Market Overview - U.S. stock futures declined on Thursday after a higher close on Wednesday, with all major benchmark indices showing lower futures [1] - The Federal Reserve's January meeting minutes revealed significant disagreements among officials regarding future interest rates, with some discussing potential rate increases to address persistent inflation [1] - Market participants are still anticipating two rate reductions by the end of the year, with a 94% likelihood of the Federal Reserve maintaining current interest rates in March according to CME Group's FedWatch tool [2] Index Performance - Dow Jones decreased by 0.12% - S&P 500 fell by 0.08% - Nasdaq 100 dropped by 0.08% - Russell 2000 declined by 0.24% [2] Stocks in Focus - DoorDash (DASH) is experiencing a weaker price trend across all time frames, despite a solid growth ranking [2] - eBay (EBAY) shows a stronger price trend in the short and medium terms but a weak long-term trend, with a moderate quality ranking [3] - Lockheed Martin (LMT) maintains a stronger price trend across all time frames but has a poor value ranking [4] - Interactive Strength Inc. (TRNR) gained 12.47% after announcing an acquisition of Ergatta, Inc., although it maintains a weaker price trend overall [6] - Walmart Inc. (WMT) fell by 1.50% as analysts expect quarterly earnings of 73 cents per share on revenue of $190.43 billion, while it maintains a strong price trend across all time frames [6] Sector Insights - Consumer discretionary, energy, and information technology sectors led the S&P 500's gains on Wednesday, while real estate and utilities sectors declined [7] Analyst Insights - Jeremy Siegel has a positive outlook on the U.S. economy, suggesting recent data supports the expansion of the bull market rather than its derailment [8] - He notes a "sweet spot" in the labor market with resilient jobless claims and a near-2% annual gain in weekly pay, improving consumer purchasing power [9] - Siegel argues that cooling inflation and rising real income provide the Federal Reserve with room to lower interest rates further [9] - He views market volatility due to "AI-driven disruption fears" as a typical reaction to technological changes, which he believes will ultimately enhance productivity and real incomes [10] - Siegel sees valuation support in the ongoing healthy market rotation towards non-tech sectors trading at reasonable multiples [10]

Market Overview - U.S. stock futures declined on Thursday after a higher close on Wednesday, with all major benchmark indices showing lower futures [1] - Traders are analyzing the Federal Reserve's January meeting minutes, revealing significant disagreements among officials regarding future interest rates [1] - Despite discussions of potential rate increases to combat inflation, market participants expect two rate reductions by year-end [1][2] Economic Indicators - The 10-year Treasury bond yielded 4.10%, while the two-year bond was at 3.47% [2] - The CME Group's FedWatch tool indicates a 94% likelihood of the Federal Reserve maintaining current interest rates in March [2] Stock Performance - Dow Jones decreased by 0.12%, S&P 500 by 0.08%, Nasdaq 100 by 0.08%, and Russell 2000 by 0.24% [2] - DoorDash (DASH) shows a weaker price trend across all time frames despite a solid growth ranking [2] - eBay (EBAY) has a stronger price trend in the short and medium terms but a weak long-term trend with a moderate quality ranking [3] - Lockheed Martin (LMT) maintains a strong price trend across all time frames but has a poor value ranking [4] - Interactive Strength Inc. (TRNR) gained 12.47% after acquiring Ergatta, Inc., but maintains a weaker price trend overall [6] - Walmart (WMT) fell by 1.50% as analysts anticipate quarterly earnings of 73 cents per share on revenue of $190.43 billion [6] Sector Insights - Consumer discretionary, energy, and information technology stocks led gains in the S&P 500 on Wednesday, while real estate and utilities sectors declined [7] Analyst Insights - Jeremy Siegel expresses a positive outlook on the U.S. economy, suggesting recent data supports a bull market expansion rather than a derailment [8] - He identifies a "sweet spot" in the labor market, with jobless claims indicating resilience and a near-2% annual gain in weekly pay improving consumer purchasing power [8][9] - Siegel argues that cooling inflation and rising real income provide the Federal Reserve with room to lower interest rates [9] - He views market volatility due to "AI-driven disruption fears" as a typical reaction to technological changes, which he believes will ultimately enhance productivity and real incomes [9][10] - Siegel sees valuation support in the ongoing healthy market rotation towards non-tech sectors trading at reasonable multiples [10]

