Global Markets
Canadian Markets
Canada’s S&P/TSX Composite Index declined as global markets shifted towards balancing risks, with investors retreating from stocks amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The conflict has driven a sharp rise in oil prices and heightened concerns that energy-led cost pressures could rekindle global inflation. The TSX managed to finish in the green, as the oil price dived under $100 USD heading into market on close
Canada’s macroeconomic outlook is continuing to darken as the effects of slower population growth begin to surface across the economy. More than a year after the federal government lowered immigration targets, Canada is now expected to experience a second consecutive year of essentially zero population growth, as economic growth falters as organic growth continues to stall, and per capita growth continues its decade slide.
American Markets
American markets also declined, but managed to rebound into close from earlier session lows as investors starting buying the dip, as the oil price dropped from intraday highs. Traders remain increasingly cautious with some analysts warning that the probability of a deeper market correction has risen if geopolitical tensions persist or begin to disrupt global trade flows. Agricultural prices have climbed as the conflict threatens shipping routes and global supply chains, raising fears of tighter food supplies and reinforcing broader stagflation risks if elevated commodity prices coincide with slowing economic growth, as the latest job losses reported on Friday confirm.
European Markets
European stocks dropped as sentiment deteriorated significantly. European markets fell to their lowest levels in more than two months as investors grappled with both geopolitical uncertainty and weak economic data. Investor confidence in the euro zone declined in March as the Middle East conflict cast doubt on the region’s fragile recovery. Data released showed Germany’s industrial output weakened, with data from the Federal Statistical Office revealing that factory orders plunged 11% in January from the previous month, far worse than the 4.5% drop economists had expected and marking the steepest decline in two years. Norway’s government trimmed its growth forecast for 2026, omitting the energy sector in the update.
UK stocks also declined as losses in real estate investment trusts, property developers, and household goods companies weighed on the market. The weakness came as Britain’s Prime Minister and finance minister warned that the Middle East conflict could push inflation higher by sustained elevated energy prices.
Corporate Stock News
Agilent Technologies Inc. (A) said it will acquire privately held clinical pathology company Biocare Medical in an all-cash deal valued at $950 million. The acquisition from Excellere Partners and GHO Capital Partners is expected to close by the fourth fiscal quarter of 2026, with Biocare becoming part of Agilent’s Life Sciences and Diagnostics Markets unit, strengthening its tissue diagnostics portfolio used in cancer and infectious disease testing.
Apollo Global Management Inc. (APO) is set to complete the acquisition of a 55% stake in Spanish football club Atlético Madrid through its Apollo Sports Capital arm on March 12, according to a report by Spanish newspaper Expansion. The transaction is expected to value the club at roughly €2.5 billion ($2.88 billion), making Apollo the majority shareholder in the top-tier Spanish football team.
Boeing Co. (BA) disclosed that CEO Kelly Ortberg earned approximately $9.4 million in compensation in 2025, including $1.5 million in salary, $3.9 million in incentive pay, and $3.9 million in vested stock units, along with about $650,000 in additional benefits. He also received $17.5 million in stock awards that are scheduled to vest over the next three years.
Coterra Energy Inc. (CTRA) had its rating downgraded to Hold from Buy by Texas Capital Securities, which also lowered its target price to $31 from $34 following the company’s all-stock transaction to merge with Devon Energy.
Hims & Hers Health Inc. (HIMS) surged in after-hours trading after reports that Novo Nordisk plans to sell its weight-loss drugs through the company’s platform, potentially resolving a recent legal dispute between the two firms. The companies are expected to announce a partnership soon that would allow Novo’s drugs, including Wegovy, to be distributed through the telehealth provider.
KKR & Co. Inc. (KKR) is reportedly exploring a sale of data-center cooling company CoolIT Systems for more than $3 billion, according to the Financial Times. The process is said to be in early stages, with multiple potential buyers identified as demand rises for advanced cooling solutions needed for AI and cloud computing infrastructure.
Lamb Weston Holdings Inc. (LW) is facing pressure from activist investor Starboard Value, which has built a sizable stake in the company and is pushing the french-fry maker to accelerate operational improvements and cost reductions. Starboard has reportedly become one of the company’s largest shareholders as it views the business as undervalued.
Lantheus Holdings Inc. (LNTH) received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for a new formulation of its prostate cancer imaging agent Pylarify. The updated version, Pylarify TruVu, allows higher radioactive concentrations and larger batch production, which is expected to increase output by about 50% and expand access to PSMA PET scans.
Live Nation Entertainment Inc. (LYV) is reportedly nearing a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice in a federal antitrust lawsuit that could avoid forcing the company to divest its Ticketmaster business. The case stems from allegations that the company’s dominance in ticketing inflated prices and harmed artists and consumers.
Nvidia Corp. (NVDA) introduced a new executive compensation plan for fiscal 2027 that sets a $4 million target cash bonus for CEO Jensen Huang tied to revenue performance. Separately, Nvidia-backed artificial intelligence firm Nscale was valued at $14.6 billion after raising $2 billion in its latest funding round.
Oracle Corp. (ORCL) had its target price cut to $230 from $310 by Barclays, which cited anticipated pressure on gross margins and earnings per share as the company increases spending on AI infrastructure capacity despite strong AI-driven revenue growth.
Shopify Inc. (SHOP) had its target price raised to $204 from $170 by Jefferies, reflecting the firm’s stronger competitive positioning and growing confidence that Shopify will serve as core infrastructure for emerging “agentic commerce” platforms.
Solv Energy Inc. (SOLV) was initiated at JPMorgan with a target price of $34, with the bank highlighting strong long-term growth visibility driven by rising demand for complex utility-scale solar energy projects.
Syndax Pharmaceuticals Inc. (SNDX) had its target price raised to $45 from $33 by JPMorgan, which pointed to the potential upside from upcoming Phase 2 data for its IPF treatment candidate Niktimvo.
USA Compression Partners LP (USAC) was upgraded to Buy from Hold by Texas Capital Securities, which also raised its target price to $31 from $26. The upgrade reflects strong operational execution and expected accretive growth following the company’s acquisition of J-W Power.
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.
