Group 1 - Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) is involved in a lawsuit against the current administration regarding tariff refunds, which could potentially impact its stock performance positively if successful [1] - The company operates membership warehouses offering a wide range of products and services, including groceries, electronics, and e-commerce options [2] - Recent management changes, including the departure of the CFO Richard Galanti, have raised concerns about the company's performance, particularly in terms of slower monthly signups and membership renewals [2] Group 2 - Despite acknowledging Costco's potential, there are suggestions that certain AI stocks may present greater upside potential and lower downside risk compared to Costco [2]

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM) is one of the stocks Jim Cramer shed light on. Cramer highlighted the company’s “tariff hit,” as he remarked: “How about two I really like right here: Williams-Sonoma and Gap. Their tariff hit is pretty variable and pretty covered. These are all moving targets, but these two companies are firing on all cylinders. Williams-Sonoma is even guiding for a modest year-over-year increase in operating margins at the midpoint despite the tariffs.” Stock market data. Photo by Ale ...

Group 1 - Dollar General Corporation (NYSE:DG) is perceived as a strong player in the discount retail sector, benefiting from a cash-strapped consumer base and countercyclical business model [1][2] - The company has successfully reduced its direct imports from China to less than 70% and indirect imports to less than 40%, although it still faces challenges from tariffs [1] - Dollar General's stock has increased over 50% year to date, indicating strong performance despite previous execution issues and rising competition [2] Group 2 - The company is making progress in addressing operational challenges, including store standards, supply-chain execution, and labor efficiency [2] - With inflation stabilizing, there are signs of increased customer activity, as basket sizes and units are beginning to rise again [2] - The potential for Dollar General to benefit from trade-down business during economic downturns positions it favorably in the current market environment [2]

Celldex Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:CLDX) is one of the best small cap stocks to buy with huge upside potential. Barclays lifted the price target on Celldex Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:CLDX) to $24 from $21 on December 17 and reaffirmed an Equal Weight rating on the stock. The firm told investors that it adjusted the price targets in the biotechnology space to take into account its 2026 outlook. Is Celldex Therapeutics, Inc. (CLDX) the Best Cancer Stock to Invest in for Long-Term Gain? In a separate develo ...

Group 1: Trade Policies and Economic Impact - The newly elected U.S. president's potential implementation of large tariffs on Canadian imports is a significant concern for Canadian businesses in 2025 [2][6] - Trump's focus on trade deficits may lead to substantial changes in global trade dynamics, with tariffs being used to fund corporate tax cuts [3][10] - A targeted 10-15% tariff on non-energy products is anticipated, which could disrupt Canadian manufacturing and lead to retaliatory tariffs from Canada [6][7] Group 2: Inflation and Interest Rates - Inflation concerns are expected to persist in 2025, driven by tariff-induced price increases and a booming U.S. stock market, potentially pushing inflation above 3% [12][13] - The U.S. Federal Reserve is likely to maintain higher interest rates, impacting both U.S. and Canadian monetary policies [14][18] - Canadian inflation remained closer to target at around 2.2%, but the Bank of Canada held its overnight rate at 2.25% due to economic resilience and trade uncertainties [18] Group 3: Stock Market Predictions - The first half of 2025 may experience gains due to post-election optimism, but the second half could see declines due to tariffs and stretched valuations impacting corporate earnings [20][21] - High expectations for earnings growth could lead to skepticism among investors if projections begin to decline [22][23] - Overall, markets are expected to be up in 2025, with positive news on tariffs and inflation benefiting stock and commodity markets [23] Group 4: Canadian Housing Market - Canadian housing prices are projected to face downward pressure, with average home prices declining by about 6% in 2025, contrary to CREA's forecast of a 6.6% rise [32][35] - Fixed mortgage rates did not decrease significantly, maintaining high borrowing costs and limiting buyer activity [36][37] - The condo market is particularly vulnerable, with high inventory levels and cooling investor demand leading to downward price pressure [37] Group 5: Oil Market Dynamics - The global oil market is expected to remain below USD $75 per barrel due to rising U.S. production and OPEC's reluctance to cut supply [38][40] - Despite a brief peak, crude oil prices spent the majority of the year below the anticipated ceiling, with demand growth from China failing to materialize [40] Group 6: Electric Vehicle Market - Tesla's market valuation is questioned, with concerns about its sustainability compared to traditional car manufacturers and increasing competition from companies like BYD [41][45] - Despite a significant drop in Tesla's stock price earlier in the year, it rebounded, raising questions about the long-term viability of its high P/E ratio [46][48]

