HONOLULU--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- #ERI--Sony Electronics Inc.; ERI – the nation's largest recycler of electronics; and T&N – Hawaii's leading e-waste collection company – are joining forces this weekend to provide Hawaii residents with a convenient and free way to responsibly recycle unwanted consumer electronics. The free collection event will take place at Waikiki Elementary School's 'Going Green Day' in Honolulu. Residents will be able to drop off unwanted electronic items from 9 am – 1 pm, Saturday,. ...

Hainan duty-free sales breakdown by category By category breakdown: 1) cosmetics/perfumes account for c55%, and the expert thinks their discount rates are highly unlikely to be lifted further; 2) luxuries (apparel, leather bags, accessories, etc.) take up c28-35%, with a limited dilution effect brought by duty-paid sales. GPM wise, apparel GPM is c55%, while that of accessories/shoes might be lower; 3) watches & jewelry represent c10-12%, with GPM of c40%; 4) the mix of alcohol sales has edged down to c4-5% ...

Core Viewpoint - Gentex Corporation has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.12 per share, payable on January 21, 2026, to shareholders of record as of January 7, 2026 [1] Company Overview - Gentex Corporation, founded in 1974, is a technology company based in Zeeland, Michigan, specializing in digital vision, connected car technologies, dimmable glass, fire protection technologies, medical devices, and consumer electronics [2] - The company utilizes its core competencies, strategic partnerships, acquisitions, and ongoing research to establish market-leading positions across various verticals [2]

Core Viewpoint - Analysts expect Best Buy to report quarterly earnings of $1.31 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 4% and revenues of $9.58 billion, up 1.4% from the previous year [1] Earnings Projections - The consensus EPS estimate has been revised upward by 0.4% over the past 30 days, indicating a collective reassessment by analysts [1][2] Revenue Estimates by Product Category - Revenue from Domestic Computing and Mobile Phones is estimated at $4.04 billion, a decrease of 0.5% year-over-year [4] - Revenue from Domestic Consumer Electronics is projected at $2.47 billion, an increase of 1.8% year-over-year [4] - Revenue from Domestic Appliances is expected to be $1.05 billion, down 0.6% year-over-year [5] - Revenue from Domestic Entertainment is forecasted at $484.72 million, up 1.2% from the prior year [5] Geographic Revenue Estimates - Domestic Geographic Revenue is anticipated to reach $8.76 billion, reflecting a 0.8% increase from the previous year [5] - International Geographic Revenue is projected at $786.21 million, indicating a 5.1% increase year-over-year [6] Store Count Projections - The total number of International stores is expected to be 156, down from 160 a year ago [6] - The number of Domestic Best Buy stores is projected to be 883, down from 889 year-over-year [8] - The total number of Domestic stores is estimated at 948, compared to 957 a year ago [8] Stock Performance - Over the past month, Best Buy shares have declined by 8.6%, while the Zacks S&P 500 composite has decreased by 0.3% [9]

