS. You can refer to BRP’s management’s discussion and analysis for the fiscal year ended on January 31, 2026, and for the first quarter of the fiscal year ending January 31, 2027, for a complete definition and complete reconciliation of such measures to the IFRS measures.
[Presentation]
Pierre Beaudoin
[Interpreted] Good morning. Welcome to BRP’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders. My name is Pierre Beaudoin, and I am the Chair of the Board of Directors of BRP. On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank you for being here today. If you will allow me, I would like to first address our English-speaking audience, and then I will continue in French.
Good morning. Welcome to BRP’s Annual Meeting
Business
Ovik Mkrtchyan Says Lawsuit Is About Clearing His Name After Alleged Reputational Campaign
For Ovik Mkrtchyan, the lawsuit he has brought with Gor Investment against Straife is not only about money. It is also about reputation, family harm and what he describes as an effort to bring transparency to an alleged campaign that damaged his business and placed “at least thousands of false publications online.”
In a statement, Mkrtchyan said: “The events described in the complaint caused profound and lasting harms to me and my family that no amount of money can fully repair. In addition, the ongoing smear campaign against me has now placed at least thousands of false publications online in an effort to cause further harm. By seeking justice in the courts, I hope to bring appropriate transparency to what happened and to ensure that others do not suffer in the way that we did.”
Mkrtchyan added: “I stand behind the lawsuit and there is nothing I wish to add to the detailed complaint, as those matters will be addressed through the legal process.”
The complaint, filed in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, names Straife, a corporate intelligence firm with a Washington presence; its chief executive, Joseph Fleming; and Stephen Payne, a Washington lobbyist who, according to the complaint, has marketed his Washington connections and experience working in the George W. Bush White House. The plaintiffs bring claims including defamation, tortious interference, injurious falsehood and civil conspiracy.
At the heart of the case is Mkrtchyan’s allegation that people he once dealt with as advisers or associates later helped his adversaries damage him. According to the complaint, Straife and Fleming advised Mkrtchyan and Gor from 2022 on sensitive strategic and risk matters, receiving more than $100,000 in fees. Payne, who allegedly worked with Mkrtchyan and his companies from around 2016, is said to have introduced him to Fleming and Straife.
According to the complaint, the dispute arose from what the plaintiffs describe as a sanctions-related demand. The complaint alleges that Uzbek businessman Ulugbek Shadmanov and his team demanded that Mkrtchyan use his US relationships to help place two Uzbek nationals, Dmitry Lee and Komil Allamjonov, on the US sanctions list in order to prompt their prosecution in Uzbekistan. Mkrtchyan claims he refused, saying he viewed the demand as unlawful.
The plaintiffs allege that the consequences were severe. After the refusal, the complaint says Shadmanov began what the plaintiffs characterise as a campaign of retaliation. The complaint alleges that Mkrtchyan’s projects in Uzbekistan stalled, official support weakened and counterparties became reluctant to proceed.
In January 2024, according to the complaint, Mkrtchyan and his daughter were detained by officers of Uzbekistan’s State Security Service. His daughter was released, but he remained in detention for several months. The complaint alleges he was confined in harsh conditions, repeatedly interrogated, denied access to medication and pressured to confess to crimes he denied. He was released on April 12, 2024, and the complaint says official records confirm he was cleared of all charges.
The lawsuit says the damage continued after his release. According to the complaint, Straife and Fleming had proposed a course of action to secure Mkrtchyan’s release that Gor rejected on legal grounds. After the relationship ended, the plaintiffs allege Straife and Fleming agreed to assist Shadmanov and United Cement Group, or UCG, in interfering with Mkrtchyan’s projects, contracts and reputation.
One of the most detailed allegations involves an unsigned multi-page report titled “Report on the Nefarious Activities of Uktam Aripov.” The complaint alleges Straife and Fleming prepared the document, which focused on Aripov, an associate of Mkrtchyan, but also included allegations about Mkrtchyan and his wider network. The plaintiffs allege the report was left unsigned in order to conceal Straife’s and Fleming’s involvement in preparing it.
