Novo Nordisk Under Pressure
Novo Nordisk is facing growing challenges in the obesity treatment market, with its stock down over 50% in the past year. The decline reflects rising competition, unmet expectations for new drugs, and regulatory uncertainty. U.S. based Eli Lilly has gained ground with its drug Zepbound, which shows greater average weight loss than Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy. While Novo Nordisk argues that comparisons are misleading due to dosage differences and patient profiles, the market has responded more favorably to Eli Lilly’s results. Novo Nordisk’s experimental drug CagriSema showed promise, with patients losing up to 22% of body weight. However, only 40% reached the 25% target investors had hoped for, leading to disappointment. The company also struggled with unauthorized compounded versions of its drugs in the U.S., sold at a fraction of the price during supply shortages. Although regulators have moved to limit these practices, some pharmacies continue to offer them. Adding to the pressure, a new U.S. policy aims to align drug prices with those in other developed countries. This could hurt European exporters like Novo Nordisk more than domestic U.S. firms.
TotalEnergies Powers Up Brand Strategy
TotalEnergies has announced a strategic partnership with the Tour de France, securing its position as the official energy sponsor for both the men’s and women’s races from 2026 through 2028. This move marks a significant step in the company’s broader effort to deepen its engagement with the French public and reinforce its visibility across the country. Beginning with the 113th edition of the Tour in 2026, TotalEnergies will activate a wide-reaching promotional campaign, including a presence in the Tour’s iconic publicity caravan across all 21 stages of the men’s race and the 9 stages of the women’s event. The initiative is designed to connect with the millions of spectators who line the roads each summer, many of whom are already customers of the company’s 3,300 service stations and 6 million electricity and gas accounts. In addition to its official partnership, TotalEnergies has finalized a jersey sponsorship agreement with the INEOS Grenadiers cycling team, further embedding its brand within the professional cycling ecosystem. Chairman and CEO Patrick Pouyanné highlighted the importance of the partnership, noting that it reflects the company’s century-long presence in France and its commitment to serving communities where its 33,000 employees live and work. “This collaboration allows us to meet millions of French citizens each year and celebrate a shared passion for cycling,” he said. The Tour de France remains one of the most beloved sporting events in France, offering TotalEnergies a powerful platform to enhance brand loyalty and demonstrate its commitment to sustainability and innovation in the energy sector.
EU Probes Acquisition of Kellanova
Mars Incorporated’s proposed $36 billion acquisition of Kellanova, the parent company of Pringles and Kellogg’s cereals, is facing a formal investigation by the European Commission (EC)
American Express Elevates Card Experience
American Express is set to launch a significant refresh of its U.S. Consumer and Business Platinum Cards later this year, marking the largest investment in the product’s history.
Prosus exceeds Expectations
Dutch technology investor Prosus NV (XAMS-PRX) disclosed that its core headline earnings for the full year reached $7.4 billion, marking a 47% increase compared to the previous year and surpassing its financial goals, thanks to its growth in lifestyle e-commerce.
Etihad Airways Poised for IPO
Etihad Airways (XADS-ETIHAD) has confirmed its readiness to go public, with the final decision now resting in the hands of its shareholders. Group CEO Antonoaldo Neves stated that while no official date has been set for the initial public offering (IPO), the airline is fully prepared to proceed once it receives the green light. “We’re IPO-ready. The moment our shareholders decide, we can move forward,” Neves said during a recent interview. He emphasized the airline’s robust financial health, noting that its strong balance sheet positions it well for a public listing. The potential IPO aligns with a broader trend in the UAE, where several state-linked enterprises have gone public in recent years to deepen capital markets. Investor appetite remains strong, as evidenced by the recent oversubscription of Dubai Residential REIT’s IPO by 26 times. In the first quarter of 2025, Etihad reported a record after-tax profit of AED 685 million, marking a 30% year-on-year increase. Revenue rose 15% to AED 6.6 billion, driven by growth in both passenger and cargo operations. The airline carried 5 million passengers during the quarter, with a load factor of 87%. Etihad is also aggressively expanding its fleet. The airline recently confirmed an order for 28 wide-body Boeing aircraft, including 787s and 777Xs, with deliveries starting in 2028. Neves revealed that over the past few years, Etihad has quietly acquired or leased more than 60 aircraft, bringing its fleet from around 70 in 2022 to 100 today. “We prefer a flexible approach to fleet expansion,” Neves explained. “Rather than locking in large orders, we make smaller, strategic purchases to maintain adaptability.” Meanwhile, Emirates Airline has also indicated IPO readiness, with its leadership stating that a public listing would proceed if directed by the Dubai government. As the UAE continues to position itself as a global financial hub, the potential listing of Etihad Airways could mark another milestone in the region’s economic diversification strategy.
