Brazil’s largest meatpacking company, JBS SA, secured shareholder approval Friday for its long-expected dual listing plan, clearing the last condition needed for the company to begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). 

According to local media outlet InfoMoney, the decision, already priced in by the market, made JBS shares rise to R$43.41 at 11 a.m. local time, up 2.71%, after a temporary trading halt in the morning.

JBS’s certification of 100% confirmations in Japan in June 2022 marks a significant step towards global financial conquest.

JBS SA’s current shares would be combined into a new Dutch holding company, JBS Participações, which will serve as the international listing platform.

From controversy to clearance

The vote came after a contentious run-up to Friday’s decision. Initial results announced a day earlier suggested shareholders were against the dual listing by a small majority.

One of the main issues was the controversial dual-class share structure, which would dilute minority shareholder power.

According to the authorised model, each two shares of JBS SA will be swapped for one mandatorily redeemable preferred share, which will thereafter convert into a Brazilian Depositary Receipt (BDR) backed by a Class A share of JBS NV.

Shareholders in control will most likely have this structure to effectuate such voting power. As of now, 48.34% of voting shares are owned by the Batista clan, who founded the company and still control it.

And after the restructuring, its estimated voting power of Batistas could reach as high as 85%, further increasing its influence in corporate decisions.

Minority shareholders and governance implications

Governance advocates and institutional investors have become increasingly concerned about the dual-class share structure.

While experts believe that exposure to the United States will raise valuation multiples and attract global capital, minority shareholders are concerned about the centralisation of voting power.

Critics believe that the new system reduces minority monitoring and may insulate the leadership from shareholder accountability.

Several consulting companies have voiced cautions about the governance implications of this design, claiming it could have long-term consequences for transparency and board response.

A decade in the making

The approval ends a saga that has spanned more than a decade.

JBS has previously sought a US listing but has stumbled over many hurdles, including the fallout from the Lava Jato corruption probe and opposition from influential shareholders.

Back in 2016, the proposal was prevented partly due to opposition from the Brazilian Development Bank’s investment arm (BNDES), which was then the biggest shareholder outside the Batista family.

Nevertheless, BNDES has been gradually decreasing its ownership and earlier this year made a deal not to vote on the dual listing.

Political and environmental pushback

The dual listing concept has also sparked interest outside of financial circles.

Environmental organisations and politicians have highlighted concerns about JBS’s track record on sustainability, market consolidation, and ethical behaviour.

In 2024, a bipartisan group of US senators wrote a formal letter to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) pushing it to prohibit the company’s listing in the US, citing corruption and environmental dangers.

Despite these concerns, JBS has highlighted the possible benefits of the relocation. According to the corporation, the new corporate structure would improve corporate governance, provide access to international investors, and lower the overall cost of capital.

The post Brazilian meat giant JBS clears path for US listing with Dutch-based holding structure appeared first on Invezz

Oklo Inc (NASDAQ: OKLO) rallied more than 20% on Friday following reports that the US President, Donald Trump, will soon sign an executive order that will accelerate the construction of nuclear reactors.

Moreover, the Trump administration is fully committed to securing key materials for the nuclear industry as well, the reports added.

Following today’s surge, Oklo stock is up nearly 150% versus its year-to-date low in early April.

Details of the expected executive order

According to sources that spoke with Reuters on condition of anonymity today, President Trump could sign the aforementioned executive order as early as Friday.

The US currently depends on the likes of China and Russia for nuclear fuel processing, enriched uranium, and key materials used in advanced reactors.

But the White House, later today, will invoke the Defense Production Act to declare it a national emergency and order accelerated construction of nuclear reactors in the US, the sources added.

Additionally, the President will order federal agencies to fast-track permits for nuclear facilities.

That said, Oklo shares are still down more than 10% versus their year-to-date high.

Why does it matter for Oklo stock?

Today’s reports are majorly positive for OKLO stock as an executive order from President Trump could accelerate the company’s projects, reduce its operational costs, and unlock federal funding for advanced nuclear technologies.

