Global Markets
Canada’s TSX Rises on Lower Inflation
Canada’s TSX Composite Index rose nearly 1% today, buoyed by a significant drop in inflation. The easing inflationary pressures have sparked optimism among investors, as lower inflation typically leads to more stable economic conditions and potentially favorable monetary policy adjustments. This positive sentiment helped lift various sectors, with financials and energy stocks leading the charge.
US Markets Trade Mixed Amid Earnings Season
US markets were mixed as investors digested a slew of corporate earnings reports. While some companies posted strong results, others disappointed, leading to a fluctuating market sentiment. Tech giants and healthcare companies reported robust earnings, providing some support to the indices. However, weakness in industrials and financials kept gains in check. The mixed performance reflects the cautious optimism among investors as they assess the overall health of corporate America.
European Shares Weighed Down by Miners and Hugo Boss
In Europe, shares were under pressure due to losses in metal miners and disappointing earnings from luxury retailer Hugo Boss. The company’s downward revision of its sales guidance due to weakening global consumer demand, particularly in China and the UK, cast a shadow over the market. This, combined with a decline in metal prices impacting mining stocks, contributed to the overall negative sentiment in European markets.
Japanese Markets Show Strength
Asian equity markets showed resilience, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index ending higher as the country returned from a public holiday. The rally in Japanese stocks was driven by optimism around domestic corporate earnings and a positive economic outlook. Meanwhile, Chinese stocks also finished higher, led by gains in tech shares. Investor sentiment in China was bolstered by signs of policy support for the tech sector and optimism over the country’s economic recovery.
US Dollar Recovers from Lows
The US dollar edged away from five-week lows following comments from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, which strengthened the case for a potential rate cut in September. Powell’s remarks suggested that the Fed remains vigilant about the economic outlook and is prepared to take action to support growth. This boosted the dollar as investors adjusted their expectations for future monetary policy moves.
Corporate Stock News
Hugo Boss Cuts Sales Guidance
German fashion house Hugo Boss has revised its sales guidance for the year downward, citing weakening global consumer demand, especially in critical markets such as China and the UK. The new sales forecast ranges between €4.20 billion to €4.35 billion, reflecting the challenges faced amid fluctuating economic conditions and consumer behavior changes.
SEB Beats Profit Expectations
Swedish banking group SEB reported a second-quarter net profit that surpassed market expectations. The bank’s slowing interest income momentum was significantly offset by diverse revenue streams, allowing it to maintain a positive financial outlook. SEB reaffirmed its cost outlook for the full year, demonstrating resilience in a challenging economic environment.
Kaspersky Labs Exits the U.S. Market
Russian cybersecurity firm Kaspersky Labs announced its departure from the U.S. market via a pop-up on its website. This move follows the Biden administration’s decision to bar sales of Kaspersky’s products in the country, underscoring escalating geopolitical tensions and regulatory challenges for international tech firms operating in the U.S.
Barrick Gold Increases Production
Canadian miner Barrick Gold Corp reported a sequential increase in gold production for the second quarter, attributed to enhanced output at Turquoise Ridge in Nevada and expansion at the Porgera mine in Papua New Guinea. The company’s total preliminary output was 948,000 ounces of gold, up from 940,000 ounces in the first quarter. However, Barrick anticipates a 1% to 3% rise in all-in sustaining costs (AISC) per ounce of gold from the previous quarter’s $1,474, with an expected drop in the second half of 2024 as production ramps up.
Bank of America Sees Profit Decline
Bank of America Corp, the second-largest U.S. lender, experienced a profit decline in the second quarter, with net income falling to $6.9 billion, or 83 cents per share, compared to $7.4 billion, or 88 cents per share, a year earlier. The decline was due to reduced income from interest on loans and increased provisions for potential credit losses. Net interest income dropped 3% to $13.7 billion, reflecting the broader economic pressures on the banking sector.