Economic Environment - Inflation in Australia is growing at approximately double the rate of economic growth, creating pressure on households and contributing to inflationary pressures in housing and energy markets [1] Company Strategy - The company is recognized for its everyday low prices in Australia and New Zealand, which helps maintain customer trust during challenging economic times [2][3] - A focus on productivity and expanding addressable markets through new product categories is central to the company's strategy [2] Partnerships and Technology - The company has formed strategic partnerships with Google Cloud and Microsoft to enhance operational efficiency and productivity through technology [5] - Initiatives include improving customer service and team member effectiveness in stores, as well as enhancing merchandising and supply chain processes [6] Lithium Business - The company's lithium project is progressing well, with the mine and concentrator performing effectively, and expectations for increased profitability in the second half of the year [9][10] - The company aims to become a reliable supplier of lithium hydroxide, despite some delays in the refinery commissioning process [10] Financial Management - The company maintains a strong balance sheet to ensure financial flexibility for future investments and potential M&A opportunities [11] - There is a commitment to disciplined capital investment, focusing on value-adding opportunities for shareholders [13] Growth Opportunities - The company anticipates continued positive earnings momentum in its retail businesses, with growth expected in Bunnings, Office Works, and Kmart [15] - Future growth is also expected in the lithium business, chemical manufacturing capacity, and the health division, with a well-positioned balance sheet for new opportunities [16][17]

Market Overview - The S&P 500 experienced a modest increase of 0.6%, recovering from earlier losses, indicating a slight reinvigoration in the market [70][72] - Major indices showed green across the board, suggesting a broad-based rally despite low trading volume [70][72] Economic Indicators - U.S. industrial production and business equipment orders data were released, providing a positive outlook ahead of the upcoming GDP report, which indicated a respectable growth of 2.7% for the previous year [4][3] - Concerns over inflation have resurfaced, with the Federal Reserve's recent minutes suggesting that the inflation fight is ongoing, and the Fed is recalibrating its policy towards a neutral stance [6][7] Technology Sector Insights - Big tech stocks have faced skepticism from investors, particularly regarding their valuations after a significant selloff in software stocks [2][3] - Apple has been noted for its relatively low capital expenditures compared to its peers, positioning it well amidst the current AI-driven market dynamics [60][61] Investment Strategies - Wellington Management is expanding its private markets team, focusing on investments in companies before they go public, particularly in biotech and climate technology [38][41] - The firm has been building capabilities in private assets for retail investors, indicating a strategic shift towards private market investments [39][42] AI and Semiconductor Market - The AI sector is experiencing a correction, with discussions around the need for discipline in evaluating the value of different players in the market [73][75] - Taiwan's semiconductor industry is highlighted as a critical player, with significant growth in exports and a strong competitive advantage in advanced manufacturing [78][80]

Core Insights - The clean economy is now primarily driven by market fundamentals, achieving record revenues and significantly outperforming fossil fuel benchmarks [1] Group 1: Clean Energy Rankings - The 2026 Carbon Clean 200 list tracks the top 200 public companies generating revenue from clean energy, electrification, and efficiency, focusing on actual financial performance rather than climate pledges [2] - The list serves as an educational tool to highlight top-performing publicly traded firms benefiting from the green transition [3] Group 2: Fashion Industry Performance - Only eight fashion and fashion-adjacent companies made the 2026 Clean 200 list, indicating a limited presence in a sector that heavily influences consumer culture [3] - Inditex, the parent company of Zara, ranked No. 13 with a sustainable revenue ratio of 53.8% and approximately $33.44 billion in sustainable revenue, slightly above the Clean 200 average of 53.7% [4] - Kering ranked No. 64 with a 39.9% sustainable revenue ratio and about $11.05 billion in sustainable revenue, while H&M ranked No. 116 with a 23.3% ratio and $6.23 billion in sustainable revenue [5] Group 3: Sportswear Comparison - Nike ranked No. 57 with sustainable revenue of $12.16 billion and a ratio of 26.3%, while Adidas ranked No. 58 with $12.11 billion in sustainable revenue and a ratio of 31.8% [6] - Puma ranked No. 180 with a sustainable revenue ratio of 25.1% and approximately $3.56 billion in sustainable revenue [6]

