In an interview with China Daily, Liu Pingyun, also the creative mind behind the Beijing Winter Olympics' "Bing Dwen Dwen," said the designing team was really worried about ending up with a mascot that people would link to food. So they went with Chinese white dolphins—thinking, surely dolphins wouldn't get mistaken for something edible? Guess what? They've simply underestimated the imagination and humor of Cantonese people. When statues of "Xiyangyang" and "Lerongrong" popped up on Guangzhou's streets to h ...

Group 1 - Chinese toy manufacturers are rapidly expanding into Thailand, driven by the popularity of characters like Labubu from Pop Mart International Group, indicating a competitive landscape for identifying the next major toy craze in Southeast Asia [2][7] - Berkshire Hathaway is showcasing resilience in a volatile market, narrowing the performance gap with the S&P 500, highlighting the appeal of value and stability amid concerns over artificial intelligence [3][7] - Ongoing geopolitical instability, such as recent violence in the Gaza Strip, contributes to a climate of global uncertainty that can affect investor sentiment and market stability [4][7]

Ah, the stock market. That bastion of rational exuberance, where every tweet is meticulously analyzed and every policy pronouncement is met with a calm, measured response. Or, if you’ve been paying attention to the last few years, it’s more like a perpetually startled gazelle navigating a minefield laid by a particularly boisterous, tariff-happy elephant. And as of early November 2025, the market is once again lacing up its running shoes, eyeing the Supreme Court and a fresh volley of pronouncements from fo ...

Happy Meal toys like Transformer figurines and Hot Wheels cars have sparked joy with little kids for decades—and now, one of the designers behind the miniatures is changing lives for thousands of people. Dallas-based entrepreneur Nancy Hairston founded MedCAD, a surgical solutions company, in 2007—and in the decades since, its 3D-printing innovations have helped patients recognize themselves in the mirror again. But before Hairston was building skull implants, she spent most of her career in the design wo ...

Core Insights - Netflix has solidified its position in the media landscape, moving beyond being a simple streaming service to becoming a significant media and entertainment entity [3][10][12] Group 1: KPop Demon Hunters Success - The animated film "KPop Demon Hunters" has achieved 325 million views within its first three months, marking it as Netflix's most successful film to date [1][6] - The film's success has led to licensing agreements with toy manufacturers Mattel and Hasbro, indicating strong revenue potential from merchandise [2][6] - The film features three Korean pop stars who combat supernatural threats, appealing to a younger audience and supporting merchandise sales [4][5] Group 2: Licensing and Merchandise - Netflix has a history of monetizing its intellectual property, as seen with "Stranger Things" and "Squid Game," which also generated related merchandise [7][9] - The company is not only leveraging its own content but also collaborating with established brands like Mattel and Hasbro to promote their products through its shows [8][9] Group 3: Market Position and Consumer Engagement - Netflix is increasingly viewed as a lifestyle brand, with consumers engaging with its content beyond just streaming, unlike competitors such as HBO Max and Peacock [12][14] - Recent data shows that 19% of U.S. TV watchers turn to Netflix first, surpassing other streaming platforms and indicating strong consumer loyalty [13][14] Group 4: Financial Outlook - Netflix shares are currently valued at over 40 times projected earnings for the year, reflecting a premium price for a leading name in the streaming industry [15][16] - The company is expected to see advertising-driven revenue growth of over 15% this year and nearly 13% next year, suggesting a robust financial outlook [16]

Core Insights - Mattel, Inc. has announced a multi-year licensing partnership with Formula 1® to expand its Hot Wheels Formula 1® collection [1] - The updated collection will feature all 10 Formula 1® teams, including Scuderia Ferrari and Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™ Team [1] - The new lineup will showcase the official Formula 1® 2025 team liveries and driver roster, available in the Hot Wheels core [1]

Market Overview - US stocks experienced a decline on Wednesday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling by over 400 points, approximately 1%, and the S&P 500 losing around 1.2%. The Nasdaq Composite led the losses, down about 1.8% [1]. Earnings Reports - Wall Street reassessed its position as the first wave of megacap tech earnings was released, with Tesla's quarterly report expected after the market close. Shares of Tesla fell around 2.5% leading up to the results [2]. - Netflix's stock dropped more than 10% after the company missed earnings expectations, partly due to a tax dispute in Brazil. This decline negatively impacted other tech stocks [3]. - Mattel's shares also retreated as the company's North American sales fell short of expectations [3]. Commodity and Trade Developments - Gold prices continued to decline after experiencing the largest one-day drop in over a decade. Market participants remain cautious regarding trade-war developments, particularly with renewed tensions between the US and China. Additionally, reports indicate that the US and India are nearing an agreement to reduce tariffs on Indian exports from 50% to as low as 15% [4]. Economic Indicators - Official economic releases are currently on hold due to the US federal shutdown. The upcoming September Consumer Price Index report is anticipated to be a significant data point for the markets, influencing expectations ahead of the Federal Reserve's meeting next week, where a 25 basis point interest rate cut is widely expected [5].

China's economy may be sputtering but its homegrown firms are cashing in overseas. China is moving beyond making cheap goods to exporting tech, intellectual property, and culture. Global profits are becoming China's newest growth engine, which could reshape its economy. China's economy is still stuck in a yearslong slump marked by a property crisis, weak consumer demand, and deflation — but its biggest companies are raking in cash abroad, according to a new Goldman Sachs report. As the domestic mar ...

Core Insights - Roblox has announced an expanded collaboration with Mattel, which is expected to enhance user engagement through new games based on popular brands like Barbie and Hot Wheels [1][2] - The stock price of Roblox increased by over 3% to $138.21 following the announcement of the collaboration [2] - Despite the positive news, Roblox's stock has faced challenges due to concerns regarding child safety on its platform, leading to fluctuations in its stock performance [3] Company Developments - The new experiences from the collaboration will include a game based on Monster High, set to launch on October 24 [1] - Mattel's previous success on Roblox includes the "Barbie DreamHouse Tycoon," which has garnered nearly 500 million visits since its launch in 2023 [2] Market Performance - Roblox's stock had previously broken out of a cup-with-handle base at a buy point of $139.97 but later fell below its 50-day moving average, triggering a sell signal [3]

Pumpkin Kitty's back after last year's sell-out, joined by new bestie Spooky Kitty and this year's breakout hit, the Posable Bat, which flew off shelves in just a few weeks , /PRNewswire/ -- Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. (NYSE: BBW), the iconic brand known for adding a little more heart and a lot more fun, to every season, is unleashing a boo-tiful bonanza this "OctoBEAR" with a show-stopping lineup of Halloween-inspired plush and accessories. This year's collection fuses nostalgia, bold trend-forward designs ...