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Everything You Need To Know About The Markets Today

Everything You Need To Know About The Markets Today

Markets in Asia struggled today to get any traction following yesterday’s lackluster markets in the US and the weakening data coming out of Europe. The European equity markets are mostly in the green (albeit only slightly) with the exception of the FTSE 100 which is slightly down as of mid-day trading.

The beleaguered Hong Kong stock exchange got a shot in the arm today as the initial public offering of AB InBev’s Asia Pacific business – Budweiser Brewing Company APAC Ltd (1876.HK) – raised $5 billion, the second largest IPO of the year behind Uber’s (UBER) $8.1 billion in May. The company had initially looked to raise closer to $10 billion two months ago but was forced to put the IPO on hold after investors balked at the price. That seems to be a growing trend these days.

Major events for the day will be… READ MORE HERE

Chico’s – if you can’t beat Amazon, join ’em

Chico’s – if you can’t beat Amazon, join ’em

We continue to hear about the retail apocolypse that is destroying brick & mortar retail. Each monthly Retail Sales report shows continued share gains by non-store retail sales, government speak for digital commerce, one of the core drivers of our Digital Lifestyle investing theme. Following the path blazed by Nike (NKE), Carter’s (CRI), Calvin Klein and even Sears (SHLD) – yes we said Sears – is selling Kenmore-branded appliances on Amazon in some markets, Chico’s FAS (CHS) is jumping on board.

For those unfamiliar with Chico’s it is a retailer of women’s “casual-to-dressy clothing, intimates, and complementary accessories” which sounds like something in the cross-hairs of Amazon’s own private label clothing effort. Some retailers like J.Jill (JILL) are looking to build their own digital commerce platform, but Chico’s move is less capital intensive and allows for it to leverage Amazon’s formidable logistis. Not a bad idea for a company whose top line appears to be stagnating.

 

Chico’s is the newest retailer to set up shop on Amazon. Beginning in mid-May, a select assortment of Chico’s brand merchandise will be available on Amazon. This includes the company’s core collections, Travelers, Zenergy athleisure, no-iron shirts, So Slimming pants and Chico’s jewelry.

All Chico’s merchandise will be eligible for free shipping through Amazon Prime. Chico’s FAS will maintain control of marketing, pricing and promotions for its products on Amazon.

Based on sales, additional Chico’s merchandise, such as White House | Black Market and Soma products, will likely be added in the future, according to the company.

Source: Chico’s partners with online giant

Pie Tops Sneakers Are More Sizzle Than Steak

Pie Tops Sneakers Are More Sizzle Than Steak

On this week’s Cocktail Investing, we touch on issues that are plaguing fast food restaurants, better known as quick service restaurants. While some might focus on improving the food or getting in tune with consumers that are shifting their preferences more in line with our Food with Integrity investing theme, some QSRs like Pizza Hut, a division of Yum Brands, is rolling out gimmicks like the new Pie Top shoes. Yeah, you can place an order through the Pie Tops, but that sure sounds like a novelty item especially when the shoes go out of style in today’s crowded athletic shoe market from Nike, Under Armour and Adidas.

Pizza Hut is stepping up its game with high-top sneakers that allow their wearers to order pizza with a push of a button and rolling out a major discount offer for people who cannot get the special shoes.

The high-tops, which of course are being called Pie Tops, are the latest marketing stunt from a major pizza chain hungry for a bigger piece of America’s pizza-ordering pie.

While the Pie Tops are not for everyone, they will appear in a major marketing push. Basketball star-turned-analyst Grant Hill appears in a new TV spot set to air beginning March 3 and throughout the upcoming NCAA March Madness basketball tournament. The shoe concept will also be featured in NCAA March Madness integrations through the company’s deal with Turner.

Source: Press a Button on These Sneakers to Get Instant Pizza Hut Delivery – Print (video) – Creativity Online

Getting this nursing stock off the bench and into the game

Getting this nursing stock off the bench and into the game

Continually throughout the past several weeks, we’ve shared our concern about the outlook for second half earnings for the S&P 500 group of companies relative to expectations — probably more than you’ve wanted to hear!

We continue to see those forecasts as overly robust, particularly with the stock market seemingly hitting new record highs every other day. Our view has been that there is more downside risk to be had as earnings expectations for the back half of 2016 get resized and reset.

Of course, as those expectations are reset, it can mean opportunity — opportunity for taking positions in companies we see as well-positioned from a thematic perspective, but at better prices than just a few weeks ago. We saw that last week with CalAmp Corp (CAMP), and we see it again this week with (AHS) AMN Healthcare Services.

 

In this week’s Tematica Investing:

  • We are taking advantage of a 23 percent drop in (AHS) AMN Healthcare Services shares to take them off the bench get them in the game — moving them from the Tematica Contender list to the Tematica Select List. Read More >>
  • With Back-to-School season more than in full swing, we dive into the intricacies of teen shopping habits and how they impact various positions across several of our themes, including Amazon (AMZN), Nike (NKE), Under Armour (UA) and what are probably the obvious themes and the not-so-obvious as well.  Read More >>

 

You can click below to download the full report.

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It’s 11am, do you know where your car is? If not the stock we’re adding this week probably does

It’s 11am, do you know where your car is? If not the stock we’re adding this week probably does

Last week, as the latest issue of Tematica Investing was being delivered to you, I was literally being wheeled into the operating room for knee surgery. It was nothing too major, just the repair of a small meniscus tear I suffered on the basketball court. Fortunately for you (and for the performance of the Tematica Select List) the issue was completed early that morning — well in advance of that surgery — as I was pretty loopy afterwards!

A week later, things are feeling pretty good, but I am looking forward to getting the stitches out so I can get back in the pool and get some relief from the extra humid conditions here in DC this week!

 

In this week’s Tematica Investing:

 

  • We’re placing shares of CalAmp Corp. (CAMP) on the Tematica Select List as part of our Connected Society investing theme with a Buy rating and a $21 price target. We would be comfortable adding the shares up to $17.50, at which point we see upside of 20% vs. the current 35% upside to be had at the last night’s closing share price. Read More >>
  • Updates on Alphabet (GOOGL), Amazon (AMZN), Physicians Realty Trust (DOC), Nike (NKE) and Under Armour (UA). Read More >>
  • We also dig into where we are with our position in The Walt Disney Co. (DIS) after their earnings announcement last night. Hint, we need to have the same patience as a the line at Space Mountain. Read More >>
  • Check your accounts! Dividend payments have been made over the last few days from Starbucks (SBUX) an PetMeds Express (PETS). Read More >>

You can click below to download the full report.
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