Retailers may not need as much help this holiday season. Spencer Platt / Getty Images Close Key Takeaways Looking for a short-term job to help with holiday expenses? Be prepared for some stiff competition. Landing holiday work is likely to be harder and come with less perks this season, retail and labor experts said, as companies will likely be more conservative about bringing on help as consumer sentiment plunges and executives brace for a potential consumer slowdown. Seasonal hires could hit a low not see ...

Core Insights - The 2025 "Double Eleven" event showcases the strong consumption power and growth potential of the Yangtze River Delta region, with consumers shifting from "group buying" to "precise matching" in their purchasing behavior [1] Group 1: Consumption Performance - Jiangsu ranks second nationally in consumption power, with a transaction growth rate of ninth in the country; Suzhou leads in purchasing power within the province, while Xuzhou emerges as a new growth engine [1] - Shanghai's average transaction value ranks fourth nationally, with Pudong New District as the purchasing power leader and Jiading District as a new growth point [1] - Zhejiang ranks fifth in order volume and eighth in user growth rate, with Hangzhou maintaining its core purchasing power position and Jiaxing rapidly emerging as a new consumption force [1] - Anhui shows strong growth potential with a third-place ranking in sales growth nationally, with Hefei as the core support for purchasing power and Bozhou as the fastest-growing city in the province [1] Group 2: Consumption Trends - The mainstream trends in the Yangtze River Delta include "quality, personalization, and self-satisfaction," with distinct characteristics across the provinces and cities [2] - In Shanghai, the rapid growth of gold pendant consumption and high per capita spending on laptops reflect a demand for refined office and quality living [2] - Jiangsu sees significant increases in sales of sports cameras, digital cameras, trendy blind boxes, and gaming laptops, with growth rates of 258%, 225%, 180%, and 158% respectively [2] - In Anhui, the demand for quality of life and efficiency is rising, with digital cameras leading category growth at 352%, followed by dryers and sports cameras with growth rates of 294% and 259% respectively [3] Group 3: Logistics and Policy Support - The efficient logistics system supports the booming consumption market, with a new "light rail + high-speed rail" transport model being tested to optimize delivery times [4] - Zhejiang's logistics network is a core hub for express delivery, with an average daily express business volume exceeding 100 million packages during the "Double Eleven" period [4] - The express business volume in Zhejiang is projected to reach 335.7 billion packages by 2024, accounting for 54.2% of the Yangtze River Delta's total and 17.3% of the national total [4] Group 4: Government Initiatives - The government and market collaboration enhances consumption momentum, with Jiangsu implementing a "government-enterprise-bank" tripartite linkage to stimulate consumption [5] - Major platforms like JD and Taobao are launching promotional campaigns with significant financial backing, aiming to boost consumption by 25 billion yuan [5] - JD is investing at least 1.5 billion yuan in consumption subsidies in Jiangsu, while Meituan is distributing 300 million yuan in dining vouchers [5]

Core Viewpoint - Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) is recognized as a fundamentally strong stock, with a bullish stance maintained by analyst Phillip Blee from William Blair, supported by the company's strong performance in October [1][2]. Financial Performance - The company reported net sales of $21.75 billion for the retail month of October, marking an increase of 8.6% from $20.03 billion in the same period last year [2]. - This sales growth reflects a strategic shift in product focus from seasonal items to more enduring categories such as apparel and home goods [2][3]. Market Position and Strategy - Costco's adaptability in maintaining customer interest and sales, along with a limited SKU assortment and a skilled merchandising team, positions the company favorably for the holiday season [3]. - The company is viewed as a market leader due to its curated product mix, strong value proposition, and appeal to higher-income consumers [3][4]. Valuation Perspective - Despite softer-than-expected performance in international markets, Costco's valuation is considered justified based on its consistent performance in the consumer sector [4].

Group 1 - Niagen Bioscience (NAGE) achieved a record quarter but faces increased competition in the NAD+ market [1] - The company is rated as a hold due to the competitive landscape [1] Group 2 - The analyst focuses on future-oriented industries, including digital assets and gaming publishers, which are reshaping global finance and entertainment [1] - The approach combines DCF and relative valuation with macro and narrative context to identify early positioning in leading companies and assets [1]

Core Viewpoint - The S&P 500 index ended the week flat after a volatile period, with concerns about the economic outlook and U.S. interest rates overshadowing optimism from the end of the government shutdown [1] Group 1: Market Performance - The Cboe's VIX index, a measure of market volatility, reached its highest level in about a month, indicating increased investor anxiety [1] - The S&P 500 tech sector has struggled recently, while other sectors like healthcare, materials, and financials have shown solid gains [10] Group 2: Nvidia's Role in the Market - Nvidia is considered the "epicenter" of AI infrastructure expansion, and its upcoming earnings report is crucial for the tech sector and related industries [2][11] - Nvidia shares have increased approximately 1,000% since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022, with a year-to-date gain exceeding 40% [3][11] - Analysts expect Nvidia to report a 53.8% year-over-year increase in fiscal third-quarter earnings per share, with projected revenue of $54.8 billion [5][11] Group 3: Future Expectations - Analysts have raised their revenue expectations for Nvidia's fiscal 2027 to about $285 billion, reflecting a 15% increase since late May [6][11] - Investors are looking for positive guidance from Nvidia regarding demand and spending trends, especially in light of significant capital expenditures from major companies like Microsoft and Amazon [7][12] - There is a growing demand for proof of concept regarding returns and cash flows from AI investments, indicating a shift in investor sentiment [9][12]

Uh, meantime, as we mentioned, retail earnings do kick off next week. Home Depot reporting on Monday. Uh, we've got Lowe's and Target on Tuesday, Walmart to follow on Wednesday.That's a big one. Joe Feldman of Tel Advisory Group joins us now to look ahead to what we can expect. Joe, great to have you with us.Um, certainly interesting. Uh, you know, Walmart changing its CEO now with Doug McMillan stepping down. I feel like Walmart is the big one next week to watch in terms of what they're going to say and al ...

