U.S. stock futures slipped Monday, pulling back after Friday's rally, which marked the fifth consecutive session of gains over the Thanksgiving weekend.Markets remained downbeat Monday morning despite strong Black Friday sales, with online sales rising 9.4% from a year earlier and easing fears of the first sales decline in four years amid weakening consumer sentiment.Investors await earnings from MongoDB Inc. (NASDAQ:MDB) , CrowdStrike Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:CRWD) and Salesforce Inc. (NYSE:CRM) , among other ...

Group 1 - Gucci has appointed Gianluca de Ficchy as its new CFO, effective December 1, 2025, who will report to CEO Francesca Bellettini [1] - The management change is part of Kering's strategy under newly appointed CEO Luca de Meo to address challenges faced by the luxury group, particularly as Gucci generates over half of Kering's profits [2] - Gucci's previous CFO, Alberto Valente, left the company in September after 17 years [2] Group 2 - Kering reported Q3 2025 revenue of €3.4 billion ($3.94 billion), reflecting a 10% decline on a reported basis and a 5% decrease on a comparable basis [3] - Gucci's Q3 revenue was €1.3 billion, marking an 18% drop on a reported basis and a 14% decrease on a comparable basis [3] - Kering is launching a new investment platform to reduce reliance on Gucci, which will seek long-term funding to acquire stakes in high-potential emerging companies [4]

ASIA EX-JAPAN | Quantitative Strategy Equity Research China: What's in Style for 2026? Under the 15th five-year plan, China is transitioning from common prosperity to AI & high-tech mfg dominance. This will be an era of the private sector, with attractive growth opportunities. With most of the PE-driven returns behind us, some market consolidation is expected. However, China remains attractive on PE/G, and earnings momentum is poised to accelerate. We list five key investment themes for 2026 and present our ...

Investment Rating - The report does not provide a specific investment rating for the industry Core Insights - The report highlights China's rapid advancements in frontier technologies, particularly in autonomous vehicles and pharmaceuticals, indicating a shift in global innovation dynamics [49][51][52] - It emphasizes the importance of regulatory agility and a deep talent pool in driving China's technological progress, contrasting it with the slower pace of innovation in Western economies [53][59] - The report warns that the competition from Chinese innovations could undermine Western economies unless they adapt their regulatory and innovation strategies [58][60] Summary by Sections Economic and Financial Indicators - Japan's yen has depreciated by 9% against the dollar in the past six months, with long-term government bond yields rising significantly, indicating market concerns over fiscal policies [91][92] - The IMF projects Japan's budget deficit to rise to around 4.4% of GDP by 2030, driven by increased spending on defense and an aging population [98] Business Developments - The report notes that tech stocks, particularly in the U.S., have shown signs of recovery, with the NASDAQ 100 index rising by 5% after a previous decline [30] - It discusses the challenges faced by Nvidia, whose market value dropped by over $100 billion due to competition from Google [31] Industry Trends - The report outlines the growing interest in nuclear energy as a means to support artificial intelligence development, with companies like X-energy raising significant funds for small modular reactors [37] - It highlights the shift in the automotive industry, with Volkswagen planning to produce electric vehicles entirely in China, benefiting from lower production costs [36]

