Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) stock rose Thursday following strong monthly sales data.The retailer continues to show steady demand across both U.S. and international markets.JP Morgan analyst Christopher Horvers reiterated the Overweight rating on Costco, with a price forecast of $1000.Horvers said Costco Wholesale continues to gain market share across categories while traffic trends keep improving.He said comparable sales should accelerate as easier comparisons and stimulus spending support va ...

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Core Insights - Stride, Inc. (LRN) is focusing on margin expansion and operational discipline despite facing technical issues and flat revenue per enrollment year-over-year [1][2] - The company reported an adjusted operating margin of 13.1%, up 250 basis points year-over-year, and an adjusted EBITDA margin of 17.5%, up 230 basis points [1] - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) reached $1.52, compared to $1.09 in the same quarter last year, indicating strong operating leverage driven by enrollment growth and cost control [1] Revenue and Enrollment - Revenue per enrollment is expected to remain flat at approximately $9,677 for fiscal 2026 due to various factors including state mix and technical issues [2] - The company anticipates 10,000-15,000 fewer enrollments in fiscal 2026 due to platform implementation issues leading to higher withdrawals [2] Cost Management - Stride's selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses are growing at a slower rate than revenue, with expectations for SG&A as a percentage of revenues to decline in fiscal 2026 [3] - The SG&A metric decreased by 270 basis points year-over-year in the first quarter of fiscal 2026, primarily due to reduced bad debt expense and increased revenue leverage [3] Margin Sustainability - Flat revenue per enrollment does not indicate weak fundamentals; resolving platform issues and improving enrollment quality could sustain Stride's margin-focused strategy [4] - The company's ability to convert stable funding into expanding operating income suggests that disciplined execution may drive shareholder value in the near term [4] Earnings Estimates - Analysts have revised LRN's earnings estimates for fiscal 2026 and fiscal 2027 upward in the past 30 days, reflecting optimism about the company's recovery efforts [5] Stock Performance - Stride's shares have increased by 6.3% over the past month, outperforming the Zacks Schools industry and the broader Zacks Consumer Discretionary sector [7] Valuation - LRN stock is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 7.64, which is lower than competitors like Strategic Education, Inc. (12.47) and American Public Education, Inc. (16.95) [11][13]

Key Takeaways DraftKings' NFL and NBA parlay mix rose nearly 800 bps and 1,000 bps YTD, driving a higher-value bet mix.Product enhancements and improved promo efficiency are pushing net revenue margin toward a 400 bps expansion.Handle growth is supported by stronger retention and rising parlay adoption across the customer base.DraftKings Inc. (DKNG) continues to make measurable progress in strengthening the underlying economics of its Sportsbook business, an area that has remained central to investor debate ...

Core Viewpoint - Ralph Lauren Corporation is highlighted as a strong investment opportunity due to its significant share buyback activity and recent stock performance, particularly under CEO Patrice Louvet's leadership [1][2] Group 1: Share Buyback and Stock Performance - The company has retired 34.1% of its shares since the end of 2015, which has contributed to its stock performance being on par with the S&P 500 during that period [1] - Ralph Lauren's stock has increased nearly 60% this year, outperforming many other consumer brands [1] - The company is recognized as a "phenomenal winner," with a 33% increase in stock value for 2025, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [2] Group 2: Leadership and Future Outlook - CEO Patrice Louvet is praised for his leadership, which has been instrumental in the company's recent success [1] - The company is expected to achieve steady margin expansion, with a promise of 150 basis points over three years, which is viewed positively despite being lower than previous expectations [2] - Ralph Lauren is noted to have a competitive advantage or "moat," which is an important consideration for investors [2]

