Core Viewpoint - Foot Locker Inc's stock experienced a significant surge due to a surprise tariff deal between the U.S. and China, but it still faces substantial year-over-year and year-to-date declines [1] Group 1: Stock Performance - Foot Locker's stock rose 10.6% on Monday and is currently trading at $13.39, marking an 8.7% increase in May [1] - Despite the recent gains, the stock has a 41.3% deficit year-over-year and is down 38.7% year-to-date [1] Group 2: Technical Analysis - The stock is approaching a historically bearish trendline, specifically its 50-day moving average, which has been a critical level in the past [2] - In the last three years, similar approaches to this trendline have resulted in a decline 77% of the time, averaging a 6.5% drop one month later [2] - A comparable decline from the current price could bring shares below $12.50, close to their 15-year low of $11 reached on April 16 [2] Group 3: Options Market Sentiment - The 10-day put/call volume ratio for Foot Locker is at 14.77, ranking in the 96th percentile of annual readings, indicating unusually bullish sentiment among short-term options traders [3] - This lopsided optimism in the options market could create headwinds for the stock in the event of a pullback [3]

Core Insights - The retail sector is currently under scrutiny as major retailers like Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe's, and Target prepare to report their earnings [1] Earnings Performance - 20 out of 33 retailers in the S&P 500 Index have reported earnings, showing a 20.2% increase in earnings compared to the same period last year, with revenues up by 6.9%. 55% of these companies exceeded EPS estimates, while 45% surpassed revenue estimates. The overall retail sector is projected to achieve earnings growth of 20.1% and revenue growth of 7% [2] ETF Performance - Traditional retail ETFs are gaining attention, with SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) and VanEck Vectors Retail ETF (RTH) increasing by approximately 13.3% and 9.8% respectively over the past month [3] Individual Retailer Insights - Walmart has an Earnings ESP of -1.76% and a Zacks Rank of 3, with a slight negative earnings estimate revision. The company has an average earnings surprise of 7.36% over the last four quarters and is set to report on May 15 [5] - Home Depot has an Earnings ESP of +0.43% and a Zacks Rank of 3, with no revisions in earnings estimates. The average earnings surprise over the last four quarters is 2.56%, and it will report on May 20 [6] - Lowe's has an Earnings ESP of -0.16% and a Zacks Rank of 3, with no revisions in earnings estimates. The average earnings surprise is 3.89%, and it is scheduled to report on May 21 [7] - Target has an Earnings ESP of -2.45% and a Zacks Rank of 4, with a negative earnings estimate revision. The average earnings surprise is 1.48%, and it will report on May 21 [8] - Nordstrom has an Earnings ESP of -25.37% and a Zacks Rank of 2, with no revisions in earnings estimates. The average earnings surprise is -26.1%, and it is set to report on May 29 [9] - Kohl's has an Earnings ESP of +35.91% and a Zacks Rank of 3, with a positive earnings estimate revision. The average earnings surprise is -166.43%, and it will report on May 29 [10] ETF Details - SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) tracks the S&P Retail Select Industry Index, holding 76 diversified stocks with no single stock exceeding 2% of the total. It has an asset under management (AUM) of $437.7 million and an average trading volume of 7 million shares [11][12] - VanEck Vectors Retail ETF (RTH) tracks the MVIS US Listed Retail 25 Index, focusing on the 26 largest retail firms. It has an AUM of $239.6 million and trades an average of 6,000 shares daily [13][14]

Core Viewpoint - The shipping sector is experiencing significant gains, with notable stock performances from companies like Ningbo Shipping and China National Offshore Oil Corporation, indicating a bullish trend in the industry. Group 1: Shipping Sector Performance - Ningbo Shipping has reached a daily limit up, indicating strong investor interest and confidence in the company [1] - China National Offshore Oil Corporation's stock has increased by over 18%, reflecting positive market sentiment towards the company [1] - Other shipping companies such as Ningbo Ocean, COSCO Shipping Holdings, and Phoenix Shipping are also showing strong performance, contributing to the overall bullish trend in the shipping sector [1] Group 2: Market Indices and Trends - The A-share market opened with all three major indices rising, with the ChiNext Index up by 1.29%, indicating a positive market environment [2] - The Hang Seng Index opened down by 0.23%, while the Hang Seng Tech Index fell by 0.29%, suggesting mixed performance in the Hong Kong market [3] - The shipping sector, along with retail, AI PC, and Apple-related concepts, is among the top gainers in the A-share market [2]

