Vivakor stock rises after company secures first international fuel deal

Investing.com -- U.S. stocks edged higher Thursday, as investors digested the latest labor market data ahead of next week’s Federal Reserve policy-setting meeting.

At 09:35 ET (14:35 GMT), the Dow Jones Industrial Average traded 95 points, or 0.2%, higher, the S&P 500 gained 8 points, or 0.1%, and the NASDAQ Composite climbed 18 points, or 0.1%.

Weekly jobless claims decline

The number of Americans applying for first-time unemployment benefits declined to a three-year low last week.

Seasonally-adjusted initial jobless claims came in at 191,000 in the week ending on November 29, according to Labor Department data. It was a decrease of 27,000 from an upwardly-revised level of 218,000 in the prior week, and the lowest mark since September 2022.

Thursday’s numbers come as investors are widely expecting the Federal Reserve to slash interest rates at its upcoming monetary policy meeting ending on December 10 in a bid to support a weakening labor market. Recent data has appeared to indicate that while layoffs and firings have remained low, demand for Americans looking for work has stayed muted.

Although there has been a relative dearth of more comprehensive official employment data due to a record-long federal government shutdown, the Fed argued at meetings in October and September that there is enough evidence of a slowing in the job market to warrant an easing in borrowing costs.

Adding to the dovish sentiment is growing speculation over the next Fed leadership. Reports that the Trump administration abruptly cancelled interviews with other Fed chair candidates have strengthened the view that Kevin Hassett -- widely perceived as more dovish than current chair Jerome Powell -- could take the helm in 2026.

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Salesforce lifts 2026 guidance

In the corporate sector, Salesforce (NYSE:CRM) shares rose after the software company lifted its fiscal 2026 revenue and adjusted income guidance.

Underpinning the upbeat outlook were projections for strong growth in demand for the group’s AI-enhanced agent platform, especially among its enterprise clients.

Five Below (NASDAQ:FIVE) stock also climbed after the value retailer reported third-quarter earnings that significantly beat analyst expectations, driven by robust comparable sales growth and successful store expansion.

By contrast, Snowflake (NYSE:SNOW) stock dropped sharply after the cloud-based data storage stock provided a slightly disappointing outlook for its product revenue growth for the January quarter.

Elsewhere, Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) will be in the spotlight after Brussels opened a new antitrust investigation into the tech giant over its rollout of artificial intelligence features in WhatsApp, the European Commission said on Thursday, reflecting rising scrutiny of Big Tech’s use of generative AI.

Bloomberg News also reported that Meta is expected to make up to 30% budget cuts for its Metaverse initiative.

Crude edges higher

Oil prices rose after more strikes on Russian oil infrastructure raised threats to global supply, adding to the lack of progress in diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

Brent futures climbed 0.3% to $62.83 a barrel, and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures advanced 0.3% to $59.15 a barrel.

A Reuters report on Wednesday, citing sources, said that Ukrainian forces struck the Druzhba pipeline in Russia’s central Tambov region, reviving concerns over potential disruptions to Russian oil exports.

At the same time, high-level peace talks between U.S. and Russian officials concluded without any breakthrough earlier this week.

Ayushman Ojha contributed to this article

Investing.com -- European building and construction stocks present compelling investment opportunities for 2026, with several companies positioned for significant growth according to Jefferies analysts.

Their latest research highlights potential catalysts across the sector, from pricing power to market recovery and strategic capital allocation.

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Heidelberg (Buy, Price Target €300)

Jefferies analysts see Heidelberg as undervalued at 13x 2026 PE ratio, with multiple growth drivers ahead. Price increases across Europe are expected to drive near-term upgrades, while potential industry consolidation could maintain strong pricing momentum.

The company is well-positioned to benefit from European market recovery through 2026, with additional cost savings amplifying regional leverage.

Analysts highlight that strategic capital allocation through M&A and share buybacks should provide further upside potential.

Heidelberg Materials has also received several analyst upgrades, including from Barclays to Overweight and from both UBS and Goldman Sachs to Buy, with the firms noting factors such as carbon pricing benefits and structural tailwinds.