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview: China Consumer - **China's Consumption Status**: Contrary to the belief that China is under-consuming, the country is one of the fastest-growing major economies. Per capita volume consumption is comparable to global peers, exceeding the US, Japan, and South Korea in certain food categories such as proteins, eggs, seafood, and vegetables [1][10][21]. - **Pricing Dynamics**: The perception of under-consumption is largely due to low pricing, which can be less than 40% of US prices in many categories, especially services [1][10][21]. Macro View - **Household Consumption to GDP Ratio**: China's household consumption accounts for approximately 40% of GDP, which is lower than the US (68%), Japan (54%), and South Korea (48%). However, when adjusted for social transfers in kind, this ratio increases by about 7%, bringing China closer to South Korea and Japan [2][66][71]. - **Potential for Upside**: There is potential for growth in higher-quality and experience-based services, including preventive healthcare, leisure, and entertainment [2][72]. Corporate China: E2SG Opportunities - **E2SG Definition**: E2SG stands for Efficiency, Experience, Service, and Global. Companies can leverage these themes for growth, focusing on cost efficiency, enhancing customer experience, and exploring global markets [3][4]. - **Stock Picks**: The report identifies several companies that fit into the E2SG framework, including Pop Mart, Midea, Geely, H World, Trip.com, Tencent, and Damai, which are expected to be long-term winners despite some facing near-term challenges [4]. Consumption Patterns - **High Volume Consumption**: China exhibits high volume consumption in staples, particularly food, while discretionary categories may see growth potential. For example, China's per capita protein consumption exceeds that of the US [26][27]. - **Service Consumption**: China's consumption of core services like housing, healthcare, and education is comparable to global peers, but there is still room for improvement in higher-quality services [27][30]. Pricing Analysis - **Low Prices**: China's nominal consumption value is suppressed by low prices, which are influenced by structural factors such as being the world's factory, intense competition, and government price regulations [32][35][52]. - **Comparison with Developed Markets**: Consumer goods and services in China are generally cheaper than in the US, Japan, and South Korea, with significant price differences in various categories [33][34]. Urbanization and Future Growth - **Urbanization Impact**: Urbanization is expected to continue, with projections suggesting that the urbanization rate could surpass 70% during the 15th Five-Year Plan. This shift is anticipated to boost household consumption significantly [60][73]. - **Discretionary Spending Potential**: There is significant upside potential in discretionary healthcare and education, as well as leisure and entertainment services, which are currently underdeveloped [72][76]. Conclusion - **Investment Opportunities**: The analysis suggests that while China faces challenges in consumption patterns, there are substantial opportunities for growth in various sectors, particularly in higher-quality and experience-based services. The E2SG framework provides a strategic lens for identifying potential investment opportunities in the Chinese consumer market [3][4][72].

Core Insights - The article discusses the potential struggles of three companies: Beyond Meat, GoPro, and Lucid Motors, questioning whether this holiday season could be their last [4][10][14][17]. Beyond Meat (BYND) - Beyond Meat reported a loss of $111 million in Q3 2025, with revenue declining by 13% to $70 million, driven by a 20% drop in U.S. plant-based meat sales [6][8]. - The company experienced a peak in sales in 2022, but inflation and premium pricing led to a significant decline in demand, with U.S. plant-based meat sales falling by 19% in 2023 [8]. - Despite slight improvements in gross margins to 15% through cost-cutting, the company faces a net debt of $215 million and is projected to potentially go bankrupt by 2027 [10]. GoPro (GPRO) - GoPro's Q3 revenue fell by 37% to $163 million, with GAAP losses more than doubling from the previous year [13]. - The company has struggled due to competition from smartphones and drones, which have eroded its market position [12]. - Analysts have set a target price of $0.75 per share, with current shares at $1.63, indicating a challenging outlook for the company [14]. Lucid Motors (LCID) - Lucid Motors reported a Q3 revenue increase of 68% to $336 million, but net losses reached $1.03 billion, equating to a loss of over $250,000 per vehicle sold [16]. - The company has faced production delays and increased competition, leading to a significant cash burn nearing $1 billion quarterly [16]. - Although backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, there are concerns about the sustainability of continued financial support if losses persist [17].

