Key Takeaways
- Jefferies increases NVIDIA’s price target to $300, up from $275, as the chipmaker continues to dominate the global AI infrastructure market.
- Singtel commits S$1.2 billion ($937 million) to expand AI services and data centers, reporting a 12% rise in underlying net profit for fiscal year 2026.
- Retail sector analyst sentiment is mixed, with Target receiving a target hike to $155, while Lowe’s and e.l.f. Beauty see significant target reductions.
- Iran is reviewing "US views" received via mediators, marking a critical juncture in diplomatic efforts to de-escalate Middle East tensions.
- US and China launch rival youth programs in Nepal, competing for influence through skill-building initiatives aimed at the country's Gen Z population.
Tech and AI Infrastructure Momentum
NVIDIA (NVDA) received a significant boost on Thursday as Jefferies raised its price target to $300 from $275. Analysts cited the company's unparalleled dominance in the GPU market and robust cash flow as key drivers for the upgrade. This move follows a broader trend of bullishness on Wall Street ahead of the company’s upcoming quarterly results.
Singapore’s Singtel (Z74) is also pivoting heavily toward artificial intelligence, announcing a S$1.2 billion ($937 million) investment in AI-ready data centers through its arm, Nxera. The telecom giant reported an underlying net profit of S$2.77 billion for the fiscal year ended March 2026, a 12% year-over-year increase. Singtel is currently partnering with NVIDIA (NVDA) to develop high-density infrastructure across Southeast Asia to meet surging enterprise demand.
Mixed Outlook for Retail and Consumer Goods
The retail sector is showing signs of divergence as analysts recalibrate expectations for the second half of 2026. D.A. Davidson increased its price target for Target (TGT) to $155 from $140, suggesting improving fundamentals and better-than-expected resilience in consumer spending.
In contrast, TD Cowen lowered its target for Lowe’s (LOW) to $235, down from $280, reflecting caution over a slower recovery in the do-it-yourself (DIY) home improvement segment. Similarly, Canaccord Genuity reduced its target for e.l.f. Beauty (ELF) to $90 from $100, pointing to intensifying competition and difficult year-over-year comparisons in the cosmetics industry.
Geopolitical Developments in Iran and Nepal
On the diplomatic front, the Iranian Foreign Ministry confirmed it has received and is currently reviewing the latest views from the United States. Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei noted that the exchange, mediated by Pakistan, is part of an ongoing effort to reach a formal end to regional hostilities. Market participants are closely watching these developments, as a potential deal could impact global energy price volatility.
In South Asia, the US and China are intensifying their "soft power" competition by targeting Nepal’s youth. The US Embassy has launched the "Skill. Build. Launch." project for its 2026 Youth Council, while the Chinese Embassy introduced the "Youth Pioneer Program" (C.N.Y.P). Both initiatives aim to provide leadership and professional training to Gen Z, as both superpowers vie for long-term influence in the strategic region.
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.