Analyst

• Analysts are reacting to the July Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, which arrived in line with expectations but showed that inflation outpaced average hourly earnings over the past year. • While lower gas prices aided the CPI in previous months, AAA reports that August daily national averages rose to $4.05 per gallon from $3.96 in July. • Experts identify the conflict in Iran as the primary near-term driver of inflation, posing a risk to price stability.

• Market analysts have identified nine top banking stocks to buy, citing strong fundamentals and positive earnings momentum across the sector. • Axis Bank is the top pick among the list, with analysts projecting a significant upside potential of 27.46%. • Other recommended stocks include major institutions such as ICICI Bank, State Bank of India (SBI), and Canara Bank.

• Analyst Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri of Global Asia Consulting argues that Pakatan Harapan (PH) must acknowledge its own shortcomings rather than blaming external factors for electoral losses. • PH attributed its recent Saturday defeat to the exploitation of identity politics by rivals, a justification Zaharuddin claims has "lost credibility" due to repetitive use. • The analysis highlights that identity politics is not a new phenomenon but has been a fundamental part of Malaysia's political landscape for decades.

• Pakatan Harapan suffered a crushing defeat in the Negeri Sembilan state election as voters shifted their support toward the BN-PN alliance. • A political analyst attributes the loss to "bread-and-butter" issues, specifically the rising cost of living and job scarcity. • The result highlights a significant trend where economic instability and daily financial struggles outweigh political platforms for the electorate.

• Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) shifted to a buying trend over three sessions, purchasing equities worth Rs 3,623 crore on July 30, Rs 2,981.87 crore on July 29, and Rs 755.33 crore on July 28. • This activity marks a potential trend reversal after FIIs had previously sold equities totaling Rs 2.64 lakh crore in 2026, according to NSE data. • VK Vijayakumar of Geojit Investments attributes this renewed interest to high volatility in other global markets, such as the U.S. and South Korea, making Indian equities more attractive.

• Analysts warn that the US Federal Reserve's decision to maintain higher interest rates for longer will negatively impact Asia's tech sectors and slow global growth. • Economies with large youth populations and high import reliance, specifically India, Indonesia, Pakistan, and the Philippines, are expected to be most vulnerable to these conditions. • Asian central banks are increasingly diverging from the Fed's path to address local macroeconomic factors, such as varying inflation outlooks and energy price exposure.

Riyadh’s decision to join the US in striking sites associated with the Iran-backed Popular Mobilisation Forces further complicates a chaotic warUS-Saudi strikes on Iran-backed militia in Iraq on Wednesday have pushed the region into “uncharted territory”, analysts have warned.Amid stark warnings of a widening and increasingly “unpredictable” conflict, Riyadh’s decision to publicly join the US in striking sites associated with Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces, killing at least 20 fighters, has added another complicating dimension to the war. Continue reading...

Leading thinktank says higher oil prices and inflation will give Andy Burnham a ‘challenging inheritance’Andy Burnham has been warned by a leading thinktank of “very difficult trade-offs in the next autumn budget” if the Iran war keeps oil prices and inflation high.The National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) said the new prime minister faced a “challenging inheritance” and his plans to revamp public services would meet severe pressure from persistently higher prices. Continue reading...

• Wall Street analysts have issued new upgrades, downgrades, and initiations for a diverse range of companies, including Alphabet, Ford, Rivian, and Rocket Lab. • These shifts occur ahead of the quarter's busiest earnings week, with over 150 companies (more than 30% of the S&P 500) scheduled to report. • Market attention is focused on upcoming reports from four of the "Magnificent 7" tech giants, which will likely drive volatility and trend direction.

• Heightened tensions in the South China Sea have cast a shadow over the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Manila, increasing the urgency for a formal code of conduct between ASEAN and China. • The high-level diplomatic gathering includes key figures such as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. • Pitlo, president of the Philippine Association for Chinese Studies, warned that a surge in "close calls" and aggressive posturing creates a risky dynamic for regional stability.

• Hana Securities reports that the KOSPI's recent 25% decline mirrors historical post-shock rebounds, such as those following the China and Dubai shocks, rather than the dot-com bust. • Analysts argue that AI investment and semiconductor demand have not yet peaked, citing rising net profit and capital expenditure forecasts for U.S. Big Tech companies. • The recovery of the South Korean market is heavily dependent on a return of foreign buying and improving earnings outlooks for software firms.

• IBM shares experienced a historic decline of approximately 25% on July 18, 2026. • Following the crash, market analysts issued a "Hold" rating for the company, reflecting a split in sentiment regarding its valuation. • This significant drop indicates a period of high volatility for the tech giant and may signal shifting investor confidence in its current strategy.

• National Bank Financial analyst Maxim Sytchev reports a significant divergence in the Industrial Products sector as the market prepares for second-quarter earnings. • Sytchev notes that the "long-AI trade" has heavily boosted construction, machinery, and distribution stocks. • This trend has created a "zero-sum dynamic," where gains in AI-related industrial names have come at the expense of traditional asset-light consulting business models.