UnitedHealth Group Revises Earnings Impact
UnitedHealth Group has increased its estimated earnings impact for the year from a February hack at its Change Healthcare unit. The company expects a 30-cent higher hit to full-year adjusted profit, citing the costs of a loan program and consumer notifications. Despite this, UnitedHealth maintained its full-year adjusted profit forecast of $27.50 to $28.00 per share. The company posted an adjusted quarterly profit of $6.80 per share, exceeding analysts’ average estimate of $6.66.
Tech Giants and Cybersecurity
- Alphabet Inc, Amazon.com Inc, and Microsoft Corp are eyeing Google’s potential acquisition of cloud security company Wiz. This move could bolster Google’s cloud security offerings, helping it compete more effectively against Amazon and Microsoft. Wiz provides tools for scanning infrastructure and software for threats, enhancing cybersecurity for large organizations.
Pharmaceutical Investments
- Biogen Inc, Merck & Co Inc, Eli Lilly And Co, and Novo Nordisk A/S are part of an investment in Swiss biotech company Asceneuron. The $100 million Series C round, led by Novo Holdings, will fund the clinical development of Asceneuron’s Alzheimer’s disease drug, ASN51, positioning it against rivals in the market.
BlackRock and Saudi Aramco
- BlackRock Inc is leading investors in Saudi Aramco’s gas pipelines network, arranging investor meetings for a potential bond sale to refinance a loan backing their stake purchase. This move is part of a broader strategy to manage the $13.4 billion bridge loan taken in 2021.
Deutsche Bank’s Accounting Issue
- German bank regulator BaFin has identified that Deutsche Bank AG incorrectly disclosed deferred tax assets in its 2019 consolidated financial statement. The bank failed to separately disclose deferred tax assets of €2.076 billion for its U.S. business, an issue now under scrutiny.
Exxon Mobil’s Guyana Expansion
- Exxon Mobil Corp plans to drill up to 30 wells as part of its Hammerhead oil project in Guyana, pending government approval. The project, set to begin production in 2029, will increase the country’s oil production capacity to over 1.4 million barrels per day.
GM’s Flexible EV Production
- General Motors Co has declined to reiterate its target of 1 million units of electric vehicle production capacity in North America by the end of 2025. The automaker emphasized its flexibility to meet demand rather than adhering to a fixed production target.
HSBC’s New Unit for Green Finance
- HSBC Holdings Plc has established a new unit, HSBC Infrastructure Finance, to tap into infrastructure and project finance deals linked to the transition to a lower-carbon economy. This strategic move is aimed at growing the bank’s debt origination and distribution businesses.
Masimo vs. Politan Capital
- Masimo Corp has initiated litigation against activist investor Politan Capital, seeking to correct “material misstatements and omissions” in proxy materials. The company has postponed its annual shareholder meeting to September 19.
Match Group and Activist Pressure
- Match Group Inc faces pressure from activist investor Starboard, which holds a more than 6.5% stake. Starboard is pushing for improvements in Match’s Tinder and Hinge businesses, suggesting a possible sale if the turnaround efforts are unsuccessful.
Philip Morris Misrepresentation Allegations
- Health campaigners have accused Philip Morris International Inc of misrepresenting regulatory decisions regarding its heated tobacco device IQOS. The allegations highlight ongoing scrutiny and challenges faced by tobacco companies in marketing their products.
TotalEnergies’ Production and EV Market Entry
- TotalEnergies SE anticipates second-quarter hydrocarbon production at the high end of its guidance range. Additionally, TotalEnergies and SSE have launched a joint venture named Source, aiming to capture a 20% share of the EV fast-charging market in Britain and Ireland.
Disney’s Data Leak
- Walt Disney Co has experienced a data leak from its internal Slack system, with sensitive information related to ad campaigns and unreleased projects published online by the hacking group NullBulge.
Yandex’s New Chapter
- Yandex NV has spun off its international businesses into a new entity, Nebius Group, headquartered in Amsterdam. Nebius aims to become a leading European provider of AI-centric cloud infrastructure and services.
