Bloomberg Daybreak: US Edition

Intel gave a strong sales forecast for the current period, signaling that the struggling chipmaker is finally beginning to benefit from the giant build-out of artificial intelligence infrastructure.

Revenue will be $13.8 billion to $14.8 billion in the quarter ending in June, the company said Thursday in a statement. Analysts, on average, estimated $13 billion, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Earnings, excluding some items, will be about 20 cents a share, compared with a Wall Street prediction of 9 cents.

The upbeat outlook suggests that Chief Executive Officer Lip-Bu Tan is making progress on a challenging comeback plan. After lining up major investments in Intel last year — helping to strengthen the company’s balance sheet — Thursday’s results suggest he’s now delivering on a promise to improve its operations.

Intel shares rose 14% in extended trading. The stock had gained 81% this year before the results were released, closing at $66.78.

For instant reaction and analysis, Bloomberg Businessweek Daily hosts Carol Massar and Tim Stenovec speak with:
Bloomberg Intelligence Senior Semiconductor Analyst Kunjan Sobhani
Bloomberg Tech co-host Ed Ludlow
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Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.
On today's podcast:
1) The US and Iran are locked in a battle for control of the Strait of Hormuz after failing to meet for a fresh round of peace talks, with both sides blocking the waterway to gain leverage during an extended ceasefire. The US is maintaining a naval blockade on ships going to and from Iran’s ports, which Iran calls a violation of the ceasefire, while Iran is keeping Hormuz closed to almost all other international traffic. The blockade and closure of the Strait of Hormuz have led to increased oil prices and concerns about supply shortages and a global inflation crisis
2) Navy Secretary John Phelan was fired after clashing with top leaders at the Pentagon, including over administration efforts to revive US shipbuilding. Phelan was pushed out after butting heads with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg over President Trump’s focus on a new US “Golden Fleet." Undersecretary Hung Cao will replace Phelan, according to Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell, who said Phelan was stepping down “effective immediately."
3) Tesla anticipates billions of dollars in additional spending this year to support Elon Musk’s ambitions to transform the company into an AI and robotics company. Capital expenditures this year will exceed $25 billion, roughly three times last year’s outlay, to be put toward a dramatic expansion of factory operations and initiatives such as production of its Optimus humanoid robot. The investments will support production of key products including Cybercab, Semi and an updated version of its Megapack battery storage system, with Tesla remaining on track to start making these products.
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Tesla beat Wall Street’s profit expectations to start the year as the automaker said demand for its electric vehicles is rebounding around the globe, hinting at a possible recovery for its long-struggling automotive business.
Adjusted earnings rose to 41 cents a share in the first quarter, the company said Wednesday in a statement, higher than the 34-cent average of analyst estimates compiled by Bloomberg. It’s the second straight quarter Tesla’s earnings have exceeded expectations.
Tesla said it “saw continued growth in demand for our vehicles” in parts of Asia-Pacific and South America, along with a rebound in North America and the Europe-Middle East region. The surprisingly optimistic comments come several weeks after the automaker reported one of its worst quarters of auto sales in years.
For instant reaction and analysis, Bloomberg Businessweek Daily hosts Carol Massar and Tim Stenovec speak with:
Steve Man, Bloomberg Intelligence Global Autos and Industrials Research Analyst
Ed Ludlow, Bloomberg Tech co-host
Ross Gerber, President and CEO at Gerber Kawasaki
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Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.
On today's podcast:
1) President Trump indefinitely extended a ceasefire with Iran as peace talks remain on hold, walking back threats to resume fighting. The US-Israel alliance and Iran won’t immediately return to fighting, but there’s still no sign the vital Hormuz waterway will be reopened to oil and gas shipments soon. Iran says it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz or restart peace talks until the US naval operation ends, and the US president blamed divisions among the Islamic Republic’s leaders for the need to extend the truce.
2) Virginia voters backed a Democratic plan to redraw the state's congressional districts, with the Yes vote leading 51.5% to 48.6%. The vote could net Democrats as many as four more US House seats in November's midterm elections, according to multiple projections. The outcome shifts Virginia's congressional delegation from being one of the most balanced to packing Republican voters together, favoring Democrats in most districts.
3) Kevin Warsh pledged to act independently if confirmed as the next Federal Reserve chair, rejecting concerns he would be a "sock puppet" for President Trump. Warsh called for changes to the way the US central bank makes its decisions, including a new framework for dealing with persistent inflation and a new way of communicating with the public.
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President Donald Trump announced he was extending a ceasefire with Iran indefinitely a day before it was set to expire, even as plans for a fresh round of talks between the two countries fell apart.

In a Truth Social post, Trump said Tuesday he would maintain a blockade over ships coming to and from Iran in the Strait of Hormuz. He said Pakistan, which had mediated between the two sides, asked for the US to hold off on fresh strikes and he was extending the ceasefire until Iran submits a new proposal “and discussions are concluded, one way or the other.”

For instant reaction and analysis, Bloomberg Businessweek Daily hosts Carol Massar and Tim Stenovec speak with:
Wendy Benjaminson, Bloomberg News Senior Editor
Terry Haines, Pangaea Policy Founder
Adam Farrar, Bloomberg Economics Senior Geoeconomics Analyst
Ambassador James F. Jeffrey, Philip Solondz Distinguished Fellow at The Washington Institute
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