Core Insights - Eli Lilly and Company is gaining market share in the diabetes and obesity sectors, outperforming its main competitor, Novo Nordisk [1][3] - The company is actively exploring the potential of GLP-1 therapies beyond weight loss and diabetes, including applications for alcohol and tobacco addiction [1] - Eli Lilly's partnership with NVIDIA aims to address hard-to-treat diseases, enhancing its research capabilities [1] - A recent deal with the U.S. administration provides Eli Lilly with a three-year exemption from tariffs and allows for discounted sales of GLP-1 therapies through government channels, significantly expanding its market reach [3] - Strong performance from products like Mounjaro and Zepbound has led to an upgraded outlook for 2025, with robust prescription trends [3] - The anticipated approval and launch of Orforglipron, an oral GLP-1 therapy, in 2026 is expected to be a highly significant event in the pharmaceutical market [3]

Group 1: Company Performance - Hardman Johnston Global Equity Strategy reported a return of 2.91% for the fourth quarter of 2025, underperforming the MSCI AC World Net Index which gained 3.29% [1] - Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) had a one-month return of -3.27% but saw a significant 29.28% increase in share value over the last 52 weeks, closing at $1,039.51 per share with a market capitalization of $931.876 billion on January 27, 2026 [2] - Eli Lilly's revenue grew by 54% in the third quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year, indicating strong financial performance [4] Group 2: Key Contributors and Market Position - Eli Lilly was highlighted as a top contributor to relative performance in the fourth quarter, alongside Standard Chartered PLC and Hitachi, Ltd [3] - The company announced a deal with the U.S. administration that includes a three-year exemption from tariffs and the sale of GLP-1 therapies at discounted prices, which is expected to significantly expand its addressable patient population [3] - Eli Lilly continues to gain market share from Novo Nordisk in both diabetes and obesity markets, with strong prescription trends for its products Mounjaro and Zepbound [3] Group 3: Future Outlook - The anticipated approval and commercial launch of Orforglipron (oral GLP-1) in 2026 is expected to be a highly watched event with extremely high expectations [3] - Despite the strong performance of Eli Lilly, there are suggestions that certain AI stocks may offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk [4]

Hardman Johnston Global Advisors, an investment management company, released its “Hardman Johnston Global Equity Strategy” investor letter for the fourth quarter of 2025. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. Global equity markets delivered robust results in the quarter, backed by easing inflation trends and strong economic data. The Hardman Johnston Global Equity Strategy returned 2.91%, net of fees, compared to the MSCI AC World Net Index’s 3.29% gain. The Financials and Consumer Staples sectors c ...

Standard Chartered PLC (SCBFF) could be a solid choice for investors given the company's remarkably improving earnings outlook. While the stock has been a strong performer lately, this trend might continue since analysts are still raising their earnings estimates for the company.Analysts' growing optimism on the earnings prospects of this company is driving estimates higher, which should get reflected in its stock price. After all, empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings est ...

Core Insights - Standard Chartered PLC reported quarterly earnings of $0.51 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.45 per share, and showing an increase from $0.39 per share a year ago, resulting in an earnings surprise of +13.33% [1] - The company posted revenues of $5.11 billion for the quarter ended September 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.75% and up from $4.95 billion year-over-year [2] - Standard Chartered shares have increased approximately 64.5% year-to-date, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 17.2% [3] Earnings Outlook - The company's earnings outlook is crucial for investors, as it includes current consensus earnings expectations for upcoming quarters and any recent changes to these expectations [4] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the next quarter is $0.24 on revenues of $4.59 billion, and for the current fiscal year, it is $2.13 on revenues of $20.46 billion [7] Industry Context - The Zacks Industry Rank indicates that the Banks - Foreign sector is currently in the top 37% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a favorable environment for stocks in this category [8] - Credicorp, another company in the same industry, is expected to report quarterly earnings of $6.05 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of +19.1% [9]

