MILWAUKEE, Jan. 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tidal Investments LLC (“Tidal”) announces that the Defiance Daily Target 2X Short SMCI ETF, (Ticker: SMCZ) was halted to allow Tidal to evaluate the accuracy of the SMCZ Net Asset Values per share (NAVs) published for January 7, 2026. Tidal determined the NAV for SMCZ required to be restated from $ 52.1477 per share to $ 54.1535 per share. ...

Core Insights - COPT Defense Properties completed 557,000 square feet of vacancy leasing in 2025, surpassing its initial target by nearly 40% [1] - The weighted-average lease term for the new leases is approximately 7.5 years [1] - The company initially set a vacancy leasing target of 400,000 square feet in February 2025, which was subsequently increased to 450,000 square feet in July and then to 500,000 square feet in October [1]

Core Viewpoint - Salesforce Inc (NYSE:CRM) is historically one of the best-performing stocks in January, despite a poor performance in 2025, where it ended the year with a 20.7% deficit [1]. Performance Analysis - Over the last decade, Salesforce has averaged a 7.9% return in December, with an 80% monthly win rate, making it the fourth best performer among the S&P 500 stocks [2]. - Currently, Salesforce's stock is trading at $266.58, with a potential to reach its highest level since May if it breaks past the resistance at $270 [3]. January Performance Data - In the last 10 years, Salesforce has shown an average return of 7.86% in January, with a median return of 8.89% and an 80% probability of a positive return [4]. Options Market Sentiment - The options market shows a bearish sentiment towards Salesforce, with a 10-day put/call volume ratio of 1.04, indicating a high level of pessimism that could reverse and support a seasonal rally [4]. - Salesforce's Volatility Index (SVI) is at 27%, ranking in the 9th percentile of the last 12 months, suggesting that options are currently very affordable [5].

Company Overview - Target is one of the largest discount retailers in the United States, operating nearly 2,000 stores and generating over $106 billion in fiscal 2024 sales [8] - The company offers a diverse range of products, with revenue contributions from apparel and accessories (16%), beauty and household essentials (30%), food and beverage (23%), hardlines (15%), and home furnishings (16%) [8] - More than 97% of sales are fulfilled through its physical store base, with around 30% of sales coming from private-label brands [8] Options Trading Activity - Recent analysis revealed 22 unusual trades in Target options, with 45% of traders being bullish and 40% bearish [1] - The total value of put options was $735,419, while call options were valued at $373,103 [1] - The mean open interest for Target options trades is 2,507.94, with a total volume of 2,986.00 [3] Price Targets and Analyst Ratings - Analysts have set a consensus target price of $88.0 for Target, with one analyst maintaining an In-Line rating targeting $95 and another revising their rating to Underperform with a target of $81 [9][10] - Whales have been targeting a price range from $70.0 to $135.0 for Target over the last three months [2] Recent Stock Performance - The current trading volume for Target is 2,082,426, with the stock price down by -0.52% at $103.76 [10] - Current RSI values indicate that the stock is neutral between overbought and oversold [10]

Core Viewpoint - Emerging Growth Research maintains a Buy-Extended rating for SBC Medical Group Holdings, Inc. with a 12-month price target of $9.00, indicating significant upside potential from the current closing price of $4.44 as of January 6, 2026 [1]. Company Developments - SBC Medical Group Holdings has made a strategic minority equity investment and established a structured collaboration framework with OrangeTwist, a prominent U.S.-based MedSpa chain, marking its entry into the United States medical aesthetics market [1].

Core Insights - Target Corporation is expanding its wellness assortment by 30% in 2026, introducing thousands of new items and more exclusive products to enhance its position as a destination for everyday wellbeing [1][5] Product Expansion - The wellness expansion is based on guest insights and cultural trends across various categories including food & beverage, baby, beauty, health, and apparel [3] - New products will be introduced in 2026 across owned brands and exclusive partnerships, as well as in categories like sporting goods and wearable tech [3] Accessibility and Affordability - Target aims to provide high-quality wellness products at great prices, with thousands of items priced under $10 [4][5] - Target Wellness Week, running until January 10, offers additional savings on wellness brands and personalized deals for Target Circle 360 members [4] Unique Wellness Experience - The wellness experience includes new ways for guests to discover products both in-store and online, with a focus on personalized shopping experiences [5][7] - The expanded assortment includes exclusive retail debuts and new options in protein snacks, supplements, functional beverages, family wellness products, skincare, and performance-ready apparel [6] Marketing and Engagement - Target is launching a new marketing campaign titled "Wellness, Perfectly Picked for You," which highlights new brands and exclusive products tailored to guests' lifestyles [8] - The company will host in-store wellness events featuring product sampling and giveaways on specific dates in January [8]

