Home Depot Posts 5.7% Q2 Sales Gain, Reaffirms Fiscal 2026 Guidance
Home Depot reported fiscal second-quarter sales rose 5.7% year over year to $47.9 billion, with comparable sales up 1.7% and 13 of 16 merchandising departments posting positive comps. Big-ticket transactions above $1,000 increased 2.4%, online comparable sales rose 11% for a fifth consecutive quarter of double-digit growth, and the Pro business outpaced DIY, though management said larger discretionary projects remain under pressure and housing turnover has stayed depressed for roughly four years with no clear inflection point. The company reaffirmed its fiscal 2026 guidance of flat to 2% comparable-sales growth. Among peers, Lowe's posted a 0.2% comparable-sales rise in the second quarter of fiscal 2026, its fifth straight positive quarter, while Floor & Decor's second-quarter 2026 sales rose 3% with Pro sales up about 4% and roughly 55% of total sales, even as comparable sales declined 2.1%. Home Depot shares have lost 27.3% in the past year versus the industry's 31.2% decline, and the stock trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 18.01X against the industry's 16.67X average. The Zacks Consensus Estimate implies Home Depot fiscal 2026 and 2027 EPS growth of 2.3% and 6.8%, respectively, with the fiscal 2026 estimate up 0.1% in the past seven days and the fiscal 2027 estimate unchanged in the past 30 days.
HD · Capital · Positive Home Depot reported Q2 sales up 5.7% to $47.9B with comps up 1.7% and reaffirmed fiscal 2026 guidance.
FND · Demand · Neutral Floor & Decor's Q2 2026 sales rose 3% with Pro sales up ~4%, but comparable sales declined 2.1%, a mixed peer comparison mention.
LOW · Demand · Neutral Lowe's posted a 0.2% comparable-sales rise in Q2 fiscal 2026, its fifth straight positive quarter, mentioned only as a peer.
SBI Picks PTG as Top Pick for Second-Half High Season, Broker Sets Target at 8.40 Baht
SBI Thai Online Securities Company Limited, in an analysis dated October 2, 2026, selected PTG Energy Public Company Limited, or PTG, as a Top Pick stock, taking a positive view of its second-half 2026 earnings outlook on the recovery of the oil business alongside the expansion of its non-oil business. For its second-quarter 2026 results, PTG reported a net profit of 74 million baht, up 76.3% from the same period a year earlier, and a turnaround to profit from a loss of more than 205 million baht in the first quarter of 2026. Revenue from sales and services came to approximately 61.9 billion baht, up 9.5% from a year earlier and 8.9% from the previous quarter. The oil business was supported by improved marketing margins, with gross profit per liter at about 1.83 baht per liter, up from 1.66 baht per liter in the second quarter of 2025 and 1.29 baht per liter in the first quarter of 2026. Meanwhile, the non-oil business, especially the Punthai coffee brand, continued to grow on branch expansion, with about 2,467 branches as of the end of the second quarter of 2026, and the company aims to expand to about 2,751 branches by the end of 2026. SBI estimates PTG's EBITDA growth at around 0-5% from a year earlier. PTG's share price at the time of the analysis was 8.30 baht, while the average consensus target price for 2026 stood at 8.40 baht.
