Core Insights - Arrive Logistics has laid off five employees from its Toronto office as part of a strategic reconfiguration to better support customers and carriers in Canada [1][2] - The staffing reduction is described as a "very small portion" of the company's workforce, which exceeds 2,000 employees [1] Company Strategy - The company is focused on enhancing client interaction and maintaining a physical presence in Toronto, reaffirming its commitment to the Canadian market [2] - Arrive Logistics aims to deliver industry-leading service at scale for thousands of shippers and carriers across North America, emphasizing a customer-first approach [3] Company Background - Founded in 2014, Arrive Logistics operates as a multimodal transportation and technology platform with over 1,700 employees, 4,000 customers, and 40,000 carriers in its network [3] - The Toronto office was opened in October 2023 to better serve Canadian shippers and carriers amid changing freight flows due to nearshoring trends [4] Business Performance - Despite the layoffs, Arrive's Canadian business has continued to grow, achieving 26% volume growth in 2025 while remaining profitable [5] - The cross-border business with Canada grew nearly 20% year over year, with projections indicating an additional 40% growth in 2026 [5] - Canada is noted as the second largest U.S. trading partner, with trade totaling $53.7 billion in November [5]

Core Viewpoint - GXO Logistics, Inc. is a leading logistics company with a strong position in supply chain management and contract logistics, known for its innovative solutions and efficient operations [1] Company Performance - Over the past 30 days, GXO's stock has gained approximately 0.97%, indicating positive momentum, although it experienced a 1.86% decline in the last 10 days, which may present a buying opportunity for investors [2][5] - The company has a projected stock price increase of 17.86%, suggesting significant growth potential and making it appealing for growth-focused investors [3][5] Analyst Insights - Analysts have set a target price of $66.40 for GXO, reflecting confidence in its future performance and indicating that the stock is currently undervalued [4][5] - The recent touch of a local minimum in the stock's price could signal a potential rebound, offering an entry point for investors [4]

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 investment opportunities, 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, moving towards more diversified financial products [1] - The trend of investing in blue-chip companies initially has evolved into a broader investment strategy that includes various industries and market capitalizations [1]

Company Overview - Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. (ETD) has been under observation for nearly four months, with a shift from a cautious to a more optimistic stance regarding its stock performance [1]. Investment Background - The analyst has extensive experience in the logistics sector and stock investing, focusing on ASEAN and NYSE/NASDAQ stocks, particularly in banks, telecommunications, logistics, and hotels [1]. - The analyst began trading in the Philippine stock market in 2014, initially investing in blue-chip companies and later diversifying into various industries and market capitalizations [1]. Market Engagement - The analyst entered the US market in 2020, gaining insights through a relative's trading account before opening their own [1]. - The analyst has been utilizing analyses from Seeking Alpha to compare US market trends with those in the Philippine market since discovering the platform in 2018 [1].

Company Overview - Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. (ETD) has been under observation for nearly four months, with a shift from a cautious to a more optimistic stance regarding its stock performance [1]. Investment Background - The analyst has extensive experience in the logistics sector and stock investing, focusing on ASEAN and NYSE/NASDAQ stocks, particularly in banks, telecommunications, logistics, and hotels [1]. - The analyst began trading in the Philippine stock market in 2014, initially investing in blue-chip companies and later diversifying into various industries and market capitalizations [1]. Market Engagement - The analyst entered the US market in 2020, gaining insights through a relative's trading account before opening their own [1]. - The analyst has been utilizing analyses from Seeking Alpha to compare US market trends with those in the Philippine market since discovering the platform in 2018 [1].

Core Insights - Carrier Global Corporation (CARR) has delivered over 20% returns in just two and a half months, indicating strong investor confidence and potential growth in the company [1]. Company Overview - The company operates in the logistics sector, which has seen significant interest and investment opportunities [1]. - Carrier Global Corporation is part of a broader portfolio that includes investments in various industries such as banks, telecommunications, and hotels [1]. Market Context - The logistics sector has been a focus for nearly two decades, with increasing investor engagement in stock markets, particularly in the ASEAN and US markets [1]. - The trend of diversifying investment portfolios beyond traditional savings in banks and properties has gained traction, especially since 2014 [1].

