Listen on the go! A daily podcast of Wall Street Breakfast will be available by 8:00 a.m. on Seeking Alpha, iTunes, Spotify.Getty Images Good morning! Here is the latest in trending:First-mover advantage: Novo Nordisk (NVO) is on the rise after the FDA approved its Wegovy pill, the first oral GLP-1 therapy for obesity.Eye on China: Nvidia (NVDA) is reportedly aiming to start shipping its H200 GPUs to China by mid-February, subject to government approval.Another setback: The U.S. government suspended leases ...

Core Insights - U.S. consumers demonstrated resilience during the holiday season, with retail spending increasing by 4.2% year over year according to Visa's preliminary data [1][2] Spending Trends - Retail spending data was collected over a seven-week period starting November 1, focusing on core retail categories and excluding automotive, gasoline, and restaurant spending [2] - In-store shopping represented 73% of total retail payment volume, while online purchases accounted for 27% [2] E-commerce Growth - E-commerce emerged as the main growth driver, with online sales rising by 7.8% compared to the previous year, indicating strong demand for convenience and early-season promotions [3] - Despite lower consumer confidence, spending remained robust, highlighting consumer adaptability in the face of economic challenges [3] Consumer Behavior Changes - The 2025 holiday season showcased a shift in consumer behavior, particularly with the increasing use of artificial intelligence in product discovery and price comparison [4] - Approximately half of surveyed consumers reported utilizing AI for comparison shopping and gift selection during this holiday season [4]

Core Viewpoint - Three stocks have been added to the Zacks Rank 5 (Strong Sell) List, indicating a negative outlook for these companies based on recent earnings estimate revisions. Group 1: Company Summaries - Alamo Group Inc. (ALG) is a specialty machinery company with a Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings revised downward by 10.1% over the last 60 days [1] - Associated British Foods plc (ASBFY) is a diversified food and ingredients company, with its current year earnings estimate revised downward by 5.1% over the last 60 days [1] - B&M European Value Retail S.A. (BMRRY) is a retail company that has seen its current year earnings estimate revised downward by 31.4% over the last 60 days [2]

US economic growth is set to accelerate with cheaper oil. Federal Reserve rate cuts are likely with inflation cooling. Stock pickers are looking for alternatives to artificial intelligence plays and the American consumer continues to spend. Together it’s a near-perfect recipe for shares in companies that are most closely tied to the economic cycle. Banks like JPMorgan Chase & Co., equipment makers like Caterpillar Inc. and retailers like Gap Inc. and Dollar Tree Inc. are among the companies strategists an ...

Hello and welcome to market domination. I'm Josh Lipton live from our New York headquarters. There's just an hour to go until the closing balance stocks.We are higher here. The Dow's up about 250 points. The S&P 500, your broad gauge is up about 6/10en of a percent. Tech heavy Nasdaq is up about half a percent.and the Russell 2000. Those small caps, they're actually leading the way here, up 1.2% right now in today's trade. Well, it's technically not even the Santa Claus rally yet on Wall Street, but the bul ...

सामने नया सुपर मार्केट खुलने वाला है। क्या करूं कि पुराने कस्टमर भी रहें और नए भी आ जाए। देखो आप दुकान के बाहर एक चाय कॉर्नर लगा सकते हो। चाय पीते-पीते पुराने कस्टमर बातचीत करेंगे। उन्हें देखकर नए कस्टमर भी आएंगे और एक्स्ट्रा कमाई भी होगी। इसके अलावा आपके बिल्स देख के समझ लेते हैं कि कौन सा सामान कितना बिका है।. ...

Economic Outlook - The White House is preparing to launch phase two of President Trump's economic initiatives, focusing on housing affordability and tax refunds [1][2] - Vice President JD Vance acknowledges public impatience regarding economic conditions while emphasizing the need for caution [2] Housing Affordability - Kevin Hasset indicates that top advisors are developing a comprehensive list of proposals aimed at improving housing affordability, which remains a significant concern for American families [2][11] - The Trump administration is reportedly working on housing proposals that have received approval from cabinet secretaries, with plans to reveal them soon [11][18] - Current mortgage rates are around 6.2%, with potential for a reduction in the near future, which could positively impact the housing market [13][15] Inflation and Consumer Spending - Recent data shows that rental growth has stagnated, with no increase in rental payments recorded in October 2025 for the first time in three and a half years, particularly in cities like Austin, Phoenix, Miami, and Orlando [31][32] - The decrease in rental prices is expected to boost disposable income for consumers, leading to increased spending at major retailers like Walmart and Target [33] Market Performance - The S&P 500 is nearing a record high, indicating positive sentiment in the market, which could benefit workers and the overall economy [26][27] - Nvidia and Micron are highlighted as companies benefiting from potential policy changes regarding chip access to China, reflecting the administration's strategy to support American businesses [29]

