Articles for author: Ron Finklestien

January 4, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Carrefour Ceases Selling PepsiCo Products in France: Inflation Takes Its Toll Carrefour Ceases Selling PepsiCo Products in France: Inflation Takes Its Toll

In a bold move, French retail powerhouse Carrefour SACRRFY has reportedly decided to discontinue selling products from PepsiCo IncPEP, including popular items like Pepsi, Lay’s crisps, and 7up, citing unwarranted price hikes. Starting Thursday, Carrefour stores across France will prominently display notices informing consumers of the termination of PepsiCo products due to their “unacceptable price increases,” as reported by Reuters. This move comes in the wake of PepsiCo’s announcement in October about planned incremental price increases due to sustained demand. The brewing conflict reflects a wider trend where retailers in various countries, such as Germany and Belgium, have halted orders

January 4, 2024

Ron Finklestien

The Right Time to Part Ways: Best REITS to Sell in 2024

The roller-coaster ride of VNQ has certainly caught the attention of investors, but before we get too carried away, it might be an opportune moment to consider selling some of these REITs. Data by YCharts While I generally maintain an optimistic outlook on most REITs, some are simply not winners in the making. The real estate investment trust domain is rich and diverse, but some are set to underwhelm investors over time. Let’s take a closer look at three REITs I believe are best offloaded in 2024: Empire State Realty Trust (ESRT) ESRT, known for being the proud owner of

January 4, 2024

Ron Finklestien

mining

Teck’s Strategic Shift: Exiting Coal, Navigating Lower Copper Output in Chile Teck’s Strategic Shift: Exiting Coal, Navigating Lower Copper Output in Chile

Posco traded its interest in two of Teck’s coal operations for a 3% stake in the overall steelmaking coal business. The transactions are part of an umbrella deal inked with Glencore (LON: GLEN) in November 2023, involving the Swiss miner and commodities trader paying $6.9 billion for 77% of Elk Valley Resources. The agreement with Glencore, which capped negotiations and takeover attempts initiated by the Baar-based firm, awaits regulatory review and is anticipated to finalize in the third quarter of 2024. Challenges in Copper Production Canada’s largest diversified miner highlighted a lower than anticipated 2023 production at Quebrada Blanca (QB),

January 4, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Citigroup Moves to Expand in China Despite Economic Challenges Citigroup Moves to Expand in China Despite Economic Challenges

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images News Citigroup (NYSE:C) has set its sights on launching its investment banking arm in China by the end of 2024, as reported on Thursday. The move entails the hiring of approximately 30 individuals for the unit, which will concentrate on the domestic capital market. In a push to strengthen its foothold in the Chinese market, Citi (C) submitted an application for a wholly owned mainland Chinese brokerage business license towards the end of 2021. The financial institution already provides institutional, corporate, and other banking services in the country. According to a source with direct insight, the staffing

January 4, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Uncovering Smart Investment Opportunities in 2024 Uncovering Smart Investment Opportunities in 2024

The market’s recent pullback offers a strategic window of opportunity for savvy investors. As the Nasdaq retreats below its 21-day moving average, and the S&P 500 approaches the same key trendline, patient investors can scout for surging potential amidst the current price diminishment. This correction provides a compelling moment to explore potential value in the stock market. Riding the Market Oscillation The recent red wave has driven the Nasdaq from overbought RSI levels in late December to a position below neutral. Historically, key moving averages such as the 21-day, 50-day, and 200-day have proven to be the level at which

January 4, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Will 2024 Be the Year of the Bitcoin ETF?

Is Bitcoin ETF Set to Soar in 2024? The Exciting Bitcoin ETF Narrative After several years of anticipation, the possibility of a spot bitcoin ETF is stirring up excitement among institutional and retail investors. This regulated financial product offers an easier avenue for investors to gain exposure to bitcoin’s price without directly investing in the asset. Implication of the SEC’s Deadline The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) faces a crucial deadline of January 10th, which is the final date for approving Ark 21 Shares’ application. This deadline carries significant weight, as it is also the last opportunity for the

January 4, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Why Stryker (SYK) Stock Should Be a Staple In Your Portfolio Why Stryker (SYK) Stock Should Be a Staple In Your Portfolio

Stryker Corporation SYK is set for a solid growth trajectory backed by a formidable robotic arm-assisted surgery platform, Mako, and a diverse product portfolio. The company has seen a 16.4% stock increase in the past year, far surpassing the industry’s 1.7% rise, and demonstrating a substantial leap compared to S&P 500 Index’s 23.8% upturn. With a market cap of $112.54 billion, Stryker is a leading player in the orthopedic market and projects a 10.1% growth in earnings over the next five years. SYK’s 3.9% earnings yield fares significantly better than the industry average of 0.8%. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

January 4, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Beamr Partners With Nvidia to Revolutionize Video Optimization Powered By Nvidia, Beamr Aims To Disrupt The Video World

Video is ubiquitous in today’s digital landscape. From streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime to social media platforms and personal messaging apps, it consumes a staggering 80% of global online traffic. This escalating demand for digital space is driving the AI and machine learning sectors, as well as the need for efficient video processing in various industries. In this vast video-scape, cost and complexity are formidable hurdles. The likes of Google and Meta have the resources to navigate these challenges, but many businesses grapple with the expense and technical demands of video processing. Enter Beamr BMR. With its patented

January 4, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Fisker Faces Challenges Ahead Fisker Faces Challenges Ahead

Electric vehicle companies are wrapping up their 2023 production and delivery totals, and the results are in. While many in the sector have performed as expected, Fisker (NYSE:FSR) has fallen dramatically short of its production and delivery goals for the year, raising concerns about the company’s future prospects. A Disappointing Performance Fisker only managed to produce 10,142 units of its Ocean SUV in 2023, considerably less than the anticipated 42,400 vehicles. This shortfall has had a significant impact on the company’s revenue, which is now estimated to be around $376 million, a far cry from the initial projection of almost

January 4, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Resources Connection Shares Soar, Pre-Market Gainers and Losers Resources Connection Shares Soar; Pre-Market Gainers and Losers

Shares of Resources Connection, Inc. RGP saw a sharp rise in pre-market trading following better-than-expected results for its second quarter. Resources Connection posted quarterly adjusted earnings of 28 cents per share, exceeding market estimates of 18 cents per share. The company’s quarterly sales came in at $163.1 million versus expectations of $161.936 million. The surge saw Resources Connection shares climb 6.5% to $14.58 in pre-market trading. Here is a list of other stocks making moves in pre-market trading. Winners Jeffs’ Brands LtdJFBR gained 60.6% to $5.06 in pre-market trading following a 25% surge on Wednesday. Last month, Jeffs’ Brands signed