Core Insights - Carrier Global Corporation (CARR) has delivered over 20% returns in just two and a half months since the last coverage, indicating strong investor confidence and potential growth in the company [1]. Company Overview - The company operates in the logistics sector, which has seen significant interest and investment opportunities, particularly in the context of macroeconomic analysis [1]. - Carrier Global Corporation is part of a diversified portfolio that includes investments in various industries such as banking, telecommunications, and hotels [1]. Market Context - The logistics sector has been a focus for nearly two decades, with increasing investor engagement in stock markets as a means of portfolio diversification [1]. - The US market has been a point of interest for investors, with a notable increase in trading activities since 2020, reflecting a broader trend of diversification beyond local markets [1].

Job Cuts Overview - U.S. employers announced 108,435 job cuts in January, marking a 205% increase from December and a significant rise from 49,795 cuts in January of the previous year [1][2] - This figure represents the highest number of layoffs for January since 2009, when 241,749 cuts were recorded [2][10] Sector-Specific Job Cuts - The transportation sector led with 31,243 job cuts, primarily due to UPS announcing 30,000 layoffs as it reduces its shipment handling for Amazon [4] - Technology firms reported 22,291 job cuts, with Amazon alone accounting for 16,000 of these as it reorganizes its management structure [5][7] - Healthcare companies announced 17,107 job cuts, the highest for the sector since April 2020, driven by inflation and high labor costs [6][8] Reasons for Layoffs - The primary reasons for layoffs included contract loss (30,784 cuts) and adverse market conditions (28,392 cuts) [9] - Other contributing factors were restructuring (20,044 cuts), business closings (12,738 cuts), and the impact of artificial intelligence (7,624 cuts) [11] Hiring Plans - Employers announced only 5,306 hiring plans in January, the lowest for the month since tracking began in 2009, down from 6,089 in January of the previous year and 10,496 in December [13]

Core Viewpoint - United Parcel Service (UPS) has faced significant challenges in recent years, including a 39% decline in stock price, while the S&P 500 has increased by approximately 67% [2]. However, there are signs of potential recovery and profitability improvements that could make UPS stock more attractive moving forward. Financial Performance - For the year-end results of 2025, UPS reported consolidated fourth-quarter revenue of $24.5 billion, exceeding analysts' expectations of $24 billion [3]. The adjusted per-share profit was $2.38, surpassing the anticipated $2.20 earnings per share [3]. Strategic Changes - UPS is reducing the number of deliveries it handles for Amazon, which it describes as "extraordinarily dilutive." This controversial decision aims to strengthen profit margins, aligning with CEO Carol Tome's goal of improving profitability [4]. Stock Performance - As of the start of 2026, UPS shares have increased by 17% year-to-date and have rallied over 37% in the past six months, indicating a positive trend despite previous struggles [5]. The stock is now considered a more attractive investment compared to one or two years ago [5]. Valuation and Dividend - Despite the recent stock rally, UPS trades at a reasonable valuation of 15 times its estimated future earnings based on analyst expectations [6]. Additionally, the stock offers an attractive dividend yield of 6.2%, enhancing its appeal as a buy [6].

Core Insights - The Retail Momentum Index is a new data and analytics solution created through a collaboration between Dun & Bradstreet and FedEx Dataworks, aimed at providing a leading indicator of retail trade activity in the U.S. [1][2] - The index integrates various data sources, including shipping data and business activity signals, to offer a comprehensive view of retail momentum, allowing businesses to detect trends before they appear in traditional reports [2][3] Retail Momentum Index Details - The Retail Momentum Index will utilize adjusted monthly returns from the U.S. Census Bureau's Advance Monthly Retail Sales and Food Services series as its benchmark [3] - Early insights indicate that retail activity remained soft during the 2025 holiday season, but signs of stabilization are evident, with improved credit health for U.S. retail businesses following three interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve in 2025 [4][5] Performance Indicators - Year-over-year momentum was negative in Q4 2025, but the average decline improved to 10.3%, a significant reduction from 21.0% in Q4 2024, indicating a slowdown in contraction [5] - Returns volumes fell significantly, with an average decline of 38.4% from 2023 to 2024 and 54.5% from 2024 to 2025, suggesting improved demand quality and more disciplined spending [5] Future Outlook - Retail activity is expected to remain broadly stable through at least the first half of 2026, unless major regulatory or policy changes occur [6] - The launch of the Retail Momentum Index marks the beginning of a broader collaboration between Dun & Bradstreet and FedEx Dataworks to develop additional market insights [6]