Key Takeaways
- Deutsche Bank (DB) and BNP Paribas (BNP) both reported stronger-than-expected second-quarter profits, signaling resilience in the banking sector despite mixed investment banking results.
- Roche (ROG) saw its first-half profit advance, driven by robust sales of key medicines, while Nestlé's (NESN) sales growth was primarily fueled by price increases offsetting sluggish volumes.
- Hyundai Motor (005380.KS) surpassed Q2 profit estimates, buoyed by strong U.S. retail sales, although its performance in key Asian and European markets faced declines, partly due to U.S. tariffs.
- India's private sector maintained robust growth in July, with manufacturing activity accelerating to a 17-year high, despite a slight moderation in services and overall composite PMI.
- A flurry of Asia-U.S. trade deals is picking up pace as a tariff deadline nears, aiming to alleviate pressure from potential higher levies.
Major global companies have released their latest earnings reports, revealing a mixed but generally positive landscape, with banks notably outperforming expectations. Meanwhile, trade negotiations between Asia and the U.S. are accelerating as a tariff deadline approaches.
Deutsche Bank (DB) posted a better-than-expected second-quarter profit, with net income reaching €1.49 billion, surpassing estimates of €1.26 billion. This performance was supported by net revenue of €7.80 billion, exceeding the €7.69 billion estimate, and a pretax profit of €2.42 billion against an estimated €2.08 billion. Similarly, BNP Paribas (BNP) reported a strong Q2, with net income of €3.26 billion beating the €3.13 billion estimate, and revenue of €12.58 billion slightly above the €12.54 billion forecast. The French lender expects revenue and profit growth to accelerate in the second half of the year, driven by its retail banking operations.
In the pharmaceutical and consumer goods sectors, Roche (ROG) announced an advance in its first-half profit, with sales reaching CHF 30.94 billion and core EPS at CHF 11.08, both exceeding estimates. The company's performance was bolstered by strong sales of medicines for asthma, eye disease, and multiple sclerosis. Conversely, Nestlé (NESN) reported that its first-half sales rose, primarily fueled by 2.7% pricing growth, which helped offset sluggish volumes. Total reported sales for Nestlé were CHF 44.23 billion, slightly below the CHF 44.65 billion estimate.
Hyundai Motor (005380.KS) delivered a stronger-than-anticipated Q2 operating profit of ₩3.60 trillion, exceeding the ₩3.5 trillion estimate. Revenue also beat expectations at ₩48.29 trillion. However, the automaker faced mixed regional sales, with a significant +10.3% increase in U.S. retail sales contrasting with declines of -9.9% in India, -2.2% in Europe, and a substantial -29.6% in China. The company's profit decline was partly attributed to newly imposed U.S. tariffs on vehicles and parts.
In the logistics sector, Kuehne + Nagel (KNIN.SW) reported Q2 revenue of CHF 6.15 billion and EBIT of CHF 342 million, both slightly below analyst estimates. Despite currency headwinds and one-off expenses, the company maintained its underlying earnings assessments for the full year 2025.
India's private sector continued its robust expansion in July, as the HSBC Flash India Composite Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) registered 60.7. While this was a slight dip from June's 61.0, it remained firmly above the 50-mark indicating growth. Manufacturing activity surged to 59.2, marking its highest level in over 17 years, driven by strong total sales and export orders. However, the services activity index eased to 59.8 from 60.4, and business confidence fell due to rising inflation and tempered employment growth.
Globally, trade negotiations are intensifying, with Asia-U.S. trade deals picking up as a tariff deadline nears. The U.S. has announced trade agreements with countries like Japan, which will see tariffs on its goods reduced to 15% from a proposed 25%, helping its auto sector. While a preliminary pact with China has paused some steep tariffs until at least August 12, other countries, including South Korea and Thailand, have yet to finalize agreements.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.