Seven & i Holdings Co.’s chief executive is pressing its US convenience-stores business to deliver a faster turnaround as the retailer seeks a public listing of the unit. https://t.co/0NxggW2DEX ...

Core Insights - Walmart Inc. has been recognized for its strong performance in the retail sector, particularly during challenging market conditions, with CEO Doug McMillon credited for maintaining low prices and effectively combating inflation [1] - The company's stock was highlighted as one of the best performers, trading at around 40 times earnings, and saw a significant surge of over 6% following a strong earnings report [1] Company Overview - Walmart operates a diverse range of retail formats, including stores, warehouse clubs, and online platforms, offering groceries, everyday essentials, home goods, apparel, and electronics [1] - The company is set for a leadership transition, with CEO Doug McMillon planning to retire and hand over responsibilities to the head of Walmart US in February [1] Market Performance - Following the recent earnings report, Walmart's stock experienced a notable increase, making it the best-performing stock in the S&P 500 for the day, despite an initial dip in the morning [1]

Company Turnaround & Financial Performance - Build-A-Bear experienced a significant turnaround after 2013, with the share price increasing by over 1,150% since December 2020 [2] - In 2025, the company reported its most profitable nine months in history, although revenue missed Wall Street expectations [7][8] - Build-A-Bear anticipates full-year revenue to surpass $500 million (half a billion) for the first time [8] - Approximately 40% of Build-A-Bear's business now comes from adults, doubling since 2013 [9] - Build-A-Bear's franchising business boasts operating margins between 20% and 30% [14] Strategic Adaptations & Growth Initiatives - Build-A-Bear revamped its stores, closed underperforming locations, and expanded into tourist hubs, theme parks, and department stores [8] - The company invested in e-commerce around 2015, developing a mobile-first website with virtual workshops and a loyalty program [10][11] - Build-A-Bear shifted order fulfillment to its stores, reducing order times from weeks to days [11] - The company expanded internationally, with 651 workshops in 33 countries as of 2025 [13] Challenges & Risk Factors - Tariffs, primarily due to importing over 90% of products from China and Vietnam, have negatively impacted Build-A-Bear's gross profits [3][15] - A third quarter 2025 gross profits took a $4 million hit, and its stock fell more than 15% following the news [3] - Build-A-Bear has selectively increased prices to offset tariff costs while introducing lower-priced items like the Mini Beans collection [16]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the articles highlights that the retail sales in the province have shown a year-on-year growth of 3.8% from January to November, driven by increased consumer subsidies and the impact of the "Double Eleven" e-commerce promotional activities [2][4]. - The total retail sales of consumer goods reached 42,586.8 billion yuan during the same period, reflecting the effectiveness of policies aimed at expanding domestic demand and promoting consumption [4]. - The new round of subsidies for automobile consumption has significantly boosted the retail sales of new energy vehicles, which saw a year-on-year increase of 26.2% in November, accelerating the growth rate by 44.3 percentage points compared to the previous month [4]. Group 2 - Online retail sales have continued to strengthen, with a year-on-year growth of 16.3% from January to November, driven by the "Double Eleven" promotions and the demand for upgraded consumer electronics [6]. - The offline retail sector has also shown promising performance, particularly with the rapid expansion of warehouse membership stores like Sam's Club and Costco, which saw a year-on-year increase of 14.5% in retail sales in November [6]. - Discount stores, which focus on affordability and high cost-performance, have gained popularity among consumers, with retail sales increasing by 78.2% year-on-year in November, marking a 13.3 percentage point acceleration from the previous month [6].

Group 1: Commercial Development - The Pailou Street in Xuzhou is enhancing its commercial capabilities to create a quality living circle in the northern district, focusing on upgrading commercial carriers and boosting consumer activity [1] - The transformation of Junsheng Plaza has led to a significant increase in daily foot traffic by over 30% since the trial opening of Huipin Warehouse on September 19, with top sales during the National Day holiday [1] - The introduction of brands like Huipin Warehouse and Huilai Fresh Supermarket has diversified local consumption options, stimulating commercial vitality in the northern district [1] Group 2: Health Services - Pailou Street is prioritizing the optimization of medical resources and the enhancement of health services, with the construction of a new health hospital aimed at filling the gap in high-end medical services in the northern district [2] - Community health initiatives, such as regular health fairs and one-on-one health report interpretations, are being implemented to promote proactive health management among residents [2] Group 3: Cultural Activities - The street has established a "1+6" model for cultural practice, engaging various community stakeholders to enhance cultural activities, resulting in 128 themed events this year [2] - Initiatives like the "Book and Vegetable Plan" and "Crafting New Customs" aim to enrich the spiritual lives of residents and foster a sense of community [2] Group 4: Overall Development Strategy - Pailou Street is committed to continuous improvement in living standards, focusing on commercial, health, and cultural enhancements to create a vibrant and livable environment [3] - Future plans include deepening community services and optimizing the development ecosystem to further enhance the quality of life in the northern district [3]

Target Corp.’s online operations have stabilized after a technology outage disrupted the retailer’s digital order pickup, returns and other functions during the all-important holiday period. https://t.co/l9JFCIWaFD ...