According to the complaint, former US ambassador Stephen Akard later sent the report, together with a cover letter, to Uzbekistan’s president, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and Uzbekistan’s ambassador in Washington, Furqat Sidikov, on August 16, 2024. The plaintiffs allege this placed damaging claims before senior Uzbek officials while obscuring Straife’s role in preparing the material.
The complaint places particular emphasis on Payne’s alleged role. According to the complaint, in April 2024, while Mkrtchyan was detained, Payne wrote in support of his release, attesting to his innocence and blaming Shadmanov and UCG. The complaint says Payne later reversed course after Fleming approached him and persuaded him to change his position.
The plaintiffs allege Payne acted at Fleming’s and UCG’s direction when he sent an August 23, 2024 letter retracting his earlier support. According to the complaint, that letter set out allegations against Mkrtchyan that included references to purported links to Russian organised crime, extortion and unethical conduct—allegations Mkrtchyan denies and which the complaint describes as false.
The complaint alleges Payne worked with Fleming to draft the letter, copied Fleming on related correspondence, requested confidentiality and separately contacted Ambassador Sidikov in Washington in connection with the letter. The plaintiffs allege that Payne’s reversal was, in their characterisation, connected to subsequent lobbying and consulting arrangements.
The complaint also alleges that Payne later provided information about Mkrtchyan, Gor and Aripov to a journalist, with the aim, the plaintiffs say, of encouraging publication of material aligned with the August 2024 letter and the Straife report. The complaint states that the journalist responded sceptically to one of the items Payne had sent.
For Mkrtchyan and Gor, the complaint alleges that the reputational campaign had commercial consequences. The complaint says the defendants’ alleged conduct helped disrupt major projects and damage relationships involving companies including BASF, CC7 and CITIC. The plaintiffs claim CITIC had indicated a willingness to invest more than $1.5 billion in one of the projects and that total losses exceed $1 billion.
The lawsuit also points to a later retraction. On October 29, 2025, Akard and his firm wrote to Uzbekistan’s president and ambassador retracting the August 2024 letter and report. According to the complaint, Akard said the material had been sent at UCG’s request, that the report had been prepared for UCG by Straife, and that neither he nor his firm had independently verified or could substantiate the allegations.
The allegations concerning Payne also come against the backdrop of a separate arbitration involving NRCO Engineering S.A., a company owned by Mkrtchyan, Payne and Linden Energy. In a May 1, 2026 Final Award, an ICDR arbitrator found in NRCO’s favour, and NRCO has petitioned the Southern District of Texas to confirm the award and enter judgment for more than $2.19 million.
In the award, the arbitrator examined Payne’s August 2024 letter to the President of Uzbekistan, in which Payne retracted his earlier letter supporting Mkrtchyan. The award states that the August letter included allegations against Mkrtchyan and Aripov, including alleged ties to Russian organised crime, threats and extortion. The arbitrator found that Payne and Logan Somera, who the award says assisted in drafting the letter, did not produce credible evidence supporting the assertions in the August retraction letter. The award also found that Payne actively attempted to conceal the existence of the letter from Mkrtchyan and Aripov.
The allegations in the D.C. complaint remain unproven. The defendants will have the opportunity to contest the complaint, challenge the plaintiffs’ account, and present their own evidence. The separate NRCO arbitration award has already made findings against Payne and Linden in a different dispute, but it does not determine the defendants’ liability in the D.C. proceedings.
Business
Trump claims Vance’s task force can save Social Security and balance budget
Rep. Russell Fry, R-S.C., commends Vice President JD Vance’s leadership of the federal anti-fraud task force on ‘The Evening Edit.’
The anti-fraud task force being led by Vice President JD Vance may balance the budget and could help save Social Security, President Donald Trump said during Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting at the White House.
“I think we have a chance to save Social Security without doing anything to it,” Trump said. “We’re going to make our Social Security so strong.”