GLOBAL Q2 2026 Profit Hits New High of 947 Million Baht, GPM Jumps to 31.59%
Siam Global House Public Company Limited, or GLOBAL, reported net profit for the second quarter of 2026 of 947 million baht, up 82.5% year on year, setting a new record high, even as sales were flat at 8.17 billion baht and same-store sales growth, or SSSG, remained negative at 3.98% amid weak purchasing power. The profit surge came from a record gross profit margin, or GPM, of 31.59%, up from 25.42% in the second quarter of 2025, supported by a rising share of Private Brand products, which reached 27.5% of sales and carry a GPM of roughly 40 to 45%. EBITDA rose 50.4% year on year to 1.55 billion baht. Its financial position strengthened, with Net Debt to EBITDA falling to 1.18 times and D/E at 0.48 times, along with free cash flow of approximately 3.75 billion baht. For its 2026 business plan, GLOBAL plans to open five new stores in Thailand, namely Phon Phisai, Wang Thong, Trakan Phuet Phon, Ban Phue and Chiang Kham, bringing its domestic store count to 101, and to renovate another eight stores. Its overseas network totals 41 stores through partners in Laos, Myanmar, Indonesia and Cambodia, with plans to open one to two more stores in northern Laos, expand by two more stores in Indonesia this year, and open new stores in Myanmar. ASL Securities sees the easing of the flood situation as an opportunity to spur demand for repairs and home restoration, with GLOBAL deriving about 30 to 35% of sales from construction materials, which should help SSSG recover in late 2026 and continue into 2027. The stock currently trades at a P/E of 13.7 times, below peers DOHOME at 16.7 times and HMPRO at 13.9 times, with an average target price from the IAA Consensus of 8.63 baht per share.
AutoZone Fair Value Trimmed 4.1% to US$3,708.71 on Softer Q4 Comps
AutoZone's modeled fair value has been trimmed from about US$3,867.91 to roughly US$3,708.71, a reduction of around 4.1% reflecting updated assumptions in recent research. Analysts link the shift to softer Q4 comps and pressure in the DIY channel, while also weighing AutoZone's push into commercial and do it for me customers and its ongoing store expansion. Several firms including Raymond James, BMO Capital, Roth Capital, Barclays and TD Cowen kept positive ratings while trimming price targets, and Bernstein initiated coverage with an Outperform rating and a US$3,698 target, pointing to a fragmented auto parts aftermarket and the do it for me channel as a key area for share gains. Mizuho took a more cautious stance with a Neutral rating and a cut to US$3,000, questioning AutoZone guidance that embeds transaction growth in fiscal 2027 while same SKU inflation is cited in the 4% to 5% range. In the model, the revenue growth assumption moved from roughly 7.59% to about 6.94%, the net profit margin assumption eased from around 13.17% to about 12.82%, the future P/E shifted from about 22.82x to roughly 22.29x, and the discount rate moved slightly from 8.83% to about 8.81%.
AZO · Capital · Negative Analysts trimmed AutoZone's fair value ~4.1% and cut price targets on softer Q4 comps and DIY-channel pressure, with Mizuho downgrading to Neutral.
PTG wins Product and Service of the Year 2026 award, propelling MaxCard Plus and Max Me into a Lifestyle Ecosystem
PTG Energy Public Company Limited, or PTG, has received the BUSINESS+ PRODUCT OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2026, as the company pushes ahead with expanding its business from energy into a Lifestyle Ecosystem through the development of PT MaxCard Plus and the Max Me application, elevating itself from a fuel station membership card to a platform that seamlessly connects members with products and services across the group. MaxCard Plus combines benefits including fuel discounts, privileges from partners, and insurance protection, while Max Me serves as a digital platform that brings together Max Wallet, financial services, product ordering, ticket booking, and point accumulation and redemption in a single system. In addition, Punthai Coffee Company Limited also won first place in the consumer products category, coffee shop business type, based on votes from consumers who most favor and choose to use its services, reflecting the potential of the group's brands and reinforcing PTG's image in seriously expanding its business from Energy into Lifestyle and Non-Oil.
PTG.BK · Technology · Positive PTG's MaxCard Plus and Max Me platform won the BUSINESS+ Product of the Year 2026 award, advancing its Lifestyle Ecosystem expansion.
Punthai Coffee · Demand · Positive Punthai Coffee won first place in the consumer products category based on consumer votes favoring its services.
