This is Okayama's famed Kojima Jeans Street where it's all about Japanese denim. Japanese denim is having its moment in the spotlight now with tourists and major fashion brands trying to get their hands on them. Just late last year, a private equity firm backed by LVMH acquired a stake in Japanese denim brand Kapital.This specific type of denim is marked by unique imperfections and a sewing pattern that can only be achieved using looms from a bygone era of Japan's industrial age. To get the fabrics signatur ...

Market Overview - The S&P 500 and NASDAQ have reached record-breaking levels, while gold prices have rallied above $4,000 for the second consecutive day, significantly outpacing equity markets [1] - Bitcoin has increased by 54% year-to-date, indicating strong performance in the cryptocurrency market [1] Gold Market - Gold gained 27% in the previous year and is expected to maintain elevated levels due to a rush to safety, record ETF inflows, and a weaker dollar [2] - The Federal Reserve's decision to cut interest rates in September is anticipated to support gold prices further [2][3] Federal Reserve Insights - The Federal Reserve is concerned about a weakening labor market and has discussed potential interest rate cuts, with a majority favoring two to three additional cuts in 2025 [3] - A narrow split among officials indicates a preference for two more cuts before the end of the year, with further easing expected in 2026 and 2027 [3][4] Sector Performance - Despite the overall market rally, four sectors, including energy, faced pressure, with crude prices rising over 1% following a modest production hike by OPEC+ [5][6] - Technology stocks, particularly AMD, have shown strong performance, with AMD being the best performer on the S&P 500 [6][7] Upcoming Earnings Reports - Pepsi is expected to report a modest decrease in profitability despite growing sales, having underperformed its industry peers with an 18% decline year-to-date [8][9] - Delta Airlines is anticipated to report the best earnings in the airline industry, with analysts optimistic about the premium segment's performance [10][11] - Levi Strauss is also set to report earnings, focusing on tariff impacts and consumer trends, with the company maintaining a positive outlook on brand loyalty and revenue guidance despite anticipated margin pressures [12][14]