AI Podcast Series Episode #2 | AI & Healthcare

Market Beat | Episode #15

In episode 15 of Market Beat by Argus Research, host Caroline Wygal breaks down a surprising June Jobs Report. Nonfarm payrolls came in at just 57,000, well below the 115,000 consensus estimate and down sharply from an adjusted 129,000 in May, though the unemployment rate ticked down to 4.2%. Long-term unemployment is creeping higher, and leisure and hospitality shed 61,000 jobs on weaker seasonal hiring. Markets shrug off the mixed data and trade higher at midday, with chips bouncing back led by Palantir's 5% gain on an expanded Nvidia deal. Editor Olivia Frey delivers Quick Takes with bullish outlooks on Alcon, flagged as a buying opportunity 35% off its highs, Oshkosh on electric vehicle adoption and a postal service contract, and Atmos Energy on regulated utility growth through the decade. The Deeper Dive covers the Fed's 2026 bank stress tests, where all 32 banks passed under severe adverse scenarios including a 58% equity price drop and 10% unemployment, with several banks subsequently announcing dividend increases averaging 12%. For full research and information about Argus subscriptions, visit argusresearch.com.

Market Beat | Episode #14

In episode 14 of Market Beat by Argus Research, host Caroline Wygal recaps a dramatic first half of 2026. The S&P 500 posted a 9.6% return despite a 7.3% year-to-date drawdown in March amid the Iran conflict, followed by an 18% snapback. Oil swung from $57 to $109 and back to $69. In Active Stocks, Nike rises 4% on strong earnings, chip stocks including Micron, Intel, and AMD pull back after a torrid first half, and Constellation Brands dips despite beating estimates. The Market Buzz covers a softer-than-expected ADP jobs report of 98,000 private payrolls in June, with the government's nonfarm payrolls report due Thursday. Analyst Stephen Biggar delivers Quick Takes with raised targets on Charles River Labs and Owens Corning, and a bullish outlook on Southwest Gas. The Deeper Dive digs into why the third quarter is historically the weakest of the year, averaging just 0.5% returns since 1980, and what that means for investors heading into the second half. For full research and information about Argus subscriptions, visit argusresearch.com.

Market Beat | Episode #13

In episode 13 of Market Beat by Argus Research, host Caroline Wygal closes out June with a look at markets heading into midyear. AeroVironment (AVAV) soars 23% on strong earnings, chipmakers Applied Materials and Lam Research extend gains, and Nike reports after the bell. Chief Economist Chris Graja previews tomorrow's ISM Manufacturing index, while May JOLTs data shows job openings holding steady at 7.6 million ahead of Thursday's June Jobs Report. Stocks trade higher as the month, quarter, and first half wrap up, with Treasury yields ticking higher and oil holding flat. Analyst Christine Dooley delivers Quick Takes with raised targets on Darden Restaurants, International Flavors & Fragrances, and Chewy. The Deeper Dive examines narrowing spreads between corporate and Treasury bond yields, and what that signals about recession risk and bond market sentiment. For full research and information about Argus subscriptions, visit argusresearch.com.

Market Beat | Episode #12

In episode 12 of Market Beat by Argus Research, host Caroline Wygal covers the markets for June 29, 2026, as last week's tech rout reverses course. The Nasdaq surges 2% to claw back some of its prior week's 5% loss, with Mag7 names including Alphabet, Amazon, Tesla, and Meta all posting strong gains. Comcast jumps 6% on news of a planned split into two publicly traded companies. The Market Buzz looks ahead to two key catalysts this week: the June Jobs report, moved up to Thursday ahead of the July 4th holiday, and Fed Chair Kevin Warsh speaking Wednesday in Portugal. Argus forecasts 188,000 nonfarm payrolls and a 4.3% unemployment rate, reflecting a continued healthy labor market. Quick Takes from the Argus analyst team include a raised price target on United Airlines, continued bullish momentum for Carnival Corporation, and a downgrade of Brightstar Lottery to Hold. The Deeper Dive spotlights Argus's Sustainable Growth Model Portfolio, covering the methodology behind the screen, the recently added Nasdaq Inc., and current holdings across eight sectors, from Alphabet and Walmart to Eli Lilly and Ecolab. For full research and information about Argus subscriptions, visit argusresearch.com.

Market Beat | Episode #11

In episode 11 of Market Beat by Argus Research, host Caroline Wygal covers the latest market developments for June 25, 2026. Today's headline is Inflation Rising, as fresh PCE data confirms prices continue to climb, with headline PCE reaching 4.1% annually through May and core PCE ticking up to 3.4%. On the growth front, Q1 GDP was revised upward to a 2.1% annualized rate in the Commerce Department's final estimate. In Active Stocks, Micron (MU) surges 10% on a blowout earnings report, and Qualcomm (QCOM) gains 5% after doubling its non-handset revenue target for 2029. Quick Takes from the Argus analyst team include a raised price target on Micron, a long-term bullish outlook on Pinnacle West Capital (PNW) amid Arizona's warming climate and demographic growth, and a buying opportunity flagged on Cencora (COR) following recent share price weakness. The episode closes with a Deeper Dive into investor sentiment, covering the latest AAII survey, mutual fund and ETF flow data, and a read on the VIX volatility index, currently sitting at 18.6 below the long-run average of 20. For full research and information about Argus subscriptions, visit argusresearch.com.