Despite the weaker-than-expected same-store sales growth, CEO Kevin Johnson remained optimistic about the rest of the year. “With our U.S. business accelerating throughout the quarter and strong performance in China, we are poised to deliver strong revenue growth in the second half and into the future,” said Johnson said in a press release. The company said same-store sales improved as the quarter progressed, culminating with a 4 percent U.S. same-store sales growth in March, and further acceler

Nasdaq 100 futures surged after hours Thursday after encouraging earnings from Amazon.com and Google parent Alphabet. Shares of Amazon.com briefly climbed more than 4 percent in extended trade after reporting earnings per share and revenue well above expectations. The Nasdaq 100 hit a fresh intraday record, but failed to end the day above its record close set on Monday. Nasdaq 100 futures Thursday performanceSource: FactSetNot all big tech stocks rose in after-hours trade. “Companies that did we

For 17 years, I’d been part of a large, supportive community — a womb of sorts — that was actively invested in me reaching my full potential. I left that community to live with eight strangers and write a book alone in a coffee shop for eight hours a day. It was the most difficult transition I’d ever made. Instead of learning to construct their own community, they move from one tight-knit, well-organized community to the next. First-year employees are pictured in groups, hanging out outside of w

Intel reported quarterly earnings that beat analysts’ expectations on Thursday, but overall revenue for the quarter and its key data center group segment was below Wall Street projections. Revenue for the quarter came in slightly below expectations at $14.8 billion, against the comparable year-ago figure of $13.8 billion. The company reported $4.2 billion in revenue for its data center group segment, missing analyst expectations of $4.349 billion, according to FactSet. Intel continues to move aw

Microsoft shares fell after the company said it reported lower-than-expected revenue, amid lighter volume of its Surface products. Here’s how the company did compared to what the Street expected:EPS : 73 cents vs. 70 cents expected, according to Thomson Reuters consensus: 73 cents vs. 70 cents expected, according to Thomson Reuters consensus Revenue : $23.56 billion vs. $23.62 billion expected, according to Thomson Reuters consensus: $23.56 billion vs. $23.62 billion expected, according to Thoms

[The stream is slated to start at 1 p.m. Please refresh the page if you do not see a player above at that time.] White House press secretary Sean Spicer holds his daily media briefing as markets digest the details of President Donald Trump’s tax-overhaul plan as well as Trump’s agreement not to terminate the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, “at this time.”

Jeff Smith, CEO of activist fund Starboard Value, shared his views on activism and Altaba in an interview Thursday on CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street.” … We don’t go into situations with the primary purpose of getting a company sold or just to do buybacks,” he said. There are a lot of ways to close that gap, to create a value for what will be Altaba shareholders,” Smith said. The Asian assets of Yahoo are not included in the deal and will continue on in a separate company named Altaba. Smith foun

Activist investor Keith Meister, founder of Corvex Management, shares his views on investing in an interview on CNBC’s “Squawk Alley.” They are not equipped to keep and hold individual companies, management teams accountable,” he said. On his work with Yum Brands: “This concept that an active investor goes after bad companies —that’s a mistake,” Meister said. “We should go after good companies with good boards and good managements because we’ll have a better chance of getting them to buy into ou

Trian CIO Ed Garden shared his views on corporate governance, GE and Procter & Gamble in an interview Thursday on CNBC’s “Power Lunch.” On changes happening in corporate governance: “Something big is happening in the public equity markets, and that is that owners are acting like owners,” he said. Public share owners felt that if they didn’t like what was happening at the company, their only option was to sell. Garden is the chief investment officer and co-founder of Trian Partners. To watch the

CNBC held its biggest ever stock draft (coinciding with the NFL draft) Thursday on CNBC’s “Power Lunch,” with eight top teams picking their favorite stock ideas for the investment contest. The 2017 Stock Draft class consists of 50 stocks, with 40 from the CNBC IQ 100, a data-driven index of large-cap companies that best use technology, along with 10 additional popular market names. A winner will be chosen based on the performance of each team’s two stock draft choices from the closing price on A

