Welcome to Bloomberg’s Retail Monitor . Every Friday we’ll deliver you clear insights on industry trends, headwinds and emerging opportunities. Sign up now if you’re not already on the list. The World Cup arrives in the US on Friday, but most Americans don’t care . Ben & Jerry’s cofounder says the ice cream brand is being muzzled . And Nike brought in Elliott Hill about 18 months ago to turn aroun...
Welcome to Bloomberg’s Retail Monitor . Every Friday we’ll deliver you clear insights on industry trends, headwinds and emerging opportunities. Sign up now if you’re not already on the list. The World Cup arrives in the US on Friday, but most Americans don’t care . Ben & Jerry’s cofounder says the ice cream brand is being muzzled . And Nike brought in Elliott Hill about 18 months ago to turn around the sagging sneaker giant. But not much has gone right since his arrival. The company’s stock is down 45% since Hill came aboard. Finally, we have news on JM Smucker, which said it’s planning to pass savings on to shoppers . Read on for more... Market Snapshot J M Smucker Co/The $116.83 -0.2% NIKE Inc $45.96 +4.5% Starbucks Corp $102.28 +3.6% Etsy Inc $69.44 +1.0% Market data as of 09:01 AM ET. Data is subject to provider delays. JM Smucker plans to lower prices Since the onset of the Covid pandemic in 2020, shoppers have become used to retailers and brands raising prices. Inflation has become such a big topic that it’s been credited for helping shift elections around the world. In the US, inflation accelerated in May to the fastest pace in more than three years . That’s why what JM Smucker said this week stood out. The company makes all kinds of packaged food, including coffee brands such as Café Bustelo and Folgers. Prices for coffee had been increasing, driven higher by US tariffs, and Smucker followed suit by boosting what it charges customers. But with the cost of coffee now declining, the company is planning to lower prices next year and pass those savings along to shoppers . Mark Smucker, the company’s chief executive officer, explained on the earnings call June 9 that coffee is a “pass-through” category. That means Smucker passes the cost increases and decreases to customers and consumers, he said. “We do it prudently,” Smucker said on the call. “We do it in a justified manner.” Smucker also added that the “consumer continues to be cautious.” The following was pro...
FangXiaNuo/iStock Unreleased via Getty Images Introduction Back when I last covered JD.com ( JD ), I reiterated their Strong Buy rating, highlighting how the “European Expansion Strengthens This Deeply Undervalued Chinese Giant,” arguing how their European expansion allows them to leverage superior logistics and compete with local giants, trading at a deep discount that more than offsets the broad...
FangXiaNuo/iStock Unreleased via Getty Images Introduction Back when I last covered JD.com ( JD ), I reiterated their Strong Buy rating, highlighting how the “European Expansion Strengthens This Deeply Undervalued Chinese Giant,” arguing how their European expansion allows them to leverage superior logistics and compete with local giants, trading at a deep discount that more than offsets the broader macro risks. Following a strong quarter and a slightly more attractive valuation, JD remains a Strong Buy, as the price stays very compelling and is hard to justify even when accounting for weak growth, competitive pressure, and country-related risks. Solid Start to 2026 JD.com IR JD reported a solid Q1 overall, beating the market’s bottom-line estimates with revenue in line , with a 4.9% increase in Net Revenues YoY (1% in Products, 20.6% in Services), highlighting continued weakness in Electronics and Home Appliances due to broader macro factors mentioned before and offset by the 14.9% increase in General Merchandise. JD.com IR Meanwhile, the company's segments continued to grow well, with JD Retail continuing its slow and steady top-line increase but delivering a 16% increase in Operating Income, while JD Logistics and their New Businesses segment continued expanding. JD.com IR As for the FCF, we see their Adjusted FCF reaching RMB 21.6 billion (~$3.19 billion) over the past 12 months (-$940 million in Q1, of which -$286 million is related to consumer financing receivables), which is after they adjust for the consumer financing receivables included in the OCF as part of China’s trade-in program, which would normalize further in 2026 and is expected to cause more pressure on JD’s sales of the Electronics and Home Appliances segment, combined with “price hikes on smartphones and PCs impacting consumer sentiment,” although they also mentioned the following during the Q1 Earnings Call : Moving into the second half of this year, we have stronger confidence in a growth acce...
