| Stock | Price | 52 Week Range | Marketcap | EPS | Dividend Yield | Chart (24H) | Sector | Employees | Last Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $57.06 | 54.33B | 6.55 | 1.05% | Consumer Cyclical | 162,000 | 11 hours ago | |||
| $64.52 | 55.27B | 0.94 | 1.74% | Technology | 56,300 | 11 hours ago | |||
 Apple Inc. AAPL | $230.56 | 3.42T | 6.59 | 0.45% | Technology | 164,000 | 11 hours ago |
General Motors was once a titan of the auto industry, synonymous with American manufacturing prowess. For decades, it enjoyed unchallenged dominance. However, the 2000s unveiled the chinks in its armor.
June 1, 2009, saw GM, the world’s largest automaker at that time, file for bankruptcy. This monumental collapse was precipitated by a series of missteps and external shocks. Overexpansion and overreliance on gas-guzzling SUVs came back to haunt them as fuel prices soared. Trade union pressures exacerbated the situation, inflating labor costs. Adding salt to the wound, fierce competition from more efficient Japanese automakers steadily eroded GM’s market share.
The 2008 financial crisis was the hammer that drove the final nail into GM‘s coffin. Facing insurmountable losses, the company ousted its CEO and received billions in federal loans. But the damage was done. As part of the restructuring process, GM shuttered 14 plants and shed 21,000 jobs. Its American workforce shrank to less than a tenth of its postwar peak, when the company employed up to 400,000 people. It was even expelled from the Dow Jones Industrial Average, an index it had been part of since 1925.
Yet, GM‘s story didn’t end in ruin. Emerging from bankruptcy, the automaker made a dramatic comeback. The restructured GM returned to public markets with the largest IPO in American history, raising $20 billion. For investors, GM’s trajectory is a case study in the risks and rewards associated with investing in large corporations undergoing turnaround scenarios. It’s a stark reminder to remain vigilant about corporate debt and the importance of adaptability in the face of changing market conditions.
| Category | Rating/Value |
|---|---|
| Consensus Rating | Overweight |
| Average Price Target | $64.41 |
| Potential Gain | 24.1% |
| Number of Ratings | 22 |
Summary of Analysts’ Outlook:
Analysts have a bullish outlook on General Motors, with a consensus “Overweight” rating. The average price target of $64.41 suggests a potential gain of 24.1% from the current price. Most analysts believe that GM’s strong brand portfolio, cost-cutting measures, and investments in electric and autonomous vehicles will drive future growth.
Editor’s Note: Analysis and insight for this article were originally sourced from our friends at The Motley Fool
In stark contrast to GM’s fall, another company’s persistence in innovation led to one of the most unexpected yet profitable partnerships in tech history: Corning’s collaboration with Apple.
When Steve Jobs envisioned the iPhone, he knew it needed an extraordinary glass. Enter Corning Inc., a company with a long history of pushing the boundaries of glass technology. Originally developing advanced glass materials since 1937, Corning had a storied past of innovations and setbacks. “Project Muscle,” a shelved venture, eventually morphed into Gorilla Glass thanks to the visionary challenge from Jobs.
Corning’s persistence paid off when they adapted an unused glass technology from their archives. This investment in long-term R&D allowed them to provide Apple with a revolutionary product that would define an era of smartphones. This is a testament to the importance of sustained investment in research and the transformative power of strategic alliances.
The genesis of Gorilla Glass can be traced back to 1937 when photosensitive glass was first invented by Corning researcher Donald Stookey. By 1947, the existence of such a glass became public. Photosensitive glass, similar to photographic negatives, allowed for complex imagery by exposing the glass to ultraviolet light and then heating it to reveal the images. Despite its fascinating capabilities, photosensitive glass failed to achieve commercial success.
Stookey’s relentless experimentation led to an unexpected breakthrough in 1952. A botched experiment resulted in the creation of Pyroceram, a synthetic glass-ceramic that was lighter than aluminum, harder than high-carbon steel, and much stronger than regular glass. This accidental discovery played a major role in Corning’s future, resulting in products such as Corningware and eventually leading to the development of Chemcor in the 1960s.
Chemcor, although initially failing to capture interest, was the precursor to Gorilla Glass. Shelved in 1971, Chemcor re-emerged in 2005, aligning perfectly with the increasing use of glass screens in cellphones. Corning needed a high-profile launch partner and found it in Apple.
Steve Jobs’ challenge to Corning in 2007 led to an accelerated development of Gorilla Glass. Corning’s scientists were able to push from concept to commercial production in less than five months, owing to decades of underlying research. Today, Gorilla Glass protects over 1.5 billion devices built by 33 major brands worldwide.
For investors, Corning’s breakthrough with Gorilla Glass offers key lessons. A company’s commitment to long-term R&D can yield monumental returns, particularly when backed by visionary leadership and market-defining products. Corning not only recouped its R&D investments but firmly established itself in the tech industry, with Gorilla Glass now featured in over 1.5 billion devices worldwide.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Consensus Rating | Overweight (Buy) |
| Average Price Target | $43.15 |
| Potential Gain | 14.1% |
| Number of Ratings | 14 |
Summary of Analysts’ Outlook:
Analysts have a positive outlook on Corning Incorporated, with a consensus rating of Overweight (Buy). The average price target of $43.15 suggests a potential gain of 14.1% from the current price. Most analysts believe that the company’s strong fundamentals, including its leading position in the optical communications market and its growing presence in the electric vehicle market, will drive future growth.
The birth of the iPhone transformed consumer technology. Apple‘s commitment to pushing market boundaries and developing groundbreaking products has been at the core of its strategy. By collaborating with Corning for the iPhone’s screen, Apple underscored the importance of strategic supplier relationships and the ability to innovate.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Consensus Rating | Overweight (Buy) |
| Average Price Target | $174.41 |
| Potential Gain | 14.15% |
| Number of Ratings | 34 |
Summary of Analysts’ Outlook:
Analysts are overwhelmingly bullish on Apple Inc., with a consensus “Overweight” (or “Buy”) rating. The average price target of $174.41 suggests a potential gain of 14.15% from the current price. This optimism is likely driven by Apple’s strong brand loyalty, growing services segment, and expected growth in emerging markets.
Understanding these contrasting paths emphasizes the need for a balanced approach in your investment strategy. Vigilance, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to innovation are the pillars of successful investing in today’s dynamic market. Stay informed, stay strategic, and remember that every downturn holds the seeds of a potential breakthrough.