Miller takes indefinite leave after arm amputation and questions of possible financial improprietiesAn on-air analyst for a top US sports broadcaster says he is pulling back from his role indefinitely as he heals from a car crash in Missouri that forced him to undergo a life-saving amputation – and while he reportedly faces a law enforcement investigation into possible financial improprieties connected to what he billed as side charity work.Matt Miller’s announcement on Friday that he was taking indefinite leave from ESPN provided only the latest twist in an unusual case that has drawn significant attention from both media as well as the substantial number of American football fanatics who follow his area of expertise: the process by which NFL teams select, or draft, collegiate prospects. Continue reading...

• A company is securing financing anchored by existing shareholders and a large Canadian bank-owned asset manager, with the deal expected to close around July 29. • A Reverse Takeover (RTO) is scheduled to close on or about September 16, pending customary regulatory approvals. • The net proceeds from these financial maneuvers are specifically earmarked for organic growth, AI innovation, and strategic acquisitions.

• National Bank Financial analyst Cameron Doerksen has issued a cautious outlook on Bombardier Inc. (BBD.B-T) ahead of its second-quarter financial results. • While Doerksen acknowledges that market conditions remain strong and a weaker Canadian dollar has likely boosted the stock, he warns that the company's valuation is now "looking elevated." • This assessment matters as it suggests the stock may have become overpriced despite positive end-market trends and strong earnings potential.

• Kevin Warsh is influencing a shift in how the US Federal Reserve communicates its monetary policy decisions. • This change in communication style is forcing Singaporean market analysts to adapt their methods for interpreting Fed signals. • The shift matters because the Fed's policy direction directly impacts global financial markets and investment strategies in Singapore.

• An analyst warns that Donald Trump's potential strategic outreach to Pakistan could lead to costly errors by repeating historical geopolitical mistakes. • The report suggests that Pakistan's renewed strategic importance may allow the country to avoid international scrutiny regarding its human rights record and domestic governance. • This development matters as it highlights the tension between pursuing short-term security goals and maintaining long-term diplomatic standards for democratic accountability.

• Only five sectors within the S&P/TSX SmallCap Index recorded positive price returns last month. • Information technology led the gains at 17.50%, followed by consumer staples (3.04%), real estate (2.98%), health care (2.21%), and financials (1.88%). • This data highlights a significant divergence in performance across small-cap sectors, with tech drastically outperforming other industries.

• The S&P/TSX Composite Index rose 0.25 per cent in June, bringing the index to within 2 per cent of the record closing high established on June 16. • Seven sectors posted positive price returns during the month, with financials, consumer staples, and health care emerging as the leading performers. • This data provides a snapshot of market momentum and identifies which specific industries are currently driving Canadian equity growth.

• CIBC analyst Paul Holden resumed coverage of EQB Inc. (EQB-T) following the completion of the company's $800-million acquisition of PC Financial. • Holden raised the price target for EQB Inc. to $151, up from $116, and assigned the stock an "outperformer" rating. • This upgrade represents the highest target for the stock on the Street, despite acknowledged challenges to near-term earnings caused by Canadian consumer credit pressure.

• A bullish tech analyst predicts that major technology companies will maintain or increase their aggressive AI spending plans during the second quarter reporting season. • The analyst expects significant capital expenditure (CapEx) figures as tech giants continue to invest heavily in AI infrastructure and hardware. • This trend signals strong corporate confidence in the long-term profitability and scalability of artificial intelligence despite market volatility.

• National Bank Financial analyst Vishal Shreedhar expects Aritzia Inc. (ATZ-T) to show "accelerating momentum" in its upcoming financial reports. • The analyst projects earnings per share of 87 cents for the first quarter of fiscal 2027, a significant increase from the 42 cents reported during the same period last year. • This projection is slightly lower than the broader Street forecast by one penny, but indicates strong growth for the fashion retailer.

• FactSet Research (FDS) shares surged 10.97% in a single session, reaching a price of $231.74. • The jump followed the release of analyst data showing the S&P 500 valuation premium is currently above its 5-year average of 24.5 and 10-year average of 23.4. • Despite the spike, the stock remains in a long-term downtrend, trading closer to its 52-week lows than its highs.

• Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), the owner of the NYSE, is currently trading significantly below optimistic analyst price targets. • Zacks has assigned the company a Rank 3 "Hold" rating, citing a balance between favorable growth estimates and valuation compression. • The company is facing slower-than-expected growth and integration benefits following its acquisition of Black Knight.

• Financial analysts have updated their outlooks on key AI-related companies, notably hiking price targets for Micron Technology due to strong demand for AI memory. • Market experts are expressing caution regarding the current valuation of SpaceX, suggesting potential risks associated with its high pricing. • These shifts reflect a broader trend of analysts recalibrating expectations as AI infrastructure growth accelerates while private space valuations face scrutiny.

• Securities analysts forecast that the KOSPI could surge to a high of 9,500 during the coming week. • This optimistic outlook is driven by upward revisions to second-quarter earnings forecasts and growing expectations for third-quarter results. • Market sentiment has been further bolstered by the strong financial performance of Micron, signaling positive trends for related sectors.

• Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB) saw its modeled fair value price target increase slightly to US$58.18, up from the previous estimate of US$57.42. • The adjustment follows recent analyst discussions with company management and key takeaways from industry conferences. • This recalibration reflects a shifting analyst perspective on the bank's ability to manage expense controls and credit trends relative to previous concerns.