Shares of Kroger Co (NYSE:KR) are up 7.7% to trade at $72.67 at last glance, after reports that the grocery chain named former Walmart (WMT) executive Greg Foran as its CEO. This comes after the company ousted former CEO Rodney McMullen in March, following ‍a board investigation deemed his personal conduct was “inconsistent” with ethics policies.On track for its biggest single-day percentage gain since June, KR now sports a 16.3% year-to-date lead. The equity earlier hit its highest level since August, skyr ...

Tapestry Inc (NYSE:TPR) stock was last seen up 3.7% at $134.68, and earlier surged to a record high of $142.22, after the company announced better-than-expected fiscal second-quarter results. Coach's quarterly revenue jumped 25% with help from Tabby handbags, which have become popular amongst Gen-Z customers, leading the global fashion conglomerate to lift its full-year forecast. Year over year, TPR is up 84% after tacking on 36% in just the last three months. Prior to today's bull gap, the stock found unde ...

March NY world sugar #11 (SBH26) on Tuesday closed up +0.37 (+2.59%), and March London ICE white sugar #5 (SWH26) closed up +12.40 (+3.06%). Sugar prices settled sharply higher on Tuesday as a weaker dollar (DXY00) sparked short covering in sugar futures. More News from Barchart On Monday, NY sugar fell to a 2.5-month low, and London sugar dropped to a 5-year low, as the outlook for global sugar surpluses and higher global production has hammered prices.  Last Thursday, Green Pool Commodity Specialists ...

Core Insights - Sugar prices are experiencing an upward trend due to a rally in the Brazilian real, which has reached a 1.5-month high against the dollar, leading to short covering in sugar futures [1] - The global sugar market is facing a surplus, with estimates for the 2025/26 global sugar surplus raised to 4.7 million metric tons (MMT) [4] Group 1: Brazilian Sugar Market - Brazil's cumulative sugar output for the 2025-26 season has increased by 0.9% year-on-year to 40.222 MMT, with a higher ratio of cane crushed for sugar [3] - The stronger Brazilian real is discouraging export sales from sugar producers in Brazil [1] Group 2: Indian Sugar Market - India's sugar production for the 2025-26 season has risen by 22% year-on-year to 15.9 MMT, with the overall production estimate increased to 31 MMT, reflecting an 18.8% year-on-year growth [5] - The Indian government may permit additional sugar exports to alleviate domestic supply issues, allowing mills to export 1.5 MMT of sugar in the 2025/26 season [6] Group 3: Market Dynamics - An excessively long position in London ICE white sugar futures could lead to exacerbated price declines, as funds have increased their net long positions to a record high [2] - The outlook for a global sugar surplus is negatively impacting prices, with projections indicating a decrease in surplus for the 2026/27 season [4]

Core Insights - Sugar prices have shown volatility, with recent increases attributed to the strength of the Brazilian real and short covering in futures markets [1] - India's sugar production is projected to rise significantly, impacting global sugar supply dynamics [2][3] Group 1: Sugar Price Movements - On March 6, NY world sugar 11 closed up by +0.13 (+0.89%), while March London ICE white sugar 5 increased by +2.50 (+0.60%) [1] - Sugar prices fell to 2-week lows last Friday due to indications of stronger sugar output in India [2] - NY sugar reached a 2.5-month high last Monday based on expectations of reduced future sugar supplies from Brazil [4] Group 2: Indian Sugar Production - The India Sugar Mill Association reported a 25% year-on-year increase in sugar production for 2025-26, reaching 11.90 million metric tons (MMT) compared to 9.54 MMT the previous year [2] - The ISMA raised its 2025/26 sugar production estimate for India to 31 MMT, an increase of +18.8% year-on-year [2] - The Indian government plans to allow mills to export 1.5 MMT of sugar in the 2025/26 season to alleviate domestic supply issues [3] Group 3: Brazilian Sugar Production Outlook - Brazil's sugar production is expected to decline by -3.91% to 41.8 MMT in 2026/27, down from 43.5 MMT in 2025/26 [4] - Conab raised its Brazil 2025/26 sugar production estimate to 45 MMT, up from a previous forecast of 44.5 MMT [5] - Brazil's cumulative sugar output through November 2025-26 rose by +1.1% year-on-year to 39.904 MMT, with an increased ratio of cane crushed for sugar [5]

Core Viewpoint - The S&P 500 Index (SPX) has entered a bullish seasonal period, with historical trends suggesting a potential rise in the index during the last trading days of December and early January, supported by a stronger-than-expected third-quarter GDP report [1][3]. Market Performance - The SPX closed at 6,929.94 on Christmas Eve, surpassing its late October intraday high of 6,920, indicating a breakout after previous unsuccessful attempts to clear the 6,900 mark [2]. - The SPX is expected to rise to approximately 6,967.91 by January 5, based on historical performance during the "Santa Claus rally" period, which has averaged a gain of 1.3% since 1950 [3]. Technical Analysis - The SPX's recent breakout marks the second occurrence this year of surpassing prior all-time highs, with the first instance occurring in late June, leading to a sustained upward trend [5]. - Potential resistance is noted at the 7,000 level, which is just 70 points above the recent close, and could act as a psychological barrier as well as an options-related resistance point [8]. - If the SPX fails to maintain its breakout and falls below late October highs, initial support levels are identified at 6,760 and 6,790 [9]. Sentiment and Short Interest - The short interest on SPX components has increased by 2.5% to a multi-year high, indicating a sentiment that could fuel further rallies if a breakout is sustained [12]. - Total short interest is up 45% compared to the 2024 close, suggesting a highly shorted market that may lead to short-covering rallies or brief pullbacks as shorts cover losing positions [13].

