Stock Markets

Daily coverage of equity markets, sectors, and major indices.

In-depth reporting on U.S. and global stock markets, including index performance, sector rotation, earnings reactions, volatility trends, and notable single-stock moves. Designed to help traders and investors understand what is driving price action across equities.

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9,358 total articles

Berenberg Lowers Unilever Rating, Says Turnaround Already Priced In

Berenberg Lowers Unilever Rating, Says Turnaround Already Priced In

Berenberg has cut its recommendation on Unilever Plc from buy to hold, arguing the consumer goods group's multi-year restructuring and recent operational improvements are largely captured in the current share price. The bank reduced its FY26 EPS forecast slightly following Unilever's full-year 2025 results, while highlighting stronger-than-expected…

JP Morgan Says Persimmon Would Be Top Gainer if UK Revives Help-to-Buy

JP Morgan Says Persimmon Would Be Top Gainer if UK Revives Help-to-Buy

JP Morgan's research suggests a reinstated Help-to-Buy program focused on first-time buyers could lift private sales and completions modestly, with Persimmon identified as the principal beneficiary due to its pricing profile and customer mix. Other listed housebuilders would also see gains, while higher-priced developers and firms with limited open…

Mediobanca Set for Delisting as MPS Moves to Consolidate Ownership

Mediobanca Set for Delisting as MPS Moves to Consolidate Ownership

Mediobanca shares rallied after Monte dei Paschi di Siena (MPS) confirmed plans to acquire the remaining minority stake and remove the merchant bank from the stock exchange. MPS, which built an 86% holding last year through a roughly $19 billion transaction, will merge Mediobanca into the enlarged group and create an unlisted vehicle to run private…

European Equities Tick Up as Earnings Impress and U.K. Inflation Softens

European Equities Tick Up as Earnings Impress and U.K. Inflation Softens

European stock indices rose modestly as investors parsed a generally constructive corporate earnings season and a sharper-than-expected drop in U.K. inflation. Gains were supported by small advances on Wall Street, company-specific catalysts across mining, defense and healthcare, and easing oil-market tensions after reports of progress in U.S.-Iran…

Puig Posts Strong Q4; Makeup Segment Drives Outperformance

Puig Posts Strong Q4; Makeup Segment Drives Outperformance

Puig reported stronger-than-expected fourth-quarter results, with 9.8% organic sales growth beating consensus. Makeup led the quarter with a 26.5% like-for-like jump, aided in part by Amazon inventory loading. Fragrance, representing 72% of sales, grew 6.2% like-for-like, while skincare lagged. Full-year operating margin improved and management gui…

JPMorgan Chase Plans to Open 160+ New U.S. Branches in 2026

JPMorgan Chase Plans to Open 160+ New U.S. Branches in 2026

JPMorgan Chase intends to open more than 160 retail branches across over 30 U.S. states during 2026 as part of a multibillion-dollar investment in its physical network and a broader pledge to add over 500 branches within three years. The expansion emphasizes markets such as the Carolinas, Florida, Pennsylvania, Kansas, Massachusetts and Tennessee a…

Perplexity Ends Advertising Experiment, Sticks With Subscriptions

Perplexity Ends Advertising Experiment, Sticks With Subscriptions

Perplexity, an AI start-up based in San Francisco, has halted its advertising experiments and removed sponsored content from its chatbot, saying ads risk undermining user trust. Executives confirmed on Tuesday that advertising will no longer be part of the companys revenue strategy, which currently includes paid subscriptions. The move contrasts w…

BofA Flags Gaming as Bright Spot Amid Diverging European IT Hardware Demand

BofA Flags Gaming as Bright Spot Amid Diverging European IT Hardware Demand

BofA Research's February note finds consumer spending diverging across European IT Hardware markets, with gaming-related purchases significantly outpacing other categories while smartphones remain weak. The bank singles out a small group of companies with material exposure to consumer end-markets - notably Logitech, Soitec, Mycronic and Nordic Semi…