The meme-stock frenzy is back this summer, with some new names drawing traders' attention. Kohl's Corp (NYSE:KSS) stock entered the spotlight earlier this week, jumping 8.8% on Monday and a whopping 37.6% on Tuesday. Today, the retailer was last seen down 15.2% at $12.18, dropping back into negative territory for the year, though the $12 level looks like it could move in as support. Shares of Krispy Kreme Inc (NASDAQ:DNUT) were last seen up 6.9% at $4.41, extending yesterday's 26.8% pop and heading for thei ...

Group 1: Meme Stock Revival - Shares in Krispy Kreme surged by as much as 25%, GoPro jumped 49%, and Beyond Meat rose 11% in a revival of meme stocks [1][2] - The rally was driven by social media buzz and short squeezes, despite little change in the companies' business fundamentals [2][3] - The recent surge in meme stocks is reminiscent of the GameStop chaos from four years ago [3] Group 2: Trading Activity - Krispy Kreme experienced record call volume with over 100,000 contracts traded, about 71 times the average daily volume over the past four years [5] - GoPro saw its highest call volume since 2021 with over 56,000 contracts traded [6] - Other stocks with high short interest, such as Campbell's Co., Aehr Test Systems, Polaris, and Wendy's, also attracted buyers this week [10] Group 3: Market Context - The meme stock rally coincided with broader market optimism, as the S&P 500 reached another all-time high and Bitcoin doubled in less than a year [5] - The revival of meme stocks began last week with significant movements in Opendoor Technologies, which surged over 300% [2][7]

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on July 07, 2025, in New York City.Reddit-obsessed retail traders targeted wearable camera firm GoPro and donut maker Krispy Kreme on Wednesday, pushing shares up 63% and 33%, respectively, in premarket trading. The cohort seemed to have already ditched their old love OpenDoor , whose shares fell another 9% following a wild speculative run .It's a new day, and meme traders have found more stocks to put on the pedestal.Much like OpenDoor, GoPro ...

Core Insights - Krispy Kreme's stock experienced a 25% increase during a trading week shortened by the July Fourth holiday, primarily due to its inclusion in several new stock indexes and executive transitions [1][2]. Group 1: Stock Index Inclusion - Krispy Kreme's stock is now part of multiple equity trackers, including the Russell 2000 Value index, Russell 2500 Value index, Russell Small Cap Comp Value index, and Russell 3000E Value index, in addition to its existing position in the Russell 2000 [2]. - Inclusion in these indexes enhances the stock's prestige and increases its popularity due to the demand from index funds that are limited to stocks within specific indexes [4]. Group 2: Executive Transitions - Effective July 11, Krispy Kreme will have a new CFO, Raphael Duvivier, who is currently the president of international business and a long-serving executive, replacing Jeremiah Ashukian [5]. - Alison Holder has been promoted from chief product officer to chief brand and product officer, bringing 25 years of experience with the company, including roles in consumer insights [6]. Group 3: Business Performance - Despite the positive stock movements, Krispy Kreme has faced flat to stagnant revenue and has reported more quarterly net losses than profits, indicating limited growth opportunities in a health-conscious market [7].

Core Insights - The event showcased over 20 AI innovation companies, highlighting the increasing accessibility and integration of AI technologies into various sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, and consumer products [2][9]. Group 1: AI Applications and Innovations - The showcased products included a smart irrigation solution called "Aoguang Wand" that utilizes real-time soil monitoring for precise irrigation, demonstrating the potential of advanced technology in consumer markets [4]. - The "CoolCovery" wearable device combines cold therapy, heat therapy, and multi-chamber air pressure circulation to aid recovery, exemplifying AI's role in the health industry [5]. - The "Modonut" AI story machine for children interacts with users based on emotional cues, showcasing AI's capability to provide personalized experiences and support child development [6]. Group 2: Ecosystem and Support for Startups - The "Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Youth Dream Factory" provides a supportive ecosystem for startups, including low-cost innovation spaces and resource connections, facilitating the transition from concept to commercialization [9][11]. - The "1 Yuan Innovation Workshop" policy significantly lowers the entry barriers for AI teams, allowing them to focus on product development without the burden of high operational costs [9]. - The collaboration between government, capital, and research institutions within the Greater Bay Area enhances the innovation landscape, promoting the growth of AI startups [10][11].

Core Viewpoint - A class action lawsuit has been filed against Krispy Kreme, Inc. for failing to disclose significant declines in demand for its products at McDonald's locations, which has impacted its financial performance and partnership with McDonald's [1][5]. Financial Performance - Krispy Kreme reported net revenue of $375.2 million for Q1 2025, reflecting a decline of 15.3% compared to the previous year [4]. - The company experienced a net loss of $33.4 million in Q1 2025, compared to a net loss of $6.7 million in the prior year [4]. - Following the financial results announcement, Krispy Kreme's share price dropped by $1.07, or approximately 24%, from $4.33 on May 7, 2025, to $3.26 on May 8, 2025 [4]. Partnership with McDonald's - Krispy Kreme began a small-scale test of offering donuts at McDonald's in Louisville, Kentucky, in October 2022, and announced a nationwide expansion of this partnership starting in the second half of 2024 [3]. - The company is reassessing its deployment schedule with McDonald's and has withdrawn its prior full-year outlook due to uncertainties surrounding this partnership [4]. Allegations in the Lawsuit - The lawsuit alleges that Krispy Kreme failed to disclose that demand for its products at McDonald's locations declined significantly after the initial marketing launch [5]. - It is claimed that this decline in demand was a key factor in decreasing average sales per door per week and that the partnership with McDonald's was not profitable [5]. - The lawsuit also states that these issues posed a substantial risk to maintaining the partnership and that the company would pause expansion into new McDonald's locations as a result [5].