Core Insights - Inflationary pressures are moderating, leading to a return of price stability in markets, which is beneficial for many companies as they face lower input costs and improving profit margins heading into 2026 [1][2] Sector Analysis Consumer Staples - The consumer staples sector is poised for growth as key commodity input costs related to agricultural products, such as dairy, sugar, vegetable oils, and grains, decline [3] - Food processors and packaged-goods manufacturers are regaining margins that were previously compressed due to high input inflation [4] Capital Goods and Manufacturing - Capital goods and manufacturing companies are expected to benefit from easing inflation, particularly those that consume energy and commodities, such as chemical and heavy machinery producers [5] - Lower prices for petroleum-based inputs and industrial metals are reducing project costs and improving returns on new capital investments [5] Airlines and Logistics - Airlines and logistics companies are classic beneficiaries of easing price pressures, as fuel costs, a major operating expense, are declining [6] - Companies like Delta Air Lines and FedEx are well-positioned for margin expansion as economic activity normalizes, with fuel savings directly impacting their bottom lines [7] Company Highlights United Natural Foods (UNFI) - UNFI is regaining margins as inflation cools, with a projected revenue increase of 1% and a significant EPS increase of 187.3% for fiscal 2026 compared to the previous year [10] - The company has improved its gross margin by approximately 20 basis points year over year due to better procurement conditions [9] FedEx Corp. (FDX) - FedEx is undergoing a cost realignment initiative that resulted in $2.2 billion in annual cost savings, positioning it for margin recovery as inflation pressures fade [11] - The company is expected to see a revenue increase of 4.6% for fiscal 2026, with operating margin expansion driven by lower fuel expenses and structural cost reductions [12] LATAM Airlines Group (LTM) - LATAM Airlines is benefiting from a lean cost structure and improved air travel demand, with a projected revenue increase of 10.1% and EPS increase of 17.8% for 2026 [16] - The company achieved an adjusted operating margin of 18.1% in Q3 2025, supported by a decline in jet fuel expenses [15] Conclusion - The analysis indicates that companies in consumer staples, logistics, and transportation sectors are well-positioned to leverage declining input costs to restore margins and enhance financial performance as inflation eases [19]

Core Insights - Nike's stock dropped nearly 10% following a significant decline in profits, attributed to an anticipated $1.5 billion impact from tariffs and a slowdown in the Chinese market [1][4][5] Financial Performance - In Q2 of fiscal year 2026, Nike's revenue increased by only 1% to $12.4 billion, while net income fell by 32% to $792 million, resulting in diluted earnings per share decreasing from $0.78 to $0.53 [2][4] - Gross margin decreased by 300 basis points to 40.6%, primarily due to higher tariffs and excess inventory in China [5] Regional Performance - North America showed resilience with a 9% revenue increase to $5.6 billion, driven by a 24% rise in wholesale, despite a 16% decline in Nike Digital [6][8] - In contrast, revenue in China plummeted by 17% to $1.4 billion, with EBIT dropping by 49%, and direct sales falling by 18%, including a 36% decline in Nike Digital [9][11] Strategic Initiatives - The company is focusing on margin expansion as a top priority, with plans to cut classic footwear franchises by over $4 billion by the end of the fiscal year, which is expected to create a $550 million headwind in revenue for the quarter [5][10]

Core Insights - Birkenstock Holding plc is a well-established footwear company known for its sandals and has a global presence in various markets [1] Financial Performance - The company has surpassed Wall Street expectations for its fourth-quarter revenue, driven by strong demand for sandals and clogs, particularly among affluent shoppers during the holiday season [3] - Birkenstock has raised its revenue outlook for fiscal 2025 to at least €2.09 billion, representing a growth of 15.9% on a reported basis, which has boosted investor confidence [4][6] Market Sentiment - The consensus price target for Birkenstock has decreased from $71.43 to $60, indicating a more conservative outlook from analysts [2][6] - Despite the downward trend in price targets, analyst Simeon Siegel from BMO Capital has maintained a price target of $60 [2] Valuation and Growth Potential - Birkenstock's valuation is considered attractive, with single-digit EV/EBITDA multiples, presenting a compelling entry point for investors [5] - The company's growth is supported by style expansion and increased demand in the Asian market [5]

Key Takeaways GLDD stock rose 12.3% in the past month, beating its heavy construction industry, sector and the S&P 500.Great Lakes Dredge & Dock's maintenance backlog up 53.9% YoY, aided by disciplined bidding and utilization.Adjusted EBITDA margin up 310 bps to 20.2% YTD, as the modernized fleet and execution lifted profitability.Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation’s (GLDD) stock performance has moved up 12.3% in the past month, outperforming the Zacks Building Products - Heavy Construction industry, the ...

Key Points New York City-based Insight Holdings Group disclosed a new purchase of 3.4 million StubHub Holdings shares in the third quarter, adding an estimated $57.9 million in value. The position accounts for 3.6% of reported assets under management (AUM). This marks a new holding for Insight, which did not report holding StubHub shares in the previous period. These 10 stocks could mint the next wave of millionaires › New York City-based Insight Holdings Group disclosed a new position in StubHu ...