Investment Rating - The report highlights ten stock picks rated as "Buy" that are expected to be resilient in the current uncertain economic environment [11][23]. Core Insights - The initial sell-off in the market was broad-based, with 99% of S&P 500 stocks declining, but the recovery has been uneven, primarily driven by technology stocks [3][11]. - A bottom-up approach is recommended to understand how policies impact individual companies, especially in light of ongoing macroeconomic and policy uncertainties [4][11]. - The report anticipates continued volatility in equity markets as macro and micro data worsen, with a focus on defensive sectors [4][11]. Summary by Relevant Sections Market Overview - The S&P 500 has outperformed the equal-weighted index, with a significant contribution from technology stocks, while many sectors, particularly recession-resilient ones like healthcare, remain below pre-sell-off levels [3][22][19]. - Only 35% of S&P 500 stocks have recovered to pre-Liberation Day levels, indicating a challenging recovery landscape [3][11]. Stock Picks - **AIG (AIG US)**: Rated "Buy" with a target price of USD 93.00, expected to benefit from its solid risk management and low leverage [6][23]. - **American Tower (AMT US)**: Rated "Buy" with a target price of USD 245.00, noted for its geographical diversification and resilience in a high-tariff environment [6][24]. - **Coca-Cola (KO US)**: Rated "Buy" with a target price of USD 82.00, positioned to leverage its brand strength and local sourcing to mitigate tariff impacts [6][29]. - **Johnson & Johnson (JNJ US)**: Rated "Buy" with a target price of USD 184.00, recognized for its diversified portfolio and strong R&D pipeline [6][30]. - **McDonald's (MCD US)**: Rated "Buy" with a target price of USD 343.00, expected to benefit from its franchise model and focus on affordability [6][34]. - **Oracle (ORCL US)**: Rated "Buy" with a target price of USD 246.00, anticipated to capitalize on AI demand and improve revenue growth [6][37]. - **Procter & Gamble (PG US)**: Rated "Buy" with a target price of USD 185.00, noted for its strong brand equity and global supply chain [6][40]. - **TechnipFMC (FTI US)**: Rated "Buy" with a target price of USD 36.00, positioned to benefit from its operational efficiencies [6][43]. - **Walmart (WMT US)**: Rated "Buy" with a target price of USD 108.00, expected to maintain its market position amid economic challenges [6]. - **Waste Management (WM US)**: Rated "Buy" with a target price of USD 265.00, recognized for its stable revenue model [6].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the significant impact of organized crime on the U.S. supply chain, exacerbated by tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on Chinese goods, leading to increased theft and potential shortages in consumer goods [1][7]. Group 1: Supply Chain Impact - The U.S. supply chain is facing severe disruptions due to a surge in organized cargo thefts, with 3,798 reported incidents in 2024 resulting in losses of approximately $455 million [1][3]. - Experts estimate that the actual annual losses from cargo theft in the U.S. could reach nearly $1 billion or more, as many incidents go unreported [1][3]. - The Overhaul company predicts a 22% increase in cargo theft incidents by 2025 [1]. Group 2: Types of Goods Targeted - Food, beverages, household items, and electronics are the primary targets for cargo thieves, with food being particularly vulnerable due to its perishable nature [3][4]. - Nike shoes and Philips personal health products have been specifically mentioned as popular targets among thieves [3]. Group 3: Criminal Tactics - Criminal networks are utilizing technology to enhance their operations, allowing them to track logistics and select specific targets for theft [5]. - Thieves often employ tactics such as using fake invoices to impersonate legitimate company employees to facilitate the theft of goods [5]. Group 4: Legislative Response - In response to the rising theft incidents, bipartisan lawmakers have proposed the "Organized Retail Crime Act," aimed at establishing a coordination center within the Department of Homeland Security to combat cargo theft and organized retail crime [5]. Group 5: Economic Consequences - The tariffs imposed on Chinese goods have led to a 50% decrease in imports at the Port of Los Angeles, with prices for these goods reportedly increasing by 250% [7]. - The ongoing theft and tariff issues are expected to result in reduced consumer choices and increased prices for goods in the U.S. market [7][8].

