Market Analysis: Sept 18th, 2025

Market Analysis: Sept 18th, 2025

Global Markets

Canadian Markets

Canada’s main stock index advanced, shrugging off weakness in commodities as both oil and gold prices slipped, with gains in financials and industrials supporting the market. Canada and Mexico announced plans to sign a new strategic partnership agreement designed to help offset trade losses stemming from U.S. protectionist policies, signaling closer economic integration between the two nations.

American Markets

Wall Street surged following the Federal Reserve’s first interest rate cut of the year. Investor sentiment was buoyed by the Fed’s “dot plot,” which projected two additional rate cuts over the remaining policy meetings in 2025.  Federal Chair Jerome Powell struck a cautious tone, noting that the central bank does not need to “move quickly from here,” though analysts flagged that economic data could easily force a more aggressive response.

Nvidia and Intel drove the Nasdaq higher as NVDA announced a US$5 billion investment in Intel, with the two companies partnering on AI infrastructure and PC development. The deal highlights the deepening strategic ties across the semiconductor sector as demand for AI computing accelerates.

European Markets

European markets moved higher, led by gains in technology stocks, which outperformed on optimism around AI and digital infrastructure spending.

Swiss exports to the U.S. fell by more than 20% following Trump’s tariffs, raising concerns over export-driven growth.

Ireland’s central bank reported that the country’s economy remains resilient but warned of structural challenges ahead, particularly around housing supply and fiscal sustainability.

UK stocks climbed as the Bank of England signaled a slower pace of quantitative tightening, while holding interest rates steady. The decision reflected ongoing caution amid sticky inflation and moderate growth. The British pound and government gilts declined as investors recalibrated expectations for future monetary policy.

Corporate Stock News

89bio Inc (ETNB): Roche agreed to acquire the U.S. biotech firm for up to $3.5 billion, offering $14.50 per share in cash plus contingent value rights worth up to $6.00. The deal underscores Roche’s push into liver disease treatments alongside obesity drug research.

AGF Management Limited (AGF-B:CA) — TD Securities raised its target price to $15.00 while maintaining a Sector Perform rating.

Alphabet Inc (GOOGL): Piper Sandler raised its target price to $285 from $220 after a District Court ruling spared Google from divesting Chrome.

Amazon.com Inc (AMZN): A U.S. judge ruled that Amazon violated consumer protection laws by enrolling customers in Prime without consent and complicating cancellation, giving the FTC a partial win. Two executives may be held liable.

Apple Inc (AAPL): Apple is holding talks with suppliers in Taiwan for test production of foldable iPhones, with plans for mass production in India by 2026.

Arvinas Inc (ARVN) & Pfizer Inc (PFE): Arvinas will out-license rights to breast cancer drug vepdegestrant, cutting annual costs by over $100 million. Shares of Arvinas fell on the news.

Bank of Montreal (BMO:CA): Rahul Nalgirkar was named CFO, succeeding Tayfun Tuzun, as BMO continues expanding in the U.S.

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. (BIPC:CA) — TD Securities maintained a Buy rating with a target price of $73.00.

Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P. (BEP-UN:CA) — TD Securities maintained a Buy rating with a target price of $31.00.

CrowdStrike Holdings Inc (CRWD): Jefferies raised its target price to $515 from $500, citing strong 2027 guidance and its AI platform.

DoorDash Inc (DASH): Deliveroo CEO Will Shu will step down once its acquisition by DoorDash is finalized on October 2. Several board members will also resign.

Eli Lilly and Co (LLY): Trial results showed Mounjaro (tirzepatide) significantly reduced blood sugar and weight in children with type 2 diabetes. Lilly submitted data to regulators for expanded approval.

Exxon Mobil Corp (XOM): Exxon paused $118.4 million in European recycling investments due to draft EU rules it says unfairly favor standalone recycling plants over integrated petrochemical facilities.

Ford Motor Co (F) & General Motors Co (GM): Automakers are absorbing billions in added costs from Trump’s tariffs, with GM projecting $5 billion in impacts this year and Ford about $3 billion, while avoiding higher consumer prices.

Franklin Resources Inc (BEN): Partnered with DBS Group and Ripple to offer tokenized money market fund trading and stablecoin services on DBS’s Digital Exchange.

Ivanhoe Mines Ltd (IVN:CA): Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund invested $500 million to support copper and critical mineral expansion. Co-Chairman Robert Friedland said Ivanhoe is in constant talks with other sovereign investors. TD Securities maintained a Buy rating with a target price of $13.00.

Lyft Inc (LYFT): Jefferies raised its target price to $22 from $15 after the company announced a 2026 autonomous ride-hailing partnership with Waymo in Nashville.

Meta Platforms Inc (META): Launched new smart glasses with a built-in display, priced at $799, along with a wristband controller that enables gesture-based commands.

Netskope Inc (NTSK): Raised $908.2 million in its IPO, pricing at $19 per share, giving the cybersecurity firm a $7.26 billion valuation. Shares begin trading on Nasdaq.

Northrop Grumman Corp (NOC): NASA confirmed its Cygnus XL cargo craft will dock with the ISS Thursday after resolving a software safeguard issue. The vessel carries 11,000 pounds of supplies.

NRG Energy Inc (NRG): Raised annual EPS guidance to $7.55–$8.15 from $6.75–$7.75 on stronger AI-related power demand. Adjusted net income guidance was also raised.

Oracle Corp (ORCL): Moody’s flagged risks in Oracle’s $300 billion AI contracts, including counterparty concentration, but did not take ratings action. The company retains a Baa2 investment-grade rating.

Reddit Inc (RDDT): Piper Sandler raised Reddit’s target to $290 from $210 on strong ad growth.

SiTime Corp (SITM): Released its new Titan chip for wearables, shrinking timing components from rice-grain to pinhead size, replacing quartz crystals with silicon technology.

StubHub Holdings Inc (STUB): Shares rose in its NYSE debut but closed below the $23.50 IPO price at $22, after volatile first-day trading.

Tesla Inc (TSLA): Plans to integrate manual and electronic door-release handles for better emergency use, as regulators in China consider banning fully concealed handles.

WaterBridge Infrastructure LLC (WBI): Debuted on the NYSE with shares priced at $20. They opened at $25 but closed at $22.83, valuing the water management firm at $2.6 billion.

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