Core Viewpoint - Standard Chartered PLC (SCBFF) is preparing to release its quarterly earnings on October 30, 2025, with investors closely monitoring the anticipated figures [1] Anticipated Earnings - Wall Street estimates SCBFF's earnings per share to be $0.45, with projected revenue of $5.04 billion, which is lower than previous quarters but indicates a year-over-year increase in earnings [2][6] Financial Metrics - SCBFF has a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 13.04, a price-to-sales ratio of 2.29, and an enterprise value to sales ratio of 3.25, reflecting a balanced market perception of its financial performance [3][6] Earnings Yield and Debt Management - The company's earnings yield is 7.67%, while the debt-to-equity ratio is 1.83, indicating a higher reliance on debt financing. The current ratio of 0.14 suggests challenges in covering short-term liabilities with short-term assets [4][6] Impact of Earnings Report - The upcoming earnings report could significantly influence SCBFF's stock price, with potential upward movement if results exceed expectations, or a decline if they fall short. Management's discussion during the earnings call will be crucial for assessing future earnings expectations [5]

UBS (UBS) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.76 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.48 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.43 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +58.33%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this bank would post earnings of $0.7 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.72, delivering a surprise of +2.86%.Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed co ...

Group 1 - The article discusses the European banking sector, specifically highlighting Standard Chartered PLC as a bank that has not been favored by the author [1] - The author has extensive experience in the financial markets, particularly in portfolio management, which adds credibility to the analysis [1] Group 2 - There is no disclosure of any stock or derivative positions in the companies mentioned, indicating an unbiased perspective [2] - The article expresses personal opinions and does not provide compensation for the views expressed, reinforcing the independence of the analysis [2]

Group 1 - The article discusses the European banking sector, specifically highlighting Standard Chartered PLC as a bank that has not been favored by the author [1] - The author has extensive experience in the financial markets, particularly in portfolio management, which adds credibility to the analysis [1] Group 2 - There is no disclosure of any stock or derivative positions in the companies mentioned, indicating an unbiased perspective [2] - The article expresses the author's own opinions and is not influenced by compensation from any company [2]

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call on Stablecoins in Hong Kong Industry Overview - The focus of the conference call is on the stablecoin market in Hong Kong, which is experiencing significant excitement and regulatory developments [2][10]. Market Size and Growth - The global market cap for stablecoins exceeds USD 262 billion, with USD-pegged stablecoins dominating the market [3][13]. - In Hong Kong, converting just 1% of HKD deposits into stablecoins could imply a market cap of approximately USD 11 billion [3][15]. - The stablecoin market has grown at a CAGR of 135% from USD 0.9 billion in 2019 to over USD 262 billion, representing about 6.5% of the total crypto market [13]. Unique Opportunities in Hong Kong - Hong Kong's financial sector is deeply linked with international and mainland China markets, presenting unique opportunities for stablecoins, especially in cross-border transactions [4][22]. - Strong Southbound wealth inflows since 2024 indicate a growing interest in overseas asset allocation by mainland investors [22]. Regulatory Framework - The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) is establishing a licensing regime for stablecoins, aiming to regulate the ecosystem before it becomes large [5][30]. - The HKMA's approach is informed by past experiences with digital banks, which have struggled to achieve profitability [35][39]. - The Stablecoins Bill aims to enhance reserve asset management, risk management, and fraud detection [32]. Impact on Banks - Widespread adoption of stablecoins could lead to new products and lower operating costs for banks, but it may also pressure their deposit bases due to dis-intermediation [6][39]. - The HKMA has authorized 22 banks to distribute digital asset-related products, indicating a growing integration of stablecoins into the banking system [39]. Future Developments - The first stablecoin licenses are expected to be approved in early 2026, with a focus on larger companies with proven use cases [7][52]. - The regulatory stance from Beijing regarding RMB stablecoins will significantly influence Hong Kong's engagement in the stablecoin market [7][52]. Notable Companies and Stock Movements - Several Hong Kong-listed companies have seen significant stock price movements related to stablecoin announcements, including Goutai Haitong Securities (up 66%) and Standard Chartered (up 20%) [21]. - The ecosystem includes participation from various sectors, including big tech, banks, and telecommunications companies [19]. Risks and Challenges - The HKMA has highlighted that many stablecoin proposals remain conceptual and lack practical use cases [24]. - Concerns about capital flight and financial instability persist, particularly regarding the promotion of the e-CNY [23]. Conclusion - The stablecoin market in Hong Kong is poised for growth, driven by regulatory support and unique market opportunities. However, potential risks and challenges must be navigated carefully as the ecosystem develops [54].