AI Podcast Series Episode #1 | AI & IT

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.

Market Beat | Episode #17

In episode 17 of Market Beat by Argus Research, host Caroline Wygal covers a turbulent day for chip stocks and the story behind SpaceX's blockbuster IPO. A wave of AI and semiconductor names sell off sharply, with Western Digital, Sandisk, Micron, Intel, AMD, and Marvell all down between 7% and 12% after Samsung's earnings disappointed high expectations. SpaceX joins the Nasdaq 100 on its first day of trading, down 6% from its highs. The Wall Street Buzz examines inflation expectations, noting that long-term breakeven rates have declined since Kevin Warsh was confirmed as Fed Chair, suggesting markets still trust the Fed's 2% target. Analyst Christine Dooley delivers Quick Takes with bullish outlooks on IQVIA Holdings, flagged as a beneficiary of AI-driven drug discovery, and Expedia, trading at historically low multiples with a raised price target. The Deeper Dive breaks down how SpaceX revived the IPO market in Q2 2026, with 48 companies raising a total of $105 billion, including 10 deals above $1 billion, and what trends from the offering could shape mega-cap IPOs in the second half. For full research and information about Argus subscriptions, visit argusresearch.com.

Market Beat | Episode # 16

In episode 16 of Market Beat by Argus Research, host Caroline Wygal looks ahead to the second half of 2026 with Argus's six investment themes for the rest of the year. Storage stocks lead the morning with Western Digital up 9%, and SpaceX rises 2% ahead of joining the Nasdaq 100. The Wall Street Buzz previews the upcoming earnings season, with big banks including JPMorgan, Citigroup, and Bank of America kicking off reporting on July 14, and highlights the upcoming Fed June FOMC minutes as the first fly-on-the-wall look at Chairman Kevin Warsh in the top seat. Analyst Christine Dooley delivers Quick Takes, maintaining a Hold on General Mills amid weak volume and a disappointing outlook, and breaking down the technical picture on Alphabet with key support and resistance levels. The Deeper Dive covers Argus's six second-half investment themes: AI Broadens Out, Energy Realignment, Upbeat Management Signals with Dividend Hikes, Upbeat Management Signals with Raising Guidance, Consumer Relief, and Rotation into Income, with key stock picks across the first three themes including Nvidia, Chevron, and Goldman Sachs. For full research and information about Argus subscriptions, visit argusresearch.com.

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.