“Often when you think you’re at the end of something, you’re at the beginning of something else.” ✍️
— Fred Rogers
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✅ U.S. stocks ticked higher Thursday as investors focused on a fresh round of corporate earnings. Major U.S. indices moved upward while markets digested results from several large technology companies.
✅ The U.S. Senate unanimously banned lawmakers and staff from trading on prediction markets to address rising concerns over insider trading and misuse of nonpublic information.
✅ Apple reported stronger-than-expected Q2 earnings driven by robust iPhone demand, rising Services revenue, and a sharp recovery in China, while also signaling continued resilience amid industry-wide supply chain and memory cost pressures.
✅ The U.S. House of Representatives passed a funding bill to end the partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, while leaving immigration-related funding battles unresolved.
✅ Chipotle is testing discounted taco “happy hour” deals as part of a broader push to win back value-conscious customers and stabilize sales growth.
✅ Reddit reported a strong first quarter on Thursday, exceeding analyst expectations on both earnings and revenue and signaling continued momentum in digital advertising.
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↗ Dow 49,652.14 + 1.62%
↗ Nasdaq 24,892.31 + 0.89%
↗ S&P 7,209.01 + 1.02%
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Senate Unanimously Bans Members from Prediction Market Trading Amid Insider Concerns
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Image courtesy of www.fedagent.com |
The U.S. Senate voted Thursday to prohibit lawmakers and their staff from trading on prediction market platforms, responding to growing concerns about insider trading and ethical conflicts.
The new rule bars participation in platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi, which allow users to bet on the outcomes of real-world events such as elections and geopolitical developments. These markets have expanded rapidly, drawing increased scrutiny from regulators and lawmakers.
The measure, introduced by Bernie Moreno and expanded with support from Alex Padilla, passed unanimously and takes effect immediately as part of Senate rules.
The move follows a high-profile case in which a U.S. soldier was charged with using classified information to profit from bets tied to the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, intensifying concerns about misuse of sensitive information.
Prediction market companies themselves signaled support for the change, noting that restrictions on government officials help maintain trust and integrity in the platforms.
Lawmakers emphasized that public office should not be used for personal financial gain, especially when access to nonpublic information could influence bets on major global or political events.
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Apple Beats Q2 Expectations as iPhone Demand and China Sales Surge
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Image courtesy of Scott Olson / Getty Images |
Apple delivered better-than-expected results for its second fiscal quarter, fueled by strong iPhone performance and a rebound in Greater China sales. The company posted earnings per share of $2.01 on $111.2 billion in revenue, beating analyst expectations of $1.96 EPS and $109.66 billion in revenue. This marks a significant increase from the same period last year, when Apple reported $1.65 EPS on $95.35 billion in revenue. Apple shares rose roughly 1% following the announcement.
iPhone sales were the primary growth driver, with revenue reaching $56.99 billion, slightly above Wall Street estimates. This also represents the second consecutive quarter of more than 20% year-over-year growth in the segment. CEO Apple pointed to “extraordinary” demand for the iPhone 17 lineup as a key factor behind the strong performance.
The company’s Services division also continued its upward trajectory, generating $30.97 billion in revenue compared to expectations of $30.37 billion. This is a notable increase from $26.64 billion in the same quarter last year, underscoring the steady expansion of Apple’s subscription and digital services ecosystem.
Mac revenue came in at $8.39 billion, supported by renewed interest in Apple hardware during the ongoing AI boom. Devices such as the Mac mini have gained traction among developers running AI tools like OpenClaw, while Apple also introduced the $599 MacBook Neo earlier this year.
Greater China revenue rose to $20.49 billion, significantly ahead of analyst expectations of $18.9 billion, signaling a meaningful recovery in one of Apple’s key international markets.
The results also come amid a leadership transition, with CEO Tim Cook set to step down in September and be replaced by hardware chief John Ternus. Meanwhile, Apple continues to navigate broader industry challenges, including a global memory chip shortage driven by AI data center expansion.
Despite the strong quarter, headwinds remain in the smartphone market. Global shipments fell 4.1% in Q1 to 289.7 million units, ending a 10-quarter growth streak, according to IDC. While premium devices like the iPhone are expected to remain relatively resilient, Apple has warned that rising component costs could put pressure on future profit margins.
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House Passes DHS Funding Bill, Bringing Partial Government Shutdown to an End
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Image courtesy of www.fedagent.com |
The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday approved a funding bill for most of the Department of Homeland Security, effectively ending the partial government shutdown that began in February.
The measure clears the way to restore funding for key operations, including the Transportation Security Administration, and prevents further missed paychecks for federal workers. The Senate had already passed the same bill more than a month ago, but it faced resistance among House Republicans.
The White House had warned that emergency DHS funding was set to run out by the end of the week, increasing urgency for lawmakers to act.
The legislation notably excludes funding for immigration enforcement agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement and parts of Customs and Border Protection, leaving those issues to be addressed separately. Lawmakers are now attempting to fund those agencies through the budget reconciliation process, which requires fewer votes in the Senate.