Core Viewpoint - The 30-year Treasury bond is currently viewed as a strong investment opportunity due to its high yield compared to shorter-duration bonds, with expectations of falling long-term yields as inflation fears ease [2][3]. Investment Opportunity - Elliott Dornbusch, CIO at CV Advisors, highlights the 30-year Treasury bond's yield of 4.8%, which is significantly higher than the 10-year Treasury yield of 4.14% [2]. - The 30-year bond is favored for its high yield despite its long duration, which is typically seen as a disadvantage [3][4]. Market Expectations - Dornbusch anticipates that long-term yields will decline, leading to an increase in bond prices, driven by overstated long-term inflation risks and potential shifts in investor behavior during market downturns [5][6]. - The expectation is that if a bear market occurs, investors will flock to long-term Treasurys, increasing their value and decreasing yields, thus providing a profitable exit for current holders [6]. Potential Returns - The potential return on the 30-year Treasury bond over the next four years could resemble a 10% return when considering both coupon payments and price appreciation, making it an attractive option for patient investors [7].

Ah, the stock market. A bastion of rational thought, predictable trends, and calm, measured reactions. Or, if you’ve been paying attention to the last few years, a chaotic pinball machine where the flippers are controlled by presidential tweets and the ball bounces wildly between “historic deals” and “massive tariffs.” Welcome back to the exhilarating, if slightly whiplash-inducing, world of the Trump economy, where policy pronouncements often serve as the opening bell for a fresh round of market gymnastics ...

Economic Outlook & Growth Drivers - The economy faces hurdles including government shutdowns affecting growth and delaying data collection [2] - "Prosec" (production for security) is a key positive thesis, focusing on domestic production in areas of national security interest like chips, data centers, AI, electricity, and rare earth minerals [3][4][5] - Tariffs are starting to impact earnings potential and may spread to consumers [6][7] - Tax cuts, tilted towards upper-end households, and deregulation are expected to inject cash into the economy in the first half of 2026 [9][10][11] - The dynamic properties inside the tax bill should facilitate 23% to 25% growth next year [14] Market & Investment Strategies - Companies are questioning spending on AI, which could drag on the economy if it slows [6][15] - The market and economy have diverged, with a "little i-shaped economy" where a small segment is doing well while the rest is just okay [16][17] - Fund manager surveys show bullish sentiment, but there's a disconnect with the real economy [19] - Tech companies may become more careful with spending plans [21] AI & Technology - Focus should shift from those working on AI to those working with AI, emphasizing adoption policies to drive productivity growth [24][25] - Data centers are driving significant debt issuance, estimated at $150 billion to $175 billion per year [30] - Governments are accelerating the development of AI value chains for economic and national security [52] - Sovereign AI is a key theme, with governments focusing on algorithms, critical minerals for semiconductors, and data [52][53] Crypto & Regulation - The Senate is considering the Clarity Act to provide a market structure for crypto in the US [33] - Banks are exploring stablecoins, which could lead to greater adoption and efficiency in the financial system [35][36] - Bitcoin is heavily influenced by leverage players, requiring new standards and safeguards [37][38][39] Trade & Geopolitics - Uncertainty around tariff policies is expected to continue, along with export controls and trade restrictions [42][43] - Companies are using scenario planning to manage geopolitical risks [46] - Geopolitical competition for resources like critical minerals and fresh water is a key story for 2026 [47][48] - Geopolitical competition around access to capital and the growing politization of capital allocation are reshaping the global financial system [50]

America's worst public speaker struggled mightily reading a teleprompter full of lies tonight. His speech, if we can call it that. In it, Donald Trump said that when he took office, quote, "Inflation was the worst in the history of our country." That is a lie.A typical Trump lie. Inflation was at 3% when Donald Trump took office. Inflation is at 3% right now.Donald Trump said that when he took office, we had quote transgender for everybody. That would mean that Donald Trump is transgender. That would mean t ...

WELCOME TO THE TOP STORIES OF 2025. I'M TOM YAMAS, COMING TO YOU FROM TIMES SQUARE IN THE HEART OF NEW YORK CITY. THIS IS THE HOME OF THE ICONIC BALL DROP, AS YOU KNOW, WHERE EVERY DECEMBER 31ST, WE SAY GOODBYE TO THE OLD YEAR AND RING IN THE YEAR AHEAD.FOR THE NEXT HOUR, WE'RE GOING TO LOOK BACK AT THE TOP 10 STORIES OF WHAT HAS BEEN A REMARKABLE YEAR FULL OF MAJOR EVENTS AND UNEXPECTED HEADLINES. WE BEGIN WITH A LOOK BACK AT THE YEAR THAT WAS. IT IS A GRIM NEW YEAR'S MORNING HERE TO BEGIN 2025.THE GUY IN ...