Trump stated Vance had uncovered enough fraud that it may be able to fund the program. This comes as the federal government has warned that Social Security could be depleted by the 2030s.
FEDS MISTAKENLY GAVE AWAY $692M IN DUPLICATE PPP LOANS

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), from left, Doug Burgum, US secretary of the interior, Marco Rubio, US secretary of state, US President Donald Trump, Pete Hegseth, US secretary of defense, and Howard Lutnick, US co (Getty Images / Getty Images)
“The numbers that we’re finding out — we have great people in Social Security. We’re going to make our Social Security so strong, so good, that you’ve never seen anything like it,” Trump said. “We’re going to protect, I said right from the beginning, we’re going to protect our people in Social Security.”
Trump reiterated that he wants to protect the crucial entitlement program, while Vance credited Trump for the task force’s success.
“The fact that we have dedicated presidential leadership is really what’s made this possible, because it does require — we’ve got great people around the table — but sometimes these agencies don’t know how to work together at the lower level, and that’s one of the things we’ve had to turn on and force with the fraud task force,” Vance said.

President Dona;ld Trump said his anti-fraud task force could help save Social Security during Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting. (Getty Images / Getty Images)
According to the most recent estimates, Social Security is projected to become insolvent in 2032, which could trigger automatic benefit cuts. The program is primarily funded by payroll taxes on current workers and their employers.
During Wednesday’s meeting, Trump said the task force has already identified “billions and billions and billions” worth of fraud, noting that if the initiative “does really great, we’ll have a balanced budget without having to do anything.”
“Everybody was getting rich, and I think we have a chance to save Social Security without doing anything to it,” Trump said. “Just the numbers of fraudulent people on Social Security — people that are 115 years old, 125 years old, getting payments. It’s funny.”

The Trump administration is reportedly considering “everything” when it comes to avoiding Social Security insolvency, Social Security Administration Commissioner Frank Bisignano says. (Getty Images/iStock / Getty Images)
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Vance was named to head the anti-fraud effort in March. The Trump administration has stated that the initiative was launched as some states have failed to combat entitlement fraud that has benefited illegal immigrants.
Business
Why Small Businesses Are Now Ditching Their Bank’s Card Machine
For years, the default move for a small business needing to take card payments was simple: go to your bank and rent a terminal. It seemed logical at the time.
Your bank already handled your business account, so why go elsewhere? The problem is that for a lot of SME owners, that decision has quietly cost them more than they ever expected.
Complaints about bank-issued card machines have been building up for a while. Slow settlements, locked-in contracts, clunky hardware and support teams that treat you like a ticket number. Carry on reading to find out what’s driving small businesses to make the switch and what they’re moving to instead.
What’s Wrong With Your Bank’s Terminal
The hardware issue alone is enough to put people off. Most bank-issued terminals are running on ageing technology, with slow boot times, limited connectivity options and interfaces that haven’t changed meaningfully in years. For a busy café or independent retailer, a terminal that takes 30 seconds to process a payment is frustrating, it also holds up the queue, and affects the customer experience.
Then there’s settlement speed. Some providers still operate on a T+3 basis as standard, with deferred settlement arrangements pushing that even further for certain merchants. That means money from card transactions may not reach your account for several business days, even though faster settlement is now available across much of the market.
For a small business managing tight cash flow, that kind of lag can cause real problems. It’s not unusual for an SME to take a significant Friday evening in sales and still be waiting for that money on Wednesday.
Contracts That Favour the Provider, Not the Business
One of the biggest frustrations among business owners is the contract structure. Bank payment solutions have often come with fixed-term agreements of up to 18 months, and early termination fees and auto-renewal clauses can still make switching feel difficult once you’re locked in.
Some business owners have reported paying monthly rental fees for terminals they barely use during quieter periods, with no flexibility to pause or reduce costs. When business is seasonal, a market trader in winter, for instance, or a pop-up that only operates at events, paying a flat monthly fee for hardware that’s sitting in a drawer makes very little sense.