MONGBWALU, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO - MAY 20: Workers line up to disinfect their protective equipment at General Referral Hospital of Mongbwalu during the Ebola outbreak response in Mongbwalu, Ituri province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, on May 20, 2026. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda a "public h...
MONGBWALU, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO - MAY 20: Workers line up to disinfect their protective equipment at General Referral Hospital of Mongbwalu during the Ebola outbreak response in Mongbwalu, Ituri province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, on May 20, 2026. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda a "public health emergency of international concern," as the death toll and number of confirmed cases continue to rise. The current epidemic is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, one of several Orthoebolaviruses that can cause Ebola disease, and for which there are no approved vaccines. The highest number of cases have been reported in Congo's eastern Ituri province, bordering Uganda. Global health officials have expressed grave concern over the capacity to contain the outbreak in a region already facing a humanitarian crisis, with highly mobile populations displaced by conflict and economic factors. (Photo by Michel Lunanga/Getty Images) Photographer: Michel Lunanga/Getty Images Europe
A rates-product executive at Goldman Sachs Group Inc. said traders are positioned correctly for the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates to combat a surge in war-driven inflation. Given the mix of higher prices, a resilient US economy and a rush of corporate spending on artificial intelligence, bond traders are right to bet on higher borrowing costs, said Muhammad Qubbaj , co-head of US interes...
A rates-product executive at Goldman Sachs Group Inc. said traders are positioned correctly for the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates to combat a surge in war-driven inflation. Given the mix of higher prices, a resilient US economy and a rush of corporate spending on artificial intelligence, bond traders are right to bet on higher borrowing costs, said Muhammad Qubbaj , co-head of US interest rate products at Goldman. “Things are looking resilient in the economy out there,” he said on a podcast published by the bank on Friday. “So we feel that the market is fairly pricing what the FOMC path should be here on a probability-adjusted basis.” Bond traders see a roughly 75% chance that the Fed, led by Chairman Kevin Warsh , will raise rates by the end of this year. They’ve fully priced in a move by March 2027. While the Fed is widely expected to keep their benchmark on hold next week, Qubbaj sees the June meeting as a litmus test for Warsh. “Will he basically lay a stake and come in fighting? Or is he going to be conciliatory, consensus building, and calming? Definitely think it should be the latter,” he said. Read more: Pimco Sees Warsh Changing Fed Signals Without Silencing Them
Initial public offerings don’t normally keep investors awake on the other side of the globe, but SpaceX’s record-breaking IPO is far from ordinary. Investors and retail traders will be glued to their screens as history’s largest initial public offering starts trading on Friday. With indications expected to start after the US market opens, the start of trading could stretch past midnight for Sydney...
Initial public offerings don’t normally keep investors awake on the other side of the globe, but SpaceX’s record-breaking IPO is far from ordinary. Investors and retail traders will be glued to their screens as history’s largest initial public offering starts trading on Friday. With indications expected to start after the US market opens, the start of trading could stretch past midnight for Sydney, Australia-based followers like Justin Lin , an investment strategist at Global X Management. He often spends Friday evenings re-watching Brooklyn Nine-Nine on Netflix with his girlfriend, but is planning to be monitoring the start of trading as well. “She might be a little mad at me for having the Terminal open on the side, but that’s the nature of the job,” he said with a laugh. “I think it’s important to look at this event not just as appetite for SpaceX, but almost like appetite for the hopes-and-dreams type of trade that the rest of the chips industry is relying on.” Ron Shamgar, the head of Australian equities at TAMIM Asset Management who’s also based in Sydney, is planning to monitor the launch on his phone. “You’re buying Elon. You’re buying the visionary, the man, and what his plans are for the next 10, 20 years,” said Shamgar, whose fund is focused on Australian stocks and isn’t invested in SpaceX. “Otherwise, you would never invest in this based on the valuation.” In London, Amanda Lyons, head of research at Energy Group Capital, will be following the offering from her desk at home as the US market opens in London’s afternoon. “The watch parties tell you everything you need to know,” Lyons said. “This is being priced as a cult stock, not a cash flow, and you’ll get hurt if you pretend otherwise. That’s not a criticism, it is just what it is.” Hassan Raza , a London-based portfolio manager at CG Asset Management , said he’d be following it on his mobile phone while on the go. Read More: SpaceX Prepares for Debut as $75 Billion IPO Breaks Record Over in Singapore...
