Glanbia Plc H1 Results Exceed Its Plans; Upgrades FY Guidance

Glanbia plc (GLB.L) reported that its first-half pretax profit increased to 144.1 million euros from 81.9 million euros, prior year. Earnings per share from continuing operations, in cent, was 45.64 compared to 24.01.

Group EBITA pre-exceptional was 171.7 million euros, a decrease of 3.5% constant currency, or up 7.4% reported. Adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations, in cent, was 52.31 compared to 48.84.

First half Group revenues were 2.8 billion euros, a growth of 26.8% in constant currency, or was up 38.5% reported.

The Board recommended an interim dividend of 12.93 cent per share representing a 10% increase on prior year interim dividend. The interim dividend will be paid on 7 October 2022 to shareholders on the register of members as at 26 August 2022. Glanbia’s overall dividend policy remains unchanged at a target annual dividend payout ratio of between 25% and 35% of adjusted EPS.

Looking forward, Glanbia said it is now confident to upgrade full year guidance for growth in adjusted EPS to a range of 9% to 13% constant currency. Should current foreign exchange rates be sustained for the remainder of 2022, reported adjusted EPS growth would be in a range of 21% to 25%, the Group noted.

For more earnings news, earnings calendar, and earnings for stocks, visit rttnews.com.

WhatsApp Desktop App Native To Windows Unveiled

WhatsApp, an instant messaging app owned by Meta Platforms, has launched a new desktop app for Windows users. The company is also developing an app native to Mac operating systems.

Till now, WhatsApp Desktop users have been using its web-based desktop app i.e., WhatsApp Desktop, or browser-based app, i.e., WhatsApp Web. They were using the old Electron technology.

WhatsApp Web and Desktop are computer-based extensions of the WhatsApp account on one’s phone. The messages sent and received by the users are synced between phone and computer, and they can see messages on both devices.

The desktop app has now been rebuilt using native Windows technologies.

In a blog post, WhatsApp said the native apps provide increased reliability and speed, and are designed and optimized for one’s desktop operating system. It helps to continue to receive notifications and messages even when the phone is offline.

Previously, WhatsApp for Windows was available as a beta app. Now it is live and Windows users can download it.

For Mac users, WhatsApp desktop app native to Mac operating systems is currently in development. The users can now download beta program for early access and to help the firm with testing.

The company noted that Mac users can use WhatsApp Web in their browser or download web-based WhatsApp Desktop app.

Last week, Meta, the parent of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, added three more new privacy features to WhatsApp in its bid to enhance control and privacy on the popular messaging app.

Santos H1 Earnings Surge

Santos Ltd. (STOSF.PK), an Australian energy firm, on Wednesday posted a surge in earnings for the first-half, reflecting a significant rise in oil and LNG prices, due to stronger global energy demand combined with a higher interest in PNG LNG following the Oil Search merger.

For the six-month period, the Adelaide-based firm posted pre-tax income of $1.63 billion, compared with $479 million of previous year period.

Net profit was at $1.16 billion or 34.4 cents per share, higher than $354 million or 16.9 cents per share a year ago.

EBIT stood at $1.75 billion, versus $588 million reported for the first-half of previous fiscal.

The oil and gas company generated EBITDAX at $2.73 billion as against $1.23 billion a year ago.

Santos registered revenues of $3.76 billion, compared with $2.04 billion, during the corresponding period of 2021.

The Board has declared an interim dividend of 7.6 cents per share against last year’s dividend of 5.5 cents per share.

Gold Struggles For Direction Ahead Of Fed Minutes

Gold prices struggled for direction on Wednesday as investors awaited the release of Fed policy meetings later in the day for clues on the economic and rate outlook.

Spot gold slipped 0.1 percent to $1,773.62 per ounce, while U.S. gold futures were marginally lower at $1,788.25.

The dollar firmed against its rivals as a cautious undertone prevailed ahead of the release of Fed meeting minutes and U.S. retail sales data for July.

Interest-rate worries were back in focus after data showed Britain’s inflation rate rose to a new 40-year high of 10.1 percent in July.

The U.K. consumer price index climbed from 9.4 percent in June to 10.1 percent in July, raising expectations for a 50 basis-point rate hike by the Bank of England at the meeting in September.

Separately, preliminary data from Eurostat revealed that growth in the Eurozone slowed slightly in the second quarter.

Seasonally adjusted GDP in the common currency area rose by 0.6 percent during the period, down from 0.7 percent in the prior quarter.

The Federal Reserve releases the minutes from its July 26-27 meeting at 2:00 pm ET.

Pre-market Movers: MAPS, SG, OPRX, BBAI, SSNT…

The following are some of the stocks making big moves in Wednesday’s pre-market trading (as of 07.10 A.M. ET).

In the Green

SilverSun Technologies, Inc. (SSNT) is up over 16% at $4.29
The Trade Desk, Inc. (TTD) is up over 15% at $63.12
Synalloy Corporation (SYNL) is up over 15% at $15.29
Arlo Technologies, Inc. (ARLO) is up over 11% at $8.04
Rite Aid Corporation (RAD) is up over 8% at $9.70
Wallbox N.V. (WBX) is up over 6% at $9.00
Ardmore Shipping Corporation (ASC) is up over 5% at $9.88

In the Red

WM Technology, Inc. (MAPS) is down over 27% at $2.52
Sweetgreen, Inc. (SG) is down over 25% at $12.63
OptimizeRx Corporation (OPRX) is down over 20% at $17.70
BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. (BBAI) is down over 20% at $2.18
Greenlane Holdings, Inc. (GNLN) is down over 16% at $2.51
PLBY Group, Inc. (PLBY) is down over 15% at $5.88
Roblox Corporation (RBLX) is down over 14% at $40.51
Vir Biotechnology, Inc. (VIR) is down over 13% at $24.99
Evotec SE (EVO) is down over 12% at $12.33
SAI.TECH Global Corporation (SAI) is down over 12% at $4.70
AeroClean Technologies, Inc. (AERC) is down over 10% at $6.53
Nextdoor Holdings, Inc. (KIND) is down over 8% at $3.28
Ambev S.A. (ABEV) is down over 7% at $2.61