Company Developments - Meta Platforms and Nvidia have entered a multi-year agreement for Meta to deploy millions of Nvidia's AI chips, boosting Nvidia's position in AI hardware as Meta expands its data center capabilities [1][2] - Nvidia's shares increased by 1.6% following the announcement, while Meta's shares rose by 0.6% [2] - Amazon's stock rose by 1.8% after it was reported that Bill Aman's Pershing Square increased its stake in Amazon by 65% in the fourth quarter, making it the fund's third-largest position [3] Regulatory Updates - The FDA has reversed its initial refusal and agreed to review Moderna's application for its first mRNA-based seasonal flu shot, which is now expected to receive a final regulatory decision by August 5th [4][5] - Moderna's stock climbed approximately 6% on the news, with the company aiming to have the vaccine ready for the 2026-2027 flu season [6] Economic Indicators - Walmart is set to report earnings, with analysts expecting a revenue growth of about 5.6% year-over-year to $190.6 billion, an improvement from the previous year's 4.1% increase [9][10] - Earnings per share are anticipated to be around $0.73, and Walmart has only missed Wall Street revenue estimates once in the past two years [10] - Jobless claims data will be released, which is expected to provide insights into the stability of the job market following strong jobs data from the previous week [12][13] - The trade balance for November is projected at $56.8 billion, which will influence GDP estimates [14]

Core Viewpoint - Carrefour SA is a significant player in the global retail market, operating a wide network of hypermarkets, supermarkets, and convenience stores, primarily in Europe, Latin America, and Asia, while facing competition from retail giants like Walmart and Tesco [1] Financial Performance - On February 18, 2026, Carrefour reported an earnings per share (EPS) of $0.29, matching market expectations, with actual revenue reaching approximately $48.4 billion, slightly exceeding estimates [2][6] - During the Q4 2025 earnings call, Carrefour's management discussed key financial metrics, revealing a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 35.19 and a price-to-sales ratio of 0.12, indicating a relatively low market valuation compared to its sales [3] Valuation Metrics - Carrefour's enterprise value to sales ratio stands at 0.26, and the enterprise value to operating cash flow ratio is 5.84, reflecting the company's total valuation in relation to its revenue and cash flow efficiency [4] - An earnings yield of 2.84% indicates a modest return on earnings, while a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.69 suggests a higher level of debt compared to equity, highlighting Carrefour's financial structure [4][6] Liquidity and Financial Health - The company's current ratio of 0.90 suggests potential liquidity challenges in covering short-term liabilities, which is crucial for understanding Carrefour's ability to meet immediate financial obligations [5]

Core Viewpoint - Investors are seeking growth stocks that can deliver above-average growth and exceptional returns, but identifying such stocks is challenging due to their inherent risks and volatility [1] Group 1: Growth Stock Identification - The Zacks Growth Style Score simplifies the process of finding promising growth stocks by analyzing a company's real growth prospects beyond traditional metrics [2] - Hennes & Mauritz AB (HNNMY) is currently recommended due to its favorable Growth Score and top Zacks Rank [2] Group 2: Earnings Growth - Earnings growth is crucial for investors, with double-digit growth being a strong indicator of a company's potential [3] - Hennes & Mauritz has a historical EPS growth rate of 7.4%, but projected EPS growth for this year is 23.3%, significantly higher than the industry average of 17.1% [4] Group 3: Asset Utilization - The asset utilization ratio, or sales-to-total-assets (S/TA) ratio, is an important metric for growth stocks, indicating how efficiently a company generates sales from its assets [5] - Hennes & Mauritz has an S/TA ratio of 1.35, outperforming the industry average of 1.34, indicating better efficiency in asset utilization [5] Group 4: Sales Growth - Sales growth is another critical factor, with Hennes & Mauritz expected to achieve an 8.3% sales growth this year, compared to the industry average of 3.9% [6] Group 5: Earnings Estimate Revisions - Positive trends in earnings estimate revisions correlate strongly with stock price movements, making this a valuable metric for investors [7] - Hennes & Mauritz has seen a 5.7% increase in current-year earnings estimates over the past month, indicating positive momentum [8] Group 6: Overall Positioning - Hennes & Mauritz holds a Zacks Rank of 2 and a Growth Score of A, positioning it well for potential outperformance in the market [10]

