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

1306 ET - Nearly 60% of single female renters who are heads of their households feel home ownership is indefinitely out of their reach, according to Freddie Mac. More than half of single female head-of-households renters are "cost burdened," which means they spend more than 30% of their income on housing, Freddie Mac says. The research showed 82% say they don't have enough money for a down payment or closing costs, and about 75% think a mortgage would be higher than what they pay in rent or they don't earn enough for a mortgage payment. The pandemic has disrupted wealth building among single female heads of households, Freddie Mac says, adding 75% of those who dropped out of the workforce have yet to return. (stephen.nakrosis@wsj.com)

1300 ET - North American freight spending stays elevated as transport bottlenecks and supply-chain disruptions crimp shipping volumes. Cass Information Systems says its freight expenditures index rose 32% in September from the same period in 2020 but slipped 0.4% from August levels. Shipment growth slowed last month to a 0.6% year-over-year increase as congestion at North American ports and rail networks limits the movement of goods. The Cass Truckload Linehaul Index reached a record 150.4 value in September, up 1.1% from August and close to 13% year-over-year as strong freight demand and supply challenges maintain upward pressure on trucking rates. (jennifer.smith@wsj.com)

1255 ET - Tricon Residential has opportunities for growth over the next few years while simultaneously leveraging third-party fee-bearing equity capital and reducing its leverage, BMO says. In particular, BMO forecasts multiyear growth in funds from operations and book value per share thanks to numerous successful initiatives this year, which include a US$570M equity offering. "The dual listing and US IPO broadens Tricon's potential investor base to align with its US sun belt-focused investment strategy, improves the company's financial position, and provides capital for future property acquisitions," the investment bank says. Shares rise 1.3% at C$16.72. (adriano.marchese@wsj.com)

1249 ET - Visa says its US Spending Momentum Index was down in September, the second month in a row showing a decline. The index was 108.5 in September, seasonally adjusted, down 1.1 points from August, according to Visa. Readings above 100 indicate consumers are spending more than a year ago, Visa says. The index for discretionary purchases dropped 0.8 points from August to 105 in September, while the nondiscretionary purchases index fell 0.5 points to 99.6, Visa says. "We still expect spending to rebound in the fourth quarter as virus concerns begin to ease and consumers turn their attention towards holiday spending," the company says. (stephen.nakrosis@wsj.com)

1223 ET - Tod's should see sequential improvement in its third-quarter sales, driven by retail as stores open worldwide, analysts at Stifel say ahead of the Italian luxury shoemaker's update next month. Tod's should post 3Q sales of EUR212 million, around 5% lower than the same period of 2019 compared with 8% lower in 2Q, according to Stifel's estimates. This improvement will be down to better retail, which should recover beyond pre-pandemic levels at constant currency, and despite a continued difficult environment in wholesale, Stifel says. The financial-services firm has a hold rating and a EUR42 target on Tod's stock. (joshua.kirby@wsj.com; @joshualeokirby)

1223 ET - New-vehicle prices hit another all-time high in September, says Kelley Blue Book, marking the sixth straight record-setting month and surpassing $45,000 for the first time. At $45,031, the average transaction price for a new vehicle was up 12% from one year ago and up 3.7% from August. The all-time-high prices accompanied the fifth straight month of a slowing sales pace. Total sales last month numbered just 1M autos, a 7.3% month-over-month decrease and one of the lowest volumes in the past decade. The vehicle mix in September shifted away from lower-priced sedans, compacts and entry-level segments toward more expensive pickups, SUVs and the luxury market. Incentive spending fell in September to another record low, dropping to 5.2% last month, a decrease from 5.6% in August and well below the 10% recorded in September 2020. (chris.wack@wsj.com)

1217 ET - AT&T's October selloff continues as shares plumb 10-year lows, down another 1% around $25.15 Wednesday. There's no one catalyst for the telecom giant's sharp slump; shares have generally suffered since it announced plans to carve out its WarnerMedia unit and merge it with rival Discovery next year. Wireless rivals Verizon and T-Mobile are also trading lower this month amid broader market volatility and questions about the government's latest auction of coveted 3.45 gigahertz spectrum. That sale, which would bolster AT&T's growing 5G network, will be canceled if bidders can't reach a $14.8B reserve price. Offers recently totaled $2.4B after the latest bidding round. (andrew.fitzgerald@wsj.com; @drewfitzgerald)

1136 ET - European bank stocks end Wednesday's trading session lower after U.S. CPI data showed inflation remained high in September. Treasury yields fell after the release of the data. "There was a flattening of the [yield] curve... this is not the ideal scenario for banks," Equita Sim analyst Luigi Pedone says. The market is likely pricing in a worse scenario for banks, he adds. Deutsche Bank closes 4.4% lower, Santander drops 3.1%, Commerzbank closes 5.3% lower and BNP Paribas ends the day 1.5% lower. (cristina.roca@wsj.com; @_cristinaroca)

1135 ET - Alimentation Couche Tard's share-price decline in the past month is likely due to shareholder concerns over insider trading among the company's co-founders but it may be unwarranted, according to BMO. The investment bank notes that filings by co-founders including Alain Bouchard, Richard Fortin, Real Plourde, and Jacques D'Amours indicated a limited sale of their respective stakes in the company, citing estate planning. "We believe [this] is plausible as all co-founders will have reached the age of 65 by December 2021. Given the founders' age and their substantial residual ownership positions, we do not believe a move in the stock is warranted," BMO says. In the past month, shares have fallen 6.1% to C$47.04. (adriano.marchese@wsj.com)

1132 ET - Zurich Insurance is expected to show momentum in its third-quarter underwriting results, Morgan Stanley says. The bank ticks up its earnings-per-share forecast by 0.3% ahead of Zurich's nine-month update on slightly adjusted revenue. The Swiss insurer's business model should be resilient if economic conditions worsen, but it is also a stock that can perform well if the macroeconomic backdrop improves, MS adds. The bank raises its target price to CHF450 from CHF440 as a result of movements in the CHF/USD exchange rate. Zurich is due release its 9-month update on Nov. 11. Shares fall 0.7%. (edward.frankl@dowjones.com)

1131 ET - Changes to Salvatore Ferragamo's executive team should enhance management at the Italian luxury-goods company ahead of the arrival of a new CEO, Stifel says. Ferragamo said Tuesday that it was appointing Daniella Vitale and Vincenzo Equestre to lead its North America and EMEA businesses, respectively. The pair's track records at brands including Gucci, Tiffany, L'Oreal and LVMH will strengthen the company and smooth the integration of Marco Gobbetti, who is due to take the reins after leaving U.K. fashion firm Burberry, Stifel says. A new creative director to fill the current vacancy would be a fresh positive for Ferragamo, the financial-services firm adds; some observers have pointed to Gobbetti's colleague at Burberry, Riccardo Tisci, as a strong candidate. (joshua.kirby@wsj.com; @joshualeokirby )

1117 ET - Salvatore Ferragamo's sales should pick up pace in 3Q as European weakness is offset by momentum in other markets, Stifel says ahead of the Italian luxury-goods company's update next month. While a continued dearth of international tourism is likely to leave Europe sales still well below pre-pandemic levels, momentum should continue in the U.S. and China, while Latin American local demand is picking up, Stifel says. Overall, this should mean quarterly sales of EUR262 million, around 9% lower than 3Q 2019--a notable improvement from the 28% gap booked in 2Q, with retail driving performance as wholesale remains soft, the financial-services firm says, keeping a hold rating and EUR19 target on Ferragamo stock. (joshua.kirby@wsj.com; @joshualeokirby)