$MAR

Stocks settled sharply higher as Middle East tensions eased. The article cites a 66% chance of a +25 bp FOMC hike (Sept 15-16) and an 88% chance of an ECB +25 bp hike (Sept 10). WTI fell over 5%, lifting 10-year Treasuries and lowering yields. It also lists major movers including META (+6%), ORCL (+9%), and ATKR (+28%) after a $3.8B deal.

Markets were mixed as investors priced a 63% chance of a 25 bp FOMC hike on Sept. 15-16. U.S. 10-year yields fell to 4.688% and German bunds and UK gilts moved lower. Airline and cruise stocks rose as WTI dropped over 6%. Software gained, while semiconductors and energy fell. Notable movers included ATKR (+28%) on a $3.8B Prysmian deal and CNH (+16%) raising EPS guidance.

Markets rose as investors priced in easing geopolitical risks and US economic strength. The article cites a 63% chance of a +25 bp FOMC hike and notes US 10-year yields fell to 4.682%. It highlights stock moves including Meta (+5%), Amazon (+4%), and ATKR surging after Prysmian agreed to buy for $3.8B.

U.S. stocks rose to start August, with the Dow closing at a record, up 1.3% (about 700 points). The Nasdaq and S&P 500 gained 2.1% and 1.5%. Oil fell after Trump said he was holding off on Iran strikes. Investors also looked ahead to July jobs data and earnings from Palantir, McDonald's, and AMD. Amazon shares climbed after results.

Marriott International reported Q2 2026 results, citing travel demand, higher room rates and a record development pipeline. Worldwide RevPAR rose 3.4%, with U.S. and Canada up 5.0% and international down 0.5%. Q2 net income was $766M, adjusted net income $844M, and adjusted EPS $3.19. The company raised its full-year RevPAR outlook and said its pipeline hit 4,186 properties and 629,000 rooms.

Barclays adjusted its price target on Marriott International (MAR) to $348 from $379 and kept an Equalweight rating, according to the firm. The article also outlines Marriott’s hotel portfolio scale and revenue mix by geography, noting 9,361 hotels and residences and 1,706,331 rooms at end-2024.

BMO Capital adjusted its price target on Marriott International (MAR) to $395 from $410 while keeping an Outperform rating, according to the firm. The article also outlines Marriott’s hotel footprint and brand mix, including 9,361 hotels and residences with 1,706,331 rooms as of end-2024.

Marriott International’s Sheraton brand debuted in Papua New Guinea after the Stanley hotel in Port Moresby was refurbished and reopened as the Sheraton Port Moresby Stanley Hotel & Suites, according to Marriott and RH Group. The property has 394 rooms and about K100 million in investment, with 2,500 sq m of event space. The hotel will operate under Marriott Bonvoy.

U.S. stocks rose more than 1% to start August as optimism around U.S.-Iran talks eased tensions, lowering crude oil prices about 5% and pushing Treasury yields down. LSEG data show S&P 500 earnings up 29.3% with 85.2% beating estimates. Amazon gained over 4% after results; Marriott fell over 6% on weaker guidance.

Marriott International said it began a phased rollout in June of Ask Bonvoy, an AI conversational search tool on Marriott.com and the Marriott Bonvoy app, using verified property data. On its Q2 call, Marriott reported global RevPAR up 3.4% and raised full-year 2026 guidance to 3% to 3.5% growth. Marriott Bonvoy topped 295 million members and signed new U.S. co-branded card agreements with JPMorgan Chase and American Express.