Key Takeaways
- Nintendo (NTDOY) reported an 18.6% surge in net profit for its first fiscal quarter, driven by strong demand for its new Switch 2 console, which sold 3.5 million units in its first four days.
- Saudi chemical giant SABIC (2010.SR) announced a surprise net loss of SAR 4.07 billion (approximately US $1.09 billion) in Q2 2025, marking a second consecutive quarter of losses.
- The World Food Programme (WFP) renewed its urgent call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, emphasizing that 470,000 people are enduring famine-like conditions and a third of the population is not eating for days.
- Portuguese food retailer Jeronimo Martins (JMT.LS) aims for an ambitious 50% increase in sales within five years, potentially requiring a bolder strategy after nearly two decades without a major acquisition.
- Former Fox News host Jeanine Pirro was confirmed by the Senate in a 50-45 vote to serve as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia.
Corporate Performance Highlights
Japanese video game powerhouse Nintendo (NTDOY) posted impressive financial results, with net profit soaring 18.6% in the first fiscal quarter. This significant growth is attributed to the robust demand for its recently launched Switch 2 console, which sold 3.5 million units globally within just four days of its release. The company remains optimistic about its target of selling 15 million Switch 2 units by the end of the fiscal year.
Conversely, Saudi chemical manufacturer SABIC (2010.SR) reported a disappointing Q2 2025, with a net loss of SAR 4.07 billion (approximately US $1.09 billion). This marks the second consecutive quarter of unexpected losses for the company, reflecting ongoing challenges in the global petrochemical sector, including elevated feedstock prices and lower sales volumes.
In the retail sector, Portuguese food retailer Jeronimo Martins (JMT.LS) has set an ambitious goal to boost its sales by approximately 50% within five years. CEO Pedro Soares dos Santos indicated that achieving this target, which would push annual sales to 50 billion euros, may necessitate a more aggressive strategy, potentially including major acquisitions, a move the company has largely avoided for almost two decades.
Hong Kong's Financial Secretary indicated that the region could see an operating surplus this year, buoyed by stronger economic momentum.
Geopolitical Developments
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen, prompting the World Food Programme (WFP) to reiterate its urgent call for an immediate ceasefire. The WFP highlighted that 470,000 people in Gaza are facing famine-like conditions, with one-third of the population going without food for days. They emphasized that a sustained ceasefire is the only way to ensure safe and consistent access for critical food and relief supplies.
Tensions in the Middle East remain high, with reports that around 3,000 settlers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque this morning under the protection of occupation police. The Popular Front condemned this as an aggressive step coinciding with the ongoing crisis in Gaza and attacks in the West Bank. Separately, a source in ambulance and emergency services reported three martyrs and several injured in an Israeli bombing on the Shuja'iyya neighborhood east of Gaza City. A mother of an Israeli prisoner killed by the army in Gaza, quoted by Haaretz, urged Israel to submit to Hamas's demands to secure the return of hostages, stating it's "better than leaving our sons to die of hunger."
In Syria, five public security personnel were killed in an attack by outlaw groups in Suwayda, southern Syria, according to Al Jazeera. Meanwhile, the Lebanese Minister of Justice stated that Lebanon would not allow "Hezbollah" to drag the country into a suicidal path if it refuses to surrender its weapons.
On the international stage, the Russian and Chinese Navies conducted joint artillery and anti-submarine drills in the Sea of Japan. These "Maritime Interaction-2025" exercises, scheduled to end on Tuesday, involve a joint detachment including large anti-submarine ships, destroyers, and diesel-electric submarines.
Political and Economic Policy
In U.S. politics, the Senate confirmed former Fox News host Jeanine Pirro as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, with a 50-45 vote. This confirmation comes amidst ongoing political debates between President Donald Trump and Democrats.
The Irish government's new budget plan has drawn a warning from the country's central bank governor, who cautioned that it could overheat the economy. Planned expenditure for this year is now expected to reach €108.7 billion, which is €3.3 billion more than initially outlined in Budget 2025. The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council also warned that spending overruns in 2026 are "almost inevitable," with a forecast budget deficit of almost €11 billion next year.
Regarding energy policy, India has clarified that it has not directed its oil refiners to stop purchasing Russian oil. Indian officials are navigating the complex challenge of securing energy supplies and preserving relations with Moscow while aiming to avoid escalating tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump. India's decisions on energy trade are guided by market dynamics and national interest.
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.