markets

William Coulman & David Crowther9/12/24

Moderna is cutting its R&D spend, but it needs products to return to growth

Moderna, one of the most visible pharmaceutical brands of the pandemic, is struggling to adapt to a post-COVID world.

Shares in the company were trading down as much as 18% earlier today after announcing plans to slash $1.1 billion in annual R&D expenses while delaying its breakeven target to 2028 (from 2026), capping a brutal return to Earth for the once high-flying company.

Moderna had a meteoric rise, with its mRNA technology one of a number of vaccines that helped ease lockdowns worldwide. That technology made the company a fortune: in just over a year, quarterly revenue skyrocketed from a modest $150 million to more than $7 billion.

Moderna revenues are falling

But, as the rest of the world moves on, the Massachusetts-based company has struggled, spending billions on R&D in search of its next product breakthrough, with revenue slumping sharply since 2021. And pulling back on investing in future projects, even if it technically saves the company money in the short-term, is not a growth story that investors want to hear.

The company now says it expects 10 new product approvals by 2027, but for now it’s leaning heavily on two offerings: its COVID-19 vaccine and a recently approved RSV shot.

Moderna shares plunge on plans to cut R&D, launch 10 new products by 2027

Moderna shares plunge on plans to cut $1.1 billion in costs, launch 10 new products by 2027

Moderna had a meteoric rise, with its mRNA technology one of a number of vaccines that helped ease lockdowns worldwide. That technology made the company a fortune: in just over a year, quarterly revenue skyrocketed from a modest $150 million to more than $7 billion.

Moderna revenues are falling

But, as the rest of the world moves on, the Massachusetts-based company has struggled, spending billions on R&D in search of its next product breakthrough, with revenue slumping sharply since 2021. And pulling back on investing in future projects, even if it technically saves the company money in the short-term, is not a growth story that investors want to hear.

The company now says it expects 10 new product approvals by 2027, but for now it’s leaning heavily on two offerings: its COVID-19 vaccine and a recently approved RSV shot.

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markets

Paige Oamek6/30/26

Nike sinks to lowest level since 2014 after warning of “challenged” sales environment in Q4 report

Did Nike do it?

Investors had a mixed reaction after the global sports apparel company reported its fourth quarter earnings on Tuesday after the bell. Shares initially rose 5% as Nike beat out Wall Street expectations amid a hefty tariff refund bonus. However, the stock then sank to its lowest level since August 2014 in postmarket trading.

Here are the Q4 numbers:

Revenue of $11.0 billion (estimate: $10.8 billion).
Adjusted earnings per share of $0.20 (estimate: $0.12).

Ahead of this report, Nike warned that results would be flattered by a one-time tariff refund (now estimated at roughly $0.52 per share for the bottom line). That gave the company an extra cushion in snapping its streak of seven quarters of year-over-year profit declines.

Over the past year, the company had been punished by tariffs on imported goods, stagnant consumer spending, and increasing competition from other footwear brands like New Balance, Adidas, and Hoka.

Outgoing CFO Matthew Friend deemed it an “increasingly challenging operating environment, where sell-through remains challenged.”

markets

Helena Cheng6/29/26

Rocket Lab deal lifts space stocks

Shares of Rocket Lab are surging after announcing an $8 billion acquisition of satellite communications operator Iridium Communications, helping lift a broader basket of space-related stocks as investors piled back into the sector.

Planet Labs, AST SpaceMobile and Redwire all traded higher alongside Rocket Lab, extending gains in an industry that has drawn enhanced investor attention in recent months in light of the strategic importance that governments place on space and satellite communications infrastructure.

In a presentation, Rocket Lab’s management called the purchase “a shortcut” for its satellite communications business.

Under the terms of the agreement, Iridium shareholders will receive $27 in cash and Rocket Lab stock, valuing Iridium at $54 per share. Backed by a $3.6 billion bridge loan committed by Deutsche Bank and Wells Fargo, Rocket Lab absorbs Iridium’s globally licensed spectrum and an active base of 2.5 million subscribers.

Rocket Lab has also remained one of the most active launch providers in the sector. The company completed its 12th launch of the year last week, maintaining one of the highest launch cadences among commercial space companies.

Today's rally helps offset a brutal stretch for the group. Rocket Lab shares had fallen over 35% over the prior month, while Planet Labs stock was down more than 40% and AST SpaceMobile stock was down around 30% over the same window.

markets

Jake Lahut6/29/26

Comcast shares rise on news of NBCUniversal spinoff deal

Comcast rose on the news that the telecom behemoth is spinning off NBCUniversal and Sky from its cable portfolio.

Comcast initially jumped up to 17% in early trading, with the deal leaving management to focus on its core verticals of cable, wireless, and business services.

NBCUniversal and Sky will form a new publicly traded company, similar to Versant Media, the holding company of CNBC and MS NOW that Comcast officially spun off in January. Bravo, one of the most lucrative properties that remained at Comcast, will remain part of NBCUniversal in the deal. The Universal theme parks and studios will also come with the new spinoff entity, along with Telemundo and Peacock.

Mike Cavanagh, the co-CEO of Comcast, will become the CEO for NBCUniversal, according to CNBC.

The spinoff will be completed in about a year, according to a Comcast company statement. Its shareholders will also own shares in NBCUniversal, according to the same statement.

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