Market Analysis: Sept 17th, 2025

Market Analysis: Sept 17th, 2025

Global Markets

Canadian Markets

The Toronto Stock Exchange moved higher after the Bank of Canada (BoC) cut its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points, lowering the policy rate from 2.75% to 2.50%. This marks the first rate cut since March and reflects the central bank’s concerns over slowing growth with easing inflationary pressures. The financials and real estate sectors helped push the TSX higher, getting a boost from the lowering of rates.

American Markets

U.S. stock indices traded mostly lower as investors adopted a cautious stance ahead of the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy decision. Fed Chair Jerome Powell is widely expected to announce a 25 basis point rate cut, the first in 2025, in response to signs of a weakening labour market. While markets have already priced in the rate cut, traders remain focused on Powell’s guidance about the pace and extent of future rate reductions.

European Markets

European markets traded mixed  with gains in technology, real estate, and healthcare shares, but were weighed down by weakness in energy and mining stocks. Germany’s DAX ticked slightly higher,  while France’s CAC 40 dropped.

UK markets moved marginally higher as inflationary data showed consumer prices holding steady at 3.8% in August. The reading reinforced expectations that the Bank of England will keep interest rates unchanged at its upcoming meeting.  Supermarket chain Morrisons reported slowing sales growth, reflecting continued pressure on UK retailers as high living costs and intense competition weigh on consumer spending.

Top Stock News

AbbVie Inc (ABBV:US): Berenberg raised its rating to buy from hold and lifted the price target to $270 from $170, citing premium valuation, strong R&D returns, and robust cash flow.

Alphabet Inc (GOOGL:US): At its annual “Made on YouTube” event, YouTube outlined a strategy to dominate future media using AI tools for creators, emphasizing AI as a complement rather than a replacement for jobs.

AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc (AMC:US) & Cinemark Holdings Inc (CNK:US): Theater chains invested over $1.5 billion in auditorium upgrades, boosting premium format ticket sales to 14.9% of the U.S./Canada market this year, up from 9.8% in 2019.

Apple Inc (AAPL:US): China’s smartphone market fell 2% in early Q3, with Apple sales down 6% ahead of the new iPhone launch, according to Counterpoint Research.

Aya Gold & Silver Inc (AYA:CA): Cormark Securities raised its target price to C$17.50 from C$12.50 after a new gold zone discovery near Boumadine in Morocco.

Boeing Co (BA:US): Boeing Defense workers will vote Friday on a new contract to potentially end a six-week strike. Boeing rejected the union proposal, warning it could prolong the work stoppage.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co (BMY:US): The company will sell its 60% stake in a Chinese pharmaceutical joint venture, saying it is committed to supporting impacted employees.

BWX Technologies Inc (BWXT:US): Secured a $1.5 billion U.S. government contract to develop domestic uranium enrichment capabilities for defense purposes. Shares rose in extended trading.

Carvana Co (CVNA:US): JPMorgan raised its target price to $425 from $415, citing strong fundamentals and ongoing market share gains.

Chevron Corp (CVX:US): Vitol and Glencore are expected to bid for Chevron’s 50% stake in Singapore’s second-largest refinery, valued at roughly $1 billion.

Discovery Silver Corp (DSV:CA): Cormark Securities raised its target price to C$6 from C$5 after the company secured a $250 million revolving credit facility.

Dundee Precious Metals Inc (DPM:CA): Tens of thousands protested in Ecuador against the company’s Loma Larga gold project, citing risks to water reserves. Construction remains suspended pending an environmental management plan.

Eli Lilly and Co (LLY:US): Berenberg cut its rating to hold from buy and lowered the price target to $830 from $970, citing plateauing obesity drug growth. Separately, Lilly highlighted its global obesity drug strategy and unveiled positive results from its experimental GLP-1 pill.

FedEx Corp (FDX:US): Analysts expect tariff changes to hit quarterly profits when FedEx reports Thursday, with consensus earnings at $3.62 per share, slightly above last year’s $3.60. Shares closed up 0.9% at $228.

IAMGOLD Corp (IMG:CA): Cormark Securities lifted its target price to C$20 from C$16.50, citing strong drill program results at Nelligan and Monster Lake.

Meta Platforms Inc (META:US): U.S. senators demanded Meta disclose internal assessments on child safety and parental controls, adding pressure following prior reports about its chatbots.

Nestlé SA (NESN:SW): Chairman Paul Bulcke will step down on October 1, handing over to former Inditex chief Pablo Isla amid leadership turbulence.

New Fortress Energy Inc (NFE:US): Puerto Rico signed a $4 billion LNG contract with New Fortress Energy for a 7-year supply deal, pending approval by the oversight board.

Northrop Grumman Corp (NOC:US): A Northrop-built spacecraft failed a main engine burn en route to the ISS, delaying arrival as NASA works on a new plan.

Procter & Gamble Co (PG:US): Berenberg raised its price target to $154 from $152, upgrading FY2026 estimates in line with management guidance.

Ralph Lauren Corp (RL:US): Barclays cut its target price to $353 from $360, viewing the company’s growth plan as conservative despite profitability.

StubHub Holdings Inc (STUB:US): Priced its IPO at $23.50 per share, raising $800 million for an $8.6 billion valuation. Trading to begin on NYSE under ticker “STUB.”

Tesla Inc (TSLA:US): Reached confidential settlements in two Autopilot-related fatal crash lawsuits. Separately, Tesla extended a deadline with Syrah Resources on a critical graphite supply deal.

Teck Resources Ltd (TECK:CA): TD Cowen raised its target price to C$63 from C$60, seeing Anglo American as the most logical acquirer.

WaterBridge Infrastructure LLC (WBI:US): Raised $634 million in a U.S. IPO, pricing at $20 per share for a $2.3 billion valuation. Trading to begin on NYSE and NYSE Texas under “WBI.”

Workday Inc (WDAY:US): Activist investor Elliott Management disclosed a $2B+ stake, supporting management. On the same day, Workday announced a $1.1 billion acquisition of AI firm Sana, its third AI deal in two months.

Unilever PLC (UL:US): Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Jerry Greenfield departed, citing loss of brand independence under Unilever’s ownership.

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