This story was originally published on C-Store Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily C-Store Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Anabi Oil, parent company of Rebel Convenience Stores, has acquired 12 convenience stores from California-based C&J Cox Corporation, according to an announcement from Matrix Capital Markets, which coordinated the deal. The deal includes nine c-stores in the Tri-Valley region, located near the San Francisco Bay area, and three in the Lake Tahoe area, ac ...

Core Thesis - Casey's General Stores, Inc. is viewed positively by analysts, with a current share price of $566.81 and trailing and forward P/E ratios of 36.55 and 35.71 respectively [1] Company Overview - Founded in 1968, Casey's General Stores started as a gas station and convenience store in Iowa, focusing on underserved rural markets and evolving into a leading convenience retailer [2] - The company expanded significantly after going public in 1983, introducing "made-from-scratch" pizza in 1985, which helped it dominate the prepared food segment [3] Business Strategy and Growth - Casey's operates over 2,900 stores across 20 states, generating over $16 billion in revenue with a 5% operating margin, making it the third-largest convenience retailer and fifth-largest pizza chain in the U.S. [4][5] - The company has maintained its independence by rebuffing takeover attempts and has accelerated digital adoption under CEO Darren Rebelez since 2019, including mobile ordering and a loyalty program with over 9 million members [4] Recent Performance and Market Position - The company's stock has appreciated approximately 21.64% since a previous bullish thesis in May 2025, reflecting its food-first strategy and strong growth through mergers and acquisitions [6]

Core Insights - The company's shares have significantly increased due to its expansion and market share growth, indicating strong investor confidence and potential for further upside [1] Group 1 - The company is experiencing a surge in share prices as it expands its operations [1] - The growth in market share suggests that the company is effectively competing within its industry [1] - Analysts believe that there is more potential for upside in the company's stock performance [1]

This story was originally published on C-Store Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily C-Store Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: TravelCenters of America has partnered with digital payments network Relay to add the latter’s cardless payment method to all TA, TA Express and Petro Stopping Centers locations, according to a Tuesday press release. Professional drivers can use Relay to pay for fuel, diesel exhaust fluid and items inside the store, according to the announcement. T ...

Core Insights - The article highlights the entrepreneurial journey of Jaymes Lee Kim Meng, who successfully opened seven convenience stores by the age of 30, emphasizing the challenges and strategies involved in running a 24/7 business [1][2]. Financial Strategy - Meng's initial motivation for opening convenience stores was to achieve financial security and diversify income sources, benefiting from favorable franchise terms with 7-Eleven, which allowed him to start with only $20,000 instead of the typical $40,000 upfront fee [1][2]. - The financial model of franchising provided Meng with a pathway to scale his business, as he was able to secure favorable deals for his first two stores, although he had to pay the full price for his third store [2]. Lifestyle Choices - A frugal lifestyle played a crucial role in Meng's ability to scale quickly, as he minimized personal expenses by avoiding holidays, extravagant celebrations, and luxury purchases, focusing instead on basic living [3]. - By utilizing public transport instead of owning a car, Meng significantly reduced his costs, which contributed to long-term wealth accumulation and the ability to generate cash flow from multiple commercial locations [3]. Business Operations - Initially, Meng worked directly in his stores to ensure operations ran smoothly, especially during staff shortages, but as he expanded, he transitioned to a managerial role, hiring staff to operate the stores while he focused on business development [4].

分组1 - Signet (SIG) reported quarterly earnings of $0.63 per share, significantly exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.16 per share, and up from $0.24 per share a year ago, representing an earnings surprise of +293.75% [1] - The company achieved revenues of $1.39 billion for the quarter ended October 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.67% and showing an increase from $1.35 billion year-over-year [2] - Signet has consistently outperformed consensus EPS and revenue estimates over the last four quarters, indicating strong financial performance [2] 分组2 - The stock has gained approximately 18.6% since the beginning of the year, outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 15.8% [3] - The company's future stock performance will largely depend on management's commentary during the earnings call and the outlook for earnings estimates [3][4] - Current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $5.91 on revenues of $2.36 billion, and for the current fiscal year, it is $8.99 on revenues of $6.8 billion [7] 分组3 - The Retail - Jewelry industry, to which Signet belongs, is currently ranked in the bottom 34% of over 250 Zacks industries, which may impact the stock's performance [8] - The Zacks Rank for Signet is currently 3 (Hold), suggesting that the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future [6]

