The latest Market Talks covering Equities. Published exclusively on Dow Jones Newswires throughout the day.
1050 ET - Investors shouldn't read too much into the fact that Mattel has appointed a new CFO, UBS analysts say in a research note. The change comes just weeks after the maker of Barbie dolls and Hot Wheels named a new CEO to replace Ynon Kreiz, who became Co-Chief Executive Officer of Skydance. The executive shuffling comes as WSJ reported that Mattel recently attracted takeover interest from brand-licensing giant Authentic Brands Group, according to people familiar with the matter. "Our sense from talking to industry participants is that Mattel is focused on execution as the board also tries to signal to the market that there is no incentive hurdles at management level to oppose a potential transaction," the analysts say. (connor.hart@wsj.com)
1023 ET - Hasbro reports strong beats on revenue, Ebitda and EPS, even when excluding tariff refunds of $55 million, UBS analysts say in a research note. The beat was entirely driven by continued outperformance in "Magic: The Gathering," they add. "Implied Q4 numbers are a bit lower but full-year guidance raise is above estimates, which means investors are getting that upside earlier in 3Q," the analysts say. Looking ahead, Hasbro also doubles its share buyback target for the year, targeting $400 million worth of buybacks, up from $200 million as of last quarter. Hasbro climbs 4.3%. (connor.hart@wsj.com)
1019 ET - U.S. home prices increased 0.25% month over month in September, Redfin says, up slightly from 0.21% in August. Prices rose 3.8% from a year earlier in September, the fastest annual growth rate since June 2025. Prices are still climbing a little each month even though buyers have more negotiating power than they've had in over a decade. That's partly because many homeowners have built up enough equity that they'd rather wait than accept a lowball offer, and because some are delisting, which keeps a floor under prices. Stronger demand in the luxury market is also propping up prices. Home prices rose in 34 of the 50 most populous U.S. metros month over month in September. (chris.wack@wsj.com)
1007 ET - Havas has been an active dealmaker this year and its top-line is benefiting as a result, but its stake-building in former sister companies Louis Hachette and Canal+ seems less sensible, Berenberg analysts say in a research note. "In our view, that cash could instead have been put towards higher dividends or more buybacks," the analysts say. Havas spent around 79 million euros taking stakes in Louis Hachette and Canal+, which are both part of the Bollore family's business empire, they add. The three companies used to be part of French conglomerate Vivendi before its four-way split in late 2024. Otherwise, Havas's dealmaking engine keeps delivering, adding roughly 50 million euros of net revenue through acquisitions this year, Berenberg says. Havas shares fall 0.3%. (adria.calatayud@wsj.com)
0949 ET - European media stocks have bounced back in recent months even as earnings expectations remained largely stable, which suggests investors' AI fears on the sector are receding, analysts at Citi say in a research note. As the market reassesses its view on perceived AI risks, Citi says it favors companies with improving organic growth prospects or those whose share prices have room to recover and cites the U.K.'s Informa and the Netherlands' Wolters Kluwer as its preferred picks. Citi also starts coverage on Germany's Springer Nature and CTS Eventim with buy and neutral recommendations, respectively. It also cuts its recommendation on Britain's RELX to neutral from buy, citing its valuation. The Stoxx Europe 600 Media index falls 0.4%. (adria.calatayud@wsj.com)
0924 ET - Overall, there's not much to complain about in GE Aerospace's 3Q results, Vertical Research Partners analysts Robert Stallard and Karl Oehlschlaeger say in a research note. Adjusted earnings come in ahead of expectations as revenues jump 17% year-over-year, with the company's Civil division leading the way. Free cash flow, though, was below Vertical Research's estimate. Looking ahead, GE increased its 2026 guidance across the board. "Civil aftermarket revenue growth has eased, but it has still remained roughly 2x the growth rate of the non-engine aero aftermarket," the analysts say. "As this year draws to a close, we expect there to be questions on the sustainability of this engine aftermarket growth." (connor.hart@wsj.com)
0831 ET - The euro's recent weakness could extend further if the market's perception of France's fiscal future worsens, Raiffeisen Research analysts say in a note. The single currency's decline against the dollar has been in line with comparable episodes of fiscal stress within the euro area, they say. "The recent developments thus do not hint at any extraordinary market worries regarding the future of the euro." This implies that a further deterioration in France's fiscal outlook could add downside pressure on the euro, they say. The euro could possibly fall below $1.10, at least temporarily, in this case, they say. The euro rises 0.1% to $1.1218, having hit a 17-month low of $1.1112 last week, LSEG data show. (renae.dyer@wsj.com)
0825 ET - General Motors says its OnStar and Super Cruise continue to grow rapidly, putting the company on track to near $7.5 billion in margin-accretive deferred revenue from software and services this year. OnStar is GM's safety and security software. Super Cruise is its hands-free automated driving assistance system. Chief Executive Mary Barra says trucks will be a big driver for further Super Cruise adoption and digital revenue in 2027 as GM makes the technology standard on high-end Silverado and Sierra trims, and optional on most others. "We are expecting Super Cruise penetration in our truck portfolio to grow 4-5x next year," Barra says in a letter to shareholders. (kelly.cloonan@wsj.com)
0815 ET - GE Aerospace says its planned acquisition of Consolidated Precision Products, announced last month, will allow the company to increase deliveries and accelerate the introduction of new engine technologies that improve cooling. It will also enhance the durability and efficiency of the company's current fleet and future programs, CEO Larry Culp says on a call with analysts. "Our agreement to acquire a long-term supplier is a significant investment to build adequate capacity of mission critical castings for the entire aerospace industry," he says. (connor.hart@wsj.com)
0811 ET - GE Aerospace's Flight Deck operating model--launched in 2024 to drive improvements in safety, quality, delivery and cost across the business--is bearing fruit, CEO Larry Culp says on a call with analysts. Under the initiative, GE Aerospace recently reoriented the layout of the production line for its F414 engine, which powers certain U.S. Navy fighter jets. "Using Flight Deck to improve the flow of parts, we doubled output, helping meet our customers' needs," Culp says. "The gains we're driving with Flight Deck are further accelerated with AI," he adds, noting the artificial-intelligence tools are helping to decrease processing time by up to 25% in some cases. (connor.hart@wsj.com)
0807 ET - GE Aerospace CEO Larry Culp says demand continues to be solid across the business, despite operating in a dynamic environment. The jet engine maker says 3Q orders increased 49%, led by the company's commercial-engines and services segment, with orders up 58% in that unit. "We continue to see strength in commercial services, with orders up 23% in the third quarter and 30% year to date," Culp says on a call with analysts. "Combined with our backlog of over $170 billion, we're well positioned to close out 2026 and now expect low double digit services growth in 2027." GE Aerospace is off 3% premarket. (connor.hart@wsj.com)
0755 ET - With the war in Iran driving up defense spending, RTX and Northrop Grumman are seeing record backlogs. "Demand for our products remains robust," RTX CEO Chris Calio says in an earnings release, noting the company had more than $81 billion in new commercial and defense awards in 3Q, resulting in a record backlog of $340 billion. Northrop, meanwhile, had a total of $16.4 billion in net awards in the period for a record backlog of $109.6 billion. The companies have been rushing to increase production of missiles in response to U.S. demand, but their order backlogs are growing faster than they can churn out the products.
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