Core Viewpoint - The S&P 500 Index (SPX) is experiencing a mixed trading environment as it approaches the end of 2025, with historical seasonal trends favoring bullish movements, yet technical resistance and market sentiment may limit upside potential [1][11][15] Market Performance - The SPX closed at 6,834.50 as of last Wednesday, showing signs of weakness following a recent rate cut by the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) [2] - The index has been fluctuating between 6,550 and 6,900 since mid-September, indicating a lack of decisive movement from either bulls or bears [4] - Recent trading has seen the SPX return above key moving averages and the 6,760 level, but it remains below the October closing high of 6,887 [3] Sector Analysis - The technology sector has been flat, contributing to the choppy market action, while gains in basic materials, financials, and consumer cyclicals have supported the SPX [7] - The market is characterized as a stock picker's environment, with specific sectors driving performance [7] Options Market Dynamics - Selling options premium on broad market indices or ETFs has been a successful strategy, with the CBOE Market Volatility Index (VIX) near its 2025 lows [8][9] - The upcoming quarterly expiration for SPX options at the 7,000 strike could present a significant resistance point if the index breaks above 6,900 [10] Sentiment and Cash Holdings - Global asset managers' cash holdings have dropped to a record low of 3.3% in December, down from 3.7% in November, which may limit the potential for further equity purchases [12] - The sentiment among short-term traders appears to be turning sour, indicating a potential lack of momentum to drive stocks higher [13][14]

Market Performance - Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty started trading positively, with Sensex rising by 482.7 points (0.56%) to 85,412.06 and Nifty increasing by 160.2 points (0.61%) to 26,126.60 [1] - Major gainers included Infosys, Tata Steel, Tech Mahindra, Trent, HCL Tech, and Bharti Airtel, while UltraTech Cement and Power Grid were the only laggards [2] Foreign and Domestic Investment - Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) purchased equities worth ₹1,830.89 crore, while Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) bought equities worth ₹5,722.89 crore in the previous trade [2] - The participation of DIIs has been effective in absorbing selling pressure, while FIIs turning net buyers has boosted market confidence [4] Market Outlook - Analysts suggest a potential year-end rally driven by a reversal in the rupee and increased FII buying in the cash market, which could lead to short covering and higher benchmark indices [3] - Brent crude oil prices increased by 0.73% to $60.91 per barrel, which may influence market dynamics [3]

Price Movements - March NY world sugar 11 is up +0.22 (+1.48%), reaching a 2-week high, while March London ICE white sugar 5 is up +4.30 (+1.01%), achieving a 1-week high [1] - The recent rally in sugar prices is attributed to the strengthening of the Brazilian real, which discourages export sales by Brazil's sugar producers [1] Production Increases - Indian sugar production from October to November increased by +43% year-on-year to 4.11 million metric tons (MMT), with 428 sugar mills crushing cane as of November 30, up from 376 a year ago [2] - Brazil's sugar production estimate for 2025/26 has been raised to 45 MMT from 44.5 MMT, with a reported +8.7% year-on-year increase in sugar output in the first half of November [3] Sugar Surplus Forecasts - The International Sugar Organization (ISO) forecasts a sugar surplus of 1.625 million metric tons for 2025-26, driven by increased production in India, Thailand, and Pakistan, contrasting with a previous deficit forecast [4] - Czarnikow has increased its global sugar surplus estimate for 2025/26 to 8.7 MMT, up +1.2 MMT from a previous estimate [4] India’s Production Impact - The India Sugar Mill Association (ISMA) has raised its 2025/26 sugar production estimate for India to 31 MMT, reflecting an increase of +18.8% year-on-year, while also reducing the estimate for sugar used for ethanol production [5]

Core Viewpoint - Birkenstock Holding (BIRK) has shown a steady upward trend since hitting a two-year low on November 6, 2023, with the stock currently trading at $45.02, marking a 0.8% increase from the previous close [1] Group 1: Stock Performance - The stock has broken past several moving averages, recently closing above the 80-day moving average for the first time in 21 trading days [1] - Historical data indicates that after similar crossover events, BIRK has increased 100% of the time one month later, averaging a gain of 15.7% [2] - A potential price target based on historical performance could see shares rise above $52, an area that previously rejected rallies in July and August [2] Group 2: Short Interest - Short interest in BIRK has decreased by 16% in the last two reporting periods, with 7.88 million shares sold short, representing 14% of the stock's available float [3] - It would take shorts nearly four days to cover their positions at the current average trading pace [3] Group 3: Upcoming Earnings - BIRK is set to release its fiscal fourth-quarter earnings report on December 18, 2023, after market close [5] - Historically, the stock has averaged a post-earnings move of 6.3% over the last two years, with a notable 2% increase after last December's earnings and a nearly 6% jump following the May report [5] - The options market is currently pricing in a larger-than-usual post-earnings move of 11.2% [5]