Market Beat

Argus Research
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Investing
  • Updated Daily

Market Beat is your daily briefing on what's moving markets, straight from the analysts at Argus Research. Hosted by Caroline Wygal and revolving analysts from the Argus team, each episode covers the topics Wall Street is buzzing about and the morning's biggest market movers.  We also provide quick takes on 2-3 individual stocks that have piqued our analysts’ interests, and a deeper dive into top investing themes. New episodes drop Monday through Thursday. #stocks #investor #investing #marketinsights #businessinsights #industryinsights #equityresearch #markets

  1. 1d ago

    Market Beat | Episode #52

    In today's episode of Market Beat by Argus Research, host Caroline Wygal breaks down the Fed's decision to raise the Fed Funds Rate by 25 basis points to a target of 3.75% to 4%, marking the first move under new Chairman Kevin Warsh and the start of what looks like a new tightening cycle. The hike comes as the war in Iran disrupts supply chains and pushes oil prices up nearly 75% year to date, with the bond market having pressured rates higher for months. Looking at the past 30 years, rate-hike cycles have averaged a little longer than two years with rates rising an average of 325 basis points, though Argus expects this time to differ given the higher starting point and the potential for inflation to cool once the conflict resolves, calling for one more hike this year before the Fed moves to the sidelines in 2027. In Active Stocks, Generac surges 20% on a deal to supply generators to Amazon's data centers, and Intel jumps 9% on a report it's exploring memory chip production in the U.S. Editor Olivia Frey delivers Quick Takes with a raised target on Charles River Laboratories on stronger order flow and its Eli Lilly TuneLab collaboration, and a maintained Buy on PPL with management guiding for 6% to 8% earnings growth through 2029. The Deeper Dive covers market technicals after the rate change, including the sharp post-announcement selloff, the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level the S&P 500 touched at its lows, and what to watch if deterioration continues. For full research and information about Argus subscriptions, visit argusresearch.com.

  2. 2d ago

    Market Beat | Episode #51

    In today's episode of Market Beat by Argus Research, host Caroline Wygal covers a cautious recovery as markets await the Fed's rate decision this afternoon, with a hike widely expected as the two-day policy meeting concludes. August retail sales came in strong at 1.2%, well above the 0.8% consensus and reversing the prior month's decline, led by non-store retailers. Mortgage rates climbed another 12 basis points to 6.97%, the highest since May 2025, adding pressure to an already struggling housing market. In Active Stocks, J.B. Hunt Transport plunges 13% on a warning of a 5% to 10% near-term earnings drop, while Intel rises 4% on reports it's in talks with SK Hynix to make memory chips in the U.S. Analyst Stephen Biggar delivers Quick Takes with a raised target on Simon Property Group on scale and redevelopment of department store space, a buying opportunity flagged in Keurig Dr Pepper after recent underperformance, and a positive view on OGE Energy with steady 5% EPS growth and a 3.7% dividend yield. The Deeper Dive explores Richmond Fed President Tom Barkin's framing of the U.S. economy as a good mystery, covering four puzzles: remarkable resilience, strong investment, a steady labor market, and stubborn inflation, alongside Argus's updated forecast for 2.2% GDP growth in both 2026 and 2027. For full research and information about Argus subscriptions, visit argusresearch.com.

  3. 3d ago

    Market Beat | Episode #50

    50 episodes! Thank you to everyone who's been listening. In episode 50 of Market Beat by Argus Research, host Caroline Wygal delivers a change in the Argus rate forecast: the firm now expects the FOMC to tighten by a quarter point tomorrow, lifting the target range to 3.75% to 4.0%, with an additional quarter-point increase before year end. The revision comes as employment holds surprisingly healthy, inflation stays obstinate, and the bond market shows strain, with the 10-year yield climbing to 5.01% and crude oil up another 2% to $104 a barrel. Argus does not expect two hikes to derail earnings growth or stunt innovation. Restaurant stocks sell off on tightening prospects, with Cheesecake Factory, CAVA, Cracker Barrel, and Brinker all down 4% to 5%, while chip names Intel, Micron, and Nvidia edge higher. The economic call of the week looks for August retail sales to rise 5.2% year over year as a gauge of back-to-school spending. Analyst Christine Dooley delivers Quick Takes on Howmet Aerospace, benefiting from turbine demand for aircraft and data centers, NetApp, up 75% year to date on AI storage demand with a raised target, and Avery Dennison, where valuations look attractive after three months of outperformance. The Deeper Dive covers the newest additions to the Argus Focus List: Airbnb, Corning, Estee Lauder, and Phillips 66, with the investment case behind each. For full research and information about Argus subscriptions, visit argusresearch.com.

