By Satviki Sanjay   Japanese shoemaker Asics Corp. expects its India business to grow as much as 35 per cent annually for the next five years as it gains favour with marathoners and recreational runners pursuing healthier lifestyles in the world’s most populous country.  The Kobe, Japan-based manufacturer of sports shoes and athleisure wear is seeking to become the top seller of running shoes in India by 2029, Rajat Khurana, managing director at Asics India Pvt., said in an interview.     “I aim to be n ...

Economic Indicators - The number of Americans filing for initial jobless claims fell by 1,000 to 209,000, compared to the expected 206,000 [1] - U.S. Q3 nonfarm productivity was reported at +4.9% quarter-over-quarter, while unit labor costs remained unchanged at -1.9% quarter-over-quarter, both in line with expectations [1] - The U.S. trade deficit for November widened to -$56.8 billion, worse than the expected -$43.4 billion [1] - Factory orders in the U.S. rose by +2.7% month-over-month in November, exceeding expectations of +1.7% [1] Stock Market Performance - Wall Street's major indices closed mixed, with Microsoft (MSFT) dropping about -10% due to record high spending and slowing cloud sales growth [2] - Las Vegas Sands (LVS) fell over -13% after reporting weaker-than-expected Q4 Macau profit [2] - United Rentals (URI) slumped over -12% following disappointing Q4 results [2] - Conversely, Meta Platforms (META) surged over +10% after posting strong Q4 results and issuing optimistic Q1 revenue guidance [2] Corporate News - Notable companies such as Exxon Mobil (XOM), Chevron (CVX), and American Express (AXP) are set to release quarterly results today, with S&P 500 companies expected to see an average earnings increase of +8.4% for Q4 compared to the previous year [8] - Casio Computer's stock surged over +16% after announcing a potential doubling of its full-year net profit [15] - Fujitsu's stock climbed over +5% after raising its full-year net profit guidance [15] International Economic Data - The Eurozone economy expanded by +1.5% last year, marking its fastest growth since 2022, with preliminary data showing a Q4 GDP growth of +0.3% quarter-over-quarter and +1.3% year-over-year [10][12] - Spain's annual inflation rate eased to a 7-month low in January, while the Eurozone's unemployment rate fell to 6.2%, better than expected [10][11]

Economic Outlook - U.S. rate futures indicate an 83.9% probability of no rate change and a 16.1% chance of a 25 basis point rate cut at the Fed's January meeting [1] - Continued soft economic data may lead to expectations of a dovish Federal Reserve stance in 2026, with markets pricing in two rate cuts by the end of the year [2] - The U.S. December ISM manufacturing index unexpectedly fell to 47.9, marking the lowest reading of the year and the 10th consecutive month of contraction in the factory sector [2] Stock Market Performance - Wall Street's main stock indexes ended positively, with the Dow reaching a new all-time high, driven by energy stocks following President Trump's proposal to revive Venezuela's oil industry [3] - Valero Energy surged over +9% and Chevron climbed more than +5%, while most chip stocks advanced, with KLA Corp. rising over +6% and Applied Materials gaining more than +5% [3] - International Business Machines (IBM) rose more than +1% after Jefferies upgraded the stock to Buy from Hold with a price target of $360 [3] Key Economic Data Releases - Investors are looking forward to key U.S. economic data this week, including the S&P Global Composite PMI, with economists forecasting an unrevised final December figure of 53.0 [4] - The U.S. S&P Global Services PMI is also expected to remain unrevised at 52.9 [5] European Market Insights - The Euro Stoxx 50 Index is down -0.44% after hitting a record high, with technology stocks retreating due to profit-taking, while healthcare and energy stocks advanced [6] - Eurozone's December Composite PMI came in at 51.5, and Services PMI stood at 52.4, both weaker than expectations [7] Asian Market Developments - China's Shanghai Composite Index closed up +1.50%, reaching its highest level in over a decade, with non-ferrous metal and insurance stocks leading the gains [9] - Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Index also closed higher, hitting a record high, with bank and brokerage stocks among the biggest gainers amid expectations for gradual rate hikes from the Bank of Japan [10] Corporate News - Microchip Technology rose over +4% in pre-market trading after raising its Q3 revenue guidance [11] - Vistra Corp. gained more than +4% after agreeing to buy Cogentrix Energy for about $4 billion [11] - Zeta Global jumped over +11% after announcing a partnership with OpenAI [11]

