With some help from the Federal Reserve's September rate cut, small-cap stocks appear to be finding a groove. Finally. For the 90 days ending October 9, the widely followed Russell 2000 Index returned more than 10%. That's a solid starting point for a corner of the equity market that's long disappointed investors. With that inauspicious track record fresh on investors' minds, sound advice as it relates to small-cap stocks is to remember to be selective. Market participants can efficiently accomplish that ob ...

Group 1 - At least a third of surveyed companies have paused or delayed stainless steel orders due to U.S. import tariffs of up to 50% [1] - More than half of the surveyed companies are reassessing their sourcing strategy in response to the tariffs [1]

Core Viewpoint - Costco Wholesale Corp has demonstrated strong performance for both consumers and investors, with a stock price increase of approximately 180% over the past five years, driven by its low-cost offerings and effective business model [1]. Group 1: Business Performance - Costco operates over 900 warehouses globally, with around 600 located in the U.S., and has a significant e-commerce presence [5]. - The company generated more than $200 billion in revenue last year, primarily from sales of food, essentials, and general merchandise, with a strategy focused on bulk purchasing to maintain low prices [6]. - Membership fees are a crucial revenue source, with $1.2 billion generated in the recent quarter, contributing to a net income of $1.9 billion [7]. Group 2: Membership and Customer Loyalty - Costco offers two membership tiers, with executive members accounting for nearly half of all memberships and over 70% of global sales, highlighting their importance to growth [8]. - The company maintains a membership renewal rate exceeding 90%, providing visibility on future revenue [8]. Group 3: Tariff Impact and Strategy - The company has faced challenges due to tariffs on imports, but has implemented strategies to mitigate these effects, such as sourcing more products locally and redirecting foreign goods to non-U.S. stores [2][9]. - Approximately one-third of U.S. sales are imports, with imports from China making up about 8% of U.S. sales, indicating a manageable reliance on foreign products [9]. Group 4: Future Outlook - Costco has a history of positive earnings surprises and consistent revenue and earnings growth, suggesting optimism about its ability to navigate the current tariff environment [9][11]. - The upcoming earnings report on September 25 could be pivotal for investor sentiment, with potential for stock price appreciation if positive indicators are presented [3][11]. Group 5: Investment Considerations - Currently trading at 48 times forward earnings estimates, Costco's stock is considered relatively expensive compared to other retailers, but its unique membership model and customer loyalty justify the premium [12]. - Long-term investors are encouraged to consider buying Costco stock regardless of short-term market timing, as the company's fundamentals are likely to support sustained growth [13].

Production Shift - Lindt 可能将金箔复活节兔子的生产转移到美国，以规避特朗普政府征收的进口关税 [1] Trade & Tariff - 特朗普政府对进口商品征收关税，促使 Lindt 考虑生产转移 [1]

法国葡萄酒和烈酒出口商联合会（FEVS）表示，如果美国下周如期对法国葡萄酒和烈酒产品征收15%进口关税，可能导致法国葡萄酒行业年度出口量减少四分之一，损失高达10亿欧元，并危及该行业60万名直接从业人员的就业。FEVS主席呼吁法国与欧盟积极与行业合作，切实支持行业发展。 ...

Copper edged higher in London after President Donald Trump shocked the market by exempting refined metal from US import tariffs https://t.co/f7b1D3U8Qt ...

Company Overview - Abercrombie & Fitch operates as an omnichannel retailer across multiple regions including the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific, offering a variety of apparel, personal care products, and accessories under several brands [2]. Financial Performance - The company has lowered its full-year EPS guidance to a range of $9.50–$10.50 from a previous range of $10.40–$11.40, primarily due to anticipated tariff expenses of $50 million on imports [3]. - In Q1 FY 2025, net sales grew by 8% to $1.1 billion, exceeding expectations by 7%, but adjusted EPS of $1.59 fell short of prior targets [3]. - Analysts have revised their profit forecasts downward, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year decreasing from $11.06 to $10.17 and next year's estimate dropping from $11.68 to $10.57 [3]. Market Position - Abercrombie & Fitch is currently rated as Zacks Rank 5 (Strong Sell) due to the negative outlook and multiple analysts cutting their estimates [3]. - The Retail – Apparel and Shoes industry is positioned in the Bottom 15% of the Zacks Industry Rank, indicating overall challenges within the sector [4]. - Despite the challenges, there are a few companies within the industry that are performing well, such as Stitch Fix and Urban Outfitters, which hold a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) [4].