Group 1: Retail Earnings Outlook - Retail earnings are set to begin next week with Home Depot, Lowe's, Target, and Walmart reporting [1] - Walmart is highlighted as a key company to watch due to its high valuation compared to historical data, sector averages, and the S&P 500 [2][3] Group 2: Walmart's Transformation - Walmart has undergone significant transformation under former CEO Doug McMillan, focusing on digital transformation and technology integration [3][4] - The company has modernized its supply chain and incorporated AI to enhance operational efficiency and customer targeting [4] Group 3: Consumer Trends - The consumer market remains challenging, with pronounced paycheck cycles affecting spending, but Walmart is successfully attracting more affluent consumers [5][11] - Despite challenges, Walmart is positioned as a cost-effective option for consumers seeking value [12] Group 4: Target's Position - Target's current setup is viewed as neutral, with low expectations for a strong quarter, but there are signs of improvement in store operations ahead of the holiday season [6][8] - The new CEO of Target, Mike Fideli, is expected to bring a fresh perspective and has already made aggressive moves to improve operations [9][10]

Walmart is entering a new chapter. Its longtime CEO Doug McMillan will be retiring at the end of January after what will be a 12year run leading the retailer. The announcement coming as Walmart gears up to report its next earnings on Thursday morning before the market open.And for more, we're bringing in Scott Mushkin. He is R5 Capitals founder and CEO. Uh Scott, so let's start with what uh we know, what you know about McMillan's uh replacement, kind of, you know, John's chart through Walmart's history.How ...

Cryptocurrency Market - Bitcoin has fallen to its lowest level since May, trading below $100,000, marking a 20% decline over the past month [1][2] - Currently priced under $95,000, Bitcoin is at its lowest level in six months after reaching an all-time high of $126,000 in October [2] Warner Brothers Discovery - Warner Brothers Discovery is involved in a bidding war with Comcast, Netflix, and Paramount Sky Dance, with shares up approximately 115% year-to-date [3] Federal Reserve and Economic Indicators - Market expectations for a Fed rate cut in December have decreased, with odds falling below 50% due to recent commentary from Fed officials [4][5] - Minneapolis Fed President expressed concerns that further rate cuts could exacerbate inflation rather than support the job market [5][6] Upcoming Earnings Reports - Nvidia is set to report earnings, with expectations of $123 per share and revenues of $54.5 billion, indicating over 50% growth from the previous year [7][8] - A range of retail companies, including Target, Walmart, and Gap, will also report earnings, providing insights into consumer spending habits [8] Chinese ADRs Performance - Despite poor economic indicators, Chinese ADRs like JD and Tencent have performed well, with Xpong seeing significant gains of over 100% year-to-date [9][10][11] - Upcoming earnings reports from companies like Pinduoduo and Xiaomi are anticipated, with Pinduoduo facing market share challenges [11][12]

Market Overview - The stock market is showing a mixed picture, with tech stocks rallying after a rough start to the day, particularly the NASDAQ which has gained about 0.67% [1] - The S&P 500 is also holding onto gains of approximately 0.5% for the week, indicating a rally within a bull market where dips are being aggressively bought [1] - The 10-year Treasury yield is up 3 basis points to 4.14%, while the 30-year yield is up 4 basis points to 4.74% [1] Sector Performance - Energy and tech sectors are leading the day with gains over 1%, while materials, financials, and communication services are in the red [1] - Notable performers in the tech sector include Nvidia (up 2%), Microsoft (up 1.5%), and Tesla (up nearly 2%) [1] - In the semiconductor industry, Micron is leading with a gain of 5.7%, while Oracle and Intuit are also performing well in the software sector [1] Federal Reserve Policy - A rate cut in December is becoming increasingly doubtful as more Fed officials express caution about further cuts, with Kansas City Fed President Jeff Schmid suggesting inflation remains too high [2] - The odds of a December rate cut have decreased to about 45%, down from 94% a month ago, indicating a shift in market expectations [2] - The Fed is experiencing a divide, with some officials advocating for rate cuts while others prefer to hold rates steady [2] Walmart Leadership Change - Walmart's CEO Doug McMillan will retire at the end of January after a 12-year tenure, with John Ferner set to replace him [3] - Ferner has been credited with significant improvements in Walmart's U.S. business, and his leadership will be crucial as the company navigates changing consumer habits and competition [3] - Analysts believe that Ferner's first year will be critical in setting the strategic direction for Walmart and addressing growth expectations [3] Investment Insights - There is a growing concern among investors regarding the concentration of investments in AI-related stocks, with many portfolios underperforming despite positive index performance [4] - Retail investors are holding a significant amount of cash, and there is a recommendation to shift some of that cash into shorter-duration bonds, particularly municipal bonds [4][5] - Gold is being viewed as a potential diversifier in portfolios, especially as central banks increase their purchases amid concerns about the U.S. dollar's status [5] Cryptocurrency Market - The cryptocurrency market is under strain, with Bitcoin down 3% and significant liquidations occurring, erasing over a trillion dollars from the total market cap [6] - Despite the struggles in the crypto market, there is ongoing adoption of blockchain technology across various industries, indicating a disconnect between market performance and real-world use cases [6][7] - The proliferation of new tokens and investment vehicles is contributing to market saturation, making it challenging for individual cryptocurrencies to gain traction [6][7]