>> OVER $7. >> TRILLION WORTH. >> I KNOW IT'S A REALLY BIG DAY IN THE MARKETS SEEM TO BE SO FAR, BUT IT'S STILL EARLY.>> YES. LET'S BEGIN THOUGH, WITH THE BIG EARNINGS ON THE DAY. GABBY FONROUGE IS WATCHING SOME OF THEM, INCLUDING NIKE FOR US TODAY.HEY, GABBY. FRA HEY, CARL. SORRY ABOUT THAT.SHARES OF NIKE ARE MOVING LOWER TODAY AFTER A MIXED EARNINGS REPORT LAST NIGHT. BUT NIKE, IT'S A BIT OF A MIXED BAG BECAUSE THEY BEAT EXPECTATIONS ON BOTH THE TOP AND BOTTOM LINES. THEY SAW SALES GROW 9% IN NORTH AMERIC ...

7 Signs of a Great Stock- Sales growth over 15%- Rising gross margins- Rising returns on capital- Tech leader in category- Brand leader in category- Many new partnerships- Fanatical CEOHello, Rocket Lab (RKLB). Any others come to mind? ...

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of conducting personal in-depth research and due diligence before making investment decisions, highlighting the inherent risks involved in trading [3]. Group 1 - The analysis is intended solely for informational purposes and should not be interpreted as professional investment advice [3]. - There is a clear disclaimer regarding the lack of any stock, option, or similar derivative positions in the companies mentioned, indicating a neutral stance [2]. - The article expresses that past performance does not guarantee future results, reinforcing the need for careful consideration by investors [4].

Tariff Impact & Pricing Strategies - Luxury brands experienced price increases of 40-50% during COVID, raising concerns about consumer tolerance for further price hikes due to tariffs [2] - Retailers are employing a two-pronged strategy: reducing promotions and selectively increasing prices on products not directly affected by tariffs [3] Retailer Margins & Promotions - The majority of surveyed companies (approximately 70) are currently promoting less year-over-year, which is helping them maintain gross margins [4] - While some price increases are observed, the primary concern revolves around the potential impact on demand [5] Disruptions in Distribution Channels - Foot Locker's aggressive discounting (e g, 20% off everything in July) is negatively impacting direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands [6] - Foot Locker's promotional activities are creating a ripple effect in the market, potentially harming relationships with brands that also sell directly to consumers at full price [7]

Financial Performance - Apple's June quarter results exceeded expectations, even considering potential pull-forward effects and one-time benefits from discounting in China [2] - Gross margins were strong, and the September quarter guidance was better than expected [2] Tariff Impact - A potential 15% tariff on semiconductor content could create a 200 to 250 basis point headwind to gross margins, potentially impacting EPS by almost 10% [4] - Apple currently has tariff exemptions for most of its main products, but Section 232 tariffs pose an imminent threat [3] AI and M&A Strategy - Apple expressed a commitment to AI and a willingness to do more M&A, which is viewed positively by investors [5] - The market desires more clarity on Apple's AI strategy, specifically regarding building, buying, or partnering [6] - Apple's capital expenditure (capex) is 3.4% of revenue or 4 billion per quarter, up from 2.9% two quarters ago, indicating increased spending [7] - Tim Cook acknowledged openness to M&A, suggesting a willingness to consider various options to advance Apple's AI strategy [8] Market Sentiment - The market is focused on the imminent threat of tariffs [4] - Investors want to see Apple increasing AI investments [6] - Investors appreciate Apple's transparency regarding AI strategy on the earnings call [9]

Group 1 - The article emphasizes the importance of delivering alpha-generating investment ideas through a structured and evidence-based approach [1] - The investment strategy is generalist, focusing on sectors with perceived alpha potential compared to the S&P 500, with typical holding periods ranging from a few quarters to multiple years [1] - The article suggests reviewing the author's ratings history as a proxy for genuine investing skill and the effectiveness of recommendations [1] Group 2 - There is a disclosure stating that the author has no current stock or derivative positions in the companies mentioned and no plans to initiate any positions in the next 72 hours [2] - The article expresses the author's personal opinions and indicates that no compensation is received for the article, aside from Seeking Alpha [2] - Seeking Alpha clarifies that past performance does not guarantee future results and that the views expressed may not reflect the opinions of Seeking Alpha as a whole [3]