by Charles Schwab. Trade brilliantly. >> It is time.>> To talk about stock play. And then the lightning round is over. Are you ready, ski daddy.Come for the lightning round. Let's start with Beth in California. Beth.>> Hey, Jim. Thanks for taking my call. I'm a big fan of your show, and I've learned so much from you.I ordered your book from Amazon, and I'm really looking forward to learning how to make money in any market. >> Thank you. Thank you.>> So I wanted to ask about Amcu. >> Oh, Ambiq micro. Look, w ...

Core Viewpoint - The federal government shutdown has prompted investors to seek stable companies with consistent demand and dividend payments, such as Tractor Supply and Kroger, which provide essential goods regardless of political conditions [1][12]. Tractor Supply - Tractor Supply, the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the U.S., reported a 4.5% increase in net sales to approximately $4.44 billion in its second quarter, with comparable-store sales up 1.5% [4]. - The company maintains a full-year sales growth guidance of 4% to 8% and comparable sales growth of flat to 4%, targeting an operating margin of 9.5% to 9.9% [4]. - The CEO expressed confidence in the company's model, highlighting strong demand in core categories like pet and livestock feed, which are resilient during economic uncertainty [5]. - The board increased the quarterly dividend by 4.5% to $0.23 per share, marking 16 consecutive years of dividend increases, alongside a stock repurchase plan of $325 million to $375 million for 2025 [6]. Kroger - Kroger's second-quarter same-store sales, excluding fuel, rose by 3.4%, with e-commerce sales increasing by 16%, driven by pharmacy and fresh categories [8]. - The company raised its full-year guidance for same-store sales growth to 2.7% to 3.4% and adjusted earnings per share to between $4.70 and $4.80 [9]. - Kroger approved a 9% increase in its quarterly dividend, marking the 19th consecutive year of dividend hikes, and is executing a $5 billion accelerated share repurchase program [10]. - Despite its focus on essential products, Kroger faces risks such as price competition and pharmacy reimbursement pressures [11]. Investment Appeal - Both Tractor Supply and Kroger offer essential products and reliable dividends, making them attractive options for investors seeking stability during uncertain times [12]. - Tractor Supply has a dividend yield of 1.6%, while Kroger's yield is 2.1%, providing a steady income stream for shareholders [13].

Core Insights - The whitepaper "Giving Marketing the Credit it Deserves" reveals that traditional measurement methods have undervalued the impact of brand marketing on sales by as much as 83% [1][8] - The Brand as Performance (BaP) framework demonstrates how brand-building translates directly to customer acquisition, retention, and sales, providing a new approach for CMOs to justify brand investments [2][3] Group 1: Brand Marketing Impact - Properly measured brand campaigns not only build sentiment but also drive performance by acquiring new customers and fostering long-term revenue growth [1] - The BaP framework has been validated across multiple industries, providing marketers with the evidence needed to link brand investment to measurable outcomes [2][3] Group 2: Case Studies and Evidence - The whitepaper includes case studies from major U.S. brands such as Ally, Kroger, and The Campbell's Company, showcasing the effectiveness of brand-first strategies [3][5][6] - Ally reported a 16% increase in customers and a 29% increase in accounts, demonstrating the tangible business results of a brand-first approach [8] Group 3: Research Methodology - The analysis was conducted using large-scale identity backbones, consumer surveys, and long-term measurement techniques, ensuring robust and reliable findings [6] - The studies involved tracking periods of 9–10 months and utilized causal lift experiments and advanced attribution methods [6]

Core Insights - DoorDash has launched a new fulfillment service called DashMart Fulfillment Services, leveraging its DashMart network and a new delivery robot named Dot [1][6] Group 1: DashMart Fulfillment Services - The service utilizes DoorDash's DashMart locations for inventory management, picking, packing, and delivery, providing retailers with a logistics solution without the need for their own infrastructure [2][3] - CVS Pharmacy and Party City are the first retailers to adopt this service, with Kroger expected to follow soon [1] - DashMart locations serve as additional sales channels for brands and local businesses, offering consumers access to a variety of products including groceries and household essentials [2][4] Group 2: Delivery Robot - Dot - Dot is a self-designed, all-electric delivery robot capable of navigating various terrains, including bike lanes and sidewalks, and can carry up to 30 pounds of cargo [6][7] - The robot is designed for quick neighborhood deliveries, traveling at speeds of up to 20 mph, and is compact enough to fit through most doorways [7] - The introduction of Dot aims to reduce the reliance on full-sized vehicles for small deliveries, thereby decreasing traffic and fossil fuel emissions [7]

Core Insights - Kroger Health and Hy-Vee are co-hosting the second annual Nourishing Change Conference from June 2-4, 2026, in Des Moines, Iowa, aimed at improving health outcomes nationwide [1][12] - The conference will feature keynote presentations, panel discussions, networking opportunities, and an Emerging Brands competition to support health-focused entrepreneurs [2][3] Company Overview: Kroger Health - Kroger Health operates over 2,200 pharmacies and 220 clinics across 35 and 9 states respectively, serving more than 17 million customers annually [4] - The organization employs 23,000 healthcare practitioners and promotes the concept of "food as medicine" to prevent disease and enhance health [4] Company Overview: Hy-Vee - Hy-Vee operates more than 560 business units across nine Midwestern states, generating over $14 billion in annual sales [5] - The company is recognized for its quality, variety, and customer service, employing over 70,000 individuals [5]