GLOBAL posts record 2Q/26 net profit of 947 million baht, up 82.5%
GLOBAL reported its second-quarter 2026 results, with sales of 8.17 billion baht, roughly flat versus a year earlier. Although same-store sales growth remained negative at 3.98% amid weak purchasing power, net profit hit a record high of 947 million baht, up 82.5% year on year, while EBITDA rose 50.4% to 1.55 billion baht. The main driver was gross profit margin, which reached a record 31.59%, up from 25.42% in the second quarter of 2025, helped by a higher share of Private Brand products, which rose to 27.5% of sales and carry gross margins of roughly 40 to 45%, as well as effective product mix management and cost control. Although the benefit from lower-cost old inventory will gradually fade in the third quarter of 2026, the company expects gross margin in the second half of 2026 to remain at no less than 27 to 28% and above the prior-year level. Full-year sales may be close to last year, with same-store sales growth still slightly negative but showing signs of recovery, giving second-half profit a chance to grow year on year. This comes alongside a stronger financial position, with Net Debt to EBITDA down to 1.18 times, a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48 times, and free cash flow of 3.75 billion baht to support store expansion and future growth. Under its 2026 plan, the company will open five new stores in Thailand, in Phon Phisai, Wang Thong, Trakan Phuet Phon, Ban Phue, and Chiang Kham, bringing the domestic total to 101 stores as planned, and will renovate another eight stores to adjust product assortment and the customer experience. Overseas, it has a network of 41 stores through partners in Laos, Myanmar, Indonesia, and Cambodia, and plans to keep expanding, with one to two more stores in northern Laos, two more in Indonesia this year, and further new store openings planned in Myanmar. In Thailand, it still has land to support about 18 more locations. On valuation, the current price trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.7 times, below peers DOHOME at 16.7 times and HMPRO at 13.9 times. The average target price from the IAA Consensus is 8.63 baht. On sentiment, the easing of the flood situation could bring back demand for home repair and restoration. GLOBAL derives revenue directly from construction materials, which account for roughly 30 to 35% of sales, including tiles, sanitary ware, paint, tools, and home improvement products, so it stands to benefit from replacement and repair demand after water levels recede, especially at its upcountry branches, which could help same-store sales growth recover late in the year and continue into 2027.
Yuanta sees SINGER as a turnaround stock, launches S-PRO Series, targets 516% profit growth in 2026
Yuanta Securities issued a positive analysis of Singer Thailand Public Company Limited, or SINGER, after the company launched its SINGER brand S-PRO Series appliances, initially focusing on televisions, commercial freezers, air conditioners and washing machines, produced by a new OEM, resulting in higher gross margins. The company targets raising product margin to 40% from 31.4% in the first half of 2026, with a device lock function similar to that of smartphones, allowing sales on installment through SGC's SG Finance+ system, with interest rates on appliance loans close to the 25% per year charged on Lock Phone. The company also plans to expand its Solar Roof business through the JGS joint venture, in which JMART holds 50%, GUNKUL 40% and SINGER 10%, and to open Solar Roof Shop branches and provide loans through SGC, as well as a new service, SG Subscribe+, starting first with Solar Roof. On branch expansion, the company targets opening 146 new branches this year, up from 101 branches in the second quarter of 2026, and adding 1,000 sales staff, after already adding 443 in the second quarter of 2026. Yuanta expects SINGER's net profit in the third quarter of 2026 to accelerate markedly both year on year and quarter on quarter, and to keep growing both year on year and quarter on quarter in the fourth quarter of 2026, supporting full-year 2026 net profit of 647 million baht, up 516% year on year, and a further 21.5% year-on-year rise in 2027. It maintains a Buy rating with a 2027 target price of 13.70 baht, implying 25% upside from the current price.
SINGER.BK · Capital · Positive Yuanta maintains Buy with 13.70 baht target and forecasts 516% 2026 net profit growth on higher gross margins.
SINGER.BK · Demand · Positive New S-PRO Series appliances, 146 new branches, 1,000 added sales staff and Solar Roof/Subscribe+ expansion drive product demand.
SGC.BK · · Neutral Mentioned only as the lender (SG Finance+/SGC) enabling SINGER's installment sales; no own development.
