Trending tickers: Intel, Amazon, Applied Materials, UnitedHealth and AB Foods

Intel (INTC)

Shares in Intel (INTC) were higher in pre-market trading amid reports that the Trump administration is in talks with the chipmaker to have the US government take a stake in the company.

It is unclear what size stake the federal government will take, but Bloomberg – which broke the news –  reports that the deal will help “shore up” a planned factory in Ohio that has been delayed.

The plan stems from a meeting this week between US president Donald Trump and Intel (INTC) CEO Lip-Bu Tan, the report said.

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The Wall Street Journal adds that the administration has been exploring ways to boost the US share of semiconductor manufacturing and reportedly sees Intel as the domestic company best positioned to challenge TSMC (TSM).

Taking a stake in Intel (INTC) could have different implications than offering subsidies. Quoting Mira Ricardel, former undersecretary of commerce for industry and security in the first Trump administration, the Journal said that such a stake could give the US government greater influence over and visibility into Intel’s operations, particularly regarding China, in ways that regulations or subsidies likely could not.

Read more: FTSE 100 LIVE: Markets higher ahead of Trump-Putin summit in Alaska

Last week, Trump called for Tan to step down as head of Intel (INTC), with the US president writing on his Truth Social social-media platform that the CEO was “highly conflicted”, a reference to Tan’s web of investments in Chinese technology companies.

White House spokesman Kush Desai said "discussion about hypothetical deals should be regarded as speculation unless officially announced by the administration."

Amazon (AMZN)

Analysts are looking at Amazon (AMZN) shares with renewed interest this Friday morning after the e-commerce giant announced a push in groceries that could earn it an even bigger online retail market share.

The online retailer said on Wednesday that customers in more than 1,000 US cities and towns now have access to fresh groceries with its free same-day delivery on orders over $25 for Prime members, with plans to reach over 2,300 by the end of the year.

"We believe the expansion of same-day delivery for fresh perishable groceries will support Amazon's continued share gains across US e-commerce despite increased competition," JPMorgan (JPM) analyst Doug Anmuth wrote in a new note. His team reiterated the stock as its "Best Idea" and maintained a $265 price target.

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Freedom Broker analyst Egor Tolmachev raised the price target on the stock to $255.00 (from $240.00) while maintaining a Hold rating.

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The investment bank noted how Amazon (AMZN) has delivered strong financial results for the second quarter, surpassing both market expectations and its own guidance across all segments.

The expansion is expected to put more pressure on grocery delivery services offered by such rivals as Walmart (WMT), Instacart and Target (TGT).

Applied Materials (AMAT)

Shares in Applied Materials (AMAT) sunk by over 10% ahead of the US opening bell as the semiconductor equipment company provided an outlook for the current quarter that fell short of Wall Street expectations.

Applied Materials (AMAT) said it expects $2.11 per share in adjusted earnings in the current quarter, lower than LSEG estimates of $2.39 per share. The company said to expect $6.7bn in revenue, versus $7.34bn estimated.

“We are currently operating in a dynamic macroeconomic and policy environment, which is creating increased uncertainty and lower visibility in the near term,” said CEO Gary Dickerson.

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For the fourth quarter, Applied Materials (AMAT) expects earnings of $1.91 to $2.31 per share and revenue of $6.2bn to $7.2bn, both below consensus estimates.

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CFO Brice Hill said the weaker outlook reflects “digestion of capacity in China and non-linear demand from leading-edge customers given market concentration and fab timing.”

The company’s most important division, semiconductor systems, reported $5.43bn in sales, above estimates, and representing a 10% rise from last year.

UnitedHealth (UNH)

Shares in UnitedHealth (UNH) surged by over 12% in pre-market trading after Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-B) disclosed a new stake worth approximately $1.6bn in the US health insurance giant.

The Omaha-based conglomerate acquired more than 5 million shares in UnitedHealth (UNH) during the second quarter, according to a regulatory filing, marking Berkshire’s first position in the company since it exited the stock in 2010. At that time, Buffett pulled back from the health insurance sector more broadly.

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The disclosure positions UnitedHealth (UNH) as Berkshire’s (BRK-B) 18th-largest equity holding, sitting just behind Amazon (AMZN) and Constellation Brands (STZ). The move also comes as Berkshire trimmed its Apple (AAPL) stake by 20 million shares over the same period, bringing its total holding to 280 million shares.

Before the news, UnitedHealth (UNH) shares had fallen nearly 50% in 2025 through Thursday’s close, as the company became a focal point of mounting political and regulatory scrutiny over rising healthcare costs in the US. The company is currently under investigation by the Department of Justice for its Medicare billing practices.

Buffett, the investor known as the 'Oracle of Omaha', has a decade-long track record of buying stocks during their dip and riding companies back to profits.

AB Foods (ABF.L)

Shares in Associated British Foods (ABF.L) were little changed in London this Friday morning despite the announcement that it has agreed to buy bread brand Hovis.

ABF (ABF.L) will acquire Hovis from private equity firm Endless in a deal thought to be worth around £70m, following a review of strategic options for its Allied Bakeries division.

Allied Bakeries, which includes Kingsmill, Allinson’s and Sunblest, made an annual loss about £30m despite sales of about £400m last year, according to analysts at the broker Panmure Liberum.

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George Weston, ABF’s chief executive, said: "This transaction will create a UK bakeries business that is both profitable and sustainable over the long term.

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"Supporting the Hovis and Kingsmill brands with well-invested and efficient operations will also enable innovation and growth. This solution will create value for shareholders, provide greater choice for consumers and increase efficiencies for customers."

The deal is subject to regulatory approval. It will be scrutinised by the competition authorities given the combined bread market share of Allied Bakeries and Hovis.

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