Klarna Meets Telecom
Swedish fintech company Klarna has announced its entry into the U.S. mobile services market with the launch of a new unlimited 5G plan, priced at $40 per month. This move places Klarna among a growing number of financial technology firms expanding into telecommunications to diversify their revenue streams. The mobile plan will be powered by Gigs, a U.S.-based startup backed by Google. Gigs enables companies to become mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) by leveraging existing infrastructure in this case, through a partnership with AT&T without owning the physical network. Klarna’s CEO, Sebastian Siemiatkowski, described the initiative as a natural extension of the company’s neobank ambitions, aiming to address everyday consumer needs. With over 25 million users in the U.S., Klarna is prioritizing the American market for this launch, with plans to expand to the UK, Germany, and other regions later in the year. This trend of fintechs entering the telecom space is gaining momentum. Companies like Revolut, N26, and Nubank have already introduced mobile services in various countries. Outside the fintech sector, notable figures such as actor Ryan Reynolds and even the Trump family business have also ventured into mobile services. According to Mordor Intelligence, the U.S. MVNO market is projected to grow from $14.83 billion in 2025 to $20.84 billion by 2030.
Nissan and Renault Loosen Ties
Nissan Motor is reportedly preparing to reduce its equity stake in long time alliance partner Renault, according to a report by the Nikkei. The move would align with the automaker’s strategy to reallocate capital toward new vehicle development amid a challenging global automotive landscape. Currently holding a 15% stake in Renault, Nissan is considering selling approximately 5%, which could generate around 100 billion yen (roughly $640 million) based on current market valuations. This potential divestment follows a March agreement between the two companies to lower their mutual minimum shareholding thresholds from 15% to 10%. Under the terms of their revised alliance, any share transactions must be coordinated and include a right of first refusal, ensuring both parties maintain strategic oversight. Ivan Espinosa, Nissan’s Chief Executive Officer, emphasized the company’s focus on product innovation. “We are bringing down our cross-shareholdings in order to invest in vehicles,” he told the Nikkei. Despite the potential sale, Nissan confirmed that its cooperative framework with Renault remains unchanged. In a statement, the company noted that while no final decision has been made, proceeds from any future share sale would likely be directed toward product development initiatives. The development comes as Renault faces its own leadership transition, with CEO Luca de Meo announcing his departure to pursue opportunities outside the automotive sector.
Starbucks Taps AI
STARBUCKS CORPORATION (XNAS:SBUX) is seeing renewed investor interest, with shares climbing over 4% to surpass $95 levels not seen since April. The stock is now approaching the $100 mark it last held in March before broader market pressures, including new tariffs, triggered a decline below $80. The rally comes amid a mix of positive developments. Citi analysts raised their price target for Starbucks from $84 to $95, aligning closely with the stock’s current trading range. The upward revision reflects growing confidence in the company’s turnaround efforts. A key part of Starbucks’ strategy includes the introduction of Green Dot Assist, a new AI powered assistant designed to streamline store operations. The tool will help baristas with tasks such as reviewing beverage recipes and troubleshooting equipment issues. This move is part of a broader initiative to improve efficiency and ensure customers are served within four minutes a central goal of the company’s plan to revitalize traffic and sales. In addition to operational improvements, Starbucks is also exploring strategic options in China, where its business has faced challenges. CEO Brian Niccol confirmed that the company is considering selling a minority stake in its underperforming Chinese operations and has already attracted significant interest from potential partners.
Roblox Builds a Broader Ecosystem
Roblox Corporation (XNYS: RBLX) is aiming to capture a significant slice of the $190 billion global gaming industry. Cofounder and CEO Dave Baszucki recently shared the company’s ambitious goal of having 10% of the gaming market operate on the Roblox platform. “We’re seeing more engaging content and a broader demographic reach,” Baszucki said, pointing to the company’s efforts to build a more diverse and global ecosystem of creators and players. Roblox’s first quarter results for 2025 exceeded expectations, driven by increased engagement from users over the age of 13 and the introduction of new gaming genres. The company reported a 29% year-over-year increase in revenue, reaching $1.03 billion. Bookings, which reflect in-game currency sales, rose 31% to $1.2 billion. Average daily active users climbed 26% to 97.8 million, while total hours engaged on the platform surged 30% to 21.7 billion. Looking ahead, Roblox forecasts full year revenue between $4.3 billion and $4.365 billion, representing nearly 20% growth. Adjusted operating profit is projected to range from $205 million to $265 million, with mid-range growth of about 28%. The company’s strong performance has driven its stock to a 52-week high, with shares up 165% over the past year. Despite this rally, the average analyst price target stands at $77.95 approximately 16% below current trading levels suggesting some caution among market watchers.