Core Viewpoint - DoorDash is expanding its services to include restaurant reservations and robot deliveries, aiming to enhance customer experience and meet growing demand while maintaining its competitive edge in the delivery market [4][6][10]. Expansion Plans - DoorDash announced plans to add restaurant reservations through a new "Going Out" tab, initially launching in New York and Miami, with plans to expand to other cities later [8][9]. - The company reported a 20% increase in total orders, reaching 761 million in the second quarter of the year, indicating strong customer demand [4]. Delivery Innovations - DoorDash is introducing autonomous delivery robots named Dot, which can travel at speeds of up to 20 miles per hour and are designed for suburban deliveries [11][12]. - The company has invested seven years in developing Dot, which is capable of carrying up to 30 pounds of cargo [13][14]. Competitive Landscape - The expansion into restaurant reservations and robot deliveries poses a challenge to competitors like OpenTable and Instacart, as DoorDash aims to deepen its relationships with restaurants and attract new customers [6][10]. - Following the announcement of its partnership with Kroger for delivery from 2,700 stores, DoorDash's shares rose by 4%, while Instacart's shares fell by 10% [6]. Future Vision - DoorDash envisions a hybrid delivery model combining human and autonomous methods to enhance service efficiency and accessibility [18].

CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- #AccessWireless--i-wireless, LLC, owners of Access and Kroger Wireless, has selected Telgoo5 to power next-generation wireless services for its brands. ...

Market Overview - The US stock market started strong but the Dow has slipped into the red, currently down by about 19 points, while the S&P is up 0.4% and the NASDAQ is leading with an increase of 0.8% [2][3] - Energy and utilities sectors are dragging down the major averages, while technology and cyclicals like industrials are performing well [3] Economic Data and Job Market - A significant jobs report is expected at the end of the week, with consensus predicting the US economy to add 50,000 jobs, while Bank of America anticipates 65,000 jobs [4] - The current job market is characterized as low hiring but resilient consumer spending is expected to lead to a broadening of hiring across sectors [9][10] - Inflation remains a concern, with expectations that it will stay above 3% for the next three quarters, but no sudden spikes are anticipated [18][19] Government Shutdown Implications - A government shutdown is looming, with potential economic impacts depending on its duration; short shutdowns are inefficient but longer ones can materially affect GDP [36][34] - The current situation reflects a broken budget process, with Congress failing to act on deadlines, leading to uncertainty for businesses and consumers [32][33] Electronic Arts Acquisition - Electronic Arts (EA) has agreed to be acquired in an all-cash deal worth $55 billion, with a premium of 25% being paid [48][69] - Analysts view the premium as reasonable given market precedents, and the deal is expected to close in early 2027 pending shareholder approval [49][69] - The acquisition could help EA build out its mobile business and live service revenue, addressing past struggles in these areas [70][54] Analyst Insights - Morgan Stanley has raised price targets for large US banks by a median of 14%, indicating a positive outlook for the banking sector [67][68] - Analysts are cautious about the future of independent video game publishers, with EA's acquisition highlighting ongoing consolidation in the industry [57][58]

Core Insights - Kroger is expanding its partnership with DoorDash to offer its full grocery assortment, including fresh food and exclusive products, to customers nationwide starting October 1, 2025 [1][3][4] Group 1: Partnership Expansion - Nearly 2,700 Kroger stores will be available on DoorDash, allowing customers to access groceries in as little as one hour [1] - The partnership aims to attract new households and increase shopping occasions by leveraging Kroger's store network [1][4] Group 2: Customer Convenience - Customers will benefit from on-demand delivery, affordability, and loyalty program discounts integrated into the DoorDash app [3][4] - The expansion is expected to reach tens of millions of DoorDash customers seeking fresh groceries and household essentials [4] Group 3: Market Position and Strategy - Kroger has been one of the most searched grocers on DoorDash, indicating strong consumer demand for its products [3] - The collaboration will also focus on joint innovation, including retail media and new delivery models to enhance customer engagement [4][5] Group 4: Market Trends - DoorDash has seen over 25% of its global monthly active users ordering from new verticals, including grocery, highlighting a growing trend in on-demand grocery delivery [5] - The integration of grocery delivery into everyday shopping experiences is a key focus for both companies [5]

Core Points - Harris Teeter has raised over $1 million for Make-A-Wish Central & Western North Carolina since 2013, funding more than 100 wishes for children with critical illnesses [1][2][4] - The partnership highlights the importance of community engagement and purpose-driven initiatives in supporting families and children in need [2][4] - Harris Teeter's efforts include events with vendor partners, such as an annual cornhole tournament, to raise funds and awareness for Make-A-Wish [3][4] Company Overview - Harris Teeter, a subsidiary of The Kroger Co., has been operating for over 60 years and employs 36,000 associates across more than 250 stores and 70 fuel centers in multiple states [6] - The company is committed to enriching lives through community support and charitable initiatives [6] Make-A-Wish Overview - Make-A-Wish Central and Western North Carolina aims to grant wishes for eligible children, believing that such experiences can enhance their physical and emotional strength [5] - In 2024, the organization granted wishes for 430 children, and since its inception in 1985, it has granted over 6,500 wishes in the local community [5]