Market Update
U.S. Movers: Advance Auto Parts
Scott Peters
16 Aug, 2025
New York City
Advance Auto Parts Inc. advanced 0.7% to $49.50 after the automotive aftermarket parts provider company reported a 67% drop in quarterly profit from a year ago.
Consolidated revenue edged down to $2 billion from $2.2 billion, net income dropped to $15 million from $45 million, and diluted earnings per share fell to 25 cents from 75 cents a year ago.
The company's board declared a regular cash dividend of $0.25 per share, payable on October 24 to shareholders on record on October 10.
During the second quarter the comparable store sales increased by 0.1%.
Advance Auto Parts guided full-year revenue to be between $8.4 billion and $8.6 billion, and adjusted diluted earnings per share for continuing operations between $1.2 and $2.20.
U.S. Movers: Advance Auto Parts
Scott Peters
16 Aug, 2025
New York City
Advance Auto Parts Inc. advanced 0.7% to $49.50 after the automotive aftermarket parts provider company reported a 67% drop in quarterly profit from a year ago.
Consolidated revenue edged down to $2 billion from $2.2 billion, net income dropped to $15 million from $45 million, and diluted earnings per share fell to 25 cents from 75 cents a year ago.
The company's board declared a regular cash dividend of $0.25 per share, payable on October 24 to shareholders on record on October 10.
During the second quarter the comparable store sales increased by 0.1%.
Advance Auto Parts guided full-year revenue to be between $8.4 billion and $8.6 billion, and adjusted diluted earnings per share for continuing operations between $1.2 and $2.20.
China Stocks Extend Multi-Year Highs as Investors Chase Returns
Li Chen
18 Aug, 2025
Hong Kong
Stocks in China and Hong Kong advanced to multi-year highs amid rising risk appetite and the sustained buying by the state-owned entities.
The Hang Seng index gained 0.6%, and the CSI 300 index advanced 1.5% as large state-controlled institutions increased exposure to tech stocks.
Moreover, the yield on 10-year Chinese government bonds increased to 2.7%.
Despite the weakness in the macroeconomic outlook, the Hang Seng index and the CSI 300 index continue to advance and extend this year's gains to 29% and 11%, respectively.
Last week, the National Bureau of Statistics reported a weaker-than-expected rise in retail sales, industrial output, and fixed-asset investment.
Moreover, jobless rates continue to remain elevated, and home prices across 70 of the largest cities extended their decline.
Investors reviewed announcements from the U.S. and Russia summit, and the leaders of the two nations failed to provide details of the discussion and a possible timetable to end the invasion of Ukraine.
Earnings continue to dominate investor sentiment in Monday's trading, and Baidu, Xiaomi, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing, China Vanke, and Longfor Group Holdings are set to announce their corporate results later in the week.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng index increased 0.6% to 25,426.53, and the CSI 300 index advanced 1.5% to 4,265.40.
Property developers were in focus ahead of the release of quarterly results this week.
China Vanke Co. Ltd. decreased 0.8% to HK $5.22, and Longfor Group Holdings declined 2.8% to HK $10.56.
Baidu Inc. increased 2.1% to HK $88.80, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd. gained 0.3% to HK $440.20, and Xiaomi Corp. added 1.2% to HK $53.50.
China Stocks Extend Multi-Year Highs as Investors Chase Returns
Li Chen
18 Aug, 2025
Hong Kong
Stocks in China and Hong Kong advanced to multi-year highs amid rising risk appetite and the sustained buying by the state-owned entities.
The Hang Seng index gained 0.6%, and the CSI 300 index advanced 1.5% as large state-controlled institutions increased exposure to tech stocks.
Moreover, the yield on 10-year Chinese government bonds increased to 2.7%.
Despite the weakness in the macroeconomic outlook, the Hang Seng index and the CSI 300 index continue to advance and extend this year's gains to 29% and 11%, respectively.
Last week, the National Bureau of Statistics reported a weaker-than-expected rise in retail sales, industrial output, and fixed-asset investment.
Moreover, jobless rates continue to remain elevated, and home prices across 70 of the largest cities extended their decline.
Investors reviewed announcements from the U.S. and Russia summit, and the leaders of the two nations failed to provide details of the discussion and a possible timetable to end the invasion of Ukraine.
Earnings continue to dominate investor sentiment in Monday's trading, and Baidu, Xiaomi, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing, China Vanke, and Longfor Group Holdings are set to announce their corporate results later in the week.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng index increased 0.6% to 25,426.53, and the CSI 300 index advanced 1.5% to 4,265.40.
