Blank-Check Stock Soars on Mega $3.6B Crypto Merger

Author

Adam Garcia
April 24, 2025

A household goods giant cut down its forecast due to tariffs, a global pharma leader posted a Q1 beat, and a blank-check stock is soaring on a $3.6B Bitcoin deal. Here are the latest happenings this morning.

Uranium Supply Crunch (Sponsored)

On Behalf of Azincourt Energy Corp

Right now, the US has 94 nuclear reactors.

And 90% of the fuel they run on? It’s imported.

Tariffs are coming. Tensions are rising. And the government knows it needs more domestic-friendly supply.

Why Peter Thiel just joined the board of a uranium enrichment startup. Why Canada’s uranium is now more strategic than ever.

And why one tiny explorer in Saskatchewan’s Athabasca Basin could be positioned perfectly. The company has two active projects.

It’s drilling in the richest uranium district on Earth.

And as the US tries to secure its nuclear future, Canadian explorers like this one may be the first call utilities make.

*Examples that we provide of share price increases pertaining to a particular Issuer from one referenced date to another represent an arbitrarily chosen time period and are no indication whatsoever of future stock prices for that Issuer and are of no predictive value. Our stock profiles are intended to highlight certain companies for YOUR further investigation; they are NOT stock recommendations or constitute an offer or sale of the referenced securities.

Futures 📈

What to Watch

Earnings:

  • Alphabet Inc. [GOOGL]: Aftermarket

  • T-Mobile US, Inc. [TMUS]: Aftermarket

  • Gilead Sciences, Inc. [GILD]: Aftermarket

  • Intel Corporation [INTC]: Aftermarket

  • Republic Services, Inc. [RSG]: Aftermarket

  • Agnico Eagle Mines Limited [AEM]: Aftermarket

  • Digital Realty Trust, Inc. [DLR]: Aftermarket

Economic Reports:

  • Initial jobless claims [Apr 19]: 8:30 AM

  • Durable-goods orders [March]: 8:30 AM

  • Core durable orders (business investment) [March]: 8:30 AM

  • Existing home sales [March]: 10:00 AM

  • Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari speaks at 5:00 PM

Uranium Bull Market (Sponsored)

On Behalf of Azincourt Energy Corp

In 2018, UEC was a forgotten uranium stock trading for just $0.60.

Five years later? It had exploded into a $3.11 billion juggernaut.

That’s the power of timing the uranium cycle.

But this time, the fuel behind it is different:

And right now, a tiny uranium explorer in Canada’s Athabasca Basin is sitting on drill-ready projects… just like UEC once was.

The opportunity is hiding in plain sight.

History doesn’t repeat, but in uranium… it often rhymes.

*Examples that we provide of share price increases pertaining to a particular Issuer from one referenced date to another represent an arbitrarily chosen time period and are no indication whatsoever of future stock prices for that Issuer and are of no predictive value. Our stock profiles are intended to highlight certain companies for YOUR further investigation; they are NOT stock recommendations or constitute an offer or sale of the referenced securities.

Consumer Goods

Procter & Gamble Lowers Outlook After Sales Slide, Tariffs Hit Demand

Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) reduced its full-year revenue and earnings guidance after reporting weaker-than-expected third-quarter sales today, citing a slowdown in U.S. consumer spending and the growing impact of global trade tensions.

The company’s shares are down 2.3% in premarket trading as the update rattles investors.

For the fiscal third quarter, P&G reported net sales of $19.78 billion, down 2% year-over-year and below analysts’ expectations of $20.11 billion.

Executives attributed the miss in part to a noticeable decline in consumer demand during February and March, particularly in the United States—its largest market.

The company now expects fiscal 2025 sales to be flat compared to the previous year, revising down its earlier guidance of 2% to 4% growth.

Core earnings per share are now forecast between $6.72 and $6.82, lower than the prior range of $6.91 to $7.05.

P&G said uncertainty stemming from U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff measures is starting to cloud visibility on costs and supply chains.

Though about 90% of products sold in the U.S. are made domestically, tariffs on imported raw materials, packaging, and some exports are raising concerns.

As inflation-weary shoppers shift to cheaper private-label alternatives at major retailers like Walmart and Target, P&G—known for premium pricing—faces increasing competitive pressure.

Volume fell 1% in the latest quarter, even as average prices inched up 1%.

Rival firms like Kimberly-Clark and Reckitt have also flagged margin pressures, while peers Nestlé and Unilever managed to offset demand weakness with price increases.

Healthcare

Merck Sees $200M Hit from Tariffs, Trims 2025 EPS Guidance

Merck (NYSE: MRK) posted stronger-than-expected earnings for the first quarter of 2025, even as sales are down and trade tensions are weighing on the pharmaceutical giant’s outlook.

The company now estimates tariff-related expenses to total roughly $200 million this year, prompting a slight reduction in its annual profit forecast.

Merck reported adjusted net income of $5.61 billion, or $2.22 per share, beating analyst expectations of $2.14 per share, according to LSEG data.

Net earnings rose 7% year-over-year. Revenue for the quarter slipped 2% to $15.5 billion, though it still exceeded the average analyst forecast of $15.3 billion. On a constant-currency basis, revenue inched up 1%.

Shares of the firm are up 1.6% in premarket trade.

The decline was largely due to a sharp drop in Gardasil vaccine shipments to China, which the company paused in January amid weakening demand.

Gardasil sales fell 41% to $1.3 billion, in line with expectations.

Meanwhile, sales of blockbuster cancer therapy Keytruda rose 4% to $7.2 billion, slightly missing projections of $7.4 billion.

Winrevair, Merck’s treatment for lung disease launched last year, brought in $280 million, and animal health revenue climbed 5% to $1.6 billion.

