The closure of the Amazon Go and Fresh stores is the end of an era for the online giant. ...

Company Performance - Vodafone Idea narrowed its consolidated losses to Rs 5,286 crore in Q3FY26 from Rs 6,609 crore in the same period last year, with revenue from operations at Rs 11,323 crore, a 2% increase from Rs 11,117 crore [10][11] - Motilal Oswal Financial Services reported a slight increase in Q3 consolidated net profit to Rs 566 crore compared to Rs 565 crore a year ago, with total revenue from operations rising 6% to Rs 2,112 crore [6][11] - Marico's consolidated net profit reached Rs 447 crore in Q3FY26, up 12% year-on-year, with revenue from operations at Rs 3,537 crore, a 27% increase from Rs 2,794 crore in Q3FY25 [7][11] - Vishal Mega Mart reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 313 crore in Q3FY26, up 19% year-on-year, with revenue from operations at Rs 3,670 crore, a 17% increase from Rs 3,136 crore in Q3FY25 [8][11] Market Expectations - Maruti Suzuki is expected to report a strong performance for the December quarter, with net profit growth estimated between 24% and 35%, amounting to Rs 4,540 crore to Rs 5,696 crore, and revenue growth projected at 32% to 37%, reaching Rs 50,765 crore to Rs 52,706 crore [9][10][11] - Larsen & Toubro is anticipated to show a robust December-quarter performance, with net profit growth expected between 20% and 35%, estimated at Rs 4,038 crore to Rs 4,548 crore, alongside double-digit growth in revenue and EBITDA [9][10][11] Stake Sale - Vedanta approved the sale of up to 1.59% stake in Hindustan Zinc Limited, representing up to 6.7 crore equity shares, with a floor price set at Rs 685 per share for the offer for sale (OFS) [4][11] - The two-day OFS is scheduled to open on January 28, 2026, for non-retail investors and on January 29, 2026, for retail investors [5][11]

Market Overview - The NASDAQ 100 has seen a fifth consecutive day of gains, rising approximately 1% [1] - Despite the rally, a majority of stocks are in the red, indicating a narrowing of the rally's breadth [2] - The Bloomberg Dollar Index has decreased by about 0.7%, reflecting a trend of lower dollar value amidst rising equity prices [1][2] Bond Market Insights - The 30-year bond yield in the U.S. is approaching its highest levels in a decade, which is attracting long-term investors [4] - Bond funds are starting to show a steeper curve, indicating renewed interest from portfolio managers [5] - Current market conditions suggest a Goldilocks economic scenario, with expectations for continued growth but uncertainty about future pricing [6] Currency and Inflation Trends - The U.S. dollar's softness is perceived as a potential manipulation by the government, which may welcome a weaker dollar [7][8] - The Federal Reserve's actions, including replacing Treasury bills with reserves, contribute to a narrative of a weaker dollar and inflationary pressures [9] Investment Opportunities - U.S. investors are finding attractive yields in international markets, particularly in countries like New Zealand and Australia, where bond yields are higher than U.S. credit [11] - The luxury goods market is experiencing mixed results, with watches and jewelry showing growth while fashion and spirits face challenges [41][43] Company-Specific Developments - Starbucks is expected to report earnings soon, with a focus on U.S. transaction growth and long-term guidance [30][31] - LVMH's luxury fashion division is struggling, with a noted decline in organic sales growth, particularly in fashion and spirits [41][48] - The company is diversifying its portfolio, with growth in watches and jewelry, indicating a shift in consumer spending behavior [43][44]

Core Viewpoint - Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) is considered an attractive investment option among hyperscalers due to the potential resilience of its retail business, which offers consumers value-oriented alternatives through its private label [1] Group 1: Investment Potential - The retail business of Amazon may provide rotational value-oriented alternatives to consumers, which could enhance its appeal as an investment [1] - Consumer sentiment remains subdued, influenced by inflationary pressures and rising fears, which may impact retail performance [1]

Core Insights - The logistics sector has seen significant engagement from investors, particularly in the ASEAN and US markets, highlighting its growth potential and diversification opportunities [1] Investment Focus - The company has diversified its investments across various sectors including banking, telecommunications, logistics, and hotels, indicating a strategic approach to portfolio management [1] - The entry into the US market in 2020 reflects a growing interest in international investments, particularly in sectors like banks, hotels, and logistics [1] Market Trends - The popularity of insurance companies in the Philippines since 2014 suggests a shift in investment preferences among local investors [1] - The trend of investing in blue-chip companies initially has evolved into a broader strategy that includes various industries and market capitalizations [1] Knowledge Sharing - The decision to write for Seeking Alpha indicates a commitment to sharing insights and gaining knowledge, which can enhance investment strategies and market understanding [1]