Core Viewpoint - Maintaining stable market prices is crucial for brand image, profit margins, and promoting healthy market development [1] Group 1: Price Monitoring and Tools - Brands must establish an all-weather, multi-platform price monitoring system to track market price dynamics in real-time [3] - Utilizing tools that support multi-platform data scraping is essential, with examples like Huoyan Data and Dingdian Data covering major e-commerce platforms [3] - Brands should clearly define suggested retail prices and minimum sales prices, and communicate these through official channels [3] Group 2: Dealer Management and Compliance - Strict management of dealers is necessary to ensure adherence to pricing policies, including signing online sales agreements with penalty clauses [3] - Establishing a management system with a whitelist, graylist, and blacklist for different types of merchants can enhance compliance [3] Group 3: Legal Actions Against Price Violations - Brands should take decisive legal actions against price violations, such as filing intellectual property complaints to remove infringing links from e-commerce platforms [4] - A specialized pricing control team is recommended to quickly assess low-price behaviors and develop targeted complaint strategies [4] Group 4: Data Utilization and Market Adaptation - Brands need to leverage big data technology and professional price monitoring software to analyze sales prices, promotional information, and inventory status [4] - Regularly revising product pricing based on raw material price fluctuations, competitor strategies, and consumer demand is vital for maintaining market share [5] Group 5: Collaboration with E-commerce Platforms - Building close partnerships with e-commerce platforms to jointly develop and enforce pricing control policies is essential [5] - E-commerce platforms can implement comprehensive control systems to monitor price changes and address pricing irregularities promptly [5] Group 6: Brand Promotion and Consumer Loyalty - Enhancing brand awareness and reputation through promotion and product innovation can strengthen consumer loyalty and mitigate the impact of low-price violations [7] - Continuous monitoring and reporting on violations, including generating weekly reports on processing progress and blacklists, is necessary for effective management [7] Group 7: Comprehensive Strategy for Price Stability - A multi-faceted approach is required for brands to stabilize market prices, including monitoring systems, efficient tools, pricing policies, dealer management, legal actions, data-driven decisions, dynamic pricing adjustments, and long-term deterrence strategies [7]

Group 1: Federal Reserve and Economic Policy - The Federal Reserve announced to maintain the federal funds rate target range at 4.25% to 4.5%, marking the third consecutive pause in monetary policy decisions [1] - The statement highlighted increased uncertainty regarding economic prospects, with added risks of rising unemployment and inflation [1][2] - The Fed's passive approach to rate policy reflects challenges in predicting the current U.S. government's policy direction, complicating timely responses to economic data [2] Group 2: Gold Reserves and Currency Trends - China's foreign exchange reserves increased to $32,817 billion, with a rise of $410 billion, maintaining above $3.2 trillion for 17 consecutive months [3] - The People's Bank of China has increased its gold reserves for six consecutive months, reaching 7,377 million ounces [3] - The depreciation of the dollar and global economic uncertainties are driving the central bank's long-term motivation to increase gold holdings [3][4] Group 3: Infrastructure Investment and Private Sector Involvement - The Chinese government plans to launch approximately 3 trillion yuan in quality projects across key sectors, supporting private enterprises' participation [5] - The initiative aims to stimulate economic growth and enhance resilience by breaking down barriers for private companies in major project construction [5][6] - There is a need for improved mechanisms to support private sector financing to ensure their active involvement in large-scale projects [6] Group 4: E-commerce Collaboration - Xiaohongshu and Taobao Tmall signed a strategic cooperation agreement to create the "Red Cat Plan," allowing direct links from Xiaohongshu posts to Taobao for easier shopping [7][8] - This collaboration aims to enhance user experience and increase conversion rates from content to purchases, while also providing monetization opportunities for Xiaohongshu influencers [8] Group 5: Technological Developments in AI and Robotics - Apple is considering a major overhaul of its Safari browser to incorporate AI-driven search engines, potentially disrupting its long-standing partnership with Google [9][10] - Amazon introduced the Vulcan robot, which features tactile sensing capabilities to improve warehouse operations and enhance worker safety [11][12] - The rise of AI agents in payment systems by companies like PayPal, Mastercard, and Visa indicates a shift towards autonomous financial transactions, though user trust remains a significant barrier [13][14] Group 6: Stock Market Trends - The stock market experienced a low opening but rallied throughout the day, with the ChiNext index leading gains at 1.65% [15] - Market volatility continues with rapid rotation of sectoral interests, particularly in military and AI hardware stocks [15][16] - The contrasting policy goals between China and overseas markets may enhance the attractiveness of Chinese markets to foreign investors [16]