Abercrombie & Fitch Fair Value Raised to US$163.55 as Analysts Lift Targets
Abercrombie & Fitch's modeled fair value has been lifted from US$122.00 to US$163.55, a roughly 34% increase, alongside a wave of analyst price target changes. BMO Capital initiated coverage at Outperform with a US$170 target, Argus moved to Buy with a US$162 target after Q2 results, and UBS, Jefferies and Goldman Sachs raised their targets to US$153, US$135 and US$124 respectively. Barclays upgraded to Equal Weight with a US$114 target, citing reduced tariff pressure and healthier promotions, while Raymond James stepped back to Market Perform without a target, flagging mixed same store sales. The updated model raised the revenue growth assumption from 3.68% to 4.84%, the net profit margin assumption from 8.57% to 8.99%, and the future P/E multiple from 11.53x to 12.95x, while cutting the discount rate from 8.84% to 8.67%.
Lowe's Launches Drone Delivery From North Carolina Store
Lowe's Companies has begun drone delivery from its Matthews, North Carolina store, offering selected home improvement and household items in as little as 20 minutes through partners Wing and DoorDash. The pilot launch comes as Lowe's shares have been under pressure, with a 30-day share price return down 8.83%, a year-to-date share price return down 26.13%, and a 1-year total shareholder return down 24.75%. The company is also accelerating its shift toward professional contractors while strengthening its Total Home strategy for DIY and Do It For Me customers, supported by major acquisitions including Foundation Building Materials and Artisan Design Group plus digital investments. The most followed narrative values Lowe's at $255.00 against a last close of $182.38, a 28.5% undervalued estimate based on discounted future cash flows. That story could break if Pro demand softens for longer than expected or if the FBM and ADG integrations drag on profitability.
Five Below Raises Fiscal 2026 Outlook After Q2 Beat, Shares Down 7.8%
Five Below reported second-quarter fiscal 2026 results that beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate on both the top and bottom lines and raised its full-year outlook. Adjusted earnings per share came in at $1.68, topping the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.34 and surging 107.4% from 81 cents a year earlier, while net sales rose 22.9% year over year to $1,261.5 million from $1,026.8 million and exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,192 million. Comparable sales climbed 14.1%, the fifth consecutive quarter of double-digit growth, with two-year stacked comp growth of 26.5%, and adjusted gross margin expanded approximately 220 basis points to 35.6%. The company opened 52 net new stores in the quarter, ending with 2,022 stores across 46 states, and its board authorized a new $600 million share repurchase program on Aug. 29, replacing the remaining capacity under the prior authorization. For fiscal 2026, management raised its sales outlook to $5.63 billion to $5.71 billion from $5.40 billion to $5.48 billion, lifted its comps forecast to 10-12% from 6-8%, and now projects adjusted EPS of $9.83 to $10.31 versus the previous range of $8.65 to $9.05. Shares of Five Below have lost about 7.8% since the last earnings report, underperforming the S&P 500.
FIVE · Capital · Positive Q2 EPS of $1.68 beat estimates and surged 107.4% YoY, with raised FY2026 EPS outlook and a new $600M buyback authorization.
FIVE · Demand · Positive Net sales rose 22.9% YoY to $1,261.5M and comparable sales climbed 14.1%, the fifth straight quarter of double-digit comp growth.
Boot Barn Says BOPIS and Ship-to-Store Lift Store Traffic as E-Commerce Comps Rise 13.4%
Boot Barn Holdings said its buy online, pick up in store and ship-to-store services are driving store traffic and supporting merchandise margins, as e-commerce comparable sales rose 13.4% in its fiscal first-quarter 2027 on double-digit growth on the company's website. Management said a large portion of e-commerce orders are fulfilled from its more than 550 stores, calling omnichannel capabilities a meaningful competitive advantage consistent with its stores-first strategy. In the quarter, consolidated same-store sales increased 4.7% while brick-and-mortar same-store sales grew 3.8%, supported by a 3% increase in average unit retail with transactions approximately flat. The company also said its exclusive-brand websites attract millions of sessions, though it acknowledged that attributing website visits to subsequent store visits is difficult. Separately, American Eagle Outfitters said Aerie was showing strength across stores and digital quarter-to-date, while Deckers Outdoor reported first-quarter direct-to-consumer revenues up 13%, including 17% growth at HOKA and 6% at UGG.
