The latest Market Talks covering Equities. Published exclusively on Dow Jones Newswires throughout the day.
1258 ET - Kimberly-Clark has been able to sell more of its products, even as consumers remain under pressure, because of its investments in innovation at every product tier, CEO Mike Hsu says. "We're growing because what we're doing is strengthening our offerings at every rung," Hsu says during a call with analysts. "We're continuing to bring great innovation at the top end, and then we are rushing that innovation through into our value tiers." Hsu says consumers are noticing that, and are responding well to the company's efforts to offer competitive costs. Organic sales rose 2.1% in the company's latest quarter, boosted by volume growth and partially offset by some investments to improve value propositions. (kelly.cloonan@wsj.com)
1238 ET - LVMH's fourth-quarter sales figures show that organic growth remains lackluster, Bernstein analysts write in a note to clients. The French luxury-goods giant reported quarterly sales of 22.72 billion euros, up 1% organically. However, LVMH's fashion and leather goods division, which houses brands like Louis Vuitton and Dior, contributed 10.16 billion euros in sales, down 3% organically. The company has been grappling with a slowdown in spending for luxury goods that has weighed on the industry for years. (mauro.orru@wsj.com)
1223 ET - Morgan Stanley feels a bit more cautious on aluminum producer Alcoa, which it downgrades from overweight to equal-weight. Alcoa's stock price has already risen so much that there isn't much room left for quick gains, the analysts said in a research note, noting that the stock is up nearly 50% since the beginning of December. While high aluminum prices are still helping the company, the market has already factored that good news into the current price, they add. Some expected wins for Alcoa, like turning old factories into data centers or getting trade exemptions for Canadian aluminum, are now facing delays or political hurdles. While Alcoa's fundamentals remain solid, the analysts say they believe the easy money has already been made for now.(amira.mckee@wsj.com)
1209 ET - RTX expects to significantly increase output across all its major munition and missile programs this year in a push to meet surging demand, CEO Christopher Calio says on a call with analysts. The defense contractor is working to ramp up output in part by deploying more proprietary data-analytics and artificial-intelligence tools across its factories. These tools are helping to identify bottlenecks and track equipment health and performance, in turn enabling more informed decision making, reduced costs and heightened output, Calio says. "Across RTX, we've now connected factories that represent over 50% of our annual manufacturing hours to our digital platform, and we're seeing the benefits," he says. (connor.hart@wsj.com)
1203 ET - With several tailwinds setting up for a strong year for U.S. equities, a broader number of companies look poised for gains, including the consumer discretionary sector, UBS analysts say in a note. The sector, which includes a swath of retail, restaurant and travel companies, should benefit as consumer spending stays resilient given fiscal stimulus and moving past peak tariff headwinds, the analysts say. A potential improvement in the housing market, a key priority for the Trump administration, could also contribute, they say, pointing to rate cuts from the Federal Reserve and supportive affordability proposals. The analysts upgrade the sector to attractive. (kelly.cloonan@wsj.com)
1152 ET - RTX CEO Christopher Calio says the company stands to benefit from increasing demand. "There is a heightened need for munitions and integrated air and missile defense, as the U.S. and partner countries work to replenish inventories, modernize existing systems and invest in new capabilities," he says on a call with analysts. "We understand that our products are critical to maintaining security around the world, and we fully support the Department of War's transformation objectives to significantly increase capacity and accelerate production over a sustained period." Shares rise 1.8% after RTX posts higher 4Q sales. (connor.hart@wsj.com)
1141 ET - Commvault Systems tumbles 33%, and D.A. Davidson analysts Rudy Kessinger and Andres Miranda Lopez say in a note that F3Q organic net new annual recurring revenue missed their estimate. The cybersecurity provider also lowered its FY2026 ARR growth guidance to 18% from its previous view of 18% to 19% and cut its free cash flow outlook as well. On the positive side, Commvault raised its subscription revenue guidance to between $764 million and $768 million from its previous forecast of between $753 million and $757 million. (connor.hart@wsj.com)
1136 ET - The European Union's planned trade deal with India could be a particular boon for Germany, France and Italy, HSBC says in a note, as they are the EU countries that export the most to India in absolute terms. "As a [bloc], the EU is India's largest trading partner." The deal will see tariffs on EU automobiles lowered significantly from 110% to as low as 10%, while tariffs on EU wine and spirits will also be slashed. "From the EU's point of view, the deal also represents an opportunity to improve its access to a large market (1.4 billion people) that is still relatively closed," the note says. Gains are possible for India's exports across sectors such as machinery, jewelry, electronics, pharmaceutical components and textiles, HSBC adds. (edith.hancock@wsj.com)
1126 ET - Aya Gold & Silver's 2026 guidance for production from its Zgounder silver mine in Morocco of 5.2 million to 5.8 million at a cash cost of $21.50 an ounce is in line with Raymond James's forecast for 5.7 million ounces at $21.18. Aya management also expected to produce 1 million silver-equivalent ounces this year from the sale of historical pyrite concentrate at the Boumadine operation. The company anticipates a U.S. listed in the second quarter, and an updated resources for the Boumadine project in the second half, Raymond James notes. Aya shares are down 6.6% at C$25.46, though still 30% higher in the new year after silver recently hit an all-time high. (robb.stewart@wsj.com)
1105 ET - RTX posts decent operating results to cap off 2025, Vertical Research Partners say in a note, with better-than-expected adjusted earnings and sales across all three divisions. The defense contractor's guide was in-line with expectations, and the analysts note it may prove conservative, given limited visibility and increased interest in weapons manufacturers currently. "In light of recent U.S. government criticism, RTX has also noted that it increased munitions output by 20% last year, but we imagine that there will be additional questions on this topic today," they write. Shares rise 2%. (connor.hart@wsj.com)
1050 ET - Homeowners associations continued their steady growth across the U.S. housing market in 2025, Realtor.com says, with nearly 44% of homes for sale now subject to a monthly HOA fee. That share, which has climbed from 34.3% in 2019 to 43.6% in 2025, underscores how HOA obligations have become an increasingly common part of the total cost of buying a home. The median HOA fee reached $135 in 2025, up from $125 last year and $108 in 2019, continuing a multiyear upward trend in monthly dues. Last year, Realtor.com found that HOAs were growing in popularity and cost from 2023 to 2024. New construction remains the most HOA-heavy segment of the market, with 67.9% of new builds subject to HOA fees, compared with 38.9% of existing homes. (chris.wack@wsj.com)
1042 ET - FTSE Russell's proposal to ease access to U.K. markets for foreign firms will boost the country's capital markets, law firm Travers Smith's Adrian West says. The company, which operates the blue-chip FTSE 100 index among others, is considering reducing the free float requirement for non-U.K. firms from 25% to 10% in a bid to encourage more companies to list in London. The proposal from the London Stock Exchange Group subsidiary would bring requirements on foreign companies in line with U.K. companies. "A key to London's success has been its appeal to international companies and capital, and this reform will only strengthen its position as a truly international capital market," West says. (josephmichael.stonor@wsj.com)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
January 27, 2026 12:58 ET (17:58 GMT)
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