The push to pass the bill comes after a prolonged standoff between Democrats and Republicans, driven in part by disagreements over immigration enforcement policies tied to Donald Trump’s administration.
Mike Johnson, who had initially opposed the Senate version of the bill, ultimately moved it forward under pressure from both the administration and an approaching congressional recess.
Johnson framed the vote as a strategic step, saying progress on a separate funding plan for immigration enforcement agencies allowed the House to proceed with broader DHS funding.
Lawmakers now face a self-imposed deadline of June 1 to finalize additional funding measures tied to immigration priorities.
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Taken together, Atlas Critical Minerals (NASDAQ: ATCX) presents a diversified approach to one of the fastest-growing segments of the global economy.
With exposure to multiple critical minerals, early-stage revenue, and strong geopolitical relevance, the company sits at the intersection of several powerful trends—making it one to watch as demand for these resources continues to expand.
Find out more about ATCX 👉 ( NASDAQ: ATCX).
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Chipotle Tests Discount Taco Happy Hour to Boost Value Appeal Among Price-Sensitive Diners
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Image courtesy of Chipotle |
Chipotle is taking a more deliberate approach to addressing customer concerns about rising menu prices—and early signs suggest the strategy may be gaining traction.
“We’re going to test a ‘happier hour’ with tacos priced at $2.50,” CEO Scott Boatwright said, highlighting a new initiative aimed at better understanding pricing flexibility and customer value perception. The limited-time test, set to run from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. in select markets, builds on earlier reporting about the company’s efforts to introduce more affordable options.
This move follows the December launch of high-protein snack cups, including adobo chicken and steak offerings, designed to give customers lower-cost, convenient choices.
Chipotle’s latest quarterly results were mixed but still exceeded expectations. Revenue rose 7.4% year over year to $3.1 billion, supported largely by new restaurant openings and a modest 0.5% increase in same-store sales. Transaction volumes edged up slightly, though average ticket size dipped.
Same-store sales showed improvement, rising 0.5% after declining in both the previous quarter and the same period last year—an encouraging sign that demand may be stabilizing.
Looking ahead, the company is maintaining a cautious stance. Management expects same-store sales to remain roughly flat for 2026, with a modest 1% increase projected for the second quarter as demand trends showed some strength in April.
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Reddit Delivers 69% Revenue Surge, Beats Wall Street Expectations and Raises Outlook |
Image courtesy of Photo Illustration by qz.com |
Reddit reported a strong first quarter on Thursday, exceeding analyst expectations on both earnings and revenue and signaling continued momentum in digital advertising.
Key highlights from the report:
“Revenue jumped 69% year-over-year to $663 million, significantly beating the $611 million estimate.”
Earnings per share came in at $1.01, well above the expected $0.58.
Net income surged to $204 million, compared with $26 million a year earlier.
The company also issued an upbeat outlook for the next quarter:
Second-quarter revenue guidance of $715 million to $725 million, ahead of the $712 million Wall Street forecast.
Adjusted earnings are expected to reach $285 million to $295 million, also above estimates.
User growth and monetization improved as well:
Daily active unique users rose 17% year-over-year to 126.8 million, topping expectations.
Average revenue per user increased to $5.23, above forecasts of $4.81.
U.S. ARPU reached $9.63, outperforming analyst projections.
The results align with broader strength in digital advertising, as both Meta Platforms and Alphabet Inc. recently reported robust ad revenue growth driven in part by increased AI investment.
Steve Huffman said the company’s performance reflects its core strengths:
“Reddit is a one-of-one business powered by deeply engaged communities and authentic human conversation.”
Following the report, Reddit shares rose in after-hours trading as investors responded positively to the strong growth and improved profitability outlook.
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📉 ON THE MOVE AND NOTABLES 📈
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✔️ Trump signed an executive order creating new retirement accounts for workers without 401(k)s. He also signed an order authorizing the Bridger Pipeline's proposed project to transport Canadian crude from the U.S.-Canada border to Wyoming.
✔️ Overall, earnings came in strong yesterday, with better-than-expected revenue reported across the board.
✔️ Gold futures jumped more than 1.5% on Thursday to hover near $4,630 per troy ounce. Bullion prices were on pace to notch their second consecutive month of declines.
✔️ Silver futures also rose to trade above $73 per ounce.
✔️ The Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged on Wednesday. Across the pond, the European Central Bank and Bank of England also voted to keep rates steady on Thursday.
✔️ Oil prices eased after reaching their highest level since 2022 on an Axios report that President Trump is looking at fresh military options against Iran. Brent crude June futures traded near $110 a barrel amid concerns of an escalation in hostilities.
✔️ U.S. real GDP grew at a 2.0% annualized pace in the first quarter, while inflation measures showed prices continuing to rise, with both headline and core readings moving higher year over year.
✔️ At the same time, jobless claims fell to their lowest level in decades, pointing to ongoing strength in the labor market.
✔️ Overseas, Asian markets were mostly lower, while European equities edged higher after central banks held interest rates steady.
✔️ Meanwhile, Treasury yields and oil prices both started the day lower.
