Good evening and welcome to Markets Desk.
Samsung posted record profits on the back of relentless AI-driven memory chip demand, but investors aren't celebrating just yet. Skepticism about the durability of the AI capital spending boom, combined with the looming threat of cheaper Chinese chips, kept the stock under pressure despite the headline-beating numbers.
Turning to autos, Stellantis swung back to profitability in the second quarter, powered by recovering demand in North America — a meaningful turnaround for the Jeep maker after a bruising stretch. But markets didn't buy the optimism, sending shares down five percent as investors questioned whether the recovery has real legs heading into the second half.
And over at Anheuser-Busch InBev, the story is considerably more straightforward — beer is selling. The brewing giant reported a sharp surge in second quarter profit, driven by stronger volume across its portfolio. Management guided for full year twenty twenty six EBITDA growth in line with its medium-term targets, signaling confidence that consumer demand for its brands remains intact despite broader macro headwinds.
That's the tape. Markets Desk, signing off the floor.
