Key Points Costco dominates the general merchandise retail industry with its global presence and huge sales base. The company's shares have trounced the market in recent years. Members, revenue, and earnings will be higher in the future. 10 stocks we like better than Costco Wholesale › Some businesses need no introductions. Costco (NASDAQ: COST) is one of them. It's a massive retail enterprise that has a global presence. Households love the company. And shareholders have been rewarded with huge ga ...

Costco is playing a different game than most retailers.Costco (COST -0.10%) has been one of the best retail investments over the last three decades because it operates differently from most retailers. The membership model has different incentives that reinforce the company's advantages, which Travis Hoium covers in this video.*Stock prices used were end-of-day prices of Sept. 22, 2025. The video was published on Oct. 2, 2025. ...

Core Insights - The rise of leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in Hong Kong is attracting retail investors, particularly those interested in amplifying returns on US tech stocks [2][3] - A new regulatory framework allows for the listing of single-stock leveraged ETFs in Hong Kong, marking a significant development in the Asian market [2][3] - Trading activity in leveraged and inverse ETFs has surged, with total trading value reaching $80 billion, reflecting a more than 60% increase from the previous year [5] Industry Trends - The number of new single-stock leveraged ETFs launched in Hong Kong has increased significantly, with over a dozen introduced this year compared to only three linked to indexes in 2024 and none in 2023 [3] - Retail investors are increasingly favoring high-liquidity, large-cap names and major indexes for short-term trading strategies [7] Market Dynamics - Despite the surge in trading activity, net flows into leveraged ETFs have been negative, with investors withdrawing over $284 million, more than double last year's outflows [6] - The current market environment is characterized by volatility, leading to fluctuating investment flows typical of such conditions [6]

Core Viewpoint - Urban Outfitters (URBN) and Deckers Outdoor Corporation (DECK) are competing in the Retail - Apparel and Shoes industry, each with distinct strategies and brand portfolios, facing similar challenges such as weather-related sales volatility and changing consumer preferences [1][2]. Urban Outfitters (URBN) - URBN has shown consistent performance across its diverse brand portfolio, including Anthropologie and Free People, with effective inventory management and merchandising strategies leading to higher margins [3]. - The Comparable Retail segment reported net sales growth of 8.3% for Anthropologie and 8% for Free People in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025 [4]. - The Wholesale segment experienced strong growth, particularly driven by Free People's full-price selling strategy, while the Nuuly rental platform saw a 78.4% increase in net sales, achieving $13 million in operating profit for its first full year [5]. - URBN plans to open 58 new stores in fiscal 2026, focusing on high-productivity locations and aiming to expand FP Movement to 300 stores across North America [6]. - For fiscal 2026, URBN anticipates mid-single-digit sales growth, with positive retail comps expected at Free People and Anthropologie [7]. - Nuuly is projected to achieve double-digit revenue growth, supported by increasing subscriber numbers [8]. Deckers Outdoor Corporation (DECK) - DECK is experiencing growth through its UGG and HOKA brands, with UGG leading in the premium lifestyle footwear market and HOKA growing in the high-performance segment [9]. - DECK expects a 15% year-over-year increase in fiscal 2025 net sales to $4.9 billion, with HOKA projected to grow by 24% and UGG by 10% [10]. - The company is focusing on innovation, with new product releases for HOKA and diversification of UGG's offerings beyond winter footwear [11]. - International expansion is a key strategy for DECK, particularly in high-potential markets like China [12]. - The direct-to-consumer segment has seen significant growth, supported by strong digital performance and an expanding retail presence [13]. - DECK faces near-term challenges, including inventory constraints and rising costs, which may impact fiscal performance [14]. Comparative Analysis - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates URBN's fiscal 2026 sales and EPS growth of 6.6% and 14.5%, respectively, while DECK's fiscal 2025 estimates suggest 15.4% sales growth and 21% EPS growth [15][16]. - Stock performance has diverged, with DECK shares declining 36.6% over the past six months, while URBN shares have increased by 42.8% [17]. - Valuation metrics show URBN's forward P/E at 10.61X, below its three-year median, while DECK's forward P/E is at 16.23X, also below its median [18]. - URBN is viewed as a more attractive investment opportunity due to its diversified growth strategies and favorable valuation compared to DECK, which is currently facing operational pressures [22][23].