Property developers were in focus ahead of the release of quarterly results this week.
China Vanke Co. Ltd. decreased 0.8% to HK $5.22, and Longfor Group Holdings declined 2.8% to HK $10.56.
Baidu Inc. increased 2.1% to HK $88.80, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd. gained 0.3% to HK $440.20, and Xiaomi Corp. added 1.2% to HK $53.50.
Trump's Interference in Corporate America, Global Trade, and Fed's Decision Making Unnerves Global Investors
Barry Adams
15 Aug, 2025
New York City
Wall Street indexes advanced on Friday and extended weekly gains after retail sales confirmed resilient consumer spending.
The S&P 500 index edged up 0.1%, and the Nasdaq Composite gained a fraction as July's retail sales data indicated positive consumer sentiment.
Benchmark indexes are set to advance 1% after a week of trading, despite a mixed picture on the inflation front.
Consumer price inflation was steady at 2.7% in July, but producer price inflation rose at an annual pace of 3.4%, the fastest pace since February.
Investors are still holding out for at least a 25 basis point rate cut at the end of a two-day policy meeting on September 17, but the persistent interference by the U.S. president is worrying investors.
Donald Trump has persistently pressured Fed Chair Powell to lower interest rates, demanded Intel fire its chief executive, asked Goldman Sachs to replace its chief economist, and taken a cut from the sale of advanced chips to China.
In addition, Trump fired the head of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, undermining the credibility of the U.S. data.
U.S. Stock Movers
Circle Internet Group extended two-day losses to 13% to $136.66 after the company filed to sell 10 million shares in a public offering at $130 per share.
The stablecoin cryptocurrency issuer said it plans to sell 2 million shares, and existing stockholders plan to sell 8 million shares.
UnitedHealth Group soared 10% to $298.70 after Berkshire Hathaway and Scion Asset Management disclosed stakes in the company.
Warren Buffett's controlled Berkshire Hathaway acquired 5 million shares for $1.6 billion, and David Tepper's controlled Appaloosa and Michael Burry's controlled Scion Asset Management also acquired direct stakes in the beleaguered insurance company.
Burry's Scion Asset Management also acquired direct stakes in Lululemon, Regeneron, Mercado Libre, and Bruker and trimmed its holding in Estee Lauder to 150,000 from 200,000 stocks.
Intel Corp. jumped 3.4% to $24.69 after a Bloomberg report suggested that the Trump administration is in talks to buy a stake in the company, helping the company to expand its manufacturing capacity in the U.S.
Applied Materials dropped 14% to $161.94 after the company's forward-looking guidance fell short of market expectations.
Applied Materials guided fourth quarter revenue to be between $6.7 billion compared to $7.30 billion and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share to be between $2.11 compared to $2.11 a quarter earlier.
“We are expecting a decline in revenue in the fourth quarter driven by both digestion of capacity in China and nonlinear demand from leading-edge customers given market concentration and fab timing,” said Brice Hill, Senior Vice President and CFO.
Dillard’s Inc. gained 15 cents to $498.73 after the department store chain reported a slight increase in revenue and a marginal decline in net income in the second quarter.
Trump's Interference in Corporate America, Global Trade, and Fed's Decision Making Unnerves Global Investors
Barry Adams
15 Aug, 2025
New York City
Wall Street indexes advanced on Friday and extended weekly gains after retail sales confirmed resilient consumer spending.
The S&P 500 index edged up 0.1%, and the Nasdaq Composite gained a fraction as July's retail sales data indicated positive consumer sentiment.
Benchmark indexes are set to advance 1% after a week of trading, despite a mixed picture on the inflation front.
Consumer price inflation was steady at 2.7% in July, but producer price inflation rose at an annual pace of 3.4%, the fastest pace since February.
Investors are still holding out for at least a 25 basis point rate cut at the end of a two-day policy meeting on September 17, but the persistent interference by the U.S. president is worrying investors.
Donald Trump has persistently pressured Fed Chair Powell to lower interest rates, demanded Intel fire its chief executive, asked Goldman Sachs to replace its chief economist, and taken a cut from the sale of advanced chips to China.
In addition, Trump fired the head of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, undermining the credibility of the U.S. data.
U.S. Stock Movers
Circle Internet Group extended two-day losses to 13% to $136.66 after the company filed to sell 10 million shares in a public offering at $130 per share.
The stablecoin cryptocurrency issuer said it plans to sell 2 million shares, and existing stockholders plan to sell 8 million shares.