French startup Mistral AI is in talks to raise around €3 billion ($3.5 billion) at a valuation of roughly €20 billion, according to people familiar with the discussions, providing Europe’s artificial intelligence champion with a cash injection as it competes in a costly computing race against competitors in the US and China. Discussions with investors are still at an early stage and the terms may ...
French startup Mistral AI is in talks to raise around €3 billion ($3.5 billion) at a valuation of roughly €20 billion, according to people familiar with the discussions, providing Europe’s artificial intelligence champion with a cash injection as it competes in a costly computing race against competitors in the US and China. Discussions with investors are still at an early stage and the terms may change, the people said, asking not to be identified because the deliberations are private. The valuation may go higher depending on investor demand, they said. The Paris-based company was valued at €11.7 billion when it raised money in September. A representative for Mistral declined to comment. A spokesperson for ASML Holding NV , the company’s largest shareholder, declined to comment. ASML invested €1.3 billion and took an 11% stake in Mistral in last year’s round. Founded in 2023 by researchers from Google DeepMind and Meta Platforms Inc. , Mistral has sold itself as Europe’s answer to Silicon Valley’s dominance in AI. The company has focused focused on serving as an infrastructure provider for European governments and companies, building cloud-computing facilities it will manage in France and Sweden . Recently, Mistral has pitched its AI services as tailor-made for engineering and manufacturing processes, signing deals with large European industrial firms such as Airbus SE and BMW AG . Still, the French startup’s models and chatbot have gotten far less traction with businesses and consumers than those from OpenAI and Anthropic PBC , as well as Chinese competitors. OpenAI and Anthropic are planning to list this year, following an initial public offering from xAI owner SpaceX , which was valued at about $1.8 trillion ahead of its first day of trading on Friday. OpenAI last raised funds at an $852 billion valuation in March, while Anthropic was worth $965 billion last month. Read More: Mistral Signs Airbus, BMW as It Brings AI to Manufacturing Mistral has discussed offeri...
Starmer shows no will to pursue the main options for rising commitments: spending cuts, tax rises or borrowing UK politics live – latest updates Business live – latest updates When Keir Starmer wanted to promise Donald Trump that the UK would increase defence spending, he decided to fund it by slashing the UK’s aid budget – losing a cabinet minister , Anneliese Dodds, in the process. This time aro...
Starmer shows no will to pursue the main options for rising commitments: spending cuts, tax rises or borrowing UK politics live – latest updates Business live – latest updates When Keir Starmer wanted to promise Donald Trump that the UK would increase defence spending, he decided to fund it by slashing the UK’s aid budget – losing a cabinet minister , Anneliese Dodds, in the process. This time around, with John Healey’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) demanding an additional £18.5bn over four years to fund the defence investment plan , there was no such lever to hand. Continue reading...
Recently, Zacks.com users have been paying close attention to PDD Holdings Inc. Sponsored ADR (PDD). This makes it worthwhile to examine what the stock has in store.
Recently, Zacks.com users have been paying close attention to PDD Holdings Inc. Sponsored ADR (PDD). This makes it worthwhile to examine what the stock has in store.
PulteGroup (PHM) has received quite a bit of attention from Zacks.com users lately. Therefore, it is wise to be aware of the facts that can impact the stock's prospects.
