Japans Financial Giants Rise Amid Strategic Moves; Carvana and Intuitive Gain on Upgrades

1. Mizuho Financial Group (NYSE: MFG)
Mizuho Financial Group gained solidly by 4.24%. Mizuho Financial Group reported an 18% increase in first-quarter fiscal 2025 net income due to higher loan margins following the end of Japan's negative interest rate policy. Meanwhile, Mizuho Securities plans to establish a subsidiary in China, focusing on bond underwriting and related services.

2. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (NYSE: SMFG)
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group gained solidly by 3.82%. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group issued $35 billion in bonds with various coupon rates, announced quarterly financial results, and plans share buybacks with Toyota. The company appointed Tatsuo Nakajima as CEO following the passing of Jun Ohta.

3. Carvana (NYSE: CVNA)
Carvana gained mildly by 2.58%. Carvana disclosed significant insider transactions, with major shareholder Garcia Ernest C. II selling shares on multiple occasions in September. B of A Securities upgraded Carvana to "Buy" with a $185 target, while Evercore ISI maintained its "In-Line" rating, adjusting the target to $157.

4. Intuitive Surgical (Nasdaq: ISRG)
Intuitive Surgical gained mildly by 2.52%. Intuitive Surgical disclosed various insider transactions between August and September 2024, including sales by directors and executives. Additionally, BTIG and Citigroup maintained buy ratings, setting new target prices at $494 and $560 respectively. Intuitive reported mid-2024 revenue of $39.01 billion, up 12.99% year-over-year.