UnitedHealth Group soared 10% to $298.70 after Berkshire Hathaway and Scion Asset Management disclosed stakes in the company.
Warren Buffett's controlled Berkshire Hathaway acquired 5 million shares for $1.6 billion, and David Tepper's controlled Appaloosa and Michael Burry's controlled Scion Asset Management also acquired direct stakes in the beleaguered insurance company.
Burry's Scion Asset Management also acquired direct stakes in Lululemon, Regeneron, Mercado Libre, and Bruker and trimmed its holding in Estee Lauder to 150,000 from 200,000 stocks.
Intel Corp. jumped 3.4% to $24.69 after a Bloomberg report suggested that the Trump administration is in talks to buy a stake in the company, helping the company to expand its manufacturing capacity in the U.S.
Applied Materials dropped 14% to $161.94 after the company's forward-looking guidance fell short of market expectations.
Applied Materials guided fourth quarter revenue to be between $6.7 billion compared to $7.30 billion and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share to be between $2.11 compared to $2.11 a quarter earlier.
“We are expecting a decline in revenue in the fourth quarter driven by both digestion of capacity in China and nonlinear demand from leading-edge customers given market concentration and fab timing,” said Brice Hill, Senior Vice President and CFO.
Dillard’s Inc. gained 15 cents to $498.73 after the department store chain reported a slight increase in revenue and a marginal decline in net income in the second quarter.
Stock Movers: Applied Materials, Dillard's
Scott Peters
14 Aug, 2025
New York City
Applied Materials fell 15% to $161.84 despite the semiconductor equipment and materials engineering company reporting an increase in revenue and earnings in the fiscal third quarter ending on July 27.
Consolidated revenue increased to $7.30 billion from $6.78 billion, net income inched higher to $1.77 billion from $1.70 billion, and diluted earnings per share rose to $2.22 from $2.05 a year ago.
During the quarter, Applied Materials returned a total of $1.42 billion to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends, including the repurchase of 1.05 billion shares of common stock.
Applied Materials guided fiscal fourth quarter revenue to be $6.7 billion, with a band of $500 million, compared to $7.30 billion and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share to be $2.11, with a band of 20 cents, compared to $2.48 a quarter earlier, respectively.
“We are expecting a decline in revenue in the fourth quarter driven by both digestion of capacity in China and nonlinear demand from leading-edge customers given market concentration and fab timing,” said Brice Hill, Senior Vice President and CFO.
Dillard’s Inc. gained 15 cents to $498.73 after the department store chain reported a slight increase in revenue and a marginal decline in net income in the second quarter.
Consolidated revenue edged higher to $1.53 billion from $1.51 billion, net income fell to $72.8 million from $74.5 million, and diluted earnings per share declined to $4.66 from $4.59 a year ago.
During the second quarter, the company purchased approximately 24,500 shares of Class A shares for $9.8 million, at an average price of $398.67 per share.
During 26-week period ending on August 2, the company purchased $107.8 million, approximately 300,000 shares of Class A shares, at an average price of $359.16 per share.
Stock Movers: Applied Materials, Dillard's
Scott Peters
14 Aug, 2025
New York City
Applied Materials fell 15% to $161.84 despite the semiconductor equipment and materials engineering company reporting an increase in revenue and earnings in the fiscal third quarter ending on July 27.
Consolidated revenue increased to $7.30 billion from $6.78 billion, net income inched higher to $1.77 billion from $1.70 billion, and diluted earnings per share rose to $2.22 from $2.05 a year ago.
During the quarter, Applied Materials returned a total of $1.42 billion to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends, including the repurchase of 1.05 billion shares of common stock.
Applied Materials guided fourth quarter revenue to be between $6.7 billion compared to $7.30 billion and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share to be between $2.11 compared to $2.11 a quarter earlier.
“We are expecting a decline in revenue in the fourth quarter driven by both digestion of capacity in China and nonlinear demand from leading-edge customers given market concentration and fab timing,” said Brice Hill, Senior Vice President and CFO.
Dillard’s Inc. gained 15 cents to $498.73 after the department store chain reported a slight increase in revenue and a marginal decline in net income in the second quarter.
Consolidated revenue edged higher to $1.53 billion from $1.51 billion, net income fell to $72.8 million from $74.5 million, and diluted earnings per share declined to $4.66 from $4.59 a year ago.
During the second quarter, the company purchased approximately 24,500 shares of Class A shares for $9.8 million, at an average price of $398.67 per share.
During 26-week period ending on August 2, the company purchased $107.8 million, approximately 300,000 shares of Class A shares, at an average price of $359.16 per share.