Core Points - AlphaGen Intelligence Corp. announced a non-brokered private placement offering of up to 2,437,500 units at a price of $0.08 per unit, aiming for gross proceeds of up to $195,000 [1][3] - Each unit consists of one common share and one whole share purchase warrant, with the warrant convertible into an additional share at an exercise price of $0.12 for two years [2] - The net proceeds from the offering will be used for general working capital purposes, and the offering is expected to close around May 16, 2025, pending regulatory approvals [3] Company Overview - AlphaGen Intelligence Corp. is publicly traded and holds a portfolio in gaming, entertainment, eCommerce, and retail [5] - The company operates units such as Shape Immersive, a metaverse studio, and MANA, a SaaS solution for community engagement [5] - Notable clients and partners include RTFKT, Olympics, Red Bull, Intel, and TED [5]

Core Viewpoint - Wall Street anticipates a year-over-year decline in Walmart's earnings despite an increase in revenues, with the actual results being crucial for stock price movement [1][2]. Earnings Expectations - Walmart is expected to report quarterly earnings of $0.58 per share, reflecting a year-over-year decrease of 3.3%, while revenues are projected to be $165.56 billion, an increase of 2.5% from the previous year [3]. Estimate Revisions - The consensus EPS estimate has been revised down by 0.76% over the last 30 days, indicating a bearish sentiment among analysts regarding Walmart's earnings prospects [4][10]. Earnings Surprise Prediction - The Zacks Earnings ESP model suggests that the Most Accurate Estimate for Walmart is lower than the consensus estimate, resulting in an Earnings ESP of -1.69%, which complicates the prediction of an earnings beat [10][11]. Historical Performance - In the last reported quarter, Walmart exceeded earnings expectations with a surprise of +1.54%, having beaten consensus EPS estimates in the last four quarters [12][13]. Market Reaction Factors - An earnings beat or miss alone may not dictate stock movement, as other factors can influence investor sentiment and stock performance [14][16].

Company Overview - Realty Income is a real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on the retail industry, owning approximately 15,600 properties globally and maintaining significant cash and credit for acquisitions [5] - The company has expanded its focus beyond the U.S. and essentials retailers, with over 14% of its properties now in industrials and more than 11% located in the U.K. [6] Business Model and Resilience - Realty Income's model is tariff-resistant, primarily leasing to large, established retail chains that are likely to continue paying rent even during economic downturns [9] - The company benefits from a diverse tenant base, with grocery and convenience stores making up over 20% of its properties, and top clients including 7-Eleven, Dollar General, and Walgreens [7] Growth Opportunities - Realty Income has identified a global addressable market of $14 trillion and sourced $43 billion in opportunities for 2024, indicating strong growth potential [10] - The company plans to grow through property acquisitions and by acquiring smaller REITs, with decreasing interest rates facilitating easier capital access for these activities [10] Dividend Performance - Realty Income has a long-standing history of paying monthly dividends for over 54 years, with a track record of 658 consecutive months [12] - The current dividend yield is approximately 5.6%, which is more than three times the average S&P 500 dividend yield, providing a secure passive income stream [13][14]