Core Viewpoint - RTX Corp. has successfully completed the inaugural flight test of its PhantomStrike radar, showcasing its advanced capabilities in tracking airborne targets and terrain mapping, which may attract defense investors due to its affordability compared to traditional radars [1][2]. Company Performance - RTX's shares have increased by 12.8% year-to-date, outperforming the Zacks Aerospace-Defense industry's growth of 10.8% and the broader Aerospace sector's rise of 9.7%, while also surpassing the S&P 500's decline of 4.4% [4]. - The Collins Aerospace segment reported an 8% year-over-year revenue increase in Q1 2025, driven by a 13% rise in commercial aftermarket sales [6]. - The Pratt & Whitney unit experienced a 14% growth in Q1 sales, supported by a 28% surge in commercial aftermarket sales and a 3% increase in commercial OEM [7]. Market Outlook - The commercial aerospace market outlook remains positive, with the International Air Transport Association projecting a 3.8% average annual growth in global passenger traffic over the next 20 years, adding over 4.1 billion new passenger journeys by 2043 [8][10]. - Ongoing geopolitical tensions are expected to sustain strong demand for defense solutions, with RTX's defense backlog reported at $92 billion as of March 31, 2025 [11]. Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RTX's second-quarter and full-year 2025 revenues suggests improvements of 4.9% and 4.2%, respectively, from the prior year [13]. - The earnings estimates for 2026 indicate an improvement of 5.8% and 11.9% from 2025 estimates [13]. Valuation - RTX's forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is 20.73X, which is higher than its peer group's average of 18.64X, indicating a premium valuation [20].

Core Viewpoint - Skechers has agreed to be taken private by 3G Capital in a $9.4 billion deal amid challenges from US tariffs and trade policies [1][2][3] Group 1: Deal Details - The acquisition price is set at $63 per share, which represents a 28% premium over Skechers' stock price prior to the announcement [1] - Following the announcement, Skechers' shares increased by 25% to $61.61 [1] - The deal is expected to close in the third quarter of 2025 and will be financed through cash from 3G Capital and debt financing from JPMorgan Chase Bank [4] Group 2: Market Context - Skechers withdrew its annual results forecast last month due to the impact of the Trump administration's trade policies on the global economy and consumer sentiment [2][5] - The Trump administration has increased import tariffs on Chinese goods to 145%, significantly affecting Skechers as China constitutes a major source of imports for its US business [2]

Core Viewpoint - Automotive stocks experienced mixed reactions following President Trump's announcement of new tariffs on imported vehicles and auto parts, with Rivian Automotive benefiting initially due to its domestic production strategy [1] Group 1: Impact of Tariffs on Rivian - The new 25% tariffs on imported vehicles are expected to enhance Rivian's competitiveness against larger rivals like General Motors (GM) and Ford, which offer lower-priced electric vehicles [3] - Rivian's upcoming R2 model, priced around $45,000, aims to compete more directly with GM's Equinox and Blazer EVs [3] - Rivian currently manufactures all its electric vehicles at its Illinois plant and plans to establish a second facility in Georgia, potentially giving it a cost advantage if competitors raise prices due to tariffs [4] Group 2: Market Reactions and Price Implications - Initial investor optimism led to a 7.6% increase in Rivian's stock, but it later fell by 5.7% as concerns about overall market dynamics emerged [1][2] - Estimates suggest that the new tariffs could increase the average cost of some new cars by $5,000 to $10,000, which could benefit Rivian if competitors raise their prices accordingly [5] - However, Trump has cautioned U.S. automakers against raising prices to offset the tariffs, which could hinder Rivian's sales growth and profitability [5][6]