US regulators downplay concerns over Paramount-Warner Bros. merger

As companies make massive investments in AI infrastructure, U.S. corporations are set to usher in another strong earnings season. According to Goldman Sachs, the S&P 500 companies are expected to report a 27% year-over-year increase in earnings for the September quarter, driven by firms at the core of the AI infrastructure boom. Ben Snider, Chief U.S. Equity Strategist at Goldman Sachs, stated, "Recent macroeconomic data and signals related to the AI investment frenzy show no indication that investment is slowing down." Manish Kabra, Chief U.S. Equity Strategist at Societe Generale, said that this will mark the third consecutive quarter with profit growth exceeding 25%, an unprecedented streak outside of the post-financial crisis recovery periods. Revenue is projected to grow by 12%. Steve Chiavarone, Chief Investment Officer for Federated Hermes Equities, pointed out that thanks to capital expenditures related to AI infrastructure, investors are witnessing "the best profit and margin growth in our lifetimes." He added, "The worries that have built up... will ultimately be shattered by strong earnings performance."

According to the Financial Times, robust AI spending signals another profitable earnings season in the US, offering potential gains for investors. Goldman Sachs predicts that, driven by companies at the heart of the AI infrastructure boom, S&P 500 component companies' earnings for the September quarter are expected to increase by 27% year-on-year.

Jefferies raised ConocoPhillips (COP.US) target price from $159 to $174.

Japan’s bond repurchase program received bids totaling 1.51 billions yen. The average accepted spread for Japanese bond repo was -0.481 yen. The competitive bidding size for Japanese government bond repo reached 90.7 billions yen. The highest accepted spread for Japanese bond repo was -0.360 yen. The maximum accepted spread for Japanese bond repo was 16.6666%.