Saint-Gobain (Buy, Price Target €144.5)

With a price target suggesting over 65% upside potential, Saint-Gobain offers a compelling risk/reward profile according to Jefferies. The company trades at 11.8x 2026 PE, approximately 50% lower than sector peers.

Analysts identify several catalysts for 2026, including reassurance on European growth, improved US profitability, and emerging market expansion opportunities.

However, they suggest a return to meaningful M&A activity could be the most significant trigger to remind investors of the company’s structural transformation.

Saint Gobain also saw BofA Securities resume coverage on its stock with a Buy rating and a price target of EUR105.00.

Persimmon (Buy, Price Target 1815p)

Jefferies names Persimmon as their top pick among UK housebuilders. The company’s northern-focused land bank and continued momentum in outlet openings are expected to drive growth into 2026.

Analysts highlight that positive price and margin mix from premium brand offerings should differentiate Persimmon from competitors. Progress through limited building safety provisions could enable increased capital returns. Trading at 1.1x P/NTAV while forecasted to achieve over 13% ROE in 2026, analysts see significant value.

In recent developments, Persimmon PLC reported positive sales growth and a substantial increase in forward sales for its third quarter of 2025. The company also received a rating upgrade to Outperform from RBC Capital, which noted its success in opening new construction sites.

Geberit (Buy, Price Target CHF732)

Despite commanding the sector’s highest valuation at 22.1x 2026E EV/EBITDA, Jefferies believes Geberit’s fundamentals justify the premium. The company’s two largest markets, Germany and Switzerland (approximately 40% of sales), show clear catalysts for renovation growth.

Analysts suggest consensus estimates may underestimate the disproportionate margin benefits these markets could deliver, along with potential volume boosts from inventory restocking ahead of market recovery.

JPMorgan upgraded its rating on Geberit AG to Neutral from Underweight, citing the company’s strong performance and its recently raised like-for-like growth expectation of 4.5%.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Investing.com -- Massimo Group (NASDAQ:MAMO) stock tumbled 17.1% in premarket trading Thursday after the company announced the establishment of a new robotics division that appears to have raised investor concerns about the company’s strategic direction.

The powersports and electric vehicle manufacturer revealed it has formed Massimo AI Technology, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary focused on developing robotic systems for industrial automation and logistics applications. The new division represents what the company described as a "measured and strategic step" into expanding global markets for industrial and service robotics.

According to the announcement, the robotics programs are currently in early research and development phases, with no specific commercialization timelines provided. The company is building an integrated supply platform to support future robotics products, including core mechanical and electrical systems, control hardware, and sensor integration technologies.

David Shan, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Massimo Group, called the expansion "a natural extension" of the company’s manufacturing capabilities. "Our experience in electric systems, manufacturing, and global operations provides a strong foundation as we begin building the next phase of our technology portfolio," Shan stated.

The company indicated that the new division is expected to broaden Massimo’s technology base, provide potential entry points into high-growth automation sectors, and diversify long-term revenue opportunities.

However, the significant stock drop suggests investors may be concerned about the company’s shift in focus or potential capital requirements for the new venture, as Massimo moves beyond its established businesses into the competitive robotics sector.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Investing.com -- Skycorp Solar Group Limited (NASDAQ:PN) stock rose 3.7% in premarket trading Thursday after the solar PV product provider announced a share repurchase program of up to $2 million.

The company, which manufactures and sells solar cables and connectors, has already repurchased 60,000 shares for approximately $51,972 as part of the program. Skycorp said the buyback will be funded from its own resources and may be adjusted, suspended, or terminated at the company’s discretion.

"The Programme demonstrates our confidence in Skycorp Solar’s intrinsic value, the resilience of our business model, and our long-term growth opportunities," stated Mr. Huang, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the company.

Skycorp noted it has been transforming from a pure solar manufacturer and distributor into an integrated solar enterprise through its earlier acquisition of Cesun Power Co. Ltd. The expanded business now includes power project investment and development, AI-powered digital energy management, and manufacturing.

The company said the timing and volume of future share repurchases will depend on market conditions, including share price and liquidity, as well as its capital allocation priorities. All transactions will be disclosed in accordance with applicable reporting requirements.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.