Core Viewpoint - The US stock markets are operating on shortened hours for Black Friday, but trading in futures and options is halted due to a cooling issue at a CME Group data center [1][2]. Market Operations - Regular stock trading is proceeding with the NYSE, Nasdaq, and over-the-counter markets opening at 9:30 a.m. ET and closing at 1 p.m. ET, while eligible options will remain open until 1:15 p.m. ET and bond markets opened at 8 a.m. ET, closing at 2 p.m. ET [3][11]. - CME Group confirmed that only BrokerTec EU markets are open, while all other CME markets remain halted [2][10]. Market Performance - Prior to the CME outage, futures were subdued with Dow Jones futures rising 0.11%, S&P 500 futures adding 0.1%, Nasdaq 100 futures gaining 0.18%, and Russell 2000 futures up 0.13% [1][11]. - In early trading, SPY rose 0.28%, QQQ gained 0.43%, and DIA added 0.24% [1][11]. Company-Specific Updates - Tesla (TSLA) shares increased by 0.4% pre-market as the company began offering free Full Self-Driving rides in several European countries [6]. - Security Matters (SMX) shares surged 71% pre-market after showcasing its molecular identity technology at a conference [6]. - Tilray Brands (TLRY) shares dropped nearly 14% pre-market following a 1-for-10 reverse stock split [7]. Global Market Context - Foreign stock exchanges, including those in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and London, are open, along with banks and postal services in the US [8][10]. Historical Trends - The S&P 500 has historically risen during the period from the Wednesday before Thanksgiving through one week after Black Friday, gaining 1.5% last year, 0.8% in 2023, and 1.1% in 2022, while it fell 3.5% in 2021 [9][12].

Economic Indicators and Corporate Performance - China's services trade deficit has widened to $164.4 billion for the January-October period, with a deficit of $11.2 billion in October alone, indicating ongoing challenges in balancing international trade in services [2][10] - Meituan reported a disappointing third quarter with an adjusted net loss of 16.0 billion yuan, which is significantly wider than the estimated loss of 13.96 billion yuan, and its revenue of 95.5 billion yuan fell short of the 97.47 billion yuan estimate [4][10] Regulatory Developments - The Industry Ministry of China plans to regulate excessive competition in the battery sector and aims to guide battery firms in expanding overseas in a "reasonable and orderly" manner, indicating a strategic effort to consolidate and globalize the industry [3] Global Economic Trends - Germany's labor market showed mixed signals with a slight increase in unemployment by 1,000, while the unemployment rate remained stable at 6.3%, and inflation data indicated a monthly decline of 0.2% in November [5][10] - Taiwan's economy demonstrated robust performance with a preliminary Q3 GDP growth of 8.21% year-over-year, exceeding the estimated 7.60%, and the 2026 GDP growth forecast was revised upwards to 3.54% from 2.81% [8][10] Market Trends - Gold is experiencing a significant rally, poised for its fourth consecutive monthly gain, driven by optimism over potential Federal Reserve interest rate cuts, which typically boosts the appeal of non-yielding assets like gold [11]

Market Performance - The benchmark Sensex rebounded by 1,022.50 points or 1.21% to settle at 85,609.51, while Nifty increased by 320.50 points or 1.24% to end at 26,205.30, just 10 points shy of its all-time high [3][4] - In intra-day trade, Nifty surged 330.35 points or 1.27% to reach 26,215.15 [4] Investor Sentiment - Growing expectations of a US Federal Reserve rate cut in December, supported by recent US economic data indicating softening demand and cooling inflation, bolstered investor sentiment [7][10] - Increasing optimism regarding a potential truce between Russia and Ukraine also enhanced risk appetite among investors [9][10] Sector Performance - Market participation was broad-based, with metals, energy, and IT sectors leading the gains, while mid-cap and small-cap indices advanced over 1% [5][6] - Major gainers among Sensex firms included Bajaj Finserv, Bajaj Finance, Tata Steel, Reliance Industries, Sun Pharma, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, Axis Bank, and Infosys, while Bharti Airtel and Asian Paints were laggards [4][6] Foreign and Domestic Investment - Foreign Institutional Investors purchased equities worth ₹785.32 crore, while Domestic Institutional Investors bought stocks worth ₹3,912.47 crore [8] - The overall market sentiment improved globally, driven by expectations of a US Federal Reserve rate cut and a weaker dollar [8]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes a value-oriented approach to finance, highlighting that valuation is more indicative of long-term opportunities or risks rather than short- to mid-term timing indicators [1]. Group 1 - The author has over five years of experience in consulting and audit firms, including roles in professional valuation, financial planning and analysis (FP&A), and controlling [1]. - The written word and data are prioritized over simple ratings, often resulting in a hold/neutral rating even when the inclination may be bullish or bearish [1]. - The article aims to inform readers rather than make investment decisions, indicating a focus on providing insights rather than direct recommendations [1].