Core Insights - The upcoming FIFA World Cup presents a significant opportunity for Nike and Adidas to compete for market share and brand visibility, particularly in North America where Nike has a strong presence [1][16] - Nike's CEO Elliott Hill aims to leverage new product launches and a robust marketing strategy to capitalize on this opportunity, while Adidas, led by Bjoern Gulden, seeks to maintain its heritage in football and expand its brand appeal [1][7][10] Company Strategies - Nike plans to introduce new products, including the Aero-Fit cooling fabric and the latest Tiempo football boots, to enhance athlete performance and comfort during the World Cup [5][7] - The company is also focusing on off-pitch football gear, exemplified by the Hollywood Keepers streetwear collection, to attract a broader audience [6][8] - Adidas is expanding its Originals line into performance wear and aims to make sports apparel more stylish, appealing to both fans and athletes [10][11] Market Dynamics - Nike sponsors more teams in the FIFA Top 10 than Adidas, which positions it favorably in terms of brand visibility during the tournament [2][16] - Retailers are reportedly committing to 40% more football products for the World Cup compared to the previous tournament, indicating strong market demand [7] - Analysts estimate that the World Cup could generate $1.3 billion in additional revenue for Nike, while Adidas anticipates €1 billion ($1.2 billion) in sales from the event [7][12] Competitive Landscape - Adidas has a strong heritage in football and is providing the official ball for the tournament, which could enhance its brand recognition [9][16] - Other brands like Puma, Skechers, New Balance, and Reebok are also entering the football market, increasing competition for both Nike and Adidas [13][17] - The "Kardashianization" of sports, where individual athlete endorsements can significantly impact brand perception, poses both opportunities and risks for these companies [2][15]

Group 1 - Nvidia plans to ship 5,000 to 10,000 H200 chip modules to China by mid-February next year, with expected shipments of 55,000 GB300 AI server cabinets, a year-on-year increase of 129%, primarily serving clients like Microsoft and Meta [3] - Paramount has modified its acquisition offer for Warner Bros. Discovery, maintaining a cash offer of $30 per share, adding a personal financial guarantee of $40.4 billion from Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison, and increasing the regulatory reverse termination fee from $5 billion to $5.8 billion to outbid Netflix [3] - Alphabet, Google's parent company, will acquire renewable energy project developer Intersect for $4.75 billion in cash and debt assumption, aiming to enhance energy innovation in the U.S. The acquisition includes several gigawatt-scale energy and data center projects currently in development or construction [3] Group 2 - Nanshan Aluminum plans to repurchase company shares worth between 300 million to 600 million yuan [5] - Baidu collaborates with Uber to conduct trial runs of autonomous taxis in the UK, combining Baidu's autonomous driving technology with Uber's ride-hailing platform to expand into overseas markets [5] - Dali Light announces a share buyback plan with a maximum amount of NT$179.665 billion, marking the largest buyback action in Taiwan's stock history, intending to repurchase 2,670 shares by February 11, 2026 [5] Group 3 - Apple has been fined €98 million by the Italian antitrust authority for allegedly abusing its market dominance regarding app tracking transparency policies, and the company plans to appeal this decision [8] - Microsoft has been identified as a top tech stock pick for 2026 by Wedbush, with expectations for AI business growth to exceed forecasts, driven by CEO Nadella's direct involvement in AI product development [8] - Micron Technology's stock rating has been upgraded from "neutral" to "buy" by Bank of America, with target price raised from $250 to $300, and earnings expectations for fiscal years 2026, 2027, and 2028 increased by 62%, 80%, and 42% respectively [8] Group 4 - BMW executives are considering larger-scale semiconductor procurement from China, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with Chinese suppliers for competitiveness, with significant purchases of key components like battery cells already in place [12] - Porsche China will cease operations of approximately 200 self-built charging stations starting March 1, 2026, shifting to partnerships with leading charging operators, while global operating profit for the first three quarters of 2025 plummeted 99% to €4 million, with a 26% decline in sales in the Chinese market [12] - ASML's advanced EUV lithography machine has successfully achieved full wafer-level manufacturing of nanoscale holes down to 10 nanometers, which is expected to drive advancements in molecular sensing technology with significant biomedical applications [12]

Core Viewpoint - Nike Inc. is experiencing a decline in sales, particularly in China and its Converse brand, leading to a forecast of low-single digit revenue decrease for the upcoming quarter after two periods of growth [1]. Group 1: Sales Performance - Converse sales dropped by 30% in the latest quarter, while sales in Greater China fell by 17% [2]. - Nike's stock fell as much as 11% in a single day, marking the largest intraday decline since April [2]. - The stock has decreased by 13% year-to-date and is on track for its fourth consecutive annual decline [3]. Group 2: Market Challenges - The company is facing significant challenges in China, where it has reported declining store traffic and difficulties in selling older inventory [4]. - The Chinese market has shifted to being discount-driven due to an economic slowdown, property crisis, and job market uncertainties, impacting consumer spending [6]. - Nike is struggling to deliver standout products that resonate with sophisticated Chinese consumers who prioritize experiences and niche performance features [6]. Group 3: Strategic Focus - CEO Elliott Hill indicated that Nike's recovery will not be linear, emphasizing the need for decisive action to address lagging areas, particularly in China [4]. - The company is concentrating its efforts on major cities like Beijing and Shanghai while refining its product assortment to better meet market demands [4]. - Analysts have noted that while progress is being made, the recovery in China is taking longer than anticipated, leading to price target cuts for Nike's stock [3].

