Chile's sanitation workers exposed to coronavirus

Sanitation work is unhygienic and smelly, but now it is much more dangerous.

Health workers have been applauded for their sacrifice in the line of duty during the pandemic.

Yet there are others on the front line who have little or no access to protective equipment and often get no recognition.

Al Jazeera’s Lucia Newman joined sanitation workers during a shift in Chile’s capital Santiago.

Norway central bank unlikely to set negative policy rate -governor

OSLO, May 7 (Reuters) – The Norwegian central bank is unlikely to cut its key policy rate into negative territory, although it has not completely excluded the possibility of doing so, Governor Oeystein Olsen told a news conference on Thursday.

Norges Bank earlier on Thursday cut its key interest rate to a record-low zero percent from 0.25% in a surprise move designed to cushion an economy reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic. (Reporting by Terje Solsvik and Victoria Klesty, editing by Gwladys Fouche)

Iron Mountain Inc Q1 adjusted earnings Beat Estimates

Iron Mountain Inc (IRM) announced a profit for its first quarter that rose from last year.

The company’s bottom line came in at $63.98 million, or $0.22 per share. This compares with $29.56 million, or $0.10 per share, in last year’s first quarter.

Analysts had expected the company to earn $0.18 per share, according to figures compiled by Thomson Reuters. Analysts’ estimates typically exclude special items.

The company’s revenue for the quarter rose 1.9% to $1.07 billion from $1.05 billion last year.

Iron Mountain Inc earnings at a glance:

-EPS (Q1): $0.27 vs. $0.17 last year.
-Analysts Estimate: $0.18
-Revenue (Q1): $1.07 Bln vs. $1.05 Bln last year.

Xcel Energy Inc Reveals Fall In Q1 Profit

Xcel Energy Inc (XEL) revealed a profit for first quarter that declined from last year.

The company’s bottom line came in at $295 million, or $0.56 per share. This compares with $315 million, or $0.61 per share, in last year’s first quarter.

Analysts had expected the company to earn $0.60 per share, according to figures compiled by Thomson Reuters. Analysts’ estimates typically exclude special items.

The company’s revenue for the quarter fell 10.5% to $2.81 billion from $3.14 billion last year.

Xcel Energy Inc earnings at a glance:

-Earnings (Q1): $295 Mln. vs. $315 Mln. last year.
-EPS (Q1): $0.56 vs. $0.61 last year.
-Analysts Estimate: $0.60
-Revenue (Q1): $2.81 Bln vs. $3.14 Bln last year.

-Guidance:
Full year EPS guidance: $2.73 to $2.83

Oil Prices Climb After China Data

Oil prices climbed on Thursday after data showed China’s crude imports rebounded in April from a month earlier.

On a daily basis, crude oil arrivals were equivalent to 9.84 million barrels, up from the 9.68 million barrels per day imported in March, data released by the General Administration of Customs showed.

As fuel demand increases, analysts expect China’s fuel demand in the second quarter to rebound from the first three months.

Benchmark Brent crude jumped 6.7 percent to $31.70 a barrel, after having fallen 4 percent on Wednesday.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures were up almost 9 percent at $26.10 a barrel, after losing over 2 percent in the previous session.

Investors also cheered data showing that overall exports from China unexpectedly rose in April aided by stronger shipments to South East Asia.

The surprise rise helped investors shrug off dismal economic data from the U.S. and renewed U.S.-China tensions.

Exports grew 3.5 percent on a yearly basis, confounding expectations for a decline of 12.1 percent. Shipments had declined 6.6 percent in March.

Imports plunged 14.2 percent year-on-year versus expected fall of 12.4 percent and March’s 0.9 percent drop.

Consequently, the trade balance showed a surplus of $45.34 billion, which was well above economists’ forecast of $9.7 billion. The surplus increased sharply from $19.9 billion in March.

Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc. Q1 adjusted earnings Beat Estimates

Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (HLT) announced earnings for first quarter that declined from last year.

The company’s bottom line totaled $18 million, or $0.06 per share. This compares with $158 million, or $0.54 per share, in last year’s first quarter.

Excluding items, Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc. reported adjusted earnings of $208 million or $0.74 per share for the period.

Analysts had expected the company to earn $0.57 per share, according to figures compiled by Thomson Reuters. Analysts’ estimates typically exclude special items.

The company’s revenue for the quarter fell 12.7% to $1.92 billion from $2.20 billion last year.

Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc. earnings at a glance:

-Earnings (Q1): $208 Mln. vs. $234 Mln. last year.
-EPS (Q1): $0.74 vs. $0.80 last year.
-Analysts Estimate: $0.57
-Revenue (Q1): $1.92 Bln vs. $2.20 Bln last year.

Iron Mountain Withdraws 2020 Guidance – Quick Facts

Iron Mountain Inc. (IRM) said, in light of the uncertain operating environment, the company has withdrawn its previously provided 2020 guidance, including for revenue, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EPS, and AFFO.

First quarter adjusted EPS was $0.27, compared to $0.17, a year ago. Adjusted EBITDA was $363.1 million, compared to $324.5 million, last year. On a constant currency basis, adjusted EBITDA increased by 13.7%, for the quarter. Total reported revenues were $1.07 billion, compared to $1.05 billion, previous year. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, total reported revenues grew 3.2% compared to the prior year.

On May 5, 2020, Iron Mountain’s board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.6185 per share for the second quarter. The dividend is payable on July 2, 2020, for shareholders of record on June 15, 2020.

As of the end of the first quarter, the company had cash on hand of $153 million and $1.1 billion available under its revolving credit facility, resulting in more than $1.2 billion in liquidity.