Eli Lilly and Company

Merck & Co., Inc.

Pharmaceutical stocks could be one of the defensive assets amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East, analysts at UBS said, their note <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/06/market-turmoil-is-hitting-traditional-safe-havens-ubs-says-hide-here-.html">quoted by</a> CNBC.

'Most defensive sector': UBS names stocks that can 'safely survive war'

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

The conflict in the Middle East has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, where hundreds of merchant ships and oil tankers have been blocked. U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed the idea of providing ships with a U.S. Navy escort, and on Friday he ordered the <a href="https://oninvest.com/article/ssa-budut-strahovat-poteri-sudov-v-ormuzskom-prolive-na-summu-do-20-mlrd">launch of a</a> risk insurance mechanism. Analysts earlier warned that it might not be enough.

Insurance is not the main problem. Analysts on Trump's Hormuz security plan

Global investors reduced their investments in equity funds in the seven-day period ended March 4: it happened for the first time in eight weeks, Reuters <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/china/global-markets-flows-graphic-2026-03-06/">reported</a> citing data from LSEG Lipper. The outflow of money from funds amounted to about $1.44 billion. The main blow fell on U.S. equity funds, from which investors withdrew $21.92 billion - this is the largest weekly outflow since January 7, the agency writes.

Investors cut investments in equity funds for the first time in two months amid U.S. war

Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

The investment firm hasn't bought back its securities since 2024 - it only does so when it believes they are undervalued by the market

Berkshire has renewed a buyback and its new head has spent a year's salary on shares

Oracle Corporation

Microsoft Corporation

Oracle, the owner of cloud services and data centers for AI, plans to cut thousands of employees in various departments, Bloomberg <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-05/oracle-layoffs-to-impact-thousands-in-ai-cash-crunch">reports</a> citing sources. The company needs to optimize spending against the background of a sharp increase in spending on infrastructure for AI. This spending has already forced it to significantly increase its debt load. Investors liked the new way - the shares rose in price amid a general sell-off in the market.

Oracle is preparing massive employee layoffs. Money is needed for data centers for AI

Tesla, Inc.

Uber Technologies, Inc.

Bank of America Corporation

Bank of America resumed coverage of Tesla shares on March 4 with a buy recommendation. Prior to the suspension of analytical support, the bank had a neutral stance on the company. According to BofA, the company's progress in autonomous driving and robotaxi services could be the next stage of its growth. Tesla shares jumped 3.5% in trading Wednesday, but are down 10% since the beginning of the year.

Future robotaxi leader: BofA recommended buying Tesla stock

adidas AG

Due to duties and exchange rates, the company will lose €400 million in profits

Adidas delivered a weak full-year profit outlook. Shares at a three-year low

Pinterest, Inc.

Shares of image and idea search service Pinterest <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/PINS/">rose</a> 9.3% on Tuesday, March 3, despite a broad market sell-off, after the company <a href="https://investor.pinterestinc.com/news-and-events/press-releases/press-releases-details/2026/Pinterest-Announces-1-Billion-Strategic-Investment-from-Elliott-and-2-Billion-of-Near-Term-Share-Repurchases/default.aspx">announced a </a>$1 billion strategic investment by activist fund Elliott Investment. The deal was arranged through a bond purchase at a 30% premium relative to the closing price on March 2.

Pinterest's stock soared 9%. Activist fund invested $1 billion in it

Apple Inc.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

At the same time, the company increased the minimum memory size

Ivan Lapshin

Writes about:

Articles: 77