Stocks

Today’s Stocks to Watch: Occidental and Howard

February 19, 2025
OnEquity

Key Points To Watch Out For:

Shares in Celanese fell 15% after posting losses and reporting lower overall demand
Bumble released a weak financial forecast, driving its share price down 17%
The defense sector in Europe remains on a roll, with Saab rising more than 20%

Celanese (CE): Impact of Low Global Demand

Celanese shares plummeted nearly 15% in pre-market trading after reporting quarterly losses. Weak demand in key sectors such as automotive, paints, and industry significantly impacted its financial performance.

Arista Networks (ANET): Positive Results, Cautious Market Reaction

Despite reporting double-digit sales growth and increased quarterly profits, Arista Networks saw its shares fall by 4% before the market opened. Investors appear to be cautious about its growth prospects in the cloud networking market.

Bumble (BMBL): Weak Outlook Drags Shares Down

Bumble posted a weak revenue forecast for the current quarter, causing a sharp 17% drop in pre-market trading. Investor concerns are fueled by uncertainty over the dating platform’s growth.

Occidental Petroleum (OXY): Quarterly Losses Affect Shares

Occidental Petroleum reported losses in the last quarter due to declining sales, leading to a slight dip in its shares before the opening. Investors are watching closely to see how the company plans to reverse this trend.

Howard Hughes (HHH): Pershing Square’s Move Raises Doubts

Pershing Square made a $900 million bid to increase its stake in Howard Hughes and appoint Bill Ackman as CEO. However, after a rally on Tuesday, the shares fell back in pre-market trading, reflecting investor skepticism about the proposal’s impact.

European Defense Sector Surges: Rheinmetall, Saab, and Leonardo Lead the Rally

Shares in the European defense sector continue to show strong momentum due to rising global demand. Rheinmetall and Leonardo are up nearly 15% for the week, while Saab has surged over 20%, reinforcing the upward trend in the sector.

Glencore (UK:GLEN): Disappointing Results Shake the Market

The commodities giant reported lower-than-expected profits and announced that it will review its main listing in London. This uncertainty impacted its share price, leading to a 7% drop in pre-market trading.

Philips (PHG): Weak Demand in China Hurts Earnings

Philips reported quarterly losses and warned that demand in China remains low, resulting in an 11% drop in its shares in Amsterdam. The slowdown in the Chinese market continues to affect companies in the technology and healthcare sectors.