Core Insights - Honeywell is increasingly integrating artificial intelligence into physical operations, with significant adoption in various sectors [1][2] - Over 200,000 sites have implemented Honeywell's AI tools to enhance energy efficiency and productivity in airports, hospitals, and factories [2] Group 1: Adoption of Physical AI - The widespread adoption of "physical AI" projects was noted last year, indicating a shift towards operational efficiency [2] - Other companies, such as JLL, emphasize the financial benefits of using AI to optimize commercial real estate operations [3] Group 2: Operational Efficiency and Cost Reduction - AI systems can help companies reduce ongoing operating expenses by identifying inefficiencies in office and facility management [4] - Examples from other enterprises, like Amazon and Walmart, illustrate the integration of physical AI into core operational infrastructure, enhancing throughput and lowering costs [5] Group 3: Supply Chain Resilience - Honeywell is leveraging lessons from the pandemic to strengthen its supply chains against tariff-related disruptions [5] - The global trade order is shifting towards bilateral agreements, prompting companies to adapt their supply chains to local ecosystems [6]

Core Insights - The home health aide profession employs nearly 4 million individuals as of 2024, but the median pay is only $34,900, reflecting a broader trend of low wages in many common jobs in America [1][2] - Among the 20 most prevalent jobs, only two offer six-figure salaries, and only five exceed $50,000 annually, indicating a significant disparity between job availability and compensation [2] - Common jobs, such as retail sales and home health aides, are abundant, but they often come with low pay and little job security, making it challenging for workers to achieve financial stability [5][6] Job Market Overview - The service economy dictates job availability, with positions like cashiers and home health aides being essential yet low-paying [2] - The number of retail sales jobs is substantial, with 3.8 million positions available, suggesting accessibility in various markets [2] - However, economic downturns, such as the Great Recession of 2008, can make even these common jobs harder to find, challenging the assumption of job security [3] Compensation and Job Security - The majority of the most common jobs do not require a bachelor's degree, with general and operational managers earning a median income of $102,950 and registered nurses earning $93,600 [5] - Fast food and counter jobs, which require no formal education, average $30,480 annually, highlighting the low compensation in these roles [6] - Workers in low-paying jobs often face the risk of being easily replaced, contributing to a lack of job security [7] Economic Implications - Earning barely $30,000 a year in low-wage jobs makes it difficult for individuals to support a family, necessitating dual incomes to achieve middle-class status [8][9]

Group 1 - The core inflation indicator for UK stores has risen to its highest level in nearly two years, with the price of essential goods increasing by 1.5% year-on-year in January, marking the fastest growth since February 2024, up from 0.7% in December [1] - Food inflation in UK stores has reached 3.9%, the highest level since September, driven by rising energy costs and increased national insurance contributions [1] - Retailers are struggling with higher costs and thin profit margins, making it difficult to lower prices in a competitive market, as stated by the CEO of the British Retail Consortium (BRC) [1] Group 2 - The BRC's Shop Price Monitor tracks the prices of 500 commonly purchased items, both online and offline, indicating that rising grocery bills are a concern for the Bank of England's monetary policy officials [3] - The Bank of England is closely monitoring food costs, as last year's food prices significantly contributed to inflation levels that were double the central bank's target [3] - Retail inflation data may raise consumer inflation expectations and complicate the decline of service and wage inflation, leading the Bank of England to adopt a more cautious approach regarding interest rate cuts [5] Group 3 - Major UK retailers reported weak sales during the Christmas period due to fluctuating consumer demand, with companies like Primark, Tesco, and Marks & Spencer failing to meet sales expectations [4] - The ongoing cost inflation and government tax policies have been cited as reasons for the financial struggles of retailers, including the recent bankruptcies of Claire's Accessories and The Original Factory Shop [4] - Consumer spending remains cautious in January, and persistent inflation does not help stimulate shopping activity, according to the head of retail and business insights at NIQ [4]

Group 1 - A class action has been filed on behalf of investors who purchased Coupang, Inc. (NYSE: CPNG) securities between April 6, 2025, and December 16, 2025 [1] - Coupang is described as one of the fastest-growing technology and commerce companies globally, offering services such as retail, restaurant delivery, video streaming, and fintech under various brands [1] Group 2 - Robbins LLP is investigating allegations that Coupang failed to disclose a material cybersecurity event, which included inadequate cybersecurity protocols that allowed a former employee to access sensitive customer information for nearly six months [2] - The allegations also state that Coupang was subjected to a heightened risk of regulatory and legal scrutiny due to this data breach and failed to report it in compliance with applicable reporting rules [2] - Following the revelation of the data breach, Coupang's stock price fell, negatively impacting investors [2] Group 3 - Shareholders interested in serving as lead plaintiffs in the class action must submit their papers to the court by February 17, 2026 [3] - Participation in the case is not required to be eligible for recovery, and shareholders can choose to remain absent class members [3] Group 4 - Robbins LLP operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning shareholders incur no fees or expenses [4] - The firm has been dedicated to helping shareholders recover losses and improve corporate governance since 2002 [4]

Inflation in British shops rose to the highest level in almost two years as retailers grapple with higher costs, an industry survey found https://t.co/Ez7RKO5A1D ...