Croda International PLC (LSE:CRDA), the FTSE 100 speciality chemicals company, led the London market on Wednesday after Morgan Stanley upgraded the stock to overweight, sending shares up 4.3% to 2,860.5p. The US investment bank lifted its rating from equal-weight, arguing that Croda is better positioned than most of its peers to protect profits during the current inflationary cycle by passing rising input costs on to customers more quickly.
Core Scientific Inc. (CORZ) secured access to $500 million in financing from JPMorgan Chase Bank Monday. That capped a two-deal financing push.
Morgan Stanley has adopted a more cautious stance on European banks following its annual financials conference, warning that geopolitical uncertainty around the Middle East conflict is likely to weigh on sector valuations even as underlying earnings remain resilient. The US investment bank upgraded Santander to 'overweight' and named it a top pick, while downgrading ING Groep to 'equal-weight' and removing Societe Generale from its top picks list.
J.P. Morgan Asset Management has expanded its options ETF lineup with the listing of the JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (ROCQ) and the JPMorgan U.S. Equity Premium Income ETF (ROCY) on Nasdaq.
JPMorgan Dividend Leaders ETF ( NYSEARCA:JDIV ) launched in September 2024 with an appealing premise: a curated portfolio of global dividend leaders.
The technology services group's US business grew operating profit by 88% last year, analysts note. JP Morgan has reiterated its 'overweight' recommendation on Computacenter PLC (LSE:CCC), the FTSE 250 technology infrastructure group, arguing that a sharp share price fall following its full-year results represents an attractive entry point for investors.
The financial services giant's investment management arm imposed a limit on redemptions from a private credit fund. Market players are worried that private credit providers are more risky than previously thought.
On a valuation basis, shares of Morgan Stanley MS appear to be trading at a premium relative to the industry. The company's forward 12-month price/earnings (P/E) ratio of 14.31 is above the industry average of 13.01.
Investors are becoming increasingly nervous about problems mounting in the $3 trillion private credit market where some creditworthiness is deteriorating in some sectors and truthful valuations are hard to ascertain.
Goldman Sachs trimmed its price target on Kohl's Corporation (NYSE:KSS) to $13 from $15 on Tuesday, maintaining its Sell rating after the department store chain reported what the firm characterized as mixed fourth-quarter results.
Morgan Stanley Direct Lending trades at a 27% discount to NAV with a 12% yield, but I maintain a Hold rating. MSDL's recent 10% dividend cut reflects declining net investment income and increased non-accruals, especially among software borrowers. Dividend coverage is currently 108%, but further rate cuts or software sector headwinds could trigger additional reductions.
Iran's oil exports would stall and output halve if the U.S. and Israel were to seize its port on Kharg Island, triggering further attacks from Tehran on regional oil infrastructure, JP Morgan said in a note.