Market Overview - U.S. markets opened with small caps in the Russell 2000 leading at +0.41%, while large cap indexes like Nasdaq (+0.10%), Dow (+0.07%), and S&P 500 (+0.01%) showed little change [2] - Gold is approaching $4,000, with a +0.77% increase, while the 10-Year Treasury yield rose by +2.3 basis points to 4.114% [3] Employment Data - The ADP Employment Change report indicated an addition of 42,000 jobs in October, marking the first increase since July, which may have contributed to a turnaround in U.S. equities [3] Political and Economic Developments - Trump's emergency use power tariffs are set to be argued at the Supreme Court, following overturns by two lower courts, with potential implications for U.S. trade policy depending on the court's ruling [4] - The U.S. government shutdown has reached day 36, becoming the longest in history, with limited progress on reopening as Republicans are unlikely to pursue the 'nuclear option' [5]

Core Viewpoint - Expeditors International of Washington reported third-quarter profit and revenue exceeding Wall Street estimates, driven by strong airfreight volumes and increased demand for customs brokerage services [1][4]. Group 1: Financial Performance - The company achieved quarterly revenue of $2.89 billion, surpassing analysts' expectations of $2.73 billion [4]. - Quarterly profit was reported at $1.64 per share, exceeding estimates of $1.40 per share [4]. - Revenue from the airfreight segment increased to $1.02 billion from $986.9 million year-over-year [3]. - The customs brokerage segment reported revenue of $1.13 billion, up from $995.6 million a year earlier [3]. Group 2: Operational Insights - Airfreight tonnage rose by 4% in the reported quarter, primarily due to shipments from Asia [2]. - The easing of previously tight air capacity followed the expiration of the 'de minimis' exemption for goods entering the United States [2]. - The customs brokerage business is experiencing strong growth due to a dynamic trade environment, with rising volumes and complexity of entries posing challenges [3]. Group 3: Market Challenges - Revenue in the ocean freight and services division declined to $746.1 million from $1.02 billion a year earlier, attributed to pricing volatility and lower shipment volumes as importers adjusted orders ahead of anticipated tariffs [4].

Group 1 - Gold futures have increased by 0.7% after a significant decline of nearly 8% from a record high of $4,359.40 per troy ounce set on October 20 [1][2] - The market sentiment has shifted from exuberance to reflection, indicating a more cautious approach among investors [1] - There is uncertainty regarding how much of the supportive factors for gold in 2025, such as U.S. trade policy uncertainty and strong central bank demand, are already priced into futures [2] Group 2 - Speculation exists that further upside for gold prices is likely, but the timing of this potential increase remains uncertain [2]

Core Viewpoint - Concerns regarding U.S. trade policy have resurfaced, gaining attention after being previously overshadowed by the government shutdown and other issues [1] Group 1 - The renewed focus on trade policy indicates potential implications for various industries reliant on international trade [1] - The government shutdown has previously diverted attention from trade discussions, highlighting the importance of stable trade policies for economic growth [1] - Stakeholders are urged to monitor developments in trade policy as they could significantly impact market dynamics and investment strategies [1]

Core Insights - Goodfellow Inc. reported a decline in net earnings for the second quarter of 2025, with net earnings of $2.5 million or $0.29 per share, down from $5.3 million or $0.62 per share in the same period last year [1][5] - Consolidated sales increased to $152.9 million in Q2 2025 from $140.3 million in Q2 2024, indicating a growth in revenue despite the drop in earnings [1][5] - For the first half of 2025, net earnings were $0.2 million or $0.02 per share, significantly lower than $5.2 million or $0.61 per share in the first half of 2024, while consolidated sales rose to $264.1 million from $245.7 million [2][5] Financial Performance - The company experienced a notable increase in consolidated sales, with Q2 2025 sales at $152.9 million compared to $140.3 million in Q2 2024, representing an increase of approximately 11.5% [1][5] - The cost of goods sold for Q2 2025 was $120.2 million, up from $106.2 million in Q2 2024, reflecting rising operational costs [5] - Selling, administrative, and general expenses also increased to $28.1 million in Q2 2025 from $26.1 million in Q2 2024 [5] Market Dynamics - The company's performance is influenced by challenging market dynamics and inflationary pressures on operational costs [3] - There has been a shift in consumer preference towards Canadian-sourced wood products, driven by concerns regarding U.S. trade policy, which has contributed to modest domestic demand and price stability [3] Company Overview - Goodfellow Inc. is a diversified manufacturer of value-added lumber products and a wholesale distributor of building materials and floor coverings, serving both commercial and residential sectors [4] - The company has a distribution network across Canada and the Northeastern U.S., and it also serves international lumber markets [4]