Core Insights - Global job losses in the fashion and footwear sectors are increasing, with at least 17,267 job cuts reported in 2025 [1] - The trend of job cuts is part of a broader pattern across various industries in the U.S., driven by factors such as automation and AI [4] Job Cuts in Fashion and Retail - Major companies like Nike, Puma, Saks Global, and Target are among those reducing their workforce [1] - U.S. retailers have announced 86,233 job cuts through September 2025, a 203% increase from 28,440 cuts in the same period last year [5] - Adidas plans to cut 500 positions to reduce complexity, while Amazon is set to eliminate 14,000 corporate jobs [7] - Burberry is cutting 1,700 jobs, representing 18% of its workforce, as part of a strategy to save $130 million by 2027 [8] - Carter's Inc. will lay off 300 staff and close 150 stores, while Kohl's Corp. has cut about 10% of its corporate jobs [9][12] Impact of Automation and AI - Companies like Intel and Microsoft are also reducing their workforces, with Intel cutting 24,000 jobs and Microsoft 9,000 [3] - The rise of AI and automation is cited as a significant factor behind many of these job cuts across various sectors [4] Specific Company Actions - Nike is reducing its corporate staff by 1%, following a previous cut of over 1,600 jobs in 2024 as part of a $2 billion cost-saving plan [14][15] - Puma's new CEO announced a reduction of 900 jobs, totaling 1,400 cuts for the year, indicating a challenging growth outlook until 2027 [16] - Target is eliminating 1,800 corporate positions, including 800 open jobs, due to structural changes aimed at improving decision-making [21] Broader Economic Context - The U.S. has seen nearly 950,000 job cuts from January to September 2025, marking the highest total since 2020 [4] - The government sector has experienced the most job losses, but tech and retail sectors are also significantly affected [4]

Group 1: Japan's Economic Policy and Outlook - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi emphasizes a pragmatic approach to international relations and a strong focus on domestic economic revitalization, describing China as an "important neighboring country" while acknowledging security and economic concerns [1] - Takaichi prioritizes economic expansion and inflation control, announcing the establishment of the Japan Growth Strategy Council and plans for a beneficial tax credit system, alongside support for winter energy bills and the removal of a provisional diesel fuel tax [2] - Recent economic data shows mixed performance, with the Leading Index CI for August at 107.0, slightly below the preliminary figure, and the Coincident Index declining to 112.8 from 113.4, indicating potential economic slowdown [3] Group 2: Corporate Developments - Apple (AAPL) begins shipping AI servers from its new Houston factory ahead of schedule, part of a $600 billion commitment to U.S. manufacturing, supporting AI initiatives [4] - Nokia (NOKIA) strengthens collaboration with VNPT in Vietnam, focusing on 5G network deployment and local production of 5G products [4] - Adidas AG (ADS) sees its target price increased to €201 by TD Cowen, reflecting positive analyst sentiment, while Hochschild (HOC) receives an upgrade with a stock target lifted by 100p to 440p [5] Group 3: Global Economic Indicators - India's October HSBC Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) data indicates a slight cooling in economic momentum, with the Composite PMI at 59.9, down from 61, while the Manufacturing PMI rises to 58.4 and the Services PMI falls to 58.8 [6]

Core Viewpoint - Nike Inc's turnaround efforts are beginning to show positive results as the company refocuses on core sports categories like running and basketball, leading to a boost in share prices by approximately 4% in premarket trading [1] Financial Performance - Nike's sales fell by 1% on a currency-neutral basis in the most recent quarter, which was a smaller decline than expected, with total sales reaching $11.7 billion, surpassing the $11 billion forecast by Wall Street [3] - The company anticipates a low-single-digit decline in sales for the current quarter, aligning with projections [3] - Wholesale revenue increased by 5% on a currency-neutral basis to $6.8 billion, exceeding analyst estimates [8] Strategic Initiatives - CEO Elliott Hill has implemented a strategy to clear old inventory and reorganize the corporate structure, including laying off less than 1% of corporate staff and replacing several top executives [5] - The company is refocusing on sports and product development rather than casual footwear and fashion items [5] - Nike has redesigned its major running franchises, resulting in over 20% sales growth in the running category for the current quarter [6] Product Launches and Collaborations - The launch of NikeSkims, a new line in collaboration with Kim Kardashian's Skims, has received a strong response from shoppers, with a global rollout planned for 2026 [7] - Nike is returning to Amazon.com for the first time in six years and is enhancing its presence at Foot Locker stores [8] Challenges and Market Conditions - The company faces challenges from US tariffs, now expecting $1.5 billion in incremental costs due to higher levies, which have negatively impacted gross margins [9] - Sales in the Greater China region remain weak, attributed to "structural challenges," with plans for a focused restructuring in that market [10] - The Converse brand is struggling, with sales declining by 28% in the quarter after currency adjustments [11] Market Sentiment - Analysts have noted that while Nike's turnaround is on track, there remains a cautious medium to long-term outlook [8][12]