SoftBank Corp Partners With Sierra to Expand AI Customer Support Across Japan 
Morgan Stanley Names Marks & Spencer Top European Retail Pick, Sees Strong Upside 
Apple Sues OpenAI, Former Employees Over Alleged Trade Secret Theft 
Samsung to Launch First Yongin Chip Plant by 2029 as South Korea Speeds Up Semiconductor Hub 
Stellantis Q2 Vehicle Shipments Rise 10% as North America Drives Growth 
Oppenheimer Sees CNH Industrial as Top 2026 Agriculture Stock Pick on Dealer Consolidation Strategy 
SK Hynix Soars 13% in Nasdaq Debut After Record $26.5 Billion IPO 
OpenAI Executive Fidji Simo to Step Down Amid Health Challenges Ahead of IPO 
Elon Musk Says Anthropic Leads AI Race as Claude Models Challenge OpenAI 
Goldman AM Sees Strong Buyout Opportunities in Japan, South Korea and Australia 
Nvidia Tightens AI Chip Sales in Asia With Stricter Customer Approval Process 
Fast Retailing Raises Full-Year Forecast After Uniqlo Owner Beats Q3 Profit Estimates 
Morgan Stanley Says China’s Reusable Rocket Progress Poses Long-Term Challenge to SpaceX 
TSMC Q2 Revenue Surges 36% as AI Chip Demand Powers Growth Ahead of Earnings 
Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery Merger Faces Lawsuit From 12 States 
Genesis Minerals to Acquire Vault in A$5.6 Billion Deal After Regis Withdraws 
Australia Flags Child Safety Gaps at Apple, Meta, Google Over Online Sexual Extortion 
Continental AG shares climbed more than 5% on Wednesday after the German automotive supplier and tire manufacturer reported stronger-than-expected first-quarter earnings, fueled by improved profitability in its Tires and ContiTech businesses.
The DAX-listed company posted adjusted EBIT of €522 million for the quarter ending March 31, marking a 6.1% increase from €492 million a year earlier. The result also surpassed analyst expectations of €493 million. Investors reacted positively as the company demonstrated resilience despite weaker sales and currency headwinds.
CEO Christian Kötz said Continental delivered a solid operational start to 2026, highlighting stronger margins in both key divisions. The Tires segment remained the main growth driver, generating adjusted EBIT of €467 million, ahead of analyst estimates. Profit margins improved to 14.4% from 13.4% last year, although sales slipped 4.7% to €3.3 billion due to unfavorable exchange-rate impacts.
Continental maintained its full-year Tires margin guidance of 13% to 14.5%, with expected EBIT near €1.9 billion at the midpoint. The company also noted that pricing and product mix added 4% during the quarter, helping offset rising raw material costs.
Meanwhile, the ContiTech division delivered adjusted EBIT of €92 million, beating market forecasts and significantly improving margins. Sales declined 24.4% to €1.2 billion, mainly because of the divestment of the Original Equipment Solutions business earlier this year and negative currency effects.
Group sales fell 10.4% to €4.4 billion, though organic sales declined only 0.9% after adjusting for currency and portfolio changes. Net income surged to €200 million from €68 million a year ago, while adjusted free cash flow improved sharply to €35 million from negative €216 million.
Continental reaffirmed its 2026 outlook, expecting consolidated sales between €17.3 billion and €18.9 billion with an adjusted EBIT margin of 11% to 12.5%.