Japan's Second Quarter Economic Expansion Surpassed Expectations, Nikkei 225 Extended Weekly Gains to 4%
Akira Ito
15 Aug, 2025
Tokyo
Japan's stock market indexes advanced following better-than-expected economic growth in the second quarter.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average increased 1.6%, and the broader Topix index increased 1.4%, as the rise in global exports supported economic expansion.
Japan's Q2 GDP Growth Surpassed Expectations
Japan's annual economic growth in the second quarter slowed to 1.2% from 1.8% in the third quarter, according to data released by the Cabinet Office on Friday.
On a quarterly basis, Japan's GDP expanded 0.3% from an upwardly revised increase of 0.1% in the first quarter.
Japan's economy expanded for the fifth quarter in a row amid steady consumer spending growth of 0.2%, and net international trade added 0.3 percentage points.
Exports rebounded 2% compared to a decrease of 0.3%, and imports slowed to 0.6% from a 2.9% increase in the previous quarter, respectively.
Exporters rushed to send shipments to the U.S. ahead of U.S. tariffs, contributing to the economic expansion.
In addition, government spending was flat after falling 0.5% in the previous quarter.
Economists are cautious about the third quarter, as Japan faces a blanket tariff of 15% on shipments to the U.S., which is likely to dampen growth in the remainder of the fiscal year.
The yen weakened to 147.15 against the U.S. dollar, and investors held out for the Bank of Japan to take a wait-and-see approach at the next policy meeting.
The U.S. Federal Reserve may forego a possible rate cut after July's producer price inflation accelerated to 3.3% and the core rate jumped to 3.7%.
The measure of wholesale prices rose at the fastest pace since June 2022, and the index increased 0.9% from the previous month.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 1.6% to 43,332.37, and the broader Topix advanced 1.4% to 3,100.97.
For the week, the Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 4%, and the Topix added 2.8%.
Lasertec Corp. soared 8.1% to ¥17,375.0, Disco Corp. advanced 1.8% to ¥42,380.0, and Tokyo Electron gained 1.2% to ¥21,515.0.
Nippon Yusen KK increased 0.2% to ¥5,259.0, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines advanced 0.5% to ¥4,926.0, and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd. added 1.6% to ¥2,254.0.
Japan's Second Quarter Economic Expansion Surpassed Expectations, Nikkei 225 Extended Weekly Gains to 4%
Akira Ito
15 Aug, 2025
Tokyo
Japan's stock market indexes advanced following better-than-expected economic growth in the second quarter.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average increased 1.6%, and the broader Topix index increased 1.4%, as the rise in global exports supported economic expansion.
Japan's Q2 GDP Growth Surpassed Expectations
Japan's annual economic growth in the second quarter slowed to 1.2% from 1.8% in the third quarter, according to data released by the Cabinet Office on Friday.
On a quarterly basis, Japan's GDP expanded 0.3% from an upwardly revised increase of 0.1% in the first quarter.
Japan's economy expanded for the fifth quarter in a row amid steady consumer spending growth of 0.2%, and net international trade added 0.3 percentage points.
Exports rebounded 2% compared to a decrease of 0.3%, and imports slowed to 0.6% from a 2.9% increase in the previous quarter, respectively.
Exporters rushed to send shipments to the U.S. ahead of U.S. tariffs, contributing to the economic expansion.
In addition, government spending was flat after falling 0.5% in the previous quarter.
Economists are cautious about the third quarter, as Japan faces a blanket tariff of 15% on shipments to the U.S., which is likely to dampen growth in the remainder of the fiscal year.
The yen weakened to 147.15 against the U.S. dollar, and investors held out for the Bank of Japan to take a wait-and-see approach at the next policy meeting.
The U.S. Federal Reserve may forego a possible rate cut after July's producer price inflation accelerated to 3.3% and the core rate jumped to 3.7%.
The measure of wholesale prices rose at the fastest pace since June 2022, and the index increased 0.9% from the previous month.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 1.6% to 43,332.37, and the broader Topix advanced 1.4% to 3,100.97.
For the week, the Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 4%, and the Topix added 2.8%.
Lasertec Corp. soared 8.1% to ¥17,375.0, Disco Corp. advanced 1.8% to ¥42,380.0, and Tokyo Electron gained 1.2% to ¥21,515.0.
Nippon Yusen KK increased 0.2% to ¥5,259.0, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines advanced 0.5% to ¥4,926.0, and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd. added 1.6% to ¥2,254.0.