Core Insights - Target Corporation's capital allocation strategy balances future growth investments with financial resilience, demonstrating disciplined cash flow management and prioritizing returns [1][5] Financial Performance - For the first nine months of fiscal 2025, Target generated operating cash flow of $3,485 million, indicating effective inventory management and reduced working capital pressures [2] - Capital expenditures reached $2,842 million during the same period, focusing on high-return initiatives such as store remodels and technology modernization [3] - Target plans to increase capital spending to approximately $5 billion in fiscal 2026 to support extensive category resets and store transformation efforts [3] Shareholder Returns - Target returned $518 million to shareholders through dividends and $152 million in share repurchases in the past nine months of fiscal 2025, reflecting confidence in cash flow durability [4] - The company maintains a strong balance sheet with $3,822 million in cash and cash equivalents at the end of the third quarter [5] Market Position and Valuation - Target's stock has gained 13% over the past three months, outperforming the industry growth of 3% [12] - The forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio for Target is 13.06, significantly lower than the industry's average of 29.45 [13] - Earnings estimates for fiscal 2025 indicate a year-over-year decline of 17.7%, while fiscal 2026 estimates suggest a growth of 6% [14]

Core Viewpoint - Micron Technology is experiencing a significant surge in stock price due to increased demand for AI-driven memory solutions, with Bernstein raising its price target for the company [1][6]. Company Performance - Micron's stock closed at $315.42, reflecting a 10.52% increase in a single trading session, with trading volume reaching 41.9 million shares, which is 62% above the three-month average [2][3]. - The company has shown remarkable growth of 22,231% since its IPO in 1984 [3]. Market Dynamics - The rise in Micron's stock is attributed to analyst upgrades based on the anticipated demand for high-bandwidth memory, which is crucial for AI applications [3][6]. - Industry peers such as Seagate Technology and Western Digital also saw stock increases, indicating a broader market reaction to AI data-center expansions and global memory supply shortages [5]. Future Outlook - Micron's leadership indicated that the total addressable market for High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) is projected to reach $100 billion by 2028, two years earlier than previously estimated [7]. - Bernstein forecasts continued growth in DRAM demand, suggesting a positive outlook for Micron's future performance [7].

Core Viewpoint - Altria's high dividend yield of 7.3% may not be as attractive as Target's 4.5% yield due to Altria's significant business struggles, particularly in its core tobacco segment [2][14]. Altria Overview - Altria's primary business is smokable tobacco products, which account for nearly 90% of its revenue, with cigarettes making up 97% of its volume [4]. - Cigarette volumes fell 8.2% year over year in Q3 2025, with Marlboro, which represents 85% of Altria's cigarette volume, experiencing an 11.7% decline [5]. - Altria has faced long-term declines in cigarette sales as smoking becomes less popular and alternatives like vaping gain traction [5]. - The company has struggled to adapt to industry changes, with previous investments in vapes and marijuana resulting in significant losses [7]. - Altria's current dividend yield of 7.21% comes with a high payout ratio of nearly 80%, raising concerns about sustainability [7][15]. Target Overview - Target's current market approach is misaligned with consumer trends, focusing on a premium shopping experience while consumers are tightening budgets [9]. - Same-store sales for Target fell 2.7% in Q3 2025, with overall sales down by 1.5%, reflecting a shift in consumer preferences towards lower-priced options [10]. - Despite these challenges, Target's situation is not seen as an existential threat, as fluctuations in consumer behavior are common in the retail sector [12]. - Target's management is actively working to realign its strategy, including appointing a new CEO and adopting a team-based approach [13]. - Target's dividend yield of 4.5% is supported by a lower payout ratio of approximately 55%, providing more flexibility in adverse conditions [15].

Core Viewpoint - Target has faced significant challenges over the past year, with a notable decline in stock performance, but the involvement of activist investor Toms Capital Investment Management may lead to potential growth and strategic changes for the retailer [1][2][4]. Financial Performance - Target's stock is currently down more than 27% over the past year and over 40% in the past five years [1]. - The company's third-quarter earnings showed a 1.5% year-over-year decline in net sales, while digital sales increased by 2.4% [5]. - Target maintains a strong dividend history, having raised its dividend for 54 consecutive years [5]. Market Position - Target's current market capitalization is $44 billion, with a stock price of $97.75 and a forward price-to-earnings ratio of around 12, which is significantly lower than competitors like Walmart and Amazon [2][4]. - The company's gross margin stands at 25.36%, and it offers a dividend yield of 4.62% [2]. Strategic Initiatives - Target is expanding its same-day delivery operations, which saw a 35% increase in the latest quarter, to better compete with industry peers [5]. - The company plans to invest $5 billion in capital expenditures aimed at driving growth by 2026 [5]. Investor Influence - The increased stake by Toms Capital Investment Management adds pressure on Target, potentially leading to management and strategic changes that could benefit the company's stock performance [2][4].