PulteGroup (PHM) has received quite a bit of attention from Zacks.com users lately. Therefore, it is wise to be aware of the facts that can impact the stock's prospects.
Jensen Huang’s “insanely profitable” comment underscored TSMC’s central role in the AI chip boom and strengthened investor confidence in its growth outlook.
Jensen Huang’s “insanely profitable” comment underscored TSMC’s central role in the AI chip boom and strengthened investor confidence in its growth outlook.
Welcome to the Brussels Edition. I’m Oliver Crook, chief Europe correspondent for Bloomberg Television, bringing you the latest from the EU. Make sure you’re signed up . With the immigration debate raging across Europe, and support for far-right parties on the rise, one country is taking a novel approach: putting an unprecedented proposal to cap its population to a national vote. On Sunday, Switze...
Welcome to the Brussels Edition. I’m Oliver Crook, chief Europe correspondent for Bloomberg Television, bringing you the latest from the EU. Make sure you’re signed up . With the immigration debate raging across Europe, and support for far-right parties on the rise, one country is taking a novel approach: putting an unprecedented proposal to cap its population to a national vote. On Sunday, Switzerland holds a referendum on an initiative that would limit the number of people living in the country to 10 million — if a majority backs it. It was put forward by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party, or SVP, in response to a surge in the population of about 40% over the past four decades, to 9.1 million. The number of immigrants has also been rapidly growing. In 1960 they accounted for about 9% of the population. Now, it’s more than a quarter. The SVP has cast the referendum as a means of restoring housing affordability and as a defense of the environment, arguing that immigration is endangering the nation’s renowned Alpine scenery. A population cap has never been tried by a modern economy, and critics say it threatens investment, growth and Switzerland’s reputation for openness. The business community has been ringing alarm bells . Most migrants come from the EU to work. Damaging relations with the bloc, the nation’s biggest trading partner, could have severe repercussions. Switzerland is home to a slew of multi-nationals desperate for skilled labor, which will likely become even scarcer if a population cap is imposed. The likes of Nestle, Roche and Novartis have expressed concern, while UBS CEO Sergio Ermotti has said it’s not the solution . What are the chances of the initiative passing? An April poll suggested that 52% of voters were either a “yes” or leaning that way. By May, opposition to the proposal had risen above 50% for the first time. It looks like it’s too close to call. The Latest The ECB is prepared to raise interest rates for a second straight meeting next ...
Just in time for Le Mans, BMW is pulling the cover off its new M performance concept built on the Bavarian automaker's Neue Klasse next-generation architecture. The concept is the debut of a new design language for BMW's M division , signaling a shift toward a more electrified future. The company says it is built on the guiding principle "Born on the racetrack. Made for the streets," bridging BMW'...
Just in time for Le Mans, BMW is pulling the cover off its new M performance concept built on the Bavarian automaker's Neue Klasse next-generation architecture. The concept is the debut of a new design language for BMW's M division , signaling a shift toward a more electrified future. The company says it is built on the guiding principle "Born on the racetrack. Made for the streets," bridging BMW's motorsports heritage with its next-generation EV technology. Marketing bromides aside, the new concept is a two-door sedan with powerful proportions, precise lines, wide wheel arches, and a muscular shoulder section. It's also an introduction to … Read the full story at The Verge.
GREENWICH, Conn., June 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Due to their inability to attract sufficient investment assets, the Board of Trustees of the Themes ETF Trust (the “Board”) has decided to liquidate and close five ETFs (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”). The Board concluded that liquidating and closing the Funds would be in the best interest of the Funds and their shareholders. The F...
