Group 1 - President Trump is seeking to block state laws on AI and is advocating for a national regulatory framework [1] - The Federal Reserve has reappointed 11 of the 12 regional presidents for new 5-year terms, with Atlanta Fed President Rafael Bastik announcing retirement [1][2] - Costco's earnings and revenue exceeded estimates, with US comparable sales increasing by 5.9% and digital sales rising over 20% year-over-year [2] Group 2 - NASCAR has settled an antitrust lawsuit, granting permanent charters to all teams involved, although the terms of the settlement were not disclosed [3] - Elon Musk confirmed that SpaceX is planning to go public in 2026, responding to reports of an $800 billion valuation, which he stated was inaccurate [4] - Speculation around SpaceX's IPO suggests potential valuations could reach as high as $1.5 trillion, with Musk owning over 40% of the company [5]

This story was originally published on C-Store Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily C-Store Dive newsletter. 3 Big Numbers is a weekly column that looks at a few key details from around the c-store industry. Tariffs, lingering inflation concerns and overall economic and geopolitical uncertainty battered retailers this year. For instance, 79% of consumers in a recent survey by Upside said they’ve changed their shopping habits this year due to tariffs. And while c-stores ...

Core Viewpoint - The small-cap sector is showing significant momentum, with the S&P 500 up 17.1% and the Russell 2000 up 14.8%, indicating a potential for strong earnings growth in 2026 [1] Small Cap Performance - Small caps have experienced a profits recovery, with positive growth and upward revisions in earnings expectations [3][4] - Historical data suggests that after significant moves in the Russell 2000, there is a tendency for continued positive performance, with a 29% increase expected a year later [5] Investor Behavior - There is a notable increase in buying activity from various investor types, including retail and institutional investors, driven by the momentum in small caps [6] - The supportive Federal Reserve policy, including rate cuts, is beneficial for small-cap companies that are more leveraged [7] Market Conditions - The overall market sentiment has improved due to reduced uncertainty regarding tariffs and favorable earnings recovery [8][9] - M&A activity is increasing, particularly in the healthcare sector, which is positively impacting small-cap sentiment [9] Valuation Insights - While small caps are trading slightly above average valuation multiples, micro caps are trading 80% above average on sales multiples, indicating potential overvaluation in the micro-cap segment [11] - The expectation is for small caps to outperform larger caps, with earnings growth driving returns rather than price appreciation [16] Earnings Growth Expectations - Earnings growth for small caps is projected to be around 20%, compared to mid to low teens for large caps, suggesting better returns for small caps in the upcoming year [16]

Core Insights - Artificial intelligence (AI) is identified as the greatest investment opportunity of the current era, with a strong emphasis on the urgency to invest now [1][13] - The energy demands of AI technologies are highlighted, with data centers consuming as much energy as small cities, leading to concerns about power grid strain and rising electricity prices [2][3] Investment Opportunity - A specific company is positioned as a critical player in the AI energy sector, owning essential energy infrastructure assets that will benefit from the increasing energy demands of AI [3][7] - This company is described as a "toll booth" operator in the AI energy boom, profiting from the surge in electricity demand driven by AI advancements [4][5] Market Position - The company is noted for its unique capabilities in executing large-scale engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) projects across various energy sectors, including nuclear energy [7][8] - It is completely debt-free and has a significant cash reserve, amounting to nearly one-third of its market capitalization, which positions it favorably compared to other energy firms burdened by debt [8][10] Growth Potential - The company holds a substantial equity stake in another AI-related venture, providing investors with indirect exposure to multiple growth opportunities in the AI sector [9][10] - The stock is described as undervalued, trading at less than seven times earnings, which presents a compelling investment case given its ties to the booming AI and energy markets [10][11] Industry Trends - The ongoing AI infrastructure supercycle, the onshoring boom due to tariffs, and a surge in U.S. LNG exports are identified as key trends that will drive demand for the company's services [14] - The influx of talent into the AI sector is expected to lead to rapid advancements and innovative ideas, further solidifying AI's role as a transformative force in the economy [12]

M Global Foundation December 8, 2025 07:00 AM GMT Global Economic Briefing The Global 360 Our views around the world. Morgan Stanley does and seeks to do business with companies covered in Morgan Stanley Research. As a result, investors should be aware that the firm may have a conflict of interest that could affect the objectivity of Morgan Stanley Research. Investors should consider Morgan Stanley Research as only a single factor in making their investment decision. For analyst certification and other impo ...

Core Insights - Inflation is expected to worsen before improving, with the Federal Reserve closely monitoring prices and tariffs before adjusting interest rates [1][8] - The Fed anticipates that tariff-driven inflation will influence its interest rate decisions, potentially leading to prolonged higher rates that could slow economic growth [3][8] Inflation Projections - The Federal Reserve projects the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index to decrease to 2.4% by 2026, down from a previous forecast of 2.6% [4] - Core inflation, excluding food and energy, is also expected to decline slightly [4] Tariff Impact - The effects of President Trump's tariffs on inflation are just beginning to manifest, with goods inflation primarily occurring in sectors affected by these tariffs [2][5] - Powell indicated that inflation from goods is likely to peak in the first quarter, with a potential decrease in the latter half of the next year if no new tariffs are introduced [6][7] Interest Rate Outlook - The Fed is likely to maintain current interest rates for several months to assess the impact of inflation before making further cuts [9] - Fed officials project only one additional quarter-point rate cut next year, with market participants not expecting significant rate cuts before late April [10] Economic Data Dependency - Future interest rate decisions will heavily rely on upcoming economic data and may be influenced by potential leadership changes at the Fed [12]

JUST IN: 🇺🇸 President Trump says the stock market keeps hitting all-time highs "because of tariffs." ...

Key Points A run of three straight 20%-plus gains for the stock market is nearly unprecedented. It's been a volatile year. However, one group of investors believes the stock market may be in the midst of a multiyear bull run driven by the rise of artificial intelligence. 10 stocks we like better than S&P 500 Index › It's hard to believe that just about eight months ago, the stock market was reeling. President Donald Trump had just shocked the world by announcing high tariff rates on most of the ...

Trade Policy Shift - Mexico has approved new tariffs on over 1400 products, mainly from Asian countries, particularly China, aligning with U S trade policies [2] - This represents a realignment of Mexico's trade policy to protect its national industry [2][3] - The Ministry of Economy will gain new powers to adjust tariffs without legislative approval [6] Potential Economic Impact - The tariffs aim to protect Mexican national production, which officials claim has been hurt by Asian imports [5] - Some industries in Mexico, such as carmakers, toy manufacturers, and home appliance producers, rely heavily on inputs from Asia, potentially leading to backlash [8][10] - Mexican officials anticipate that most of the affected products can be easily replaced by national production, minimizing the impact [10] USMCA Revision Implications - The tariff approval comes months before Mexico, Canada, and the U S are scheduled to revise the USMCA trade deal [5] - Officials hope this move will ease negotiations during the USMCA revision [6] Asian Investment Considerations - The tariffs could impact Asian companies that are establishing North American manufacturing operations in Mexico [7] - Heavy lobbying from Asian companies delayed the tariff bill's passage, indicating significant concern [4][8]

Core Insights - The apparel company is facing challenges due to tariffs and a decline in discretionary spending [1] Group 1 - The company has been impacted by the effects of tariffs [1] - There is a noted softness in discretionary spending affecting the company's performance [1]