Core Insights - Licensing Expo 2026 is set to be a significant event in the global licensing industry, taking place from May 19-21, 2026, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, featuring major brands and industry leaders [1][2] Industry Overview - The event will gather influential brands such as Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery, LEGO, and The Coca-Cola Company, showcasing the latest trends and innovations in licensing [2][3] - Licensing Expo serves as a critical platform for brands across various sectors, including entertainment, sports, fashion, and gaming, making it essential for professionals in retail, branding, and consumer products [2][11] New Participants and Trends - New entrants like PepsiCo and Sony Pictures Television are expected to bring fresh opportunities for collaboration in licensing, particularly in food and beverages [3] - The rise of sports licensing is highlighted, with brands like Real Madrid FC and NASCAR participating, reflecting the growing importance of sports as a branding strategy [4] Fashion and Youth Engagement - The expo will feature brands that resonate with Gen Z, which constitutes 25% of the global population, showcasing merchandise from artists like Adele and Olivia Rodrigo [6] - Companies like Ceremony of Roses and tokidoki will present products that align with Gen Z's values of creativity and self-expression [6] Digital Innovation and Gaming - The gaming industry is a focal point, with companies like Riot Games and The Pokémon Company demonstrating how digital content is transforming consumer engagement [9] - Licensing Expo will highlight the intersection of gaming and merchandise, showcasing how brands create immersive experiences [9] Creativity and Cultural Impact - The event will celebrate creativity, featuring art and design innovators that redefine consumer experiences, emphasizing the role of creativity in licensing [10] - Major entertainment brands will showcase their cultural impact, reinforcing the connection between play and consumer engagement [8] Market Growth and Future Outlook - The global licensing market is projected to be worth $369.9 billion in 2025, indicating robust growth and opportunities for participants at Licensing Expo [13][17] - Licensing Expo is positioned as a platform for shaping the future of consumer products, connecting brands with emerging trends and consumer interests [13]

Pokémon cancels event at controversial Japan shrine following backlash https://t.co/MbBJzvBS3a ...

Core Insights - The investment environment in 2025 was challenging, with foreign equity markets achieving their best returns in over a decade, while the International Growth Composite Portfolio finished the year essentially flat due to a market preference for cyclically sensitive businesses [8][11]. Portfolio Performance - The International Growth Composite Portfolio's performance was -2.21% for the quarter and 0.68% year-to-date, compared to the MSCI ACWI (ex-USA) which returned 5.05% for the quarter and 32.39% year-to-date [5]. - Top contributors to the Portfolio's performance included Tokyo Electron, ASML, and Shopify, while the largest detractors were Monday.com, MercadoLibre, and SAP [13][17]. Company-Specific Insights - **Tokyo Electron**: A leading player in semiconductor manufacturing equipment, expected to grow revenues at a high single-digit rate and increase operating margins from 25% in 2024 to 35% in the medium term, driving mid-teens earnings growth [14]. - **ASML**: Benefiting from investor optimism around AI, as its equipment is essential for advanced chips, which are critical for AI applications [16]. - **Monday.com**: Despite strong results, the stock sold off due to concerns over near-term growth slowdown, but revenue growth is expected to sustain over 20% as it expands its market reach [18]. - **MercadoLibre**: The largest e-commerce platform in Latin America, experiencing a decline in stock price due to a slight decrease in operating margin while investing in growth initiatives [19]. - **SAP**: Despite cloud revenue growth exceeding expectations, the stock faced pressure due to market conditions, but is viewed as resilient with a strong market position and high recurring revenues [20]. Portfolio Activity - New position established in **Nintendo**, which is expected to see significant growth following the release of the Switch 2, with anticipated earnings growth of 30% annually over the next few years [23]. - Positions in **Teleperformance** and **Siemens Healthineers** were eliminated due to ongoing business challenges, reallocating funds to invest in Nintendo and Tencent [25][26]. Market Outlook - The outlook for the Portfolio remains positive, with expectations of benefiting from structural trends such as technology shifts and growth in emerging markets like India [27].