Oklo specializes in small modular reactors (SMRs), which are gaining traction as a stable energy source for AI data centers and industrial applications.

If the executive order streamlines regulatory approvals and promotes nuclear energy adoption, Oklo could secure new partnerships and revenue streams.

The news arrives only days after Oklo reported encouraging results for its fiscal Q1.

The nuclear technology company lost just 7 cents on a per-share basis in its first quarter, down significantly from $4.79 a share of loss in the same quarter last year.

Oklo shares do not currently pay a dividend, though.

Wedbush raises price target on Oklo shares

Following the Reuters report this morning, Wedbush analyst Dan Ives reiterated his “outperform” rating on Oklo stock and raised his price target to $55.

His upwardly revised price objective suggests OKLO is on track to recovering fully to its all-time high, which translates to potential for a more than 10% gain from here.

In his research note, Ives told clients that his revised estimates reflect the company’s leadership position in the advanced nuclear reactors market.

In particular, the analyst touted Oklo’s unique business model where its sells nuclear energy directly to customers via long-term contracts.

Other Wall Street analysts agree with Dan Ives’ positive view on the power stock as well, given the consensus rating on the NYSE listed firm currently sits at “overweight” with price targets going as high as $58.  

The post What made Oklo stock soar 20% on Friday? appeared first on Invezz

US stocks have been in a sharp uptrend ever since President Trump announced a 90-day truce with China that significantly trims reciprocal tariffs the two nations had imposed on each other’s items.

The rally has even pushed a handful of the American tech stocks into the ‘overbought’ territory. Still, experts at the Bank of America Securities believe some of them could rip even higher from here.

These include Palantir Technologies and Cadence Design Systems. Let’s take a closer look at what these two have in store for investors in 2025.

Palantir Technologies Inc (NASDAQ: PLTR)

Palantir stock is significantly more expensive compared to even the AI darling, Nvidia, at writing.

Still, Bank of America analysts led by Mariana Perez Mora are convinced that PLTR is not really done pleasing its shareholders yet.

In its latest research note, the investment firm raised the price target on Palantir shares to $150, which indicates potential for another 15% upside from current levels.

BofA remains positive on the AI stock despite a close to 75% rally over the past month, primarily because the big data analytics firm has a differentiated offering for investors.

“We see Palantir as the market definer for organisations leveraging artificial intelligence to drive accelerated tangible results,” she told clients in a report last week.

Mora particularly touted the accelerated speed as well as scale at which the Nasdaq-listed firm deploys products and onboards customers.

Her bullish note arrives shortly after Palantir reported a strong Q1 and raised its revenue guidance for the full year. That said, the company based out of Denver, Colorado remains unattractive for income investors given it does not currently pay a dividend.

Cadence Design Systems Inc (NASDAQ: CDNS)

Cadence Design Systems is also expensive on forward price-to-earnings basis than NVDA at the time of writing.

Still, analysts at the Bank of America Securities recommend owning it at current levels as it’s a “high quality compounder with resilient complexity leverage.”

More importantly, CDNS is relatively more insulated than its tech peers from tariff-related risks. “We like Cadence’s leading position in an EDA (Electronic Design Automation) industry that’s levered to the same secular trends as semis but with much more muted cyclicality,” they added in their latest research note.

BofA likes Cadence shares for the strength of the company’s financials as well. Earlier in May, the multinational based out of San Jose, California reported a strong first quarter and raised its outlook for the full year.

“CDNS has defensiveness/scarcity value and is a unique beneficiary of rising chip complexity,” the investment firm told clients in its recent report.

Much like PLTR, however, the semiconductor stock is not a suitable pick for income investors either, as it does not currently pay a dividend yield.

The post These 2 ‘overvalued’ US tech stocks could rip higher in the second half of 2025 appeared first on Invezz

Apple is staring down a major supply chain and pricing dilemma after President Donald Trump on Friday threatened to impose a 25% tariff on all iPhones sold in the United States unless the tech giant begins manufacturing the devices domestically.

