Global Markets
Canadian Markets
Canada’s main stock index traded flat today following a dip in oil prices, and Gold dropped marginally. Desjardin’s Bank expects Canada’s housing affordability to improve moderately by the end of the year.
American Markets
American indexes, the Nasdaq, S&P 500, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average all made gains. Investors were optimistic about moderating inflation, as the latest reading showed inflation eased in May as price increases slowed to the lowest level since March 2021.
European Markets
In Europe, major European indexes were mixed as the UK’s GDP rate grew slightly. French Inflation grew at 2,1 percent, while Spanish inflation came in at 3.4 percent.
Japanese Markets
Japan’s Tokyo Stock Price Index (Topix ) hit a 34-year high driven by gains in the banking sector, and a gradual increase in domestic bond yields. Technology stocks also rebounded strongly. Japan’s yen continued its slide to a 38-year low, sparking expectations of potential intervention by authorities.
Currency Markets
In the currency markets, the euro was set for its largest monthly decline since January. Political uncertainty surrounding the upcoming general elections in France weighed heavily on the euro’s performance.
Oil and Gold
In commodities, gold prices dipped slightly, while oil prices turned red heading into the weekend.
Corporate Stock News
Apple (AAPL): Apple’s smartphone shipments in China surged nearly 40% in May from a year earlier, continuing a strong rebound. Oppenheimer raised target to $250 from $200, and maintained the Buy rating on stock.
Aurora Cannabis (ACB:CA): Morningstar maintains Hold rating and $13 target forecast on the stock.
Boeing Co (BA): The NTSB warned Boeing over alleged disclosure violations related to a 737 MAX investigation, potentially affecting its status in the probe.
Canopy Growth (WEED:CA): Bank of America maintains Sell rating and raises target to $8 from $4 per share
Citigroup: Activists plan a march targeting Citigroup’s headquarters in New York as part of a climate campaign.
Google (GOOG): Rosenblatt Securities downgrades to Neutral from Buy with a $181 target forecast.
Illumina Inc (ILMN): Illumina announced significant impairment charges related to its spin-off Grail Inc, affecting its financial outlook.
Meta Platforms (META): Meta may block news content in Australia if required to pay licensing fees under new laws.
Microsoft Corp (MSFT): Microsoft disclosed a broad data breach by Russian hackers who accessed both company and customer emails.
Milan Stock Exchange Strike: Workers protested outside the Milan Stock Exchange against perceived mismanagement by owner Euronext.
Nike Inc (NKE): Nike forecasted a revenue drop for fiscal 2025 due to weakening sneaker demand, causing its shares to plummet 20 percent.
Nikola Corp (NKLA): Nikola delivered a hydrogen fuel cell semi-truck to Walmart Canada, marking a milestone in sustainable transport.
Nokia (NOK) and Infinera Acquisition (INFN): Nokia announced its acquisition of Infinera Corp for $2.3 billion, aiming to strengthen its optical network business, particularly in North America.
Uber (UBER) and Lyft (LYFT): Uber and Lyft agreed to a $32.50 hourly pay standard for Massachusetts drivers and settled a lawsuit over driver classification.
UnitedHealth (UNH): UnitedHealth’s OptumRx agreed to a $20 million settlement over claims of improperly filled opioid prescriptions.