Core Insights - Millions of Americans are expected to shop between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday, with online sales projected to reach $18 billion on Black Friday and a total of $78 billion during the five-day "cyber week" [3][8] - The National Retail Federation anticipates holiday spending will exceed $1 trillion for the first time, with a year-over-year increase of 3.7% to 4.2% despite inflation around 2.7% and declining consumer confidence [4][8] Retail Strategies - Retailers are implementing various strategies to attract consumers, including digital wishlists, sweepstakes, and unique in-store experiences, such as Nordstrom's funhouse-style mirrors and Bloomingdale's oversized Burberry scarf display [2][3] - Companies like Target and Urban Outfitters are focusing on exclusive merchandise and collectibles to entice shoppers, while others like Walmart's Sam's Club are promoting traditional products [9][13] Consumer Behavior - There is a trend of consumers planning to spend less this holiday season compared to last year, with some affluent shoppers also showing signs of spending fatigue [4][8] - Retailers are aware of consumer caution and are adjusting their pricing strategies, with many big-box stores reducing prices on essential items [6]

Core Insights - Toys are transitioning from mere childhood amusements to legitimate investment assets, although they remain unpredictable [1] - The rise in toy collecting is driven by Gen X and millennials, who seek nostalgia as a response to economic uncertainties [2][3] Investment Trends - Online marketplaces like eBay, Etsy, and Whatnot have legitimized the resale market for toys, making them more accessible for investment [1] - Emotional connections to childhood drive demand for collectible toys among investors in these age groups [3] Collectible Toy Valuations - Pokémon collectibles can have significant value, with a full set of first-edition holofoils from 1995 worth approximately $8,500, and misprinted cards fetching around $5,000 [4] - Hot Wheels from the 1960s and 1970s can also command high prices, with specific models like the 1969 Pink Rear-Loading VW Bus Beach Bomb valued at $175,000 [5][6]

Eu vou ficar do outro lado, >> tá. >> Entre errada peixe. Que droga.Por que que eu não consigo fazer isso. Eu só preciso apertar botões e por algum motivo eu continuo perdendo. E por que que eu tô tão bravo por causa disso.Isso não faz sentido. É algo simples. Eu não deveria estar assim. >> Cara, não precisa ficar assim.Ficar irritado pelos jogos é uma coisa completamente normal. Eu fico, o Thales fica. Só para você ter uma noção, essa parte de ficar brava acontece desde 1950 lá, quando criaram os primeiros ...

Core Insights - Investors should focus on undervalued stocks that have the potential to become major players in the market, rather than overvalued stocks that have already seen significant price increases [2][3] - Nintendo and Crocs are highlighted as promising investment opportunities due to their potential for growth and turnaround, respectively [3][8] Nintendo - Nintendo is a well-known gaming brand that has a strong presence in family-friendly entertainment with popular franchises like Mario, Zelda, and Pokémon [4] - The company has experienced a resurgence with the Nintendo Switch, which has sold over 150 million units since its launch in 2017 [5] - The recently launched Nintendo Switch 2 has already sold close to 6 million units within weeks of its release, with expectations to sell between 20 million and 25 million units by the end of the fiscal year in March 2026 [6] - Increased hardware sales are expected to drive profits, as Nintendo generated $2 billion in net income over the past 12 months, with software sales being a key profit driver [7] - Nintendo is positioned as an undervalued stock with significant profit potential anticipated in 2026 [8] Crocs - Crocs is currently trading at a low price and is expected to undergo a turnaround in the coming year, making it an attractive investment opportunity [8]

Investors have a new source of envy: Pokémon fanatics https://t.co/gtMeEqjHGJ ...

RT s4mmy (@S4mmyEth)Who’s making an AI Agent trained on Pokémon data? ...

AI Agent Development - An AI Agent is being trained on Pokémon data [1]