Articles for author: Ron Finklestien

January 3, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Xponential (XPOF) to Expand Pure Barre and YogaSix With Sunpark The Sweeping Japanese Odyssey of Xponential (XPOF) and Sunpark: A Promising Picture

Xponential Fitness, Inc. XPOF has set its sights on Japan for an ambitious journey, having recently signed a Master Franchise Agreement with the esteemed Sunpark Co. Ltd. This monumental agreement aims to extend the reach of the Pure Barre and YogaSix brands in the Land of the Rising Sun. This strategic move further bolsters XPOF’s footprint in Japan, adding two more brands to the lineup, standing alongside the likes of Club Pilates, CycleBar, Rumble, AKT, and StretchLab. With a minimum of 50 franchised studios set to open for Pure Barre and YogaSix, Sunpark’s extensive real estate and development prowess are

January 3, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Nasdaq Declines Over 100 Points, Sidus Space Shares Surge Nasdaq Declines Over 100 Points, Sidus Space Shares Surge

U.S. stocks traded lower toward the end of trading, with the Nasdaq Composite falling more than 100 points on Wednesday. The Dow traded down 0.52% to 37,518.35 while the NASDAQ fell 0.98% to 14,621.38. The S&P 500 also fell, dropping, 0.61% to 4,713.82. Check This Out: How To Earn $500 A Month From Apple Stock Following Tuesday’s Slide Market Sector Performance Energy shares rose by 0.8% on Wednesday. In trading on Wednesday, real estate shares fell by 1.8%. Job Openings and Equities Performance The number of job openings fell by 62,000 from the prior month to 8.790 million in November,

January 3, 2024

Ron Finklestien

mining

Chilean Government’s Lithium Partnership Chilean Government Forges New Path with Lithium Partnership

President Gabriel Boric’s bold plan mandates that any company seeking to mine lithium in Chile must form a partnership with the government, with the state possessing a controlling stake. The innovative strategy seeks to not only expand lithium extraction but also utilize cutting-edge eco-friendly technology and incorporate the perspectives of local Indigenous communities. Executives from China’s Tianqi, a significant shareholder in SQM, expressed their investment intentions during a meeting in December. Similarly, LG Energy and France’s Eramet indicated their interest in forming alliances, with the latter looking to explore a partnership in its 120,000-hectare lithium concession in the Atacama region.

January 3, 2024

Ron Finklestien

IPO Market Analysis: Reflection on 2023 and Expectations for 2024 IPO Market Analysis: Reflection on 2023 and Expectations for 2024

As the curtains closed on the year 2023, the U.S. IPO market left much to be desired, with negative median returns and a stabilizing deal volume. The disappointment was further exacerbated by the underperformance of Asia-Pacific region-based companies and the drag resulting from IPOs priced at $5 per share or lower. However, hope shines on the horizon as we turn our attention to the year 2024, with prevalent predictions for incremental increases in deal volumes. This optimism is tempered by the acknowledgment that the public market/private market valuation gap, especially in the technology subsectors, will persist. Notably, private market valuations

January 3, 2024

Ron Finklestien

The Financial Sector: Setting the Stage for a Rebound – Analyst The Financial Sector: Setting the Stage for a Rebound – Analyst

solarseven/iStock via Getty Images The equity market is pulling back after being overbought, but the financial (NYSEARCA:XLF) sector could still have gains as conditions have become more favorable, said Jay Woods, Freedom Capital Markets chief global strategist. The Changing Market Landscape With a soft landing “increasingly conceivable,” according to Richmond Federal Reserve President Thomas Barkin, investors are optimistic about the market as financial conditions are set to ease. But the markets are pulling back after being overbought, Woods said during a CNBC interview. “Now we have to just see if we can digest those gains.” Market Performance and Prospects The

January 3, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Deciphering the Bullish Sentiment Surrounding PayPal (PYPL)

As investors, we often seek guidance from the financial titans of Wall Street when pondering the fate of our investment. Do these gurus truly light the way, or are they leading us astray? Before we delve into the reliability of brokerage recommendations and how to leverage them, let’s peek at what the high priests of finance make of PayPal (PYPL). The brokerage recommendation for PayPal stands at a solid 2.00 on a scale of 1 to 5, suggesting a Buy, as per the combined judgments of 37 brokerage firms. Further dissection reveals 18 Strong Buy recommendations and 1 Buy, constituting

January 3, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Revolutionary SoC to Empower Kodiak Vehicles of Ambarella Revolutionary SoC to Empower Kodiak Vehicles of Ambarella

Ambarella has launched its game-changing AMBA CV3-AD685 AI domain control system-on-chip (SoC) in January 2023, poised to be the driving force behind Kodiak Robotics’ fleet of autonomous vehicles. This breakthrough SoC was initially designed for Level 2+ and Level 4 autonomous vehicles. Level 2+ autonomous vehicles are equipped with advanced features such as adaptive cruise control, lane centering, and automatic braking, while Level 4 vehicles possess even higher levels of self-driving capability. CV3-AD685: A Paradigm Shift in Autonomy The revolutionary CV3-AD685 AI engine represents a significant leap from its predecessor (CV2 SoCs). It delivers a staggering 20-fold increase in neural

January 3, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Goldman Sachs Analyst Downgrades Auto Suppliers The Auto Industry Faces Headwinds: Goldman Sachs Downgrades Magna International Inc and Aurora Innovation Inc

The auto industry has been in focus, with the spotlight shining on electric vehicle (EV) makers. In the midst of this paradigm shift, Goldman Sachs has forecasted a slowdown in auto volumes for 2024, following a period of robust growth in both production and sales due to the alleviation of supply chain challenges. Mark Delaney, the esteemed auto analyst, has made a significant move by downgrading the ratings for industry players. Magna International Inc, previously rated a Buy, has now been relegated to Neutral, while Aurora Innovation Inc has transitioned from a Neutral to a Sell rating. Delaney’s Insight: In

January 3, 2024

Ron Finklestien

How to Generate Wealth with Income and Capital Growth How to Generate Wealth with Income and Capital Growth

Heartwarming Childhood Memories of Sardinia In 1932, the acclaimed Italian author Elio Vittorini took part in a remarkable literary excursion to Sardinia, organized by a prominent Italian magazine. The purpose was to award a prize for the best travelogue on the island. From this experience emerged a slender, charming volume published a few years later under the title, “Sardinia Like Childhood,” a poignant account of rediscovering the authenticity of life. It was born from a profound desire for living and the wisdom acquired through encounters with the natural beauty, communities, people, and traditions of Sardinia. Sardinia is not just an

January 3, 2024

Ron Finklestien

Stock Market Plunges: Can the Bulls Turn the Tide?

The tumultuous start of 2024 has sent shockwaves across Wall Street, with all major stock averages bleeding red on the second trading day of the year. As the clock struck noon in New York, the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 nosedived by 1%, pushing its two-day slump to 2.6%, without any reprieve for the blue-chip stocks of the Dow Jones, which had managed to evade losses on Tuesday. The S&P 500 index is on the brink of closing a dismal third consecutive day, a bearish stretch unseen since late October. Even small-cap stocks, the darlings of the late 2023 rally, are underperforming,