The latest Market Talks covering the Health Care sector. Published exclusively on Dow Jones Newswires at 4:20 ET, 12:20 ET and 16:50 ET.
0813 GMT - EssilorLuxottica's setting out of revenue numbers for its smartglasses category is good for transparency, Alexandre Germann at Baader Europe writes in a note. The Franco-Italian eyecare behemoth set out for the first time specific figures for its wearables division, home to its AI glasses made with Meta tech, as well as its audio glasses. Wearables remains a small proportion of overall revenue, contributing 486 million euros to a total 7.49 billion euros in the most recent quarter. "We see this as a clear positive for transparency, as it highlights the strength and size of the base business," Germann says. ((joshua.kirby@wsj.com; @joshualeokirby))
0545 GMT - Global wealth and asset manager Lombard Odier remains overweight on equities with a preference for the healthcare sector. Pharmaceutical stocks have recovered in 2026 as U.S. policy concerns have eased and valuations have held up despite rising interest rates. Biotech companies are benefiting from stronger funding conditions and rising M&A activity, its strategists say in a report. They expect earnings growth across the healthcare sector to accelerate to 18% in 2027, the fastest-growing sector after IT. Valuations may benefit from a moderation in global yields, as investors scale back their views on future monetary policy tightening. Healthcare stocks also offer diversification from tech-heavy indexes and a different way of gaining exposure to the benefits of AI, they add. (monica.gupta@wsj.com)
0541 GMT - It is smart for EssilorLuxottica to sound a wary note about the year's final quarter, analysts at Bernstein say. The Franco-Italian eyewear titan reported a 9% increase in third-quarter revenue, including a 20% surge in wearables, a category that includes the group's AI-powered Ray-Ban and Oakley smartglasses, made in partnership with Meta Platforms. But that rise could be much less for the year's fourth quarter against a tough comparison base, following a big leap in sales of smartglasses at the end of 2025, Bernstein notes. Meanwhile, competitor Google is set to launch its own version of smartglasses this autumn. "If competitor smartglasses proved at some point to be compelling--and that remains an if--the first casualty will be once again EssilorLuxottica's multiple," the brokerage warns. (joshua.kirby@wsj.com; @joshualeokirby)
0440 GMT - Bumrungrad Hospital's 3Q earnings are likely to be robust, UOB Kay Hian analysts say in a research report. Growth in the Thai hospital's inflows of Middle Eastern patients have been strong during the peak season, the analysts say. The hospital's topline is expected to exceed management's guidance of around 3% on year growth, the analysts say. Also, the hospital will probably remain disciplined with cost-saving measures which should result in strong margins in 3Q on reduced selling, general, and administrative expenses. The brokerage raises the stock's target price to 240.00 baht from 236.00 baht to reflect valuation roll-over, with unchanged buy rating. Shares are 1.05% higher at 192.50 baht. (ronnie.harui@wsj.com)
0202 GMT - Hansoh Pharmaceutical's latest partnership with Roche on antibody-drug conjugates will start showing in the Chinese company's earnings from next year, Deutsche Bank analyst Cyrus Ng says in a note. Ng says the repeat collaboration with the Swiss drugmaker also shows global multinationals are recognizing Hansoh's antibody-drug conjugate capabilities. Deutsche Bank assumes the deal closes in 2027 and raises its FY 2027 core net profit estimate by 15%. It maintains a buy rating and raises its target price to 48.00 Hong Kong dollars from HK$44.00, mainly on yuan appreciation. Shares are up 0.3% at HK$34.48.
Comments