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Research Alert: Alphabet Posts Strong Q1 Beat; Cloud Backlog Nearly Doubles

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CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:

GOOG delivered exceptional Q1 results with revenues of $109.9B (+22% Y/Y vs 18% forecast) and EPS of $5.11, well ahead of $2.63 consensus. Google Cloud was the standout with remarkable 63% growth to $20.0B, accelerating from historical rates and demonstrating success in capturing enterprise AI demand. The cloud backlog nearly doubled to over $460B, providing strong future revenue visibility and validating management's AI infrastructure investments. AI momentum is generating high ROI across the ecosystem, with Gemini models processing 16B tokens per minute (+60% Q/Q) and driving usage expansion across core products, including Search revenues of $60.4B (+19%). Operating leverage remains strong despite heavy AI investments, with operating margin expanding 200 bps to 36.1% and operating income growing 30% to $39.7B. We believe the diversified growth reinforces platform strength, with Google Services growing 16% and emerging initiatives like Waymo showing progress with 500k autonomous rides weekly.

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Research Alert: CFRA Keeps Buy Opinion On Adss Of Barclays Plc

CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:We adjust our 12-month target price to USD27 from USD30. This is derived by applying a 9.1x P/E multiple to our 2026 EPS forecast. The premium over its five-year historical average forward P/E of 6.4x is justified by its improved profitability profile, earnings resilience and capital return visibility. We maintain our 2026 EPS forecast of GBP0.55 and our 2027 EPS forecast at GBP0.62. Our Buy rating is reinforced by a strong Q1 2026 performance, which serves as proof of the bank's ambitious strategic plan. Barclays showed striking resilience by absorbing about GBP333 million in notable one-off charges, including a GBP228 million fraud-related impairment and a GBP105 million motor finance provision, while still delivering a robust 13.5% RoTE. Management's commitment to shareholder returns was reaffirmed with the announcement of a new GBP500M share buyback, adding significant credibility to the multi-year framework of distributing over GBP15B to shareholders between 2026 and 2028.

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Research Alert: CFRA Reiterates Sell Opinion On Shares Of Starbucks Corporation

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Research Alert: Firstenergy Q1 Delivers 7.5% Eps Growth; Reaffirms Top-end Growth Targets

CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:FirstEnergy delivered strong Q1 results with core EPS of $0.72, in line with consensus, and 7.5% EPS growth driven by formula rate investment returns. Revenue increased 10.5% to $4.2B with meaningful ROE improvement to 9.8%, supported by $1.4B in capital deployments (up 33%). Earnings growth was broad-based across segments, with Distribution leading at $0.03 per share contribution from higher rates and disciplined expense management, while transmission segments benefited from robust rate base expansion of 11-19%. Management reaffirmed 2026 core EPS guidance of $2.62-$2.82 and long-term growth targets near the top of the 6-8% CAGR range through 2030. The $36B Energize365 capital plan for 2026-2030 represents a 30% increase over the previous program and should drive ~10% compounded annual rate base growth. Customer demand showed modest improvement with weather-adjusted sales up 0.5%, while 90% of investment increases were in formula rate programs providing regulatory certainty.

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