✔️ Shares of Meta Platforms dropped 9% despite a strong first quarter, where earnings easily beat expectations and revenue surged more than 33% year over year. Investors seemed focused instead on the company’s higher full-year capital expenditure outlook, raising concerns about increased spending.
✔️ Alphabet jumped 8% early in the session after delivering a standout quarter. The company reported earnings of $5.11 per share—well above the $2.62 consensus—on revenue of $109.9 billion, up 22% year over year. Growth was fueled in part by Google Cloud, where revenue climbed 63% to $20 billion as Alphabet ramps up investment in artificial intelligence.
✔️ Microsoft slipped even after beating estimates on both earnings and revenue.
✔️ Amazon rose after surpassing expectations on both the top and bottom lines. Its Amazon Web Services unit posted a 28% rise in revenue to $37.6 billion.
✔️ Eli Lilly surged following better-than-expected results. Sales of its diabetes treatment Mounjaro jumped 125% year over year, while obesity drug Zepbound saw an 80% increase. The company also raised its 2026 outlook above consensus forecasts.
✔️ Qualcomm rallied despite issuing slightly weaker-than-expected guidance due to supply constraints and pricing pressures. Earnings beat estimates, and investors appeared encouraged by the company’s progress in AI-related custom silicon deals.
✔️ Merck gained after topping quarterly expectations, supported by strong sales of cancer therapy Keytruda, even as it narrowed its full-year outlook.
✔️ Ford Motor Company fell despite beating earnings estimates, as revenue came in below expectations and rising costs weighed on sentiment—even with improved profit guidance driven by strong truck sales.
✔️ Caterpillar climbed after delivering better-than-expected earnings and revenue, citing strong demand and a record order backlog.
✔️ ConocoPhillips declined despite beating estimates, as production slipped during the quarter and geopolitical uncertainty led the company to exclude Qatar from its guidance.
✔️ GE HealthCare tumbled after missing earnings expectations and cutting its profit outlook, citing higher costs for components, energy, and shipping.
✔️ The PHLX Semiconductor Index rebounded more than 2% following a prior-day decline, as continued investment in artificial intelligence remained a key theme for investors. Intel was among the standout performers, rising 12% in the previous session.
✔️ Chip-related companies such as SanDisk and Western Digital extended their gains, while optical networking firm Lumentum added 4%.
✔️ According to the CME Group FedWatch Tool, the probability of a rate cut in June held near just 3%. For the full year, markets are pricing in rates largely staying within the 3.5% to 3.75% range, with only modest chances of either a cut or a hike.
✔️ Shares of Nvidia fell as much as 4% on Thursday, even as other semiconductor stocks moved higher. Investors appear to be reassessing growing competitive pressures on Nvidia, which has so far been the leading player in the AI infrastructure market.
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💲What to Watch Ahead💲
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🟢 May 1: April ISM Manufacturing PMI® and expected earnings from Exxon-Mobil (XOM), Chevron (CVX), and Colgate-Palmolive (CL). Earnings from Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) are expected on Saturday, May 2.
🟢 May 4: Expected earnings from Palantir (PLTR), Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX), and Tyson Foods (TSN).
🟢 May 5: ISM April Services PMI® and expected earnings from Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Arista Networks (ANET), Lumentum (LITE), Strategy (MSTR), Eaton (ETN), Shopify (SHOP), Pfizer (PFE), Anheuser-Busch Inbev (BUD), and Duke Energy (DUK).
🟢 May 6: ADP April employment and expected earnings from Walt Disney (DIS), Uber Technologies (UBER), Novo Nordisk (NVO), CVS Health (CVS), Marriott International (MAR), Apollo Global Management (APO), Medline (MDLN), Arm Holdings (ARM), AppLovin (APP), DoorDash (DASH), and Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD).
🟢 May 7: February construction spending and expected earnings from Shell (SHEL), McDonald's (MCD), Gilead Sciences (GILD), McKesson (MCK), CoreWeave (CRWV), Coinbase Global (COIN), and Airbnb (ABNB).
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Bullishbear.com has been retained by Sideways Frequency and has received cash compensation of $4,000.00 to perform promotional and advertising services for a limited time. This engagement of investor awareness services is for Atlas Critical Minerals (NASDAQ: ATCX). Lumus A.I , Bullish Bear and their partners and affiliates may buy and sell shares of securities or options and warrants of the companies mentioned on this website at any time.
Lumus A.I and its affiliates may buy and sell shares of securities or options and warrants of the companies mentioned in this publication or website at any time but are not and will not at any time become affiliates or owners of more than 5% of the issued and outstanding stock of the highlighted companies.
Lumus A.I and its beneficial owners and affiliates, including Bullishbear.com own shares in Atlas Critical Minerals (NASDAQ: ATCX).
Investor awareness services and programs are designed to help small-cap companies communicate their investment characteristics. Lumus A.I Bullishbear.com and their investor awareness services include the preparation of a research profile(s), multimedia marketing, and other awareness services based on the publicly available information of our clients and prepared by our partners. As such, our opinion is neither unbiased nor independent, and you should consider that when evaluating our statements regarding Atlas Critical Minerals (NASDAQ: ATCX). |
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