Summary of US Consumer Pulse Survey: Consumer Showing Signs of Weakening Industry Overview - **Industry**: U.S. Consumer Market - **Survey Period**: October 30th - November 3rd, 2025 - **Sample Size**: ~2,000 consumers Key Findings Consumer Confidence - **Decline in Confidence**: Consumer confidence in the economy and household finances has weakened, with only 33% expecting improvement in the economy over the next six months, down from 36% last month and 44% in January [6][8][56] - **Negative Outlook**: 49% of consumers expect the economy to worsen, leading to a NET score of -16%, a decline from -10% last wave and +8% in January [6][8][56] Spending Intentions - **Short-term Spending Outlook**: 31% of consumers plan to spend more next month, while 18% expect to spend less, resulting in a NET of +13%, down from +17% last month and +21% a year ago [6][13][74] - **Long-term Spending Decline**: Longer-term spending outlook has also decreased, with consumers prioritizing essentials like groceries and household supplies [14][82] Inflation and Political Concerns - **Top Concerns**: Inflation remains the primary concern for 57% of consumers, while political environment concerns have risen to 45%, likely due to the government shutdown [7][30][27] - **Debt Repayment Worries**: 21% of consumers are concerned about their ability to repay debts, and 23% worry about paying rent/mortgage, consistent with previous survey results [7][31] Category-Specific Spending Trends - **Negative Spending Intentions**: Categories such as apparel, toys, leisure/entertainment, and consumer electronics show the most negative net spending intentions, with apparel at NET -18% and toys at NET -19% [15][83] - **Cautious Spending Behavior**: 39% of consumers plan to cut back on spending due to economic conditions, with food away from home being the top category for cutbacks [45][51] Holiday Spending Outlook - **Softer Holiday Season**: 38% of consumers plan to maintain their holiday budgets, while 30% expect to spend more and 23% less, yielding a NET of +6%, down from +14% last year [86][90] - **Price Sensitivity**: Higher prices are cited as the main reason for reduced holiday spending, affecting both those planning to spend more and those cutting back [91][93] Use of Technology in Shopping - **AI Tools Utilization**: About 45% of holiday shoppers are using AI tools for shopping assistance, with younger consumers showing higher engagement [108] Additional Insights - **Political Sentiment**: Significant differences in sentiment are observed based on political affiliation, with liberals showing lower confidence compared to conservatives [65] - **Income Disparities**: Low-income consumers express greater concern over debt repayment and rent, while upper-income consumers are more focused on investment concerns [35][37] This survey indicates a cautious consumer sentiment in the U.S. market, with significant implications for spending behavior and economic outlook.

Core Insights - Singles' Day, celebrated on November 11, has evolved into the world's largest shopping festival, generating over US$150 billion in sales, reflecting a significant cultural and commercial transformation due to the rise in singlehood [2] - The event is crucial for gauging the broader economic health of China, especially amid weak consumption and economic challenges [3][4] - Chinese retailers are extending the Singles' Day shopping period to nearly five weeks to stimulate consumer interest in a sluggish economy [4] Economic Context - Weak consumption has been a significant concern for the Chinese economy this year, influenced by U.S. trade policies and a persistent property market crisis [3] - Recent government stimulus measures, including interest rate cuts and increased liquidity for banks, are expected to enhance consumer confidence and spending during the Singles' Day period [6] Early Shopping Trends - Early shopping trends for this year have shown positive signs, with Alibaba reporting a more than seven-fold increase in presales of home appliances during the first hour compared to last year [5] - JD.com also noted double-digit growth in transaction volume from October 14 to October 31, with record sales in consumer electronics and home appliances [5] Investment Opportunities - Several ETFs are highlighted as potential beneficiaries of the Singles' Day shopping event, including: - Global X MSCI China Consumer Discretionary ETF (CHIQ), which tracks the MSCI China Consumer Discretionary Index [8] - KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF (KWEB), providing exposure to the Chinese Internet market [9] - First Trust Dow Jones International Internet ETF (FDNI), measuring the performance of major non-U.S. international companies in the Internet industry [10] - EMQQ The Emerging Markets Internet ETF (EMQQ), focusing on growth in Internet and e-commerce activities in developing markets [11]

Core Insights - The article discusses how to create a mini portfolio inspired by Warren Buffett's investment strategies, highlighting his successful track record and the potential for individual investors to replicate his approach [1][2][4]. Company Overview - Berkshire Hathaway, led by Warren Buffett, has a market capitalization of $1,060 billion and has generated a compound annual growth rate of nearly 20%, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [2][3]. Investment Strategy - The current portfolio of publicly traded U.S. stocks owned by Berkshire Hathaway is valued at over $300 billion and includes more than 40 stocks, alongside numerous wholly-owned companies [4]. - The article suggests that individual investors can start a similar portfolio with just $1,000 by selecting six specific stocks that reflect Buffett's investment philosophy [6]. Selected Stocks - **Apple (AAPL)**: Berkshire's largest holding, valued at $69.8 billion, represents over 23% of its portfolio, with a gain of 524% since the initial investment in 2016. Current share price is around $249 [7][8]. - **Bank of America (BAC)**: Accounts for more than 10% of Berkshire's portfolio, with a 17% increase this year and a dividend yield of 2.14%. Current share price is approximately $51.50 [9]. - **Coca-Cola (KO)**: Fourth largest holding, with a 3.04% yield and a 9.4% increase this year. Shares trade at about $68 [10]. - **American Express (AXP)**: Represents nearly 22% of outstanding shares, valued at $51.3 billion, with a share price of about $340 and a 15% increase in 2025 [12]. - **Chevron (CVX)**: An actively traded holding with a 4.5% yield, currently priced around $153 and up 6% this year [13]. - **Nucor (NUE)**: A steel manufacturer with a current share price of about $133, up almost 14% this year, with additional shares purchased this year for about $850 million [14]. Portfolio Cost - The total cost to purchase one share of each of the six selected stocks is approximately $995, leaving a small amount for incidental expenses [15].

