Core Viewpoint - Starbucks' stock price declined following Q2 results and outlook, attributed to investment in the turnaround strategy led by Brian Niccol, focusing on atmosphere, throughput, and customer satisfaction [1][5][8] Financial Performance - Q2 results showed a 3% FX-neutral growth driven by an increase in store count, falling short of consensus estimates [5] - Globally, comparable store sales (comps) decreased by 1% due to a 2% year-over-year decline in transactions, offset by a 1% increase in ticket average [6] - North America experienced a 1.5% growth in comps, supported by a 3.1% increase in store count, while International business grew by 6.2% [6] Store Expansion - The store count increased by 6.1% year-over-year at the end of Q2, with plans for continued growth, targeting a 100% increase relative to Q2 totals [7] Margin Concerns - Operating margin contracted by 450 basis points to 8.2%, significantly impacting earnings, primarily due to the rollout of Green Apron operations, which involves hiring more staff and technological advancements [7] - Niccol expressed confidence that margins will recover as turnaround expenses decrease and increased traffic and higher check averages are realized [8] Analyst Sentiment - Analysts have downgraded Starbucks from Moderate Buy to Hold, with several price target reductions, leading to a consensus target decline [8][9] - Current stock price is $80.05, with a 12-month price forecast of $98.15, indicating a potential upside of 22.62% [8] Market Reaction - Following the Q2 results, Starbucks' stock price fell sharply but showed signs of support at critical levels, indicating potential for a rebound [9][10]

Company Performance & Strategy - Newell Brands initiated a multi-year turnaround in 2023 based on a comprehensive capability assessment, aiming to improve top line, expand margins, and improve cash flow[16] - The company's new strategy is yielding results, evidenced by improving top line trends, margin expansion, and strong cash flow[17] - Newell is focused on simplifying its operations, reducing headcount from 29,000 in March 2022 to 24,000 in December 2024[39], and rationalizing SKUs by approximately 80%[40] - The company is concentrating investments on its largest and most profitable brands, targeting Millennial and Gen Z consumers[21] Financial Highlights - Newell Brands' net sales were $7.6 billion as of 2024 year-end[10] - Normalized EBITDA was $900 million as of 2024 year-end[10] - International sales accounted for 38% of net sales[10] - The company targets low single-digit core sales growth annually[86] Operational Improvements - Newell has upgraded approximately 50% of its marketing talent and reduced VP+ positions by approximately 21%[31] - Global fill rates have improved from 90% in 2022 to 95% in 2024[41] - The company has identified over $500 million in whitespace opportunities in new and existing channels globally[75]

Core Insights - Better Choice Company Inc. (BTTR) shares have declined 9.4% since the earnings report for Q4 2024, contrasting with a 1.9% decline in the S&P 500 index during the same period [1] - The company reported a net loss per share of 50 cents for Q4 2024, an improvement of 97% year over year [2] - Revenues increased by 26% year over year to $7.2 million, with net losses narrowing by 90% to $1.6 million [3] Financial Performance - Adjusted EBITDA was negative at $0.7 million, but showed year-over-year improvement, indicating cost discipline and operational efficiencies [3] - Gross margin expanded by 2,705 basis points to 36%, driven by stronger volumes and improved terms with manufacturing partners [3] - For the full year 2024, Better Choice reported a net loss of $0.2 million, significantly narrower than the $22.8 million loss in 2023, with loss per share improving to 10 cents from $32.29 [8] Operational Metrics - The company achieved a 32% year-over-year growth in sales through Amazon and Chewy, emphasizing a shift towards higher-margin digital sales channels [4] - SG&A expenses were reduced by 22% in 2024, contributing to a 10% increase in gross profit dollars despite a decline in topline revenue [5] - Inventory was reduced by over 40% year-over-year while maintaining service levels above 95% [4] Strategic Initiatives - CEO Kent Cunningham highlighted 2024 as a transformative year, with strong growth in e-commerce platforms and successful promotions [6] - The company is focusing on high-return e-commerce partners and has exited unprofitable sales channels, which has contributed to improved financial performance [7] - Better Choice entered into an agreement to sell its Halo Asia business for $6.5 million in cash, plus a 3% royalty on future sales [9] Future Outlook - The company expects to close its acquisition of SRx Health Solutions in April, which is anticipated to create a leading global health and wellness platform [10]

Core Viewpoint - Nike continues to face declining revenue and profits, with expectations for further deterioration in the upcoming fiscal fourth quarter [1][4][10] Financial Performance - Nike reported a 9% decline in sales, totaling $11.3 billion, and earnings per share dropped to $0.54, down from $0.98 a year ago [1][2] - The company anticipates mid-teens revenue decline for Q4 and a gross margin decrease of 400 to 500 basis points due to unfavorable shipment timing and new tariffs [4][11] Leadership Changes - Elliott Hill has replaced John Donahoe as CEO, aiming to refocus on retailer relationships and a pull marketing strategy [3][12] Market Segments - The running segment saw mid-single-digit growth, driven by new product launches, while overall revenue in the Asia-Pacific Latin America segment fell by 4% on a currency-neutral basis [7][8] - Performance footwear and apparel experienced growth, although this was offset by declines in sportswear and the Jordan brand [8] Strategic Outlook - Management expects headwinds from the Win Now turnaround strategy to moderate after Q4, with a potential financial recovery beginning in fiscal 2026 [5][11] - The company is working on inventory overhaul and aims to return to a full-price business model, a process expected to take several more quarters [9][14] Investor Sentiment - Despite beating analyst estimates, investor confidence remains low, with the stock hitting a five-year low and hovering around seven-year lows [2][13] - The current situation presents a potential opportunity for investors, as the margin reset and focus on retail relationships may lead to improved performance in the future [14]