GREENWICH, Conn., June 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Due to their inability to attract sufficient investment assets, the Board of Trustees of the Themes ETF Trust (the “Board”) has decided to liquidate and close five ETFs (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”). The Board concluded that liquidating and closing the Funds would be in the best interest of the Funds and their shareholders. The Funds closing are as follows: Leverage Shares 2X Long TSLA Daily ETFTicker: TSLOCUSIP: 88340C602Lever
Editor's note: Seeking Alpha is proud to welcome Curt Fuller as a new contributing analyst. You can become one too! Share your best investment idea by submitting your article for review to our editors. Get published, earn money, and unlock exclusive SA Premium access. Click here to find out more » Michelle Smith/iStock via Getty Images AI Ecosystem: Opportunities and Risks We are in the midst of t...
Editor's note: Seeking Alpha is proud to welcome Curt Fuller as a new contributing analyst. You can become one too! Share your best investment idea by submitting your article for review to our editors. Get published, earn money, and unlock exclusive SA Premium access. Click here to find out more » Michelle Smith/iStock via Getty Images AI Ecosystem: Opportunities and Risks We are in the midst of the most revolutionary period of capital investment since the buildout of internet infrastructure in the late 1990s, and it is clear that artificial intelligence (AI) will become as ingrained in our daily lives as the internet is today. As companies that are directly and indirectly associated with AI grow larger at breakneck speed, they are collectively dominating major indexes like the S&P 500. As a result, most investors have significant exposure to this new technology without even knowing it. To that point, nearly half of the market capitalization of the index is now AI-related. This presents opportunities and risks for investors. So long as the AI momentum continues, the uptrend in the market should continue, but when it falters, index investors may be caught off guard. Bloomberg As a younger and relatively new investor, I don’t want to be blindsided should we see a speculative bubble emerge, as we did in the late 1990s, which leads to another ugly bear market and recession. I have the advantage of investing and working alongside my father, Lawrence Fuller, who has been contributing his macroeconomic and market research on the Seeking Alpha platform since 2013. He was investing in the internet buildout during the late 1990s in the same way I am investing in the AI buildout today, and he has helped me to understand the parallels between these two periods in terms of market behavior. I will continue to navigate the AI landscape, searching for the best investment opportunities, as well as identify when and if a bubble emerges that will warrant a more defensive investment st...
mizoula/iStock Editorial via Getty Images The Knicks lead the finals, New York is going crazy Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. ( MSGS ) is on a run. The stock began ascending last year with the Knicks making the Eastern Conference finals, and now the team is in the NBA finals. Data by YCharts The Knicks now lead the Spurs 3-1 and are on the cusp of winning their first NBA championship since 1973...
mizoula/iStock Editorial via Getty Images The Knicks lead the finals, New York is going crazy Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. ( MSGS ) is on a run. The stock began ascending last year with the Knicks making the Eastern Conference finals, and now the team is in the NBA finals. Data by YCharts The Knicks now lead the Spurs 3-1 and are on the cusp of winning their first NBA championship since 1973! This was a team led by Walt Frazier and Earl Monroe, names that only the most ardent NBA or Knicks fans are familiar with. The last time they made it was in a strike-shortened season in 1999, also against the San Antonio Spurs. I've thought in jest of the irony. 1999 was the tech bubble, and the Texas team won, kind of an oil vs Wall Street narrative. Now what happens if New York finally wins? Will this break some sort of curse? Will the stock market continue to run? All jokes aside, the market is putting a higher and higher valuation on the Knicks. When all the tickets are tallied, regular season through the finals, I assume more revenue growth over the year prior [2025] based on more gains and extra ticket premiums. Data by YCharts The company has an upward revenue trajectory over the last 12 months, clearly visible above. We also have to keep in mind that this is two professional franchises in one wrapper. The New York Rangers are no slouches themselves, although they did have a rough year in 2026. They are also a popular franchise amongst NHL fans and made the Eastern Conference finals back in the 2023-24 season. TTM revenue numbers for the company surpass the top NBA team, the Golden State Warriors, at $880 million in 2025, but again, this is two teams in one. The Warriors also carry the current top Forbes NBA team valuation. The last Forbes valuation Forbes has not revalued NBA teams since the end of last season. Should the Knicks go on to win the finals, I expect a decent bump in valuation estimates. Here are the most recent private market numbers. Forbes Forbes No...