Core Viewpoint - The stock market experienced a positive week, driven by volatility in the artificial intelligence sector, with the S&P 500 gaining 0.1% and the Nasdaq rising 0.5% despite concerns over AI funding and spending levels [1] Group 1: Market Performance - The S&P 500 and Nasdaq recorded modest gains for the week, although they remain lower for the seasonally strong month of December [1] - Micron Technology's shares surged 7% following strong earnings, contributing to the market rebound [1] - Oracle's shares rose over 6.5% after TikTok agreed to sell its U.S. operations to a joint venture involving Oracle and Silver Lake [1] Group 2: Company Highlights - Nvidia's shares increased by 3.4% for the week, with the U.S. government reviewing shipments of its H200 chips to China, leading to a valuation of 23.5 times fiscal 2027 earnings estimates [1] - Nike reported better-than-expected fiscal 2026 Q2 earnings but saw a 10.5% drop in stock price due to disappointing sales in China and a weak fiscal Q3 outlook, resulting in a total weekly loss of 13% [1] - Capital One's stock closed at a record high, with a 20% increase since November 20, prompting the company to raise its price target to $270 while downgrading its rating to hold-equivalent 2 [1] - Texas Roadhouse was added to the portfolio, showing consistent performance in comparable sales despite consumer weakness [1] - Costco's position was trimmed due to mixed quarterly results and declining renewal rates, with concerns about potential impacts on earnings growth [1]

Leadership Change - 7-Eleven USA 的 CEO 退休，公司正在进行更广泛的改革 [1]

Market Performance - The S&P 500 rose 0.88% to 6,834.50, the Nasdaq Composite gained 1.31% to 23,307.62, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.38% to 48,134.89, all influenced by volatile quad-witching flows [1] - AI-linked and broader tech names led market gains, with Oracle and Micron Technology boosting prices, while consumer stocks like Nike and Lamb Weston lagged due to disappointing earnings and guidance [2] Economic Indicators - Reports of cooling inflation and a softer labor market have strengthened expectations for a potential Federal Reserve rate cut early next year [4] - The University of Michigan revised its December consumer sentiment expectations downwards, citing high prices and weak hiring as contributing factors [5] Sector Challenges - Mixed results from Nike and Lamb Weston highlight ongoing challenges in consumer-facing sectors, with Nike beating analyst estimates but experiencing a stock decline due to concerns over profits and sales in China [5] - Apollo Global Management has warned of stagflation risks next year, particularly if AI does not meet expectations [4]

Market Overview - The Dow is up by 0.5% today, but remains in the red for the week [1] - The NASDAQ has increased by over 1% today, turning positive for the week, while the S&P 500 is up just under 1% [2] - The bond market shows a slight increase in yields, with the 10-year Treasury yield up by 3 basis points today [3] Sector Performance - Technology has been a strong performer this week, with large-cap tech (XLK) up by 2% [4] - Consumer discretionary, led by Tesla and Amazon, is up by 1.3%, while energy has seen a decline of about 3% [5] - Notable stock movements include Nvidia up by 3.74% and Goldman Sachs up by 2% [6] Economic Outlook - Markets are reacting to cooler inflation data and a strong growth backdrop anticipated for 2026 [7] - Investors are focusing on potential rate cuts, earnings, and sector rotation as they prepare for the new year [7] - The Federal Reserve has cut rates by 175 basis points from the highs, indicating a move closer to a neutral rate [13] Fiscal Stimulus and Growth - Significant fiscal stimulus is expected to impact the economy in 2026, including corporate and personal tax changes [16] - The potential for increased capital expenditures (capex) is anticipated due to new corporate stimulus measures [16] AI and Technology Sector - The AI theme remains volatile, with a shift from broad market exposure to more selective stock picking expected in 2026 [18] - The MAG 7 tech stocks have shown mixed performance, with some like Alphabet and Nvidia performing well, while others like Microsoft and Meta have lagged [19] Small Cap Stocks - Small caps have recently rebounded, but there are concerns about sustainability given past performance trends [23] - The current small-cap index composition differs significantly from historical norms, leading to skepticism about future growth [25] Retail Sector Insights - Rivian's stock has been upgraded by Wedbush, citing 2026 as a pivotal year for the company [27] - KB Home reported fourth-quarter earnings that missed estimates, indicating ongoing challenges in the housing market [29] - Nike's second-quarter results reflect a turbulent year for retailers, with uneven performance across the sector [31] Honeywell's Performance - Honeywell's stock has underperformed compared to the broader industrial market, largely due to limited exposure to AI and data center growth [90] - The company is expected to benefit from the spin-off of its aerospace business, which could enhance its market position [92] EV Market Outlook - The EV market is facing headwinds, including the expiration of tax credits, but long-term demand is expected to remain strong [74] - ChargePoint's CEO emphasizes the importance of innovation and product development to drive growth in the EV charging sector [78] - The commercial and fleet markets for EVs are anticipated to grow as businesses seek lower total cost of ownership [86]