By Marcus Devlin
Two decades covering equity markets. Writes on single stocks, sectors, valuations and the trades behind the tape.
Chip Stocks Are Swinging Five Times Faster Than the Market: A 30-Year High in Volatility
Chip stocks are swinging more wildly than the broader market, with volatility hitting a 30-year high. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index i
Belimo's Strong First Half Fails to Impress as 2026 Guidance Disappoints
Belimo's first-half sales surged 20.5% and EBIT margin stayed above 20%, but the stock dipped after management didn't provide explicit 2026
Synchrony Beats Q2 Profit Forecasts as Card Spending Hits Record
Synchrony Financial beat second-quarter profit forecasts as cardholders spent enough to push purchase volume to a record $49.8 billion. Net
FTSE 100 Edges Higher as Oil Slips on US-Iran Diplomacy Hopes; Mitie Agrees to £3.1B Takeover
The FTSE 100 inched up as oil prices slipped from one-month highs on reports of US-Iran diplomatic efforts. Precious metal miners led the ga
CPP Investments Goes Global: Pension Giant Targets C$20 Billion in Bond Issuance
Canada's CPP Investments is taking its borrowing program global, targeting about C$20 billion in bond issuance this year. The pension giant
Emerging Markets Rally 2.3% as Oil Drops on US-Iran Ceasefire Hopes
Emerging-market stocks surged 2.3% as oil prices fell on news of a proposed 10-day ceasefire between the US and Iran. The drop in crude ease
India's Options Crackdown Drives Retail Traders to Margin Loans, Borrowing Hits $15B
India's market regulator is tightening options rules, prompting retail traders to shift to margin loans. Margin trading facility borrowing h
RBC Sees South32's Future in Base Metals After Aluminum Sale to Alcoa
RBC Capital Markets raised its price target on South32 to AU$5.30 after the company's FY26 update. The bank expects the planned US$5.6 billi
SThree Profit Plunges 75% as AI and Geopolitical Uncertainty Freeze Hiring
SThree's half-year pretax profit fell 75% as employers paused hiring due to AI reshaping tech roles and geopolitical uncertainty. Germany, i
Boliden's Q2 Profit Misses as Mine Disruption and Smelter Slowdown Offset Higher Metal Prices
Boliden's second-quarter profit fell short of analyst estimates despite higher copper and zinc prices. Operational disruptions at the Garpen
Gulf Stocks Diverge as Diplomacy Hopes Clash with Houthi Maritime Threat
Gulf stocks moved in opposite directions Tuesday as diplomatic signals from US-Iran talks tempered supply fears, but Houthi threats of a mar
OCS to Acquire Mitie in £3.1 Billion Deal Creating Facilities Management Giant
OCS Group International has agreed to acquire Mitie for £3.1 billion in cash, offering 221.6p per share—a 46.8% premium. The deal will creat