Core Insights - Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY) is recognized as one of the top retail dividend stocks to consider for investment [1] - The company has a strong omnichannel strategy, combining physical stores with a robust online presence, and maintains solid partnerships with major vendors like Apple and Samsung [2] Financial Performance - In Q2 2025, Best Buy reported revenue of nearly $9.44 billion, a year-over-year increase from approximately $9.29 billion, reflecting a 1.6% rise in comparable sales, the strongest growth in three years [3] - Online sales contributed significantly to this growth, with a 5% increase noted [3] Dividend Information - Best Buy has consistently rewarded shareholders with increasing dividends for 12 consecutive years, positioning it as a leading dividend stock in the retail sector [4] - The current quarterly dividend stands at $0.95 per share, with a dividend yield of 5.25% as of September 22 [4]

Core Viewpoint - Apple Inc. is positioned as a key player in the AI sector, with Bernstein initiating coverage with an "Outperform" rating and a price target of $290, highlighting its potential to benefit from advancements in artificial intelligence [1][3]. Group 1: Investment Outlook - Bernstein believes Apple is "the gateway to the Intelligence Revolution" and is well-positioned to leverage AI advancements [1]. - The resolution of the Google DOJ remedies is seen as a positive development for Apple, removing previous uncertainties and allowing for potential partnerships in AI [2][3]. - Apple is expected to drive strong earnings per share (EPS) growth through user base expansion and share buybacks, although there are significant risks in AI and new devices [3]. Group 2: Competitive Landscape - While Apple shows potential as an investment, there are other AI stocks that may offer greater upside potential with less downside risk [4]. - The report suggests that certain undervalued AI stocks could benefit from trends such as Trump-era tariffs and onshoring, indicating a competitive landscape for investment opportunities [4].

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call primarily discusses the economic situation in China, focusing on inflation and producer prices, which are critical indicators for various industries in the region [2][11]. Core Insights - **Inflation Trends**: The August inflation report indicates a decline in food prices, which fell by -11% month-over-month (MoM) seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR), contributing to a year-over-year (YoY) drop in headline Consumer Price Index (CPI) by 2.7 percentage points to -4.3% [3][11]. - **Core CPI Performance**: Core CPI, excluding food and energy, showed resilience, increasing by 0.1 percentage points to 0.9% YoY, supported by a trade-in program for home appliances [3][11]. - **Producer Price Index (PPI)**: The PPI MoM improved to 0%, with a mix of 0.1% for producer goods and -0.1% for consumer goods, aligning with expectations of anti-involution measures [4][11]. - **Future Outlook**: Expectations for September include further improvement in core CPI and PPI YoY, driven by a low base effect, although a higher comparison base in the fourth quarter may limit upside potential [5][11]. Additional Important Details - **Sector-Specific Insights**: Significant improvements were noted in coal and ferrous metals due to production cuts, indicating sector-specific dynamics that could affect investment strategies [4][11]. - **Consumer Behavior**: The persistent weakness in food prices is interpreted as a sign of sluggish demand, which could have implications for consumer goods companies [11]. - **Trade-in Program Impact**: The trade-in program has been a key driver for core CPI, suggesting that consumer electronics and home appliance sectors may see continued support [11]. Data Highlights - **CPI and PPI Statistics**: - CPI YoY: -0.4% in August, with food at -4.3% and non-food at 0.5% [7]. - PPI YoY: -2.9%, with notable declines in mining and quarrying at -11.5% [7]. - **Monthly Changes**: The MoM CPI remained flat at 0.0%, while food prices increased by 0.5% [7]. This summary encapsulates the critical insights and data from the conference call, providing a comprehensive overview of the current economic landscape in China and its implications for various sectors.