CONCLUDED 3 Major Political Decisions Could Affect Markets This Week Costco Joins Dozens of Businesses Suing Over Trump's Tariffs By Anita Hamilton Costco has joined other large American companies in suing over the Trump administration's import tariffs. (Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg) While the Supreme Court weighs whether the import tariffs President Donald Trump imposed this spring using emergency powers are legal in a case brought by several small businesses, Costco has joined dozens of larger firms seeking rel ...

Core Viewpoint - Walmart is shifting its stock listing from the New York Stock Exchange to the Nasdaq Global Select Market on December 9, emphasizing a tech-forward strategy focused on automation and artificial intelligence [1][3]. Group 1: Stock Performance - Following the announcement, Walmart shares closed up, and the stock has increased approximately 40% from its year-to-date low in early April [2]. - Analysts maintain a "Strong Buy" consensus rating for Walmart stock, with price targets reaching as high as $130, indicating a potential upside of 16% [7]. Group 2: Strategic Positioning - The move to Nasdaq aligns Walmart with innovative technology companies, enhancing its image as a retailer that embraces automation and AI [3]. - This transition may attract growth-oriented funds and broaden Walmart's investor base, positioning the company as a hybrid of retail and technology [3][4]. Group 3: Future Outlook - Walmart's strong performance during the peak retail season, including record sales of $11.8 billion on Black Friday, suggests robust consumer demand, which could drive stock prices higher by 2026 [5]. - The company's growth in e-commerce and expansion into the high-margin advertising sector further supports its attractiveness as an investment [6].

Core Viewpoint - The market is currently cautious due to developments in Japan's bond market and upcoming major earnings reports, particularly in the cloud sector, while maintaining a cautiously optimistic outlook overall [2][3]. Group 1: Costco - Costco is identified as a best-in-class retail stock, with a trading action that suggests potential for a reversal to the upside despite a currently unfavorable chart [4][5]. - A bullish trade strategy involves selling two December expiration 990 calls and buying one January 930 call, with a total cost around $16 to $17, indicating a bullish outlook with defined risks [6][7]. - Earnings are expected on December 11, which could influence stock performance, with current trading around $911.24 [7][16]. Group 2: Seagate Technology - Seagate has seen a significant run-up of nearly 13% in the last five days, but there is resistance around the $300 level, leading to a strategy of selling an out-of-the-money call spread expiring on December 19 for a credit of about $2 [16][17]. - The stock has shown a strong upward trend, but recent price action indicates a potential pullback, with key levels to watch being around $279 for resistance and $230 for support [19][21]. Group 3: Exxon Mobil - Exxon has had a modest year-to-date increase of about 8%, with a volatile chart suggesting a potential retreat, prompting a strategy of buying a put spread (115-110) for around $1 [24][26]. - Key resistance levels are identified around $115 to $120, with the stock currently trading at approximately $116.85, indicating a critical area for potential consolidation or slowdown [32][34].

Market Overview - Pre-market futures indicate a decline after a strong trading session on Friday, with major indexes showing losses: Dow -207 points (-0.43%), S&P 500 -46 points (-0.67%), Nasdaq -239 points (-0.94%), and Russell 2000 -26 points (-1.06%) [1] Economic Indicators - The week is not characterized as a "Jobs Week" due to delays from a government shutdown, with private-sector payrolls from ADP expected on Wednesday, following a positive month in October (+42K) [2] - Final November S&P Manufacturing PMI and ISM Manufacturing results are anticipated, with S&P expected around the 50-level and ISM having not reached 50 since February, falling to 48.7% last month [6] Holiday Shopping Trends - Cyber Monday is projected to attract 73.9 million online shoppers, following Black Friday's 130.4 million and Small-Business Saturday's +67 million customers, indicating resilience in consumer spending despite economic concerns [3] - Adobe forecasts online shopping to reach $11.8 billion on Cyber Monday, a +9.1% increase from the previous year, while Mastercard reported Black Friday online sales up +10.4% [4] Upcoming Economic Reports - Delayed economic reports will be released this week, including September Imports & Exports on Wednesday and the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) report on Friday [7] - Key earnings reports from retailers such as Macy's, Dollar Tree, Dollar General, and American Eagle are expected, along with quarterly earnings from CrowdStrike and Salesforce [8]

Market Overview - Pre-market futures indicate a decline, with major indexes showing losses: Dow down 207 points (-0.43%), S&P 500 down 46 points (-0.67%), Nasdaq down 239 points (-0.94%), and Russell 2000 down 26 points (-1.06%) [1] - Market sentiment is expected to seek balance, but uncertainty remains due to the Federal Reserve's "blackout period" ahead of the interest rate decision on December 10 [5] Economic Indicators - The first week of December is not a full "Jobs Week" due to delays from a government shutdown, with only ADP's private-sector payrolls report expected [2] - November S&P Manufacturing PMI and ISM Manufacturing results are anticipated, with S&P expected around 51.9 and ISM below 50, indicating contraction [6] Holiday Shopping Trends - Cyber Monday is projected to attract 73.9 million online shoppers, following Black Friday's 130.4 million and Small-Business Saturday's 67 million [3] - Adobe forecasts online shopping to reach $11.8 billion on Cyber Monday, a 9.1% increase from the previous year [4] Retail Sector Insights - Black Friday saw a 10.4% increase in online sales compared to last year, while in-store sales grew only 1.7% [4] - Retailers such as Macy's, Dollar Tree, Dollar General, and American Eagle are expected to report earnings soon, alongside CrowdStrike and Salesforce [10]