BOOT · Demand · Positive Boot Barn's BOPIS and ship-to-store drove store traffic as e-commerce comps rose 13.4% and consolidated same-store sales grew 4.7%.
AEO · Demand · Positive American Eagle said Aerie was showing strength across stores and digital quarter-to-date.
DECK · Demand · Positive Deckers reported first-quarter direct-to-consumer revenues up 13%, with 17% growth at HOKA and 6% at UGG.
Uniqlo September Same-Store Sales in Japan Rise 10.8% on Strong Autumn/Winter Goods
Fast Retailing announced on the 2nd that Uniqlo's same-store sales in Japan for September rose 10.8% compared with the same month a year earlier. Temperatures fell in September, and sales of autumn/winter goods were strong. While customer traffic slipped 0.5%, the average spend per customer climbed sharply, up 11.3%.
9983.JP · Demand · Positive Uniqlo Japan September same-store sales rose 10.8% on strong autumn/winter goods demand, with average spend per customer up 11.3%.
Krungsri expects HMPRO Q3 2026 normalized profit at 1.39 billion baht, up 6%
Krungsri Securities Public Company Limited said its research team expects HMPRO's normalized profit in the third quarter of 2026 to come in at 1.39 billion baht, up 6% from the same period a year earlier but down 13% from the previous quarter. The result is supported by an improved gross margin, driven by a higher share of Private Brand products and adjustments to selling prices, even as same-store sales continue to contract amid weak purchasing power and higher rainfall. Sales and service revenue in the third quarter of 2026 is expected at 16.4 billion baht, up 2% from the same period a year earlier but down 6% from the previous quarter, with growth coming from branch network expansion, most of it a conversion to the Hybrid Store format combining HomePro and MegaHome outlets. Six Hybrid Stores were added and four new branches opened, bringing the total to 134 branches at the end of the third quarter of 2026. Same-store sales at HomePro, which accounts for roughly 80% of sales, are expected to contract further to -2.5% from -0.9% in the second quarter of 2026. The gross margin is expected at 28.5%, flat from the second quarter of 2026 but up from 27.7% in the third quarter of 2025, helped by HomePro's Private Brand share, which is expected to rise to 22.0% from 21.2%. The SG&A expense ratio to revenue is expected to rise to 21.1% from 20.5% in the third quarter of 2025 and 20.0% in the second quarter of 2026. Interest expense is expected to fall 9% from the same period a year earlier. For the fourth-quarter 2026 outlook, normalized profit is expected to recover gradually both from the same period a year earlier and from the previous quarter, on demand for home repair and decoration products after flood conditions ease. If profit meets expectations, first-nine-month normalized profit for 2026 would represent about 74% of the full-year 2026 profit forecast. The broker maintained its 2026 normalized profit forecast at 5.95 billion baht, down 1% from the same period a year earlier, before returning to 7% growth in 2027. It also maintained a Neutral recommendation and a 2027 target price of 7.00 baht.
Williams-Sonoma Rises 2.39% as Earnings Estimates Edge Higher
Williams-Sonoma shares closed up 2.39% at $233.39, outpacing the S&P 500's 0.2% gain. The company is expected to report earnings per share of $2.16 for the upcoming quarter, a 10.2% increase from a year earlier, on revenue of $1.99 billion, up 5.43%. For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates project earnings of $9.51 per share and revenue of $8.23 billion, representing changes of +7.58% and +5.46%, respectively, from the prior year. Over the past 30 days, the consensus EPS projection has moved 0.47% higher, and Williams-Sonoma currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold). The stock trades at a Forward P/E ratio of 23.98, a premium to its industry's 18.96, with a PEG ratio of 2.47 versus the Retail - Home Furnishings industry average of 1.91.