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes that the successful implementation of AI in organizations hinges on adapting organizational structures and cultures to leverage AI as a foundational infrastructure rather than just a tool [5][19]. Group 1: AI Implementation in Retail - The AI-enabled store, Wumart's Qinglu store, achieved a threefold increase in sales while reducing SKUs by 3,000 through AI-driven sales forecasting and smart ordering [7][9]. - AI technology significantly reduced cash register loss rates by over 70% through real-time monitoring of checkout behaviors [7]. - Multi-point Intelligence's AI exploration has evolved through four stages, addressing core business pain points like AI replenishment and dynamic clearance [8]. Group 2: Organizational Adaptation - The article discusses the need for organizations to transform into "large platforms + small teams" to effectively utilize AI, focusing on building a centralized AI capability while empowering small teams to respond quickly to business needs [12][14]. - Companies should prioritize developing hybrid employees who understand both business and AI, and leverage AI tools to streamline recruitment processes [14]. Group 3: Challenges in AI Adoption - The primary challenges in AI implementation are not technical but stem from organizational inertia, knowledge extraction, and infrastructure limitations [15][16]. - The difficulty in structuring and extracting tacit knowledge from experienced employees poses a significant barrier to AI's effective use [10][18]. - The article highlights that the resistance to AI often comes from within technical teams, who may feel threatened by the efficiency AI brings [18]. Group 4: Future Directions - The consensus among industry experts is that the essence of AI implementation lies in organizational evolution rather than mere technology adoption [19]. - Companies must create a feedback loop that transforms implicit knowledge into explicit knowledge, enabling a more organized approach to leveraging individual capabilities [19].

Upgrades - Bradesco BBI upgraded Volaris (VLRS) to Outperform from Neutral with a price target of $12 [2] - Loop Capital upgraded Ollie's Bargain Outlet (OLLI) to Buy from Hold with a price target of $135, increased from $130, citing underestimated comp potential in fiscal 2026 [2] - Raymond James upgraded Cummins (CMI) to Outperform from Market Perform with a price target of $585, noting a change in sentiment for the second half of 2026 despite a cautious near-term outlook [3] Downgrades - Janney Montgomery Scott downgraded Heritage Commerce (HTBK) to Neutral from Buy with a fair value estimate of $14 following an acquisition agreement with CVB Financial (CVBF) [4] - William Blair downgraded Clearwater Analytics (CWAN) to Market Perform from Outperform without a price target after a take-private deal at $24.55 per share [5] - Raymond James double downgraded Sealed Air (SEE) to Market Perform from Strong Buy without a price target, indicating reduced odds for a topping bid after the conclusion of the "go-shop" period [6] - Citi downgraded Amicus (FOLD) to Neutral from Buy with a price target of $14.50, down from $17, after BioMarin announced an acquisition for $4.8 billion or $14.50 per share [6] Initiations - Wells Fargo initiated coverage of Arcellx (ACLX) with an Overweight rating and a price target of $100, viewing its anti-cel as a future pillar in multiple myeloma treatment [7] - Jefferies initiated coverage of BlackSky (BKSY) with a Buy rating and a price target of $23, projecting sales to double to $211 million by 2028 [7] - BTIG initiated coverage of Invivyd (IVVD) with a Buy rating and a price target of $10, highlighting its effective antibody production [7] - Jefferies initiated coverage of Relmada Therapeutics (RLMD) with a Buy rating and a price target of $9, noting a transformation towards oncology and neuro pipeline [7] - Seaport Research initiated coverage of MasterCraft Boat (MCFT) with a Neutral rating and no price target, expressing caution due to competitive pressures in the marine industry [7]

Core Insights - Retail stocks are sensitive to economic shifts, yet major retailers like TJX Companies, Walmart, and Dollar General have shown resilience across various economic cycles [1][7] Group 1: Company Performance - TJX has outperformed the S&P 500 for the last two years and has delivered consistent gains for over 15 years, maintaining its position as a leader in off-price apparel and home goods [3][5] - Walmart, the world's largest retailer by revenue, has seen its stock price rise significantly from $58.52 to $116.70 following a stock split, and is expanding into AI shopping through a partnership with OpenAI [4][5] - Dollar General's stock has rebounded by 75% in 2025 after a 70% decline in the previous two years, with plans to open 450 new locations in 2026 [6][5] Group 2: Investment Considerations - Investors with $500 available for investment may consider buying stocks from TJX, Walmart, or Dollar General, as all three companies have demonstrated adaptability to changing consumer spending patterns [1][7]