Global Markets
Canadian Markets
Canada’s TSX opened higher, driven by a boost in commodity prices as oil and gold rose. The surge in these commodities helped to offset the weakness in global markets.
The Bank of Canada is expected to hold its benchmark interest rate steady at 2.75% when policymakers meet on Wednesday. Despite the recent uptick in the Canadian economy, which grew faster than analysts had anticipated last quarter. The Bank of Canada is opting for a cautious approach, awaiting more data before making any adjustments. This cautious stance comes as inflation remains largely stable, and policymakers are wary of the potential ripple effects from global trade disruptions, particularly between the U.S. and China. Analysts expect at least two more interest rate cuts later this year to help stimulate domestic growth, especially as economic uncertainty looms.
American Markets
U.S. markets dropped following the latest escalation in the trade war with China. The announcement by President Donald Trump to double tariffs on imported steel and aluminum to 50% has intensified concerns that both economies may enter a prolonged period of trade retaliation. This move is seen as a dramatic escalation in an already tense situation, sparking fears that additional tariffs could further disrupt global supply chains and trade flows.
The decision to raise tariffs could exacerbate inflationary pressures, especially in sectors reliant on steel and aluminum, and could contribute to slower economic growth, particularly in manufacturing-heavy regions of the U.S.
European Markets
European stocks also dropped as escalating tariffs dampened investor sentiment. While May saw European shares gain by 4%, June has begun on a much weaker note, with particularly notable losses in the automotive sector. European auto stocks fell by about 2%, as the U.S. tariffs could hit car manufacturers hard. European automakers, many of which rely on global supply chains, could face higher production costs, and this would negatively impact their bottom lines. Automakers like BMW, Daimler, and Volkswagen, which have significant manufacturing operations in the U.S., are particularly vulnerable to the increased tariffs.
UK stocks mirrored the downward trend, with traders opting to reduce exposure to riskier assets as new trade uncertainties emerged. The luxury goods sector also took a hit, with companies like Burberry leading the way down, dropping over 1% during trading. These stocks were particularly sensitive to concerns about higher tariffs, as they often rely on international markets for revenue. Increased tariffs could affect their pricing strategies and make products more expensive for consumers, thereby dampening demand.
Corporate News
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Acquisition of Blueprint Medicines Corporation: Sanofi agrees to buy Blueprint Medicines for over $9 billion to strengthen its rare immunology portfolio.
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Amazon Antitrust Scrutiny: Germany’s cartel office expresses concern over Amazon’s use of price control mechanisms, potentially breaching regulations for large digital companies.
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Boeing’s Aircraft Orders: Air India in talks with Boeing for a large order, including 200 single-aisle jets. Vietnam Airlines to finalize 50 Boeing 737 MAX jets.
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Charter Communications Target Price Increase: Bernstein raises target price for Charter Communications to $410, citing anticipated growth in 2025.
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Citigroup Appoints New China Head: Wenjie Zhang appointed as Citigroup’s new country officer for China, following the departure of the former head.
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CrowdStrike Target Price Increase: JPMorgan raises target price for CrowdStrike to $500, expecting strong growth and profitability.
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Datagroup SE Acquisition Proposal: KKR proposes to increase its acquisition offer for Datagroup SE to up to 58 euros per share, conditional on shareholder approval.
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First Quantum Minerals Maintenance Plan: Panama approves the maintenance plan for First Quantum’s copper mine, but the site will not reopen.
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Ford Motor Recall: Ford recalls 29,501 vehicles in the U.S. due to a detached control arm that could cause a loss of steering and control.
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Gilead and Merck’s Breast Cancer Trial: Gilead’s Trodelvy, combined with Merck’s Keytruda, shows promising results in treating aggressive breast cancer.
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Hims & Hers Health Layoffs: Hims & Hers Health announces layoffs of 68 employees due to changes in the regulatory environment for weight-loss drugs.
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IPO of Chime Financial: Chime Financial aims for a valuation of $9.47 billion in its U.S. IPO, targeting to raise up to $832 million.
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IPO of Voyager Technologies: Voyager Technologies plans to raise up to $319 million in its U.S. IPO, targeting a valuation of $1.6 billion.
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KKR Increases Offer for Datagroup: KKR makes a conditional offer to increase its bid for Datagroup SE to up to 58 euros per share.
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Microsoft Investment in Switzerland: Microsoft announces a $400 million investment to expand its AI and cloud computing infrastructure in Switzerland.
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Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Approval: Moderna’s next-generation COVID-19 vaccine is approved by the FDA for those aged 65 and above, and other high-risk individuals.
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Pfizer’s Breast Cancer Drug Success: Pfizer‘s experimental drug vepdegestrant significantly delays breast cancer progression compared to AstraZeneca’s Faslodex.
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Tesla Cancels $25,000 EV: Elon Musk denies reports that Tesla canceled a $25,000 EV, pivoting focus to self-driving robotaxis instead.
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United States Steel Corp Merger Talks: President Trump lauds the potential merger between U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel, but still needs to give the final approval.
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Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz in India: Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz eye India’s new electric vehicle policy as they consider expanding into the country’s EV market.
STA Research (StockTargetAdvisor.com) is a independent Investment Research company that specializes in stock forecasting and analysis with integrated AI, based on our platform stocktargetadvisor.com, EST 2007.