American Eagle Posts 1% Revenue Rise as Store Traffic Becomes Recovery Focus
American Eagle Outfitters reported a 1% year-over-year increase in total revenues for the second quarter of fiscal 2026, while comparable sales declined 1%, an improvement from the fiscal first quarter. Management said the men's business delivered its fourth consecutive quarter of positive comparable sales, women's bottoms improved, and newer denim fits gained strong customer acceptance, though the namesake brand still had work to do. Store traffic is emerging as a key metric in the recovery, with management noting stores remained on the lower side of performance while digital was stronger, and store trends improved in the fiscal third quarter. The company is shifting marketing spending toward conversion-focused tactics after four quarters of building brand awareness, targeting store traffic and conversion against that traffic, and is working through older seasonal inventory while rebalancing denim toward low-rise and other fits gaining traction. AEO shares have gained 8% over the past six months against the industry's decline of 10.6%, and the stock trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 8.85X versus the industry's average 12.24X, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate implying current fiscal-year earnings growth of 49.3% and a decline of 15.2% next fiscal year.
Abercrombie & Fitch Plans 130 Net New Store Experiences for Fiscal 2026
Abercrombie & Fitch Co. expects to deliver approximately 130 net new store experiences in fiscal 2026, comprising 50 new stores and 80 remodels and rightsizes against roughly 20 closures. The new stores are expected to be relatively balanced across the Abercrombie and Hollister brands and weighted toward the Americas. Management noted that 2026 marks the company's fifth consecutive year as a net store opener, and said the recently opened Abercrombie SoHo location has performed above expectations, with elements of that concept to be incorporated into additional stores over time. The initiative complements ANF's broader push to expand through digital channels, partnerships and new product categories, though the company said execution will be key as it balances expansion spending with healthy profitability and disciplined capital allocation. Shares of the Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) company have jumped 46% in the past six months, outperforming the industry and the broader Retail-Wholesale sector, which fell 6.1% and 0.7%, respectively.
ANF · Demand · Positive ANF plans ~130 net new store experiences in fiscal 2026, including 50 new stores and 80 remodels, expanding its retail footprint.
Abercrombie & Fitch is rated Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), with the consensus earnings estimate for the current fiscal year at $11.42 per share, up 15.8% year over year and revised 0.3% higher over the last 30 days. For the current quarter, the company is expected to post earnings of $3.01 per share, a year-over-year change of +27.5%, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate up 0.8% over the past month. Next fiscal year's consensus estimate of $12.41 indicates a change of +8.6% from what Abercrombie is expected to report a year ago, and that estimate has moved +0.9% over the past month. Revenue is forecast at $1.37 billion for the current quarter, up 5.9% year over year, while current and next fiscal year sales estimates of $5.52 billion and $5.79 billion each indicate +4.8% changes. In the last reported quarter, Abercrombie posted revenues of $1.27 billion, up 4.8% year over year, and EPS of $2.42 versus $2.32 a year ago, beating the Zacks Consensus revenue estimate of $1.24 billion by 1.94% and the EPS estimate by 24.1%.
Workman September same-store sales rise 20.7% year on year, rain-related products strong
Workman announced on the 1st that its same-store sales in September rose 20.7% compared with the same month a year earlier. Rain-related products such as rainwear performed strongly due to the effects of typhoons and the autumn rain front, and recovery wear, for which the company launched new products, was also solid. Meanwhile, autumn and winter products were sluggish because the rollout was delayed as a measure against the lingering summer heat. Same-store customer traffic rose 6.4% year on year, and spending per customer rose 13.5%.
7564.JP · Demand · Positive September same-store sales rose 20.7% on strong rainwear and recovery wear demand, with traffic up 6.4% and spend per customer up 13.5%.