  4. 4d ago

    Market Beat | Episode #49

    In episode 49 of Market Beat by Argus Research, host Caroline Wygal covers a broad pullback in AI names after a group of AI leaders warned that a developmental slowdown may be necessary to keep the technology from spiraling out of control. Marvell falls 6%, AMD drops 5.5%, and Nvidia, Nebius, and Sandisk all decline, while CrowdStrike bucks the trend with a 12% gain after its CEO argued AI development should continue and that cybersecurity firms will make it safer. All eyes turn to the Fed, with the FOMC rate decision Wednesday afternoon and hike odds now at 87% after stronger-than-expected jobs data and stubborn inflation. Crude oil surges another 4% to $104 a barrel, pushing the 10-year Treasury yield up to 4.99%. Editor Olivia Frey delivers Quick Takes maintaining a Buy on Oracle, which posted strong fiscal first-quarter results and raised guidance while occupying a differentiated position as a trusted steward of enterprise data in the generative AI ecosystem, and a Hold on Lululemon as new CEO Heidi O'Neill takes the reins with the stock at historically low multiples. The Deeper Dive examines why pricing pressures aren't extinguished, with oil up 75% year to date, August PPI accelerating to 5.4%, and CPI holding at 3.4% as energy costs surge 16%, leaving no hint that inflation is trending back toward the Fed's 2% target. For full research and information about Argus subscriptions, visit argusresearch.com.

  5. Sep 9

    Market Beat | Episode #48

    In episode 48 of Market Beat by Argus Research, host Caroline Wygal covers a down day as crude oil climbs another 3% to $96 a barrel, stoking inflation fears and pushing the major indices lower. In Active Stocks, Casey's General Stores drops 15% on tepid same-store sales guidance despite an earnings beat, Chewy falls 7% even after raising full-year revenue guidance, and Meta Platforms rises 5% on the launch of its new AI personal agent, Muse. The Market Buzz looks at why volatility has stayed subdued, with the VIX opening at 15.7 and holding below 20 for most of 2026, reflecting investor confidence backed by roughly 30% second-quarter earnings growth and two-year forward P/E valuations below the five-year average. With the S&P 500 up about 13% year to date, Argus notes that double-digit gains nine months in historically point to a double-digit full year, which would mark a fourth consecutive year of double-digit returns and shake off the midterm-year curse. Analyst Stephen Biggar delivers Quick Takes with a raised target on Air Products and Chemicals on decarbonization potential, a positive outlook on Entergy as a consistent dividend grower with data center interest in its Gulf Coast territory, and continued bullishness on Toll Brothers and its dominant position in luxury homebuilding. The Deeper Dive examines the global march higher in sovereign bond yields, with UK gilts at their highest since 2008, German bunds climbing on above-target inflation, and Japanese JGB yields rising on BOJ normalization. For full research and information about Argus subscriptions, visit argusresearch.com.