Trump’s remarks, posted on Truth Social and reiterated later to reporters at the White House, are the latest escalation in his push for US-based production by large multinationals.

“I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhones that will be sold in the United States of America will be manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else,” Trump wrote, warning that otherwise “a Tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple.”

The president’s comments come as Apple has been ramping up production in India, seeking to diversify away from its heavy reliance on Chinese manufacturing amid rising geopolitical tensions and pandemic-era disruptions.

CEO Tim Cook recently said more iPhones sold in the US would be made in India, a shift that may now be politically fraught.

Analysts say iPhone making in the US unfeasible; say threat a negotiation tactic

Apple shares dropped almost 3% on Friday trading following Trump’s post, falling to $195.44.

The prospect of steep tariffs raised concerns across financial markets, with analysts warning of significant cost implications and logistical hurdles should Apple try to comply.

Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives estimated that manufacturing iPhones in the US could push retail prices to $3,500, a dramatic increase from today’s average $1,000.

“We see no chance that iPhone production starts to happen in the US in the near-term given the upside down cost model and Herculean-like supply chain logistics needed for such an initiative,” Ives wrote in a research note on Friday.

Morningstar analyst William Kerwin echoed those sentiments, describing domestic iPhone manufacturing as unfeasible in the medium term.

“To us, this is a negotiating tactic aimed at driving greater US investment from Apple, likely in the form of domestic chip investment and potentially production of lower-volume devices than the flagship iPhone,” he said.

Potential strategies for Apple under tariff threat

Faced with this new pressure, Apple may explore various strategies to blunt the impact of a potential tariff hike.

Morgan Stanley analyst Erik Woodring suggested that Apple could cut less profitable models from its iPhone lineup, focusing instead on higher-margin units to reduce the blow.

A “targeted iPhone mix shift could significantly minimize the tariff headwind,” Woodring wrote in a note to clients last month.

Another option floated by analysts involves stretching the product release cycle.

Bank of America analyst Wamsi Mohan said Apple could switch from an annual to a biennial launch schedule, simplifying supply chains and production timelines.

Apple may also decide to confront the administration directly, publicly tying higher prices to Trump’s trade stance.

One proposal discussed in analyst circles is for Apple to add a “tariff surcharge” to each US sales receipt, making consumers aware of how much more they’re paying because of the new tariffs.

Constraints that limit Apple’s US production

For now, most analysts agree that relocating iPhone production to the US is impractical.

Apple’s manufacturing relies heavily on China-based partner Foxconn, which employs hundreds of thousands of workers and taps into a dense web of suppliers, logistics firms, and engineers—none of which are easily replicable in the US.

“The idea of Apple producing iPhones in the US is a fairy tale that is not feasible,” Ives said, adding that even if the company decided to pursue the move, it would take five to ten years to make it a reality.

The challenges are not new.

In 2011, when President Barack Obama asked Apple co-founder Steve Jobs what it would take to make iPhones in the US, Jobs reportedly replied, “Those jobs aren’t coming back,” referring to Asia’s unmatched industrial infrastructure and labour scale.

Some of Apple’s suppliers, such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, are expanding US operations under pressure.

However, Foxconn appears unlikely to significantly boost its American footprint.

The firm scaled back a highly publicized $10 billion Wisconsin plant and has instead committed $1.49 billion to its India operations.

Likely bearing of 25% tariff on Apple’s earnings

UBS analyst David Vogt estimated that if a 25% tariff were applied to 70 million iPhones annually imported from China and India, Apple’s earnings per share could take a hit of about $0.51.

Wall Street currently expects Apple to earn $7.18 per share this fiscal year.

As pressure mounts from Washington, Apple is left navigating a volatile mix of political demands, economic realities, and consumer expectations.

Whether Trump’s threat is a hard policy shift or a negotiation tactic, it has already forced a reckoning over the limits of globalization and the fragility of tech supply chains.

The post “No chance” iPhones can be made in the US, analysts say — options Apple could explore instead to tackle tariffs appeared first on Invezz