The latest Market Talks covering the Auto and Transport sector. Published exclusively on Dow Jones Newswires at 4:20 ET, 12:20 ET and 16:50 ET.
1509 GMT - New-car sales in Canada fell in January from a year ago, but to a level that still represents relatively healthy activity, says the latest data from DesRosiers Automotive Consultants. The auto-data firm notes that January 2025 was a historically strong month, which in the auto-dealership business represents a slow period as households deal with post-Christmas expenses and winter weather. Overall, sales last month fell 2.9% to 114,000 units, DesRosiers says. That still represents a healthy seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 2.08 million, or above levels recorded in 3Q and 4Q, the firm says. Given the economic uncertainty posed by U.S.-Canada trade ties and cold winter weather, January's results "definitely exceeded expectations," says Andrew King, DesRosiers' managing partner. (paul.vieira@wsj.com; @paulvieira)
1307 GMT -- Shares of Uber Technologies initially fell in premarket trading, and JPMorgan analysts say the selloff was overdone. The ride-hailing platform posted a strong top-line beat and Ebitda, in line with Wall Street views. "We think there could be some confusion regarding EPS," the analysts write, which remains volatile and was sharply lower due to a large charge tied to the company's equity investments. They point to adjusted earnings instead, which were just below analyst estimates. "In terms of the CFO transition, we believe Balaji Krishnamurthy is well known and respected by the Street, and he brings a strong operating background from being CFO of the Mobility and Delivery businesses," they write. Shares are seesawing, now up 2.5% premarket. (connor.hart@wsj.com)
1307 GMT - Uber Technologies is partnering with Nvidia to build what CEO Dara Khosrowshahi calls a real-world data-collection factory to help drive the adoption of autonomous vehicles. "If there's one area where the smaller player has a disadvantage, it is data," Khosrowshahi says on a call with analysts Wednesday. "But we and Nvidia are teaming up to democratize AV data, real-world data, and provide it to the entire AV ecosystem." This data, combined with the advanced simulation capabilities that many of Uber's partners are developing, should result in "a very fast roadmap to AV readiness for many, many players," Khosrowshahi says. (connor.hart@wsj.com)
1008 GMT - TomTom's near-term outlook appears negative, but there are encouraging signs for the future, ING analyst Marc Hesselink writes in a note. The Dutch location-technology company's 2026 guidance fell well short of expectations, with the midpoint implying a 7% miss on revenue and an EBIT gap of over 50%, he says. The automotive segment is expected to decline sharply on year due to lower production volumes, he adds. As a result, the Dutch bank expects 2027 estimates to move down. However, order intake for deliveries in 2028 and beyond is likely to be strong, suggesting more favorable dynamics in the longer term, he says. Shares are down 12% at 5.35 euros. (najat.kantouar@wsj.com)
0954 GMT - Pony AI is likely to post a 4Q net profit of $14.4 million to $31.4 million, marking its first profitable quarter since inception, Deutsche Bank analysts say. The beat is largely due to gains from the fair-value revaluation of its stake in a listed company, Moore Threads Technology, they say. According to Moore Threads' prospectus, Pony AI holds 1.9 million shares, valued at about $158 million as of the December 31, 2025. That translated into an unrealized, non-cash pre-tax gain of roughly $123 million for Pony AI in 2025, they say. Deutsche Bank adds that a sharp valuation increase at Waymo could also support sentiment toward Pony AI, seen as China's leading robotaxi player. (jiahui.huang@wsj.com; @ivy_jiahuihuang)
0952 GMT - Investment gains could help Pony AI's bottom line return to positive territory in the fourth quarter, UBS analysts say in a note. For 2026, the company aims to widen its footprint, targeting a fleet of 3,000 robotaxis with rising R&D and capex to support expansion, they add. It could also expand to new regions or grow current operations, with a focus on southern China, they add. Pony AI achieved UE break-even in Guangzhou in the third quarter, they say. Pony AI's share price has experienced some volatility and is high beta in nature, UBS says. Yet the brokerage remains constructive on the stock, as physical application of AI in the mobility industry is turning into reality both technologically and financially. (jiahui.huang@wsj.com; @ivy_jiahuihuang)
0238 GMT - Indian auto-sector suppliers are more likely to benefit from the U.S. reducing tariffs on Indian goods to 18% from 25%, rather than the automakers themselves, say Nomura's Kapil Singh and Siddhartha Bera in a note. While details on the U.S.-India trade deal haven't been announced, the analysts don't expect it to cover auto components for passenger vehicles and light trucks, as well as metal. Instead, suppliers of parts such as off-highway tires and non-auto machinery such as Bharat Forge and Balkrishna Industries should benefit directly from the deal. The agreement is also likely to improve conditions for new business wins, as it removes the trade uncertainty overhang for Indian suppliers, they say.(megan.cheah@wsj.com)
0201 GMT - MISC's 20-year liquefied natural gas charter from Petronas LNG for three newbuild carriers appears strategically positive, as it reinforces MISC's position as the national oil company's core LNG shipping partner, TA Securities analyst Luqman Anwar says in a note. The deal may support MISC's fleet rejuvenation, accelerating its shift toward more fuel-efficient, lower-emission vessels and enhancing long-term competitiveness amid tighter environmental standards, he says. While earnings contributions are long dated, the contract reduces exposure to spot market volatility and carries minimal counterparty risk, he says. He doesn't expect material near-term earnings impact, as vessel deliveries and charter commencement are scheduled to begin in 2029. TA Securities maintains a hold rating on MISC and keeps its target price at MYR8.40. Shares are 0.6% higher at MYR8.18. (yingxian.wong@wsj.com)
1829 GMT - Canada's Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon says he's spoken to aircraft maker Gulfstream regarding the country's certification process, which is now the focus of another trade row between Ottawa and Washington. President Trump threatened last week to decertify Bombardier aircraft in the US, saying in a Truth Social post that Canadian regulators have failed to date certifying the Gulfstream 500-, 600-, 700- and 800-series jets. General Dynamics owns Gulfstream. MacKinnon says he won't interfere in the regulatory process but has inquired. "I have communicated with manufacturers to the extent that any ambiguities or misunderstandings may have existed. I think they've been dissipated," MacKinnon says. Bombardier shares dropped sharply after Trump's threat but have since recouped some losses. Bombardier is up 1%. (Paul.Vieira@wsj.com, @paulvieira)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
February 04, 2026 12:20 ET (17:20 GMT)
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