BofA Global Research raised its year‑end targets for Japanese equities, flagging stronger‑than‑expected AI demand, a higher probability the Strait of Hormuz stays open and improving corporate ROE. It lifted its Nikkei 225 year‑end target to 76,000 from 67,000 and its TOPIX target to 4,400 from 4,200. BofA said ROE gains to date were mainly driven by margin improvement, but as the manufacturing cycle recovers leverage expansion is likely to become the new driver.

BofA raises Intel (INTC.O) PT to $160 from $135.

June 23 — At the Kremlin, President Putin accused Western states of inflating the Russian military threat, saying they openly discuss preparing to go to war with Russia and are boosting military budgets and offensive capabilities to justify large defense spending and aggressive militarization. He said Russia is prepared to respond rapidly and appropriately to any external or internal threat, and warned that while Western states have not yet launched actions from their territories against Russia, they understand such moves would trigger retaliatory strikes.