Israel struck an arms supply hub operated by the Lebanese group Hezbollah near Damascus airport on Thursday, Syrian rebel and regional intelligence sources said, targeting weapons sent from Iran via commercial and military cargo planes. Syrian state media said Israeli missiles hit a military position southwest of the airport, but did not mention arms or fuel. But Intelligence Minister Israel Katz, speaking to Army Radio from the United States, appeared to confirm involvement. Syrian military def

Southwest Airlines reported a lower-than-expected quarterly profit, hit by higher operating expenses and a decline in average fares. U.S. carriers have struggled to mark positive increases in unit revenue as cheaper fares and tougher competition have pummeled the industry. The budget airline’s operating expenses increased 8.8 percent to $4.23 billion and its average passenger fare declined 2.6 percent in the first quarter. Excluding items, the company earned 61 cents per share, compared with est

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said another direct phone call with U.S. President Donald Trumpcould take place again and she urged the self-ruled island’s political rival China to step up to its global responsibility to keep the peace as a large nation. “We don’t exclude the opportunity to call President Trump himself, but it depends on the needs of the situation and the U.S. government’s consideration of regional affairs.” The interview was the first since Trump, as U.S. President-elect, took a

Ford earnings and revenues beat analyst expectations on Thursday. Here’s what the company reported versus what the Street was expecting:EPS: 39 cents, versus 35 cents expected by Thomson One analysts’ consensus. Revenue: $39 billion, versus $34.7 billion expected by Thomson One. The company attributed lower year-over-year profits in part to higher warranty costs, investments in new product opportunities, and rising commodity costs, according to a letter to shareholders. Ford said it still expect

United Parcel Service reported quarterly earnings and revenue that beat analysts’ expectations for revenue and earnings on Thursday. Here’s what analysts polled by Thomson Reuters were expecting:Earnings per share: $1.32 vs. $1.29Revenue: $15.32 $15.17 billionThe company said in an earnings release that all segments contributed to a strong top line. “UPS customers are benefiting from expanded capacity, choice and improved time-in-transit, while technology solutions continue to deliver efficienci

President Donald Trump should release his tax returns on good faith, a Democratic leader told CNBC on Thursday. “I’m glad the president showed the courage to release his tax proposal. The White House said it would be the “biggest tax cut” in U.S. history. Crowely called the tax proposal a “gaping loophole” for the wealthy. Earlier this month, tens of thousands of people had marched in more than 150 cities across the country to demand Trump release his tax returns.

The European Central Bank (ECB) held its benchmark interest rate at zero percent on Thursday and left monetary policy unchanged. Investors will be eagerly anticipating any change in tone from ECB President Mario Draghi when he addresses the media on Thursday after an improvement in economic data and a significant uptick in confidence indicators since the March meeting. However given French voters are due to elect a new president on May 7, many observers have predicted ECB policymakers would choo

The White House meant to make the tax plan outline it released Wednesday vague, budget chief Mick Mulvaney said Thursday. “There’s no way to score what we put out yesterday. Not to try and hide the numbers but to say, look, this is the first discussion,” the Office of Management and Budget director told CNBC’s “Squawk Box.” Mulvaney said the White House “learned a lesson” from the failed first effort to replace the Affordable Care Act, which was spearheaded by House Speaker Paul Ryan. The Trump

Southwest Airlines — The airline fell two cents short of estimates with adjusted quarterly profit of 61 cents per share, while revenue was also below forecasts. Dow Chemical — The chemical maker reported adjusted quarterly profit of $1.04 per share, falling 12 cents short of estimates, though revenue did beat forecasts. Bristol-Myers Squibb — The drug maker reported adjusted quarterly profit of 84 cents per share, ten cents above estimates. Las Vegas Sands — The hotel casino operator reported ad

Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross told CNBC on Thursday it appears that Canada and Mexico are ready to start renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement. Despite earlier indications, President Donald Trump, in separate Wednesday afternoon phone calls with Mexico and Canada, agreed not to terminate NAFTA “at this time.” In a veiled swipe at Mexico, Ross said on CNBC, “Mexico’s trade deficit with China is approximately equal to their trade surplus to us. He’s implying that China goods are b