PTG Tightens Pump Standards to Cope with Flooding, AUTOBACS Accelerates Branch Expansion in 2027
PTG Energy Public Company Limited, or PTG, has announced strict standards for its fuel service stations to cope with flooding. Rangson Puangprang, Chief Financial and Sustainability Officer, said fuel service stations are equipped with grease traps and oil traps to capture residue before water is discharged into public drains in line with standards, and all new service stations already comply with the new standards. On the fuel retail business in the final quarter, normally a tourism season, PTG acknowledged that flooding in many areas may slightly reduce overall fuel consumption in the short term, because people must allocate part of their budgets to repairing damaged cars. But if there is no further severe flooding, travel and refueling during the long New Year holiday are still expected to recover well. Meanwhile, AUTOBACS Thailand, a full-service automotive repair and maintenance center that is part of the PTG group, is expected to see a significant increase in customers coming for inspections and maintenance after flooding in Bangkok begins to ease. AUTOBACS generated revenue of about 1.433 billion baht last year, compared with the PTG group's total revenue in the hundreds of billions of baht, which for the full year 2025 stood at 224.918 billion baht. AUTOBACS revenue this year is expected to grow 10-20% from last year, before it accelerates full-scale branch expansion in 2027 to drive growth clearly higher than this year.
PTG.BK · Supply · Neutral PTG tightens flood-related standards at fuel stations and warns flooding may slightly cut short-term fuel consumption, partly offset by expected New Year holiday recovery.
AUTOBACS Thailand · Demand · Positive AUTOBACS expects a significant increase in customers for vehicle inspections and maintenance after Bangkok flooding eases, with revenue guided 10-20% higher this year.
Ceconomy Jumps 4.2% as JD.com Nears EU Approval for EUR2.4 Billion Takeover
Ceconomy AG rose 4.2% in German trading on a report that JD.com is nearing approval from the European Commission for its planned EUR2.4 billion acquisition of the German electronics retailer, while JD.com shares gained 1.2%. According to traders citing a Dealreporter item circulating Wednesday, JD.com is expected to soon win approval under the EC's EU Foreign Subsidies Regulation, with the regulator set to clear the deal on the basis of JD.com's improved remedy proposal. The transaction still requires approval in Austria under its foreign direct investment review, the final clearance needed to complete the deal. JD.com, Ceconomy, and the EC declined to comment to Dealreporter. The EC opened an in-depth probe into the deal in May to assess whether JD.com received Chinese government support that enabled it to bid more aggressively for Ceconomy, and in July JD.com reportedly received a formal notice from the EC over concerns related to the transaction.
9618.HK · Regulation · Positive JD.com is nearing European Commission approval under the EU Foreign Subsidies Regulation for its EUR2.4 billion takeover of Ceconomy, with the regulator set to clear the deal based on improved remedies.
CEC.XETRA · Regulation · Positive Ceconomy shares jumped as JD.com nears EU antitrust/Foreign Subsidies Regulation approval for its EUR2.4 billion acquisition of the German electronics retailer.
AutoZone Opens Record 374 Stores as Margins Face LIFO Pressure
AutoZone, Inc. AZO opened a record 374 stores in fiscal 2026 and ended the year with 8,031 locations globally, while domestic commercial sales rose 10.6% on improved inventory availability and Hub and Mega Hub expansion. The company finished fiscal 2026 with 6,443 domestic commercial programs, 172 Mega Hubs, 1,001 stores in Mexico and 167 in Brazil, and management expects roughly 400 new stores and more than 40 additional Mega Hubs in fiscal 2027. Gross margin declined 29 basis points in fiscal 2026 to 52.3%, partly on inventory cost dynamics and LIFO charges, and management guides fiscal 2027 gross margin to be flat to up 25 basis points on a GAAP basis with approximately $85 million to $90 million of LIFO charges. Domestic DIY same-store sales fell 0.6% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, and management expects domestic same-store sales to be flat to up low single digits in fiscal 2027. AutoZone generated approximately $1.8 billion in free cash flow and repurchased $2 billion of stock during fiscal 2026, ending the year with $9.1 billion in debt and leverage of 2.5X EBITDAR, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate implies fiscal 2027 sales and EPS growth of 7.6% and 13.4%.