A New Generation of Payment Terminals
The fintech sector has stepped into the gap left by legacy providers, and the options available to UK businesses have expanded considerably in recent years. These providers tend to offer faster settlement, transparent transaction fees, no monthly hardware rental costs, and much more intuitive devices.
Zeller is a fintech platform used by over 100,000 businesses internationally, offering UK merchants a modern approach to payments infrastructure.Their terminal range connects via Wi-Fi, 4G or Ethernet, supports split billing and custom VAT rates, and comes without lock-in contracts or subscription fees.
It also pairs with a business account and expense cards in a single setup, which reduces the need for multiple financial tools, the kind of integrated approach that appeals to businesses that have previously had to stitch together a payment provider, a current account and a separate expense management tool.
What to Look for When Switching
If you’re thinking about moving away from your bank’s terminal, a few things are worth checking before you commit to a new provider:
- Settlement speed: Does the provider offer next-day or same-day payouts?
- Contract terms: Are there lock-in periods or early exit fees?
- Transaction fees: Do you understand them at first glance? Or do you need to dig through fine print to find them?
- Hardware costs: Is the terminal purchased outright, or rented monthly?
- Support availability: Can you reach a real person quickly if something goes wrong?
Support: Where Legacy Providers Often Fall Short
Ask any small business owner what frustrates them most about their current payment provider, and support quality will come up more often than you’d expect. Legacy bank providers typically route queries through large call centres, and getting through to someone with the authority to actually resolve an issue can take hours. For a business mid-service, that’s not good enough.
Newer providers tend to invest more heavily in customer support, partly because their model depends on retention instead of locking people in through contracts. When your customers can leave more easily, you have a stronger incentive to make sure they don’t want to.
Concluding Remarks
The bank card machine made sense in a market where there weren’t many alternatives. That’s no longer the case. The combination of outdated hardware, slow settlement, inflexible contracts and poor support has pushed a growing number of SMEs to look elsewhere, and the fintech sector has responded with products built specifically around how small businesses actually operate.
If you’re still renting a terminal from your bank on a rolling contract, it’s worth doing a proper cost comparison. In many cases, switching to a newer provider will save money, speed up access to your funds and give you a better experience when things go wrong.
Business
Wall Street Lunch: U.S. Growth Revised Lower While Core PCE Stays Hot (NYSE:UMAC)
Richard Drury/DigitalVision via Getty Images

Listen below or on the go on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
U.S. GDP growth slowed as inflation pressures remained elevated. (0:15) Drone stocks up on Trump administration defense funding. (1:29) Lamborghini defends abandoning EV plans as luxury buyers favored hybrid vehicles. (2:35)
This is an abridged transcript of the podcast:
Our top story so far, GDP was revised lower for Q1 to a 1.6% annual rate, versus 2% in the initial estimate and 0.5% in the prior quarter.
The downward revision primarily reflected weaker investment and consumer spending.
Overall, GDP was supported by increases in government spending and exports, along with faster investment growth, partly offset by slower consumer spending.
David Laut of Kerux Financial said the stability in economic growth “suggests that interest rates at their current levels are justified.”
Meanwhile, the April core PCE price index showed inflation remains well above the Fed’s 2% target.
The index rose 0.2% for the month, a touch below the 0.3% estimate, but increased 3.3% annually, in line with consensus and slightly hotter than March’s 3.2% pace.
Consumers continued to spend despite persistent inflation, though income growth was flat.
Economist Joseph Brusuelas said Americans are “so upset right now” because of three straight monthly declines in disposable income growth and weakness in that same measure over the past year.
“Real wages are falling as disposable income declines and households are drawing down savings,” he said. “With rising inflation not having yet peaked this will get worse before it gets better and real spending is likely to decline in May.
Among active stocks, drone-related stocks are rallying after The Wall Street Journal reported that the Trump administration is considering funding agreements with several companies as part of a broader push to expand domestic production and reduce costs for the increasingly important defense technology.