Core Points - Walmart is recalling approximately 201,000 Ozark Trail Tabletop 1-Burner Butane Camping Stoves due to reports of explosions and second-degree burns [1][2] - The recall was initiated after the manufacturer, China Window Industry Co. Ltd, received 26 reports of incidents, including 16 injuries [2] - Consumers are advised to stop using the stoves immediately and return them to Walmart for a full refund [5] Product Details - The recalled camping stove model number is BG2247A1, identifiable by a gray label inside the fuel compartment [5] - The product is dark green with an orange "Ozark Trail" logo and was sold nationwide and online at Walmart from March 2023 to October 2025 [5] Related Recalls - On the same day as the stove recall, the CPSC also announced a recall of 24,300 Outdoor Master Children's and Youth Helmets due to safety standard violations [6] - The helmets pose a risk of injury or death in the event of a crash, as they may fail to protect the user [8]

Core Insights - Target Corp. CEO Brian Cornell is criticized for his poor leadership, leading to significant declines in the company's stock performance and earnings during his tenure [2][4][5] Company Performance - Target's stock has decreased by 49% over the past five years, while the market has increased by 88%. In the past year, Target's stock fell by 30% against a 15% market rise [5] - In the most recent quarter, Target reported a 1.5% decline in net sales to $25.3 billion and an 18.2% decrease in earnings to $1.52 per share. For the first three quarters of the year, revenue fell by 1.7% to $74.3 billion, and earnings dropped by 9.6% to $5.85 per share [6] Leadership Transition - The Target board has decided to transition leadership from Brian Cornell to COO Michael Fiddelke, effective February 1, 2026. This decision has been met with skepticism regarding its potential to improve the company's market position [2][7] - Analysts are largely pessimistic about Target's future, with 28 out of 38 rating it as Sell or Hold, and an average price target of $96.52, only slightly above the current price of $90.62 [7]

Core Insights - Tokyo Lifestyle Co., Ltd. has entered into an investment and operational target agreement to expand its store network in Hong Kong and Australia [1][2][3] Investment Details - The agreement involves an initial investment of HKD 10 million (approximately US$1.28 million) by a private investor to fund the expansion and operations of Tokyo Lifestyle's physical retail stores [3][4] - The investment will be allocated to store leasing, fit-out, inventory procurement, staffing, marketing, and other related operating expenses [3] Operational Targets - The agreement sets a target to open no fewer than 15 directly operated stores across Hong Kong and Australia within two years [5] - If the target cannot be met due to force majeure or major business adjustments, the parties will negotiate an appropriate extension or modification [5] Strategic Vision - The collaboration aims to strengthen Tokyo Lifestyle's presence in core markets and accelerate future expansion, particularly in Europe and the United States [6] - The partnership is expected to enhance market penetration and brand influence while laying a foundation for future revenue growth [6] Company Overview - Tokyo Lifestyle Co., Ltd. is a retailer and wholesaler of various products, including beauty and health products, luxury items, electronic products, and trendy toys, operating in multiple regions including Hong Kong, Japan, North America, Thailand, Vietnam, and the United Kingdom [7]

Core Insights - Costco Wholesale has seen a remarkable 135% increase in share price over the past five years, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 index [1] - The current price-to-earnings ratio for Costco is notably high at 50, indicating that the stock may not be attractively valued for future growth [1] - As Costco matures, there is a likelihood that its growth opportunities will diminish, potentially leading to a contraction in its valuation multiple over the next five years [2] Key Data Points - Costco's current market capitalization stands at $405 billion, with shares trading at $913.59 [3] - The stock has experienced a day's range between $903.00 and $914.20, and a 52-week range from $871.71 to $1,078.23 [4] - Costco maintains a gross margin of 12.84% and a dividend yield of 0.55% [4] Business Performance - Historically, Costco has excelled in growing its revenue through an increase in membership and a strong renewal rate [5] - The company has consistently achieved growth in same-store sales and earnings per share, showcasing its operational strength [5] - Despite its strong business fundamentals, investors are advised to wait for a more favorable valuation before considering purchasing the stock [5]

Core Insights - Walmart's stock has significantly outperformed the S&P 500 over the past five years, with a total return of 131.4% compared to the S&P 500's 101.6% [2][3] Performance Comparison - Over the last five years, Walmart's stock price increased by 117.3%, surpassing the S&P 500's increase of 87.5% [2] - Including dividends, Walmart's total return was 131.4%, which is 29.8 percentage points higher than the S&P 500's return [3] Key Financial Metrics - Walmart's current market capitalization stands at $881 billion [5] - The stock's current price is $110.53, with a dividend yield of 0.83% [4][5] - Walmart has maintained a gross margin of 25.87% [5] Business Strategy and Market Position - Walmart's strategy of operating an ultra-low-cost business model positions it strongly in the competitive retail market [6] - The company has shown resilience, continuing to thrive even as other retailers struggle due to economic pressures [6] Sales Performance - In the fiscal third quarter, Walmart U.S. reported a same-store sales increase of 4.5%, driven by higher customer traffic and spending [7] Investment in Future Growth - Walmart is investing heavily in improving customer shopping experiences, focusing on supply chain enhancements and technology [8] - The combination of strong current performance and future investments positions Walmart for continued success and market-beating returns [9]