Group 1: AI Spending Forecast - Global AI spending is projected to exceed $2 trillion by 2026, driven by the integration of AI into various products and infrastructure [2] - The increase in AI investment is expected to come from a broader base of enterprises, not just top tech giants [1][2] - Regional economic conditions, regulatory environments, and access to skilled talent will impact the pace at which companies scale their AI initiatives [2] Group 2: Market Trends and Insights - 2026 is anticipated to be a pivotal year for AI monetization, with a focus on turning existing capabilities into measurable business results rather than introducing new models [3][5] - Analysts from Wedbush Securities note a recent acceleration in AI-related business activities, suggesting that enterprises are fast-tracking their AI deployments [3] - Deloitte emphasizes the shift from experimentation to execution in AI spending, highlighting the importance of data hygiene, integration, and compliance [4] Group 3: Investment Activity - In November, E*TRADE reported that clients were net buyers in 10 of 11 S&P 500 sectors, particularly favoring technology stocks amid a market dip [11] - The consumer discretionary sector saw the highest net buying activity at +13.41%, followed by utilities at +7.35% and communication services at +4.9% [11]

Core Insights - ARKO Corp. has appointed Galagher Jeff as the new Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective December 1, 2025, to support its growth and transformation plans [1][3]. Company Overview - ARKO Corp. is a Fortune 500 company and one of the largest convenience store operators and fuel wholesalers in the United States, owning 100% of GPM Investments, LLC [4]. - The company operates in four reportable segments: retail, wholesale, fleet fueling, and GPM Petroleum, providing a range of products including prepared foods, beverages, and fuel [4]. Leadership Background - Galagher Jeff has a distinguished career as a CFO and finance executive, previously serving as CFO for Murphy USA, Inc., and holding senior finance roles at major retailers such as Dollar Tree, Advance Auto Parts, and Walmart [2][3]. - Jeff holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and two Master's degrees in Engineering and Business Administration from reputable institutions [2]. Strategic Vision - The appointment of Jeff is expected to enhance ARKO's leadership team as the company continues its multi-year transformation plan and focuses on organic growth initiatives [3]. - Jeff expressed optimism about the opportunities for ARKO as it executes its transformation plan and channel optimization work [3].

Group 1 - Arko Corp. has appointed Galagher Jeff as executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective December 1, following the departure of Rob Giammatteo [9] - Jeff's previous experience includes roles at Murphy USA, Dollar Tree, Advance Auto Parts, and Walmart, where he held significant positions in finance and strategy [6][9] - The company is undergoing a transformation plan that includes converting underperforming stores to dealer sites and enhancing its focus on food through a new store design centered around the Fas Craves foodservice program [3][9] Group 2 - Jeff expressed optimism about Arko's multi-year transformation plan and the potential for organic growth initiatives [7] - Jordan Mann served as interim CFO during the search for Jeff and was acknowledged for ensuring a smooth transition [8]

Core Insights - Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. is a leading player in the convenience store industry, operating under various banners like Circle K, with a significant presence in North America and Europe [1] - BMO Capital has maintained a "Market Perform" rating for Couche-Tard, advising investors to hold their positions, while raising the price target to C$79 from C$78 [2][6] Financial Performance - In Q2 2026, Couche-Tard reported adjusted earnings of 78 cents per share, exceeding analyst estimates of 75 cents per share, indicating a return to earnings growth for the second time in two years [3][6] - The company's revenue for the quarter was $17.9 billion, slightly missing forecasts, but the earnings growth has positively influenced investor expectations [3] Stock Performance - The stock price of Couche-Tard is currently at $54.15, reflecting an increase of approximately 2.99% or $1.57, with a trading volume of 850 shares [5] - Over the past year, the stock has fluctuated between a high of $59.44 and a low of $45.61, indicating volatility in its trading performance [5] Strategic Initiatives - Couche-Tard's strategic initiatives, including meal deals and exclusive vendor partnerships, have led to an increase in same-store sales and higher customer traffic [4] - The company is exploring potential global expansion through mergers and acquisitions, as hinted by CEO Alex Miller [3][6]