Unusual Machines (UMAC) is up 50%, while Red Cat Holdings (RCAT), AeroVironment (AVAV), Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (KTOS), AgEagle Aerial Systems (UAVS), ZenaTech (ZENA), Ondas Holdings (ONDS) and Airo Group (AIRO) are also moving higher.
Best Buy (BBY) is rallying after beating estimates with its Q1 earnings report and issuing solid full-year guidance.
Best Buy sees full-year revenue of $41.2 billion to $42.1 billion, versus the $41.8 billion consensus estimate, and adjusted EPS of $6.30 to $6.60, versus $6.48 expected.
And Dollar Tree (DLTR) is rallying after reporting Q1 sales growth of 7.3%.
Same-store sales for the Dollar Tree banner rose 3.5%, topping the 3.2% consensus estimate.
The gain was driven by a 4.5% increase in average ticket, partly offset by a 1% decline in traffic.
And in other news of note, Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann said the automaker’s decision to scrap its EV plans was “the right way to go” after Ferrari’s new electric vehicle faced backlash over its design.
“The decision to go from the internal combustion engine to plug-in was a very important one for us, and it worked out,” he told CNBC.
“We don’t speak about our competitors… but everybody has their own strategy.”
Lamborghini, which is owned by Volkswagen (VWAGY), abandoned plans for an all-electric Lanzador and a fully electric version of its Urus SUV.
“By observing the market… we saw that the acceptance curve (of EVs) for our type of customers is not increasing, and therefore, we decided to move away from a full-electric car into a plug-in hybrid,” Winkelmann said.
Editor’s Note: This article discusses one or more securities that do not trade on a major U.S. exchange. Please be aware of the risks associated with these stocks.
Business
Dollar Tree Shares Surge 16 Percent After Strong Q1 Earnings Beat and Raised Full-Year Outlook
NEW YORK — Dollar Tree Inc. shares jumped more than 16 percent on Thursday, reaching $111.67, after the discount retailer delivered a strong first-quarter earnings beat and raised its full-year profit guidance, signaling improving consumer trends and successful merchandising initiatives.
The company reported fiscal first-quarter net sales of $5.0 billion, up 7.2 percent from the prior year and surpassing Wall Street expectations of $4.97 billion. Comparable store sales rose 3.5 percent, driven by a 4.5 percent increase in average ticket size despite a slight 1 percent decline in traffic. Adjusted earnings per share reached $1.74, comfortably beating consensus estimates of $1.55.
Dollar Tree also raised its fiscal 2026 adjusted EPS guidance to $6.70–$7.10 from the previous range of $6.50–$6.90, reflecting confidence in sustained momentum. The company opened 113 new Dollar Tree stores during the quarter and continued expanding its multi-price format to nearly 5,900 locations.
CEO Mike Creedon highlighted operational improvements and better merchandising as key drivers. “We are pleased with our progress in the first quarter and remain focused on delivering value to our customers while driving profitable growth,” Creedon said in prepared remarks.
The strong results triggered a sharp rally in pre-market trading that carried into the regular session. Volume spiked as both retail and institutional investors reacted positively to the earnings surprise and upward revision. The move marked one of Dollar Tree’s largest single-day percentage gains in recent years.
Strategic Progress and Market Position
Dollar Tree has been navigating a challenging retail environment marked by cautious consumer spending and inflationary pressures. The company’s focus on value positioning has helped it maintain relevance among budget-conscious shoppers, while initiatives to optimize store layouts and product assortments are beginning to yield results.
The partnership with DoorDash announced earlier this year has also enhanced delivery capabilities, expanding reach beyond physical stores. This omnichannel approach has contributed to improved customer engagement and sales growth.
Analysts generally welcomed the results. Several firms raised price targets following the report, though the consensus remains a Hold with an average target around $122. Some more optimistic voices see potential for further upside if traffic trends continue improving and margin expansion accelerates.
