Seeking Alpha·2026-01-23 11:49Group 1: Weather Impact on Retail - A winter storm is expected to affect a significant portion of the U.S., potentially impacting consumer behavior and retail sales [2][3] - Costco (COST) is anticipated to benefit from increased sales as consumers engage in pantry loading in preparation for the storm, similar to past events [4] - Anecdotal evidence shows crowded Costco stores in states like Texas and Georgia, with shares of Costco up 13% year-to-date [5] Group 2: Restaurant Sector Challenges - Dine-in restaurants and discretionary retail are likely to face revenue headwinds due to consumers sheltering indoors during the storm [5] - Several restaurant companies, including Dunkin' and McDonald's, have previously noted that severe winter weather negatively impacts customer traffic [6] Group 3: Capital One Acquisition - Capital One (COF) has agreed to acquire fintech company Brex for $5.15 billion, with the deal structured as 50% cash and 50% stock [7][8] - This acquisition aims to enhance Capital One's capabilities in serving corporate clients, particularly in corporate card issuance and expense management [8] Group 4: Intel Earnings Report - Intel (INTC) reported stronger-than-expected Q4 earnings but provided a Q1 revenue outlook below analyst expectations, leading to a 12% drop in premarket shares [9][10] - The company expects Q1 revenue between $11.7 billion and $12.7 billion, with adjusted earnings per share anticipated to break even, below the expected $0.08 [10]