Core Viewpoint - Following the release of its first-quarter results, Krispy Kreme's stock faced significant declines, with analysts also expressing negative sentiments towards the stock, leading to a drop of over 16% in share price on Friday [1]. Group 1: Analyst Reactions - Evercore ISI analyst David Palmer significantly reduced his price target for Krispy Kreme from $9 to $3 per share, while maintaining a neutral (hold) recommendation [2]. - Citigroup analyst Jon Tower lowered his fair value assessment for Krispy Kreme from $4.75 to $3.60 per share, also keeping a neutral recommendation on the stock [4]. Group 2: Company Challenges - Krispy Kreme's partnership with McDonald's has been paused, which is a troubling factor for the company, alongside ongoing weakness in the U.S. retail sector that contributes approximately 30% of its revenue [3]. - The food industry is facing challenges due to consumer sentiment and trends, with no favorable trends currently supporting Krispy Kreme, leading to a negative outlook from analysts [5].

Restaurant Brands International (QSR) Q1 2025 Earnings Call May 08, 2025 08:30 AM ET Company Participants Kendall Peck - Sr. Director & Head of IRJoshua Kobza - Chief Executive OfficerSami Siddiqui - Chief Financial OfficerJ. Patrick Doyle - Executive ChairmanDennis Geiger - Executive Director - Equity ResearchDavid Palmer - Senior Managing DirectorJohn Ivankoe - MD - Equity ResearchAndrew Charles - Managing DirectorJon Tower - Director & Equity Research - Consumer & RestaurantsChris Carril - Equity Researc ...

Restaurant Brands International (QSR) Q1 2025 Earnings Call May 08, 2025 08:30 AM ET Speaker0 Good morning, and welcome to the Restaurant Brands International First Quarter twenty twenty five Earnings Conference Call. All participants will be in listen only mode. After today's presentation, there will be an opportunity to ask questions. All callers will be limited to one question. Please note this event is being recorded. I'd now like to turn the conference over to Kendall Peck, RBI's Head of Investor Relat ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Constant currency net sales grew by 3.1% in Q3 2024, with operating income increasing in the high single digits and EPS growing by 6% [11][37][40] - Consolidated volume mix improved by 3.5%, with gross margin expanding by 20 basis points year-over-year [11][39][40] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - U.S. Refreshment Beverages net sales increased by 5.3%, driven by a 4% growth in volume mix and a 1.3% contribution from pricing [21][41] - U.S. Coffee segment experienced a decline in net revenue and operating income by 3.6% and 7.2% respectively, despite a 2.7% growth in volume mix [27][43][44] - International segment saw constant currency net sales growth of 6.5%, with volume mix increasing by 3.1% and net price realization adding 3.4% [33][47] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The energy drink category is valued at $23 billion and is one of the fastest-growing segments in beverages, appealing to a wide demographic including Gen Z [8][9] - In Mexico, market share grew in almost every category, with notable performance from the Penafiel and Squirt brands [34] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on enhancing its portfolio through strategic acquisitions, such as the majority stake in Ghost, to strengthen its position in the energy drink category [6][10] - The strategy includes a portfolio approach to address distinct consumer needs and occasions, leveraging existing brands like C4 and Black Rifle [60][62] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the long-term prospects of the coffee category despite current sluggishness, emphasizing a focus on controllable factors [73][74] - The company anticipates a strong finish to 2024 and is preparing for continued growth in 2025, with a balanced view of opportunities and risks [55][56] Other Important Information - The company announced a 7% dividend increase, marking its fourth consecutive year of dividend growth [50][51] - The transition of Ghost's distribution from Anheuser Busch to KDP is expected to begin in mid-2025 [98] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you discuss how the portfolio works together in Energy? - Management highlighted the complementary nature of brands like C4 and Ghost, addressing different consumer needs and occasions while generating scale [60][62] Question: What does KDP bring to Ghost that can enhance its market position? - KDP's strengths include increased distribution points, marketing capabilities, and operational efficiencies, which have previously doubled the business for C4 [66][68] Question: How durable are the current industry headwinds in the coffee segment? - Management remains bullish on coffee's long-term prospects, focusing on market share gains and strategic pricing to offset current challenges [73][74] Question: Were there any impacts from storms on shipments during the quarter? - Management acknowledged that hurricanes affected operations at the end of the quarter, particularly impacting coffee segment performance [84] Question: How is the company prepared to handle increased complexity from new acquisitions? - Management expressed confidence in their infrastructure and past investments, indicating readiness to integrate new brands like Ghost [92][96]