AI Podcast Series Episode #3 | AI & Financials

Market Beat | Episode #22

In episode 22 of Market Beat by Argus Research, host Caroline Wygal covers a mixed market day as semiconductor stocks continue to weigh on the Nasdaq while earnings season rolls on. UnitedHealth Group surges 5% on a strong quarter and raised guidance, while United Airlines slips 2% on $6 billion in fuel cost concerns and GE Aerospace falls 4% despite an earnings beat. On the economic front, retail sales rise a modest 0.2% in June, dragged lower by a 5.3% drop in gas station sales as fuel prices retreated from Iran conflict highs. Pending home sales fall 5.4% month-over-month, with the median home price hitting a record $440,600. Quick Takes shows raised targets on Morgan Stanley, where investment banking revenues surged 58% including SpaceX IPO fees, ASML Holding on generative AI-driven demand for leading-edge lithography tools, and PNC Financial on strong loan growth and improved credit quality. The Deeper Dive examines cooling pricing pressures, with CPI down to 3.5% and PPI at 5.5% for June, both aided by retreating oil prices, and lays out Argus's forecast that the fed funds rate will hold steady at 3.5% to 3.75% through year end. For full research and information about Argus subscriptions, visit argusresearch.com.

Market Beat | Episode #21

In episode 21 of Market Beat by Argus Research, host Caroline Wygal covers continued good news on inflation as wholesale price data follows yesterday's encouraging CPI print. Headline PPI comes in at 5.5% for June, down from 6.0% the prior month, and monthly PPI falls 0.3%, adding to the case that inflation is heading in the right direction. Fed Chair Kevin Warsh continues his Capitol Hill testimony, this time before the Senate, with markets hoping for rate clues given the improved data backdrop. In Active Stocks, PayPal surges 17% on a $53 billion takeover bid, BlackRock jumps 7% on strong Q2 earnings and better-than-expected asset flows, and Johnson & Johnson dips slightly despite raising full-year guidance. Stocks trade higher at midday on the combination of strong bank earnings and cooling inflation. Editor Olivia Frey delivers Quick Takes with a new coverage initiation on Sandisk at Hold with a long-term Buy, a raised target on JPMorgan Chase following its record quarter, and a raised target on Bank of America on improving return metrics and operating leverage. The Deeper Dive examines global demand for U.S. Treasury debt, with foreign holders owning $9.4 trillion of the $39 trillion total, led by Japan and the U.K., and why that steady demand has helped keep a lid on long-term interest rates even through elevated inflation. For full research and information about Argus subscriptions, visit argusresearch.com. #MarketBeat #ArgusResearch #Investing #Inflation #PPI #BankEarnings #Markets #Stockpicks #Stockmarket #Analysts #Equityresearch #Yahoofinance #CPI #Fed #KevinWarsh

Market Beat | Episode #20

In episode 20 of Market Beat by Argus Research, host Caroline Wygal covers a big morning for bank earnings and a surprise inflation print that could shift the rate outlook. JPMorgan Chase delivers the highest quarterly profit in U.S. banking history, Goldman Sachs jumps 8%, and Bank of America and Citigroup also beat, while Wells Fargo slips. On inflation, headline CPI drops sharply to 3.5% for June from 4.2% the prior month, well below the 3.8% consensus, and core CPI falls to 2.6% versus an expected 2.9%, with much of the improvement driven by falling energy prices. Fed Chair Kevin Warsh testifies on Capitol Hill for the first time, with markets watching for any signals on rates given the improved inflation backdrop. Stocks trade mixed at midday as AI demand concerns and Middle East uncertainty temper the good news. Analyst Christine Dooley delivers Quick Takes with a Buy on Kroger after its 20th consecutive year of dividend increases, a best-in-class call on Delta Air Lines, and a technical breakout buy case on Cheesecake Factory ahead of its July 28th earnings report. The Deeper Dive examines the sharp sector rotation from Q1 to Q2, with Energy leading in Q1 at 36% and Technology taking over in Q2 at over 32%, and why Argus sees the balanced advance as a healthy sign for the bull market. For full research and information about Argus subscriptions, visit argusresearch.com. #MarketBeat #ArgusResearch #Investing #BankEarnings #CPI #Inflation

Market Beat | Episode #19

In episode 19 of Market Beat by Argus Research, host Caroline Wygal breaks down the first Fed minutes under new Chair Kevin Warsh, revealing a sharply divided committee on the path forward for interest rates. Nine members see at least one rate hike by year end, eight forecast no change, and only one advocates for a cut, with odds of a hike at the July 29th meeting sitting at 28%. In Active Stocks, PepsiCo drops 5% on mixed earnings as consumers pull back on snacks and sodas, AstraZeneca falls 7% after a heart drug trial misses targets, and SpaceX ticks up 1% after briefly breaking below its IPO price. Markets trade higher at midday despite ongoing U.S. and Iran strikes, with the 10-year Treasury yield easing slightly to 4.56%. Editor Olivia Frey delivers Quick Takes with a new Buy coverage launch on Honeywell Aerospace, a raised target on Booking Holdings on global platform growth potential, and a raised target on Stryker on robotics surgery leadership and post-cyberattack recovery confidence. The Deeper Dive makes the case for international stock exposure, noting that global equities trade at a trailing P/E of 19 versus 27 for the S&P 500, with dividend yields of 2.3% globally versus 1.0% domestically, and recommends 20% to 25% international equity allocation for diversified investors. For full research and information about Argus subscriptions, visit argusresearch.com.

Market Beat | Episode #18

In episode 18 of Market Beat by Argus Research, host Caroline Wygal previews what could be a record quarter for large bank earnings as reporting season kicks off July 14th. Alibaba surges 10% on strong cloud growth, while energy stocks and crude oil push higher as hostilities in Iran resume, sending the 10-year Treasury yield up 6 basis points to 4.59% and oil to $75 a barrel. The Market Buzz recaps a strong second quarter for the S&P 500, up 15%, with Technology leading at over 35% as agentic AI drove a new round of tech spending, and breaks down why Argus sees the broad sector rotation as a healthy sign for the bull market. On bank earnings, Argus sees exceptional contributions from trading, underwriting, fixed-income issuance, and M&A, and remains favorable on JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and Bank of America. Analyst Stephen Biggar delivers Quick Takes with raised price targets on Southwest Airlines, up 35% over the past quarter on retreating fuel costs, and Royal Caribbean, where pent-up demand and an affluent clientele are driving bookings and pricing higher. The Deeper Dive covers Argus's midyear asset allocation outlook, favoring large-cap stocks for growth and IT exposure, with 15% in small and mid-caps and 20% in international equities. For full research and information about Argus subscriptions, visit argusresearch.com.