On its face, the stock market looks to be humming along wonderfully. Despite geopolitical turmoil, the S&P 500 index is near all-time highs, driven by gains in artificial intelligence (AI) stocks. But under the hood, there is plenty of pain. From software companies to carmakers to cannabis producers to consumer lenders, many stocks outside of the AI boom are experiencing severe drawdowns. Two stalwart consumer stocks well off their highs are MercadoLibre (NASDAQ: MELI) and Nintendo (OTC: NTDOY). These dr ...

Nintendo is headed for its biggest weekly gain in a decade with a $14 billion jump in value propelled by surprise global smash hit Pokémon Pokopia https://t.co/bo8pG8YGNI ...

The “Wii Sports” video was posted days after The Pokémon Company said it did not give permission to the White House to use imagery from “Pokémon Pokopia” in a social media post.https://t.co/acpPvhdvKT https://t.co/M68Gxzpghv ...

“Pokémon Pokopia” became a surprise hit that “nobody saw coming,” Joost van Dreunen, CEO of gaming consulting firm Aldora, told Forbes.https://t.co/PUyOCO7OSz https://t.co/RS9XifZ0NJ ...

Core Insights - Nintendo shares have increased by 18% this week due to the unexpected success of the Pokémon game "Pokémon Pokopia," which has raised expectations for sales of the Switch 2 console [1][2] - "Pokémon Pokopia" sold 2.2 million units within the first four days of its release, making it the fourth-best-selling title for the Switch 2, which was launched last year [1][2] - The game is a spin-off from the main Pokémon franchise and is exclusively available on the Switch 2, contributing to the optimism surrounding the console's sales [2] Sales Performance - Nintendo has projected sales of 19 million units for the Switch 2 in the current fiscal year, which ends in March, and has already sold 17.37 million units to date [2] - The success of "Pokémon Pokopia" is seen as a potential system seller that could help maintain momentum for the Switch 2 hardware, despite not being a major title like a new 3D Mario or Zelda game [3]

Military Escalation and Energy Security - The US military has identified 10 Iranian mines in the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions in the Middle East [2] - Oil futures have risen sharply due to threats of a blockade, with analysts warning that Brent crude prices could reach $150 per barrel, potentially triggering global inflation [3][9] Regional Stability and Financial Readiness - The Central Bank of Bahrain has confirmed that financial institutions are operating at maximum security readiness despite regional safety alerts [4] Economic Impact and Trade Investigations - The Pentagon reported that the first week of combat has cost over $11 billion, including $5 billion in munitions, raising concerns about the fiscal burden of the conflict [6][9] - The US Trade Representative has initiated investigations into Japan and South Korea to rebuild tariff protections, which may affect global supply chains amid the energy crisis [7][9] Corporate Resilience and Market Moves - Nintendo achieved significant success with its new release, Pokémon Pokopia, selling 2.2 million copies in four days, highlighting resilience in the consumer discretionary sector [8] - In the technology and automotive sectors, Uber, Nissan, and Wayve have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on robotaxis, aiming to enhance autonomous ride-hailing services [10]

Oracle - Oracle reported adjusted earnings of $1.79 per share for the period ending February 28, with revenue increasing by 22% year-over-year to $17.19 billion, surpassing analyst expectations of $1.70 per share and $16.89 billion in revenue [3] - For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, Oracle anticipates revenue growth between 18% and 20% in constant currency, translating to $18.93 billion to $19.24 billion, compared to analyst expectations of $19.11 billion [3] - Adjusted earnings for the next quarter are expected to be between $1.92 and $1.96 per share, exceeding the estimate of $1.93 per share, with fiscal 2027 revenue projected to reach $90 billion, an increase from previous guidance [4] Nintendo - Nintendo's stock surged by 10.5% in Tokyo, driven by the success of the new Pokémon game and anticipation for the upcoming Super Mario movie [4] - Reports indicate that physical copies of the Pokémon game have sold out at major U.S. retailers, contributing to the stock's momentum despite challenges from memory cost headwinds [5] Oil Refinery - President Trump announced plans for the first new U.S. oil refinery in 50 years, to be built in Brownsville, Texas, with investment from India's Reliance Industries, marking a historic $300 billion deal [6] - The refinery is expected to process 168,000 barrels per day of U.S. shale oil, with the project potentially starting as early as Q2 2026, processing 1.2 billion barrels valued at $125 billion and producing refined products worth $175 billion [6][7] - The project aims to enhance national security, boost American energy production, and be the cleanest refinery globally [7]

‘Pokémon Pokopia’ is even better than ‘Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ https://t.co/7hUbG6MUrh ...

Core Viewpoint - Nintendo is experiencing significant challenges due to a memory chip shortage, which has led to a decline in its stock price despite a strong performance in profit and revenue growth. Group 1: Financial Performance - Nintendo's profit increased by 24% year on year, driven by strong sales of the Nintendo Switch, which is now the company's best-selling console since its release in 2017 [2] - Revenue rose by 86%, indicating robust demand for its products despite the ongoing supply chain issues [2] Group 2: Market Challenges - The company is facing headwinds from an unprecedented shortage of memory chips, a critical component for its consoles, resulting in rising prices [2] - Investors are concerned about the potential impact of high memory costs on Nintendo's profit margins, although the company maintains that these costs have not yet significantly affected its financial results for the current year [3] Group 3: Product Launches and Future Outlook - Nintendo plans to release major titles for the Switch 2, including "Mario Tennis Fever" in February and "Pokémon Pokopia" in March, which are expected to drive sales [4] - The company is also set to release "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" in April, following the success of the first Super Mario movie in 2023, which boosted console sales [4] - Analysts suggest that 2026 will be a critical year for the Switch 2 as Nintendo aims to expand its appeal to a broader market [5]