Market Overview - Wall Street is entering a historically strong month, with November being the best month for the S&P 500, averaging a gain of 1.8% since 1950 [1] - The S&P 500 is currently just below the 7,000 mark, significantly above the year-end target of 6,555 predicted by strategists [2] - All three major indexes have shown strong year-to-date gains, with the Dow Jones up 12.2%, S&P 500 up over 16%, and Nasdaq Composite up over 23% as of October 31, 2025 [3] Federal Reserve Policy - The Federal Reserve has entered an easing policy era, having cut interest rates by a quarter percentage point for the second consecutive meeting, bringing the benchmark rate to a range of 3.75%-4.00% [4] - The rate cut reflects the Fed's intention to bolster economic growth and strengthen the labor market amid limited economic data due to a government shutdown [5] U.S.-China Trade Relations - Investor confidence has been boosted by hopes of easing U.S.-China trade tensions, following a meeting between President Trump and President Xi Jinping, where they reached an understanding to pause new trade tensions [6] - China will cease investigations targeting U.S. companies in the semiconductor supply chain, as announced by the White House [7] Consumer Spending Trends - Approximately 91% of consumers plan to celebrate the winter holidays, with average spending expected to be $890.49 per person, a slight decrease of 1.3% from last year's record [8] Investment Opportunities - **High Beta ETF**: Invesco S&P 500 High Beta ETF (SPHB) is recommended due to easing Fed policy and trade tensions, along with anticipated holiday season sales [10] - **Consumer Discretionary ETF**: Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) is expected to benefit from increased holiday shopping, with significant holdings in Amazon and Home Depot [11] - **Software ETF**: SPDR S&P Software & Services ETF (XSW) is positioned well due to the growing demand for AI software, which is sold on a subscription basis [12] - **Aerospace ETF**: iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA) has reported earnings growth of 226.1% on 15% higher revenues, making it a strong investment option [13] - **Small-Caps ETF**: iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) is favored due to Fed rate cuts, easing trade tensions, and favorable small-cap valuations [14]

All right. So, you're saying there's hope for one name in the space. I think it's a name that a lot of people like to shop at, maybe get gas at.What's the name and why is there hope for this one name. >> Yeah, it's it's Costco. So, yesterday we added Costco top pick list.And as you look at Costco has more of an affluent customer, uh, you know, more of a the best value proposition I think across retail and you've seen consistent strength while other retails have struggled. So, in the last month, Costco put u ...

Exclusive: Investment firm BBRC, which has never run an activist campaign before, is taking aim at Victoria’s Secret, seeking a shake-up of the struggling lingerie retailer’s board https://t.co/Np7dtYjS6r ...

BBRC, which owns a nearly 13% stake in the retailer, sent a letter to its board calling for the removal of the chair and installation of the investor's founder. ...

Core Viewpoint - Associated British Foods (ABF) is conducting a review of its structure, potentially leading to the separation of its Primark retail arm from its food operations to maximize long-term value [1][2][6] Company Structure and Review - The review aims to assess whether separating Primark and food businesses would create a better organizational structure for the future [6] - The review is being conducted in consultation with ABF's largest shareholder, Wittington Investments, which intends to maintain majority ownership of both businesses [2] Financial Performance - ABF reported a revenue decline of 3% to £19.46 billion ($25.43 billion) for the year ending 13 September, with a 1% decrease on a constant-currency basis, primarily due to falling sales in the sugar business [4] - Retail sales increased by 1% to £9.5 billion, indicating some resilience in the retail segment despite overall revenue decline [4] - Total operating profit fell by 23% to £1.5 billion, while adjusted operating profit dropped 13% in actual currency and 12% in constant-currency terms, attributed to lower earnings from the sugar segment [5] Business Segments - ABF's food businesses encompass grocery, ingredients, agriculture, and sugar, with notable brands including Blue Dragon, Mazola, and Twinings [2] - The grocery division experienced good sales growth in global brands, although this was offset by challenges in the Allied Bakeries arm in the UK and the US oils businesses [5] - The company announced plans to acquire the Hovis bread business from private-equity firm Endless in August, indicating strategic moves within its food operations [5] Leadership Insights - Chief Executive George Weston emphasized the potential of ABF's food business, which has historically been less understood by financial markets compared to Primark, highlighting its attractive portfolio and global expertise [3] - Chairman Michael McLintock noted the need for a better understanding of the food businesses given Primark's scale and the ongoing review of ABF's future structure [6]

Photo by Mike Kemp/In Pictures via Getty ImagesIn Pictures via Getty ImagesAssociated British Food’s (ABF) share price reversed slightly on Tuesday, as news of a possible split of its Primark and food businesses failed to offset softer-than-expected full year results.At £22.57 per share, ABF shares were last trading 1% lower on the day.ABF’s group revenues dropped 3% over the 52 weeks to 13 September, to £19.5 billion. The FTSE 100 company said that “growth in Retail [was] offset by a decline in Sugar.”At c ...

AB Foods is considering separating its Primark budget retail chain and food business, as part of an overhaul of the conglomerate https://t.co/4ikWXusuQj ...

Meanwhile, spending during the festival season between Sept. 22 and Oct. 21 increased 8.5% from the same time last year, according to data from retail intelligence platform Bizom shared with Bloomberg News. Positions were “notably reduced” compared with both the previous quarter and year-ago levels, Morgan Stanley analysts including Sheela Rathi wrote in a note. Of stocks under their coverage, Trent Ltd. and BrainBees Solutions Ltd. were among those with the largest reductions.Meanwhile, spending during the ...

天眼查App显示，近日，荥经山雅砂器经营部（个体工商户）成立，法定代表人为孟繁婷，注册资本1 万人民币，经营范围为一般项目：日用陶瓷制品销售；厨具卫具及日用杂品零售；茶具销售；工艺美术 品及收藏品零售（象牙及其制品除外）；互联网销售（除销售需要许可的商品）；食品销售（仅销售预 包装食品）；食用农产品零售。（除依法须经批准的项目外，凭营业执照依法自主开展经营活动）。 ...

Core Insights - The AI Innovation Asia event will take place on December 2nd at The Four Seasons Singapore, focusing on the challenges businesses face in implementing AI for growth and achieving ROI [1][2] - The event will gather 500 executives to discuss practical applications of AI through case studies and panel discussions, providing actionable strategies for scaling AI in Asia [2][3] Event Details - The opening keynote will feature Janil Puthucheary, senior minister of state for the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment in Singapore [1][2] - The event is sponsored by notable companies including Boston Consulting Group, TikTok, Silverfort, Boomi, Lenovo, and ViSenze [4] Key Themes - The regulatory outlook for firms in Asia, focusing on compliance challenges in a fragmented regulatory ecosystem [4] - Measuring ROI on AI projects to justify spending and ensure profitability [4] - Understanding agentic AI's impact on customer experience and responsible utilization [4] - Addressing the 'black box' dilemma of explainable AI to maintain visibility in AI systems without compromising effectiveness [4]