Key Takeaways
- NXP Semiconductors (NXPI) and Crown Holdings (CCK) both surpassed second-quarter earnings expectations, with NXP reporting revenue above guidance and Crown raising its full-year adjusted EPS outlook, signaling robust performance in their respective sectors.
- U.S. financial regulators, including the Federal Reserve, FDIC, and OCC, have launched a joint review of bank operations and capital requirements, inviting public input as part of a decennial regulatory assessment.
- U.S. steel capacity utilization reached 78% in the week ending July 19, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), indicating continued strength in the domestic steel industry.
- Verizon (VZ) raised the lower end of its annual profit forecast, driven by strong demand for its premium plans and benefits from recent tax legislation.
NXP Semiconductors (NXPI) reported a strong second quarter for 2025, with revenue reaching $2.93 billion, exceeding analyst estimates of $2.90 billion and performing above the midpoint of its own guidance. The semiconductor giant's adjusted earnings per share (EPS) came in at $2.72, outperforming the estimated $2.68. Despite a year-over-year GAAP EPS decline to $1.75 from $2.54, the company's adjusted free cash flow stood at $696 million. Looking ahead, NXP projects robust third-quarter revenue between $3.05 billion and $3.25 billion, against an estimated $3.07 billion, and adjusted EPS in the range of $2.89 to $3.30, compared to an estimated $3.06. This positive outlook reflects an emerging cyclical improvement in NXP's core end markets and the performance of its specific growth drivers, according to CEO Kurt Sievers.
In the packaging sector, Crown Holdings (CCK) also delivered impressive second-quarter results, with net sales of $3.15 billion surpassing estimates of $3.11 billion. The company's adjusted EPS reached $2.15, significantly beating the analyst consensus of $1.87. Crown Holdings raised its full-year adjusted EPS outlook to a range of $7.10–$7.50, up from the previous $6.70–$7.10, exceeding the analyst consensus of $7.05. The company also increased its adjusted free cash flow forecast to approximately $900 million. For the third quarter, Crown Holdings anticipates adjusted EPS between $1.95 and $2.05, above the estimated $1.93. Despite the strong financial performance, shares saw a slight decline due to investor concerns over potential tariff impacts.
In the financial regulatory landscape, the Federal Reserve, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) have issued a joint statement announcing a comprehensive regulatory review. The agencies are inviting public input on bank operations and capital requirements as part of their decennial review mandated by the Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act of 1996 (EGRPRA). This review aims to identify and address outdated, unnecessary, or unduly burdensome regulatory requirements for supervised institutions.
Meanwhile, the U.S. steel industry continues to show strength, with U.S. steel capacity utilization reaching 78% in the week ending July 19, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). This figure indicates a healthy level of activity in domestic steel production.
Telecommunications giant Verizon (VZ) also delivered positive news, raising the lower end of its annual profit forecast. The company's revised outlook is attributed to strong demand for its premium wireless plans and benefits derived from the Trump administration's new tax law. Verizon's Q2 2025 earnings surpassed quarterly forecasts, with total revenues amounting to $34.5 billion against a $33.74 billion analyst projection. The company now expects 2025 adjusted profit to grow between 1% and 3%, an increase from its prior forecast of 0% to 3%. Additionally, Verizon raised its annual free cash flow forecast to between $19.5 billion and $20.5 billion, up from $17.5 billion to $18.5 billion.

Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.