Despite these challenges, Merck reaffirmed its 2025 revenue guidance of $64.1 billion to $65.6 billion.

However, it revised its adjusted earnings per share forecast to a range of $8.82 to $8.97, down from its earlier target of $8.88 to $9.03.

The revised forecast includes the tariff burden from recent U.S. and foreign trade measures, especially those affecting imports and exports with China.

The Trump administration’s ongoing national security review of pharmaceutical supply chains could introduce further uncertainty, Merck noted.

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Food & Beverages

Pepsi Misses Earnings, Warns of Flat 2025 EPS Amid Consumer Slowdown

PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP) reported disappointing first-quarter results and trimmed its full-year outlook, as trade-related cost increases, regulatory pressures, and shifting consumer behavior weigh on performance.

The beverage and snack giant posted revenue of $17.92 billion, narrowly topping Wall Street's estimate of $17.8 billion.

However, adjusted earnings per share came in at $1.48, missing expectations of $1.49 per share.

In premarket trading, PepsiCo shares are down 1%, adding to a 5% year-to-date decline.

The company cited higher expected supply chain costs linked to newly imposed tariffs, as well as continued macroeconomic uncertainty and weakening demand from cost-conscious consumers.

PepsiCo now projects full-year core earnings per share in constant currency to remain flat compared to last year, down from its previous guidance of mid-single-digit growth.

This marks the third consecutive quarter of revenue pressure, particularly in North America.

Pepsi’s Quaker Foods division remains challenged by the lingering effects of 2024’s product recalls.

Broader industry headwinds include inflation fatigue and rising interest in weight-loss medications, which are curbing demand for calorie-rich snacks and sugary beverages.

Additionally, the U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary has intensified scrutiny of ultra-processed foods, proposing restrictions on food stamp usage for soda and junk food purchases, and advocating for tighter labeling of synthetic ingredients.

These policy efforts could further dent PepsiCo’s margins.

In response to these pressures and the health-conscious shift, Pepsi recently announced a $2-billion acquisition of Poppi, a prebiotic soda brand known for its low-sugar and gut-friendly profile.

The deal reflects the company’s ongoing strategy to adapt to changing consumer preferences, even as its legacy brands face mounting challenges.

Movers and Shakers

Cantor Equity Partners, Inc. [CEP] - Last Close: $16.50

Cantor Equity Partners is a blank-check company.

It is going to merge into a new entity called Twenty One Capital, which is being backed by crypto giants Tether and Bitfinex, alongside investment powerhouse SoftBank, in a $3.6-billion crypto-focused venture.

Shares of CEP skyrocketed over 55% on Wednesday and are up another 21% in premarket trading today after the announcement of this mega-deal. The venture plans to launch with over 42,000 bitcoins—making it the third-largest bitcoin treasury globally.

My Take: This is a bold play on institutional Bitcoin adoption. If crypto stays hot, Twenty One could quickly become one of the most closely watched crypto-equity plays on Wall Street. Make sure you keep a close watch on how this one moves.

Impinj, Inc. [PI] - Last Close: $77.07

Impinj is a leading player in the RAIN RFID market. Shares of Impinj are rising over 18% in premarket trading because despite flat adjusted earnings of $0.21 per share and a slight drop in revenue to $74.3 million, it has outperformed analyst forecasts.

More importantly, the firm projects Q2 earnings of $0.68 to $0.76 per share, far exceeding expectations, signaling a rebound driven by increasing demand for its RFID technology.

My Take: Impinj is benefiting from growing global adoption of RFID in supply chain and inventory management. With strong Q2 guidance and promising industry trends, the company looks poised for a breakout year. Keep a close eye on this one.

Texas Instruments Incorporated [TXN] - Last Close: $152.15

Texas Instruments is a global leader in analog and embedded semiconductor chips. Its stock is up 8.1% in premarket trading after the firm issued a stronger-than-expected Q2 forecast.

Management guided revenue between $4.17 billion and $4.53 billion—above consensus estimates of $4.10 billion—and forecasted earnings per share between $1.21 and $1.47.

My Take: Texas Instruments’ conservative management and broad industrial exposure make it a reliable long-term play. With inventory headwinds easing and demand stabilizing, TXN could see solid tailwinds through 2025. Keep this on your radar.

Future of Global Energy (Sponsored)

On Behalf of Azincourt Energy Corp

When Peter Thiel joins the board of a uranium enrichment startup and backs a $50 million raise, you pay attention.

Because this isn’t just Thiel.

It’s Gates with TerraPower. Bezos with General Fusion. Altman with Oklo. And now Thiel with General Matter.

The smartest minds of this generation are placing billion-dollar bets on one thing: Nuclear.

And it’s not hard to see why.

Global electricity demand is set to soar 50% by 2050.

AI. Data centers. EVs. Every megatrend needs power — and clean, baseload nuclear is the only source that scales.

Meanwhile, uranium production can’t keep up.

That’s why a tiny uranium explorer in the Athabasca Basin — home to the world’s highest-grade deposits — may soon be on every investor's radar.

Drill programs are planned. Momentum is building. And the market hasn’t caught up.

*Examples that we provide of share price increases pertaining to a particular Issuer from one referenced date to another represent an arbitrarily chosen time period and are no indication whatsoever of future stock prices for that Issuer and are of no predictive value. Our stock profiles are intended to highlight certain companies for YOUR further investigation; they are NOT stock recommendations or constitute an offer or sale of the referenced securities.

Everything Else

That’s all for today. Thank you for reading. If you have any feedback, please reply to this email.

Best Regards,

— Adam Garcia
Elite Trade Club

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