Sector Update: Tech Stocks Gain Friday Afternoon

-- Tech stocks were higher Friday afternoon, with the State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) rising 1.5% and the State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) adding 1%.

The Philadelphia Semiconductor index increased 0.6%.

In corporate news, Apple (AAPL) jumped 4% after the company overnight reported a year-over-year surge in fiscal Q2 earnings and revenue. Apple's board also raised its quarterly dividend and approved an additional share buyback program of up to $100 billion.

Reddit (RDDT) shares surged 14% after it provided an upbeat revenue outlook at the midpoint for Q2 on the back of stronger-than-expected results in the previous three-month period.

Meta Platforms (META) has acquired Assured Robot Intelligence, a startup that develops AI models for robots, as part of its effort to create humanoid technology, Bloomberg reported. Meta shares were up 0.4%.

Update: WTI Oil Falls As Iran Offers New Peace Plan

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil closed lower Friday as Iran made a new peace proposal, however U.S. President Trump rejected the plan.WTI crude oil for June delivery closed down US$3.13 to US$101.94 per barrel, while July Brent oil was last seen down US$2.177 to US$108.23.Reuters reported Iran offered a new proposal to reach a peace deal with the United States. While details were not disclosed Trump rejected the plan, telling reporters he was not satisfied with the plan. However he confirmed indirect talks mediated by Pakistan are continuing by phone.Oil remains in short supply following the closure of the Strait, the chokepoint for exports from the Persian Gulf nations that accounted for 20% of daily demand. The lack of supply has pushed up crude oil prices by more than half since the Feb.28 start of the war amid shortages of crude oil and refined products, with Nymex gasoline futures up 81% since the war began while supplies of aviation are tightening.The supply crunch comes ahead of the May 23 start to the Memorial Day weekend, the traditional start of the summer driving season, when demand for fuel peaks, which is likely to push prices even higher."With summer demand season quickly approaching, we see a path for oil prices to exceed the 2022 and even 2008 highs, especially as sentiment may finally be shifting on the duration of the Hormuz blockage," Helima Croft, Head of Global Commodity Strategy and MENA Research at RBC Capital Markets, wrote.

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GoDaddy Faces AI Fears Head-On, RBC Says

GoDaddy (GDDY) reported a "very clean" Q1 and reiterated its full-year outlook even as the stock likely more priced for a guide down, RBC Capital Markets said in a note Friday.The report pointed to positives in the quarter, including bookings for its Applications and Commerce that decelerated in-line to 9% which was expected after last quarter's discounting."Discounting continues but is stable and given the AI concerns,A&C must maintain at least LDD growth rates going forward if the stock is to work," the note said.The report also said margins came in ahead, making the rest of the year look like a lay-up.RBC kept its outperform rating with a price target of $95.Price: $86.93, Change: $+0.13, Percent Change: +0.16%

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CIBC Raises Its Primaris REIT Price Target By C$2, Reiterates its Outperformer Rating

CIBC Capital Markets reiterated its outperformer rating on the shares of Primaris Real Estate Investment Trust (PMZ-UN.TO) while raising its price target to C$22.00 from C$20.00 on Thursday, following PMZ's first quarter results on Wednesday.PMZ reported Q1 FFO/unit of $0.425 (-3.2% Y/Y), broadly in line with consensus, noted CIBC."Our 2027 FFO/unit estimate rises by near 2%, as we better reflect the improved leasing cadence on the ground," said CIBC, adding it $22 price target is based on an 11 times 2027 estimated FFO/unit multiple (10.2 times previously), translating to a 5% discount to the bank's revised one-year-out NAV (9% previously), "reflective of its risk, growth prospects, and leverage versus peers."CIBC also reiterated its belief that PMZ unitholders will benefit from occupancy improvements and rent growth over the long term. Tenant relationships for mall operators matter given the reach of their typically national tenant base, CIBC said. Controlling increasingly more productive assets through acquisition and organic growth will increase PMZ's importance to these national tenants, the bank added."PMZ's ability to fund its capex and distribution from its own rents and low balance sheet leverage drive a lower financial risk profile that offsets the risk of owning a higher-risk asset class in enclosed malls," added CIBC. Trading at an implied cap rate of near 8.7% on achievable forecasts, CIBC believes investors are being well compensated for the operating risks involved with owning PMZ units (e.g., anchor tenant transitions) versus the balance of the large-cap Canadian retail REIT universe (trading at estimated implied cap rates of 5.8%-7.1%)."CIBC noted on the call that Primaris will provide a detailed update on its HBC progress in the next 60 days, once it has a significant number of fully executed leases in place, and also that CRU leasing momentum "accelerated meaningfully" in Q1, with management highlighting record new deal volumes and pricing.Price: $19.01, Change: $+0.14, Percent Change: +0.74%

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