Challenges in the Discount Retail Sector
Despite the positive quarter, Dollar Tree faces ongoing industry headwinds. Competition from dollar stores, mass merchants and online retailers remains intense. Higher commodity and transportation costs continue to pressure margins, though the company has offset some of these through efficiency gains and selective price adjustments.
Consumer behavior has been selective, with shoppers trading down on certain items while seeking value in essentials. Dollar Tree’s ability to balance affordability with compelling product offerings will be critical to sustaining momentum.
The company plans to open approximately 400 new stores and close about 75 locations in fiscal 2026, focusing on optimizing its footprint and improving productivity in underperforming sites.
Long-Term Investment Considerations
For investors evaluating Dollar Tree as a long-term holding, the case rests on its strong brand recognition, extensive store network and focus on value retail. The company benefits from a resilient customer base that tends to remain loyal even during economic uncertainty.
Potential buyers may view current levels as attractive following any post-earnings consolidation, particularly given the raised guidance and operational progress. The stock offers exposure to essential consumer spending with a defensive quality in uncertain economic times.
Those considering selling or remaining on the sidelines cite ongoing margin pressures, competitive intensity and the risk of further consumer pullback if inflation persists. However, the majority of analysts maintain a constructive outlook, supported by improving fundamentals and strategic initiatives.
Diversification remains important. While Dollar Tree provides solid exposure to discount retail, pairing it with other consumer staples or growth sectors can help balance portfolio risk.
Broader Retail Landscape in 2026
The discount retail sector has shown resilience amid economic pressures. Consumers continue seeking value, benefiting chains like Dollar Tree and its competitors. However, the environment remains competitive, with success depending on execution in merchandising, supply chain efficiency and digital capabilities.
Dollar Tree’s performance this quarter suggests the company is making meaningful progress on its transformation efforts. If these trends continue, the stock could see further re-rating as investors gain confidence in sustained profitability improvements.
As the company navigates the remainder of 2026, key focus areas will include same-store sales trends, margin management and successful integration of new initiatives. Upcoming quarterly results will provide further insight into the sustainability of recent momentum.
Thursday’s surge reflects renewed investor optimism around Dollar Tree’s trajectory. While challenges remain, the company’s value proposition and operational improvements position it favorably in a value-conscious retail environment.
Investors should monitor consumer spending data, inflation trends and competitive dynamics closely. Professional financial advice tailored to individual circumstances is recommended before making investment decisions in this sector.
Business
Ousted BP Chairman Albert Manifold Hits Back at ‘Lies’ About His Conduct
BP’s ousted Chairman Albert Manifold hit out at what he described as lies about his behavior at the oil major, days after its board fired him citing “serious concerns” about his conduct.
The London-based company abruptly dismissed Manifold earlier this week after its board received whistleblower reports that he was bullying and verbally abusive toward staff, according to people familiar with the matter.
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Business
Agilent Technologies Stock Surges 15 Percent on Strong Q2 Earnings Beat and Raised AI Outlook
NEW YORK — Agilent Technologies Inc. shares jumped more than 14 percent on Thursday, reaching $132.85, after the analytical instruments and life sciences company reported robust second-quarter results that exceeded Wall Street expectations and raised its full-year guidance amid growing demand for artificial intelligence-related applications.
The life sciences and diagnostics giant posted fiscal second-quarter revenue of $1.78 billion, up 6 percent from the prior year and beating consensus estimates of $1.73 billion. Adjusted earnings per share came in at $1.48, surpassing analyst forecasts of $1.39. The strong performance was driven by solid growth in its Agilent CrossLab and Diagnostics and Genomics segments, with particular strength in biopharma and semiconductor testing markets.
Agilent also lifted its full-year revenue outlook to a range of $6.85 billion to $6.95 billion, reflecting confidence in sustained demand for its precision measurement and workflow solutions. The company cited accelerating opportunities in AI-driven research, drug discovery and advanced materials testing as key growth drivers.
