Global Markets Navigate Policy Shifts, Corporate Adjustments, and Geopolitical Tensions
Stock Market News·2025-10-22 04:38

Corporate Developments and Analyst Insights - JPMorgan has reduced its price target for Netflix (NFLX) to $1,275, maintaining a neutral rating while balancing long-term optimism with cautious near-term outlook following stock rallies [2][10] - Jefferies has raised its price target for Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) to $560 from $550, following previous adjustments and citing tariff impacts on gross margins [3] - Piper Sandler has also increased its target for Intuitive Surgical to $595 from $575, driven by strong second-quarter performance and raised full-year procedure guidance [3] - Advent International is reportedly exploring a $2 billion sale of its Parfums De Marly business [4] Geopolitical and Policy Landscape - Efforts are ongoing to restore external power to Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, with both Russian and Ukrainian forces cooperating to establish ceasefire zones for repairs, highlighting persistent safety risks [5][10] - Japan is set to unveil a new economic package focusing on counter-inflationary measures, growth investment, and national security, including potential tax cuts and expanded subsidies [6][10] - The U.S. pharmaceutical industry faces significant policy threats as a price probe raises the possibility of new drug tariffs, which could lead to higher domestic prices and potential drug shortages [7][10] - The UK Treasury is expected to address tax loopholes for online giants as part of broader efforts to tackle fiscal challenges [8] - Sweden's Prime Minister and Ukraine's President are scheduled for a joint visit, focusing on military aid and reconstruction as part of a bilateral security cooperation agreement [9] Market Performance and Trends - Global equity markets are showing signs of recovery, with Nasdaq futures gaining 0.11% and S&P 500 futures rising 0.18%, indicating a cautious recovery in equity markets [11][10] - The USD/JPY pair has stabilized at 151.835, influenced by the Bank of Japan's monetary policy and Japan's economic outlook [11][10] - Thailand's financial markets are experiencing inflows into bonds and stock funds, attributed to a weakening U.S. dollar and attractive valuations in Thai equities [12]