The latest Market Talks covering Equities. Published exclusively on Dow Jones Newswires throughout the day.

0921 ET - Kohl's same-store sales fall 0.9% for 2Q, which was slightly softer than Wall Street had expected, Citi analysts say in a research note. That may be pulling attention from what the analysts say was a solid quarter for profitability. 2Q earnings were ahead of market expectations thanks to slightly lower costs and higher credit income, giving management confidence to raise its full-year profit guidance while narrowing its outlook for sales, they say. The results are solid overall and better-than-expected on the bottom line, even as the macro backdrop remains challenging, but the same-store sales may be slightly lower than investors wanted to see, the analysts say. Shares fall 5% to $16.76 premarket. (dean.seal@wsj.com)

0918 ET - Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Fran Horowitz says on a call with analysts that both the company's namesake and Hollister brands achieved record 2Q sales. The namesake brand notched sales of $596.8 million, up 8% from a year ago. "The brand also returned to comparable sales growth of 4% on improvements in conversion, average unit retail and full-price selling, particularly in the Americas," Horowitz says. "Growth was balanced by gender and category, with knits and wovens contributing, along with a solid bottoms business across pants and shorts." Abercrombie shares jump 15% premarket after the company lifts its outlook on the back of higher profit and sales. (connor.hart@wsj.com)

0911 ET - Bath & Body Works' digital business returned to growth for the first time since 2021, executives tell analysts on a call. The retailer expanded e-commerce distribution on Amazon, where net sales more than tripled from the first quarter to the second quarter. Bath & Body Works is now one of Amazon's biggest candle brands, executives say. Amazon is also attracting younger and more affluent customers, which is delivering a higher average selling price than other channels, management says. The executives say that growth in digital is an early sign that the company's Consumer First Formula strategy is working. (katherine.hamilton@wsj.com)

0911 ET - Coffee prices provided a jolt to J.M. Smucker's sales during the latest quarter. CEO Mark Smucker says in prepared earnings remarks that net sales from coffee grew 13%, reflecting higher prices and volume/mix growth. "Net sales growth was driven by increases across all brands, demonstrating the strength of our portfolio, which includes three of the top six brands in the at-home coffee category," he adds. Still, green coffee commodity costs remain volatile, and the company says it will continue to adjust pricing as its cost structures evolve. "In a sustained deflationary environment, we would consider additional pricing actions as lower costs flow through our results," Smucker says. J.M. Smucker is up 5% premarket after lifting its outlook for the year. (connor.hart@wsj.com)

0904 ET - Bath & Body Works says more than a third of its tariff refunds were offset by existing tariffs and input cost inflation in the second quarter. The fragrances retailer recorded a benefit of $80 million from refunds during the quarter. However, tariff and input costs dinged results by $30 million. Incremental investments in the company's Consumer First Formula strategy also offset the refunds by $35 million, mainly due to marketing costs. Adjusted earnings were 62 cents a share in the quarter, and would have been 31 cents a share without the refunds, Bath & Body Works says. Analysts were projecting 24 cents a share. (katherine.hamilton@wsj.com)

0846 ET - Siemens Energy could increase shareholder returns after separating its Transformation of Industry division, Jefferies analysts write. The German energy equipment maker said it was preparing to spin off the unit while keeping a "meaningful minority stake." "We see the move favorably, refocusing the business on higher growth & margin gas and grids' segments," the analysts say. Jefferies has a buy rating on the stock and 215.00 euro target price. Shares are down 0.5% at 151.94 euros. (ian.walker@wsj.com)

0830 ET - Siemens Energy's plan to separate its transformation of industry unit isn't a surprise given previous reports that the company was considering options for the division, Citi analysts write. They add that while no timeline has been provided by the German energy equipment maker, they expect it to take some time. Citi values the business at 8.6 billion euros. The analysts add that while portfolio streamlining is sensible, they don't see any material financial benefit from a separation of the unit, and expect investors to focus on the company's gas and grid divisions. Citi has a neutral rating on the stock and 185.00 euro target price. Shares are down 0.5% at 151.96 euros. (ian.walker@wsj.com)

0826 ET - J.M. Smucker says its Uncrustables brand achieved record quarterly volumes and net sales during the latest quarter, as household consumption continues to grow. "Momentum for the Uncrustables brand remains strong, and with household penetration of 27%, we continue to see significant runway ahead," CEO Mark Smucker says in prepared earnings remarks. J.M. Smucker will look to support the brand by accelerating plans to bring more production capacity online, as well as by launching new flavors and varieties with stepped-up marketing efforts. Shares of J.M. Smucker are up 3% premarket after the company lifts its outlook for the year. (connor.hart@wsj.com)

0816 ET - J.M. Smucker raises its outlook for the year as it logs higher-than-anticipated earnings and sales in F1Q. The recent quarter's results reinforce confidence in the business, CEO Mark Smucker says in prepared earnings remarks. The results also demonstrate continued progress on the company's three strategic priorities: driving organic volume growth, improving profitability and maintaining a disciplined approach to capital deployment, he adds. "Our performance reflects the strength of our differentiated portfolio, disciplined execution against our strategic priorities, and the investments we continue to make in our brands and capabilities," Smucker says. J.M. Smucker climbs 3% premarket. (connor.hart@wsj.com)

0751 ET - Metal miners' stocks rise in London as copper prices hold near record highs. Higher copper prices are the result of markets adjusting for potential U.S. import tariffs next year, AJ Bell's Russ Mould writes. Copper trades flat at $14,385 a metric ton. Gold and silver slip but remain elevated, with gold contracts down 0.4% at $4,675.50 a troy ounce while silver contracts fall 0.2% to $68.52 an ounce. Hochschild Mining leads the sector, rising 7.3% after posting strong first-half earnings. Antofagasta adds 2.8%, while Fresnillo and Endeavour Mining jump 1.4% and 1.2%, respectively. Anglo American adds 1.1%.(josephmichael.stonor@wsj.com)

0736 ET - ASML's falling market valuation relative to its earnings isn't justified, Bank of America analysts write. Shares in the Dutch maker of semiconductor-manufacturing equipment trade at a 27% discount to the historical average, despite the company's sector-leading earnings-per-share growth, the analysts say. The gap between ASML's share price performance and its growth forecasts is "difficult to justify," they say. The company will expand its gross margin by more than any of its peers. Moreover, memory chip-makers are increasingly using ASML's lithography machines, undermining bearish analysts' views that demand would fall, the analysts add. Shares are down 13% for the quarter, though they remain up more than 60% for the year. The stock falls 0.2%. (josephmichael.stonor@wsj.com)

0700 ET - Palm oil fell during the Asian trading session. Sentiment was likely weighed by overnight weakness in rival soy oil, profit taking following a recent rally and concerns over softer August export demand, Kenanga Futures write in a note. AmSpec data showed palm oil exports fell 11% on month for the Aug. 1-25 period. However, expectations of lower palm oil production and ongoing supply risks could help cushion further downside, it adds. The Bursa Malaysia Derivatives contract for November delivery fell 93 ringgit to 4,853 ringgit a ton.