CEO Mike McMullen highlighted the company’s strategic positioning in high-growth areas. “Our teams delivered excellent results this quarter, demonstrating the strength of our differentiated portfolio and the value we provide to customers across life sciences, diagnostics and applied markets,” McMullen said in prepared remarks.
The earnings-driven rally marked one of Agilent’s strongest single-day gains in recent memory, with trading volume spiking significantly above average. The move reflected renewed investor confidence in the company’s ability to capitalize on long-term secular trends in biotechnology, semiconductor manufacturing and environmental testing.
Strong Demand Across Key Markets
Agilent’s performance underscores the resilience of its diversified business model. The company’s instruments and software are critical for pharmaceutical research, clinical diagnostics, food safety testing and semiconductor quality control. Growing investment in AI infrastructure has increased demand for high-precision measurement tools used in chip development and advanced materials research.
The Diagnostics and Genomics segment posted particularly strong growth, benefiting from expanded adoption of next-generation sequencing and companion diagnostics. Meanwhile, the CrossLab segment, which provides services and consumables, continued to deliver stable recurring revenue.
Analysts reacted positively to the results. Several major firms raised price targets following the report, with consensus moving toward a Moderate Buy rating. Average 12-month targets now cluster around $145–$155, implying additional upside from current levels.
Valuation and Investment Considerations
Even after Thursday’s surge, many analysts consider Agilent attractively valued relative to its growth prospects. The company trades at a forward price-to-earnings multiple that remains reasonable compared to high-growth life sciences peers, supported by consistent free cash flow generation and a solid balance sheet.
For investors considering buying Agilent stock, the case centers on its leadership in critical measurement technologies and exposure to multiple high-potential end markets. The company’s focus on innovation and recurring revenue provides visibility and stability.
Potential buyers may view current levels as a solid entry point following the post-earnings momentum. Long-term holders benefit from Agilent’s history of disciplined capital allocation, including regular dividend increases and opportunistic share repurchases.
Those leaning toward selling or remaining on the sidelines cite risks from cyclical exposure in semiconductor and industrial markets, as well as potential slowdowns in biopharma spending. However, the majority view remains constructive, supported by strong execution and positive secular tailwinds.
Diversification remains important. While Agilent offers high-quality exposure to life sciences and advanced manufacturing, balancing it with other sectors can help manage volatility inherent in technology-driven industrials.
Broader Life Sciences and Semiconductor Context
Agilent’s results reflect strength across the analytical instruments sector. Increased R&D spending by pharmaceutical companies and semiconductor manufacturers has driven demand for precision tools. The rise of AI applications has further accelerated this trend, as companies require sophisticated testing and validation capabilities.
The company continues to face competition from peers such as Thermo Fisher Scientific and Danaher, but has maintained strong market share through focused innovation and customer relationships. Its global footprint provides resilience against regional economic fluctuations.
As enterprises and research institutions increase investment in AI and biotechnology, Agilent is well-positioned to benefit from sustained capital expenditure in these areas. Analysts expect the company’s order backlog and visibility to remain healthy through the remainder of 2026.
Outlook for Remainder of 2026
Management’s raised guidance signals confidence in continued momentum. Key upcoming catalysts include progress on new product launches, major customer wins and further margin expansion initiatives.
Risks to the outlook include potential softening in biopharma funding, cyclical weakness in industrial markets or broader macroeconomic headwinds affecting capital spending. Geopolitical factors and supply chain disruptions could also introduce volatility.
Overall, analysts project mid-single-digit revenue growth for Agilent through 2026, with potential for acceleration if AI-related demand exceeds expectations. The company’s ability to execute on its innovation roadmap will be critical to sustaining investor enthusiasm.
As of late May 2026, Agilent Technologies represents a high-quality opportunity for investors seeking exposure to life sciences, diagnostics and advanced manufacturing. Thursday’s earnings-driven surge validates the market’s optimism around its strategic positioning and execution capabilities.
Investors should monitor quarterly results closely, particularly metrics around order growth, margin trends and segment performance. Professional financial advice tailored to individual circumstances is recommended before making investment decisions in this sector.
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