Core Viewpoint - Walmart is expected to report strong fourth-quarter earnings, with revenue projected at $189.18 billion, an increase from $180.55 billion in the same quarter last year, and earnings per share anticipated to rise to 73 cents from 66 cents [2][3]. Earnings Estimates - Analysts predict Walmart's fourth-quarter revenue will be $189.18 billion, marking a year-over-year increase of approximately 4.5% [2]. - The expected earnings per share for the fourth quarter is 73 cents, up from 66 cents in the previous year [2]. Analyst Insights - Walmart has consistently exceeded revenue estimates for over 15 consecutive quarters and earnings estimates in seven of the last eight quarters [2][3]. - Market experts suggest that while Walmart's stock may perform well post-earnings, it may not sustain a rally due to high expectations already priced into the stock [4]. - Walmart's price-to-earnings ratio is noted to be 46, higher than most of the "Magnificent Seven" stocks, indicating a premium valuation [5]. CEO Transition - The upcoming earnings report will be the first under new CEO John Furner, with expectations of continued market share gains and stable comparable sales growth in the 4%-5% range [6]. Recent Performance - Walmart has shown consistent U.S. comparable sales growth in the range of 4.5%-4.8% over the last four quarters [7]. - The company's international sales have also seen a year-over-year increase of 10.8% [8]. Key Items to Watch - Investors are keen to see how consumer spending trends are reflected in the earnings report, particularly whether there is a shift from name-brand to private-label products [8]. - Strong growth in both U.S. and international segments, along with positive guidance for the next fiscal year, is anticipated to impact major stock market indexes and consumer staple ETFs significantly [9]. Stock Performance - As of the latest report, Walmart's stock is trading at $128.63, down 0.2%, with a year-to-date increase of 14.1% and a 52-week increase of 23.9% [11].

Core Insights - The upcoming earnings releases from major Retail-Wholesale players are expected to shape near-term market sentiment, with modest growth anticipated in sales and earnings following the holiday shopping season [1] - The sector is projected to achieve fourth-quarter revenue growth of 6.7% year over year, while earnings are expected to rise by 3.5%, indicating a slowdown from previous growth rates [2] Group 1: Earnings Trends - Consumer spending trends significantly influenced retail performance during the holiday season, with December retail sales unchanged month over month, reflecting a slowdown from November's 0.6% gain [4] - Year-over-year retail sales increased by 2.4% in December and 3.3% in November, indicating some resilience despite the month-over-month stagnation [4] - The slowdown in consumer spending is attributed to moderating job growth, policy uncertainty, and elevated household cost pressures, leading consumers to prioritize essentials and seek discounts [5] Group 2: Margin Pressures - Inflation trends, although moderating, continue to impact consumer budgets and retailers' cost structures, exerting pressure on margins for those unable to pass on higher costs [6] - Retailers with strong pricing power and efficient supply-chain management are better positioned to protect profitability amid these challenges [6] Group 3: E-commerce and Inventory Management - E-commerce and omnichannel execution are critical differentiators, with retailers that integrate digital and physical channels effectively capturing demand during peak shopping periods [7] - Inventory discipline is vital for profitability, with retailers using advanced analytics to align stock levels with demand, thus avoiding excessive markdowns [8] Group 4: Company-Specific Insights - **Dollar General**: Positioned well with a Zacks Rank 2 and an Earnings ESP of +16.26%, supported by market share gains and strategic initiatives like "Project Elevate" [10][11] - **Walmart**: Holds a Zacks Rank 3 and an Earnings ESP of +1.31%, leveraging e-commerce momentum and a commitment to low prices, with a stable earnings estimate suggesting a 10.6% year-over-year increase [14][15] - **Home Depot**: Also a Zacks Rank 3 with an Earnings ESP of +5.61%, focusing on professional contractors and utilizing AI tools to enhance project planning [16][17] - **Dollar Tree**: With a Zacks Rank 3 and an Earnings ESP of +1.63%, the company is enhancing its value proposition and operational discipline following the decision to move forward without the Family Dollar brand [18][19][20]