US tech stocks lift Nasdaq in extended trading

The Bank of Japan

As expected, the Bank of Japan kept interest rates unchanged. The short-term interest rate target remains in the range of 0-0.1%. The vote was unanimous. The bank also issued fresh estimates, projecting inflation to stay near its 2% target in the next three years. Ex-fresh food and fuel costs: the Bank of Japan (BOJ) sees inflation hitting 1.9% in the current fiscal year that began in April, followed by 1.9% in fiscal 2025 and 2.1% in fiscal 2026.

British consumer sentiment

British consumer sentiment is back at two-year highs. The GfK consumer confidence index rose to -19 in April from -21 in March, matching January's reading, which was the highest since January 2022, just before the jump in energy costs triggered by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast a slightly smaller rise to -20.

Natwest

NatWest published a Q1 2024 attributable profit of £918 million and a return on tangible equity of 14.2%. Net interest income was down from £2.9 billion to £2.65 billion.

The BHP

Anglo American has said it does not believe the BHP offer for the business makes sense for investors. The offer, at £31.1 billion or £25.08 per share, a premium of 31% to the market close on Wednesday, is not going to be enough.

Airbus

Watch out for Airbus at the airport in Paris. Yesterday afternoon, after Europe equity markets had closed, the aircraft maker posted weaker-than-expected first-quarter earnings. It reaffirmed its financial goals for 2024 and announced a higher output target for its A350 model. Airbus intends to produce 12 wide-body aircraft a month in 2028.

Alphabet

Over in the US, Google owner Alphabet has seen shares rally to a new record high after results that topped estimates. It also announced its very first dividend of 20 cents per share to be paid on June 17 to stockholders of record as of June 10. The company "intends to pay quarterly cash dividends in the future."

Snap

Snap beat forecasts, and its shares soared on a big recovery in revenues. Earnings per share came in at 3 cents, against expectations of a loss of 5 cents. Microsoft also beat forecasts. The company's Intelligent Cloud segment, including Azure, Windows Server, Nuance, and GitHub, produced $26.71 billion in revenue. Intel shares hit a 10-month low after its first quarter earnings, as the company's Q2 outlook fell short of Wall Street's estimates, sending the stock sliding.

ExxonMobil

Exxon Mobil is due to report its quarterly earnings before the market opens. The street anticipates earnings per share to rise to $2.21 on revenues of $78.31 billion. Alongside the earnings release, investors want to hear more details on how ExxonMobil is considering integrating assets from Pioneer Natural Resources, acquired for $60 billion in late October last year. ExxonMobil has increased its stock repurchase programme from $10 billion to $30 billion. The energy giant has planned to execute the repurchase programme through next year. Also before the bell, Chevron.earnings per share (EPS) is expected at $2.96 per share, to be compared with the $3.55 reported in Q1 last year. Revenue is also expected to decline to $47.19 billion, from just over $50 billion last year.