  6. Sep 8

    Market Beat | Episode # 47

    In episode 47 of Market Beat by Argus Research, host Caroline Wygal covers a sour day on Wall Street as new tariffs from Canada, climbing oil prices, and growing expectations of a Fed rate hike next week all weigh on sentiment, sending the Dow down more than 1% and crude up 2% to $93 a barrel. Chip heavyweights Intel and AMD help cushion the Nasdaq, rising 8% and 4% respectively, while Oracle gains 3% ahead of its earnings report later this week. Chief Economist Chris Graja's call of the week is that inflation expectations will remain anchored after Friday's CPI report, pointing to Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh's firm commitment to the 2% target at Jackson Hole, with Argus forecasting August CPI at 3.4% and core CPI at 2.4%. Analyst Christine Dooley delivers Quick Takes with continued momentum expected at Broadcom following 90% sales growth and above-consensus guidance, a raised target on Etsy as personalization and machine-learning initiatives improve buyer metrics, and a promising pipeline outlook for Viatris with several drugs approaching FDA review. The Deeper Dive shares top holdings across the Argus Model Portfolios, spanning Equity Income, Growth, Growth and Income, and Institutional, featuring names like JPMorgan Chase, Nvidia, Costco, Alphabet, and Eli Lilly. For full research and information about Argus subscriptions, visit argusresearch.com.

  7. Sep 3

    Market Beat | Episode #46

    In episode 46 of Market Beat by Argus Research, host Caroline Wygal covers a modest gain for the major indices ahead of tomorrow's August employment report. Weekly jobless claims rose marginally to 206,000, roughly in line with expectations and suggesting no significant shifts in the labor market. In Active Stocks, Snowflake soars 22% on an earnings beat and raised full-year guidance, Nvidia gains 2% after announcing a $13 billion acquisition of AI platform Hugging Face, and Broadcom falls 6% despite strong revenue and earnings driven by AI chip demand. Editor Olivia Frey delivers Quick Takes with raised targets on Sun Life Financial, citing its diversified insurance operations, clean balance sheet, and consistent dividend hikes, and Dell Technologies, which sharply exceeded consensus and lifted full-year guidance as AI server and AI PC markets gain momentum. She also highlights Palo Alto Networks as a strong competitor in enterprise cybersecurity, noting that the rise of agentic AI makes enterprise IT systems more vulnerable to attack. The Deeper Dive covers Argus's strategic asset-allocation models, with stocks leading bonds through August as long-term rates hit five-year highs, and explains why value has taken the lead in 2026 after five years of lagging, positioned well with longer-term interest rates elevated. For full research and information about Argus subscriptions, visit argusresearch.com.

  8. Sep 2

    Market Beat | Episode #45

    In episode 45 of Market Beat by Argus Research, host Caroline Wygal covers a softer-than-expected private jobs report ahead of Friday's government payrolls data. The ADP National Employment Report showed 38,000 private payroll jobs created in August, below both the 47,000 consensus and last month's 44,000, with education and health services adding jobs while manufacturing and professional services posted losses. In Active Stocks, Dell rises 5% on strong results and raised guidance driven by AI infrastructure demand, Palo Alto Networks falls 7% on narrowing margins and rising component costs, and MongoDB drops 10% on soft third-quarter guidance despite 30% revenue growth. Analyst Stephen Biggar delivers Quick Takes on Autodesk's MaintainX acquisition and its expanding total addressable market, Williams-Sonoma's industry-leading digital and social media capabilities with roughly two-thirds of sales from e-commerce, and a raised target on Marvell Technology on AI momentum and its Celestial AI acquisition. The Deeper Dive examines stock valuations across multiple measures, with the Stock/Bond Barometer showing a 0.83 sigma premium within the normal range, a forward P/E of 20, and an earnings yield gap of 345 basis points in line with historical averages, all suggesting the market, up nearly 12% year to date, is reasonably valued but not cheap, and not in bubble territory. For full research and information about Argus subscriptions, visit argusresearch.com.

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About

Market Beat is your daily briefing on what's moving markets, straight from the analysts at Argus Research. Hosted by Caroline Wygal and revolving analysts from the Argus team, each episode covers the topics Wall Street is buzzing about and the morning's biggest market movers.  We also provide quick takes on 2-3 individual stocks that have piqued our analysts’ interests, and a deeper dive into top investing themes. New episodes drop Monday through Thursday. #stocks #investor #investing #marketinsights #businessinsights #industryinsights #equityresearch #markets

Information

  • Creator
    Argus Research
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    58
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Argus Research
  • Show Website
    Market Beat