AZO · Demand · Positive Record 374 new stores opened and domestic commercial sales up 10.6% on improved inventory availability and Hub/Mega Hub expansion.
AZO · Pricing · Negative Gross margin fell 29 bps to 52.3% on inventory cost dynamics and LIFO charges, with further LIFO charges guided for fiscal 2027.
CarMax Q2 Earnings Beat Estimates as Revenue Jumps 19.5%
CarMax reported second-quarter fiscal 2027 earnings of $1.16 per share, up 81.3% year over year and beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 68 cents by 70.6%, while revenues rose 19.5% to $7.88 billion and surpassed the consensus mark of $7.06 billion by 11.5%. For the quarter ended Aug. 31, 2026, used vehicle sales increased 19.7% to $6.31 billion, total retail used vehicle unit sales rose 13.8% to 227,391, and the average retail selling price climbed 6.3%, or approximately $1,600 per unit, to $27,623. Wholesale vehicle sales increased 18.2% to $1.36 billion on wholesale unit sales of 160,344, up 15.9%, though gross profit per wholesale unit declined by $135 to $858. CarMax Auto Finance income increased 32.1% to $135.6 million, aided by a lower provision for loan losses, and the company said it did not repurchase shares during the quarter but plans to resume buybacks at a modest level in the third quarter, with $1.31 billion remaining under its authorization as of Aug. 31, 2026. CarMax also said it remains on track to achieve $200 million in targeted SG&A exit-rate savings by the end of fiscal 2027.
Boeing Wins $20 Billion Navy F/A-XX Fighter Contract; Moderna Downgraded by Citi
Boeing surged 3% in premarket trading to $193.41 after the Pentagon selected the aerospace giant to develop the U.S. Navy's next-generation carrier-based strike fighter, the F/A-XX, under a contract valued at more than $20 billion. The award, which beat out rival Northrop Grumman, marks Boeing's second consecutive sixth-generation fighter program win and places the company at the center of the Navy's Next Generation Air Dominance initiative. Concentrix plunged 11.1% to $22.11 after reporting fiscal third-quarter revenue of $2.45 billion, down 1.2% year over year and about $30 million short of expectations, and guiding fourth-quarter revenue down 3% to 5% on a constant-currency basis while cutting its full-year 2026 revenue outlook to $9.827 billion-$9.877 billion. Moderna fell 6.3% after Citi downgraded the biotechnology company to Sell and raised its price target to $80 from $60, saying the valuation had become stretched following a run to a new 52-week high of $208.90. GameStop rose 1.6% after CEO Ryan Cohen disclosed an open-market purchase of 450,000 Class A shares on Sept. 29 for about $10.6 million, lifting his total beneficial ownership to 44.68 million shares, or about 8.8% of the company. Yiren Digital rose 6.1% despite reporting a GAAP loss of 75 cents per share and revenue of about $131.2 million, down roughly 43% year over year, as investors focused on a sequential narrowing of the net loss.
BA · Demand · Positive Pentagon selected Boeing to develop the Navy's F/A-XX fighter under a contract valued at more than $20 billion, beating Northrop Grumman.
CNXC · Capital · Negative Concentrix reported Q3 revenue below expectations and cut its Q4 and full-year 2026 revenue outlook.
GME · Capital · Positive CEO Ryan Cohen disclosed an open-market purchase of 450,000 Class A shares for about $10.6 million, lifting his ownership to 8.8%.
MRNA · Capital · Negative Citi downgraded Moderna to Sell, saying the valuation had become stretched after a run to a new 52-week high.
CGSI upgrades Thai construction retail sector, lifts DOHOME, GLOBAL and HMPRO from Sell to Buy
CGSI, or CGS International (Thailand), has raised its investment weighting for Thailand's construction retail sector from Neutral to Overweight and upgraded its recommendations on DOHOME, GLOBAL and HMPRO from Sell to Buy, after seeing the clearest signs of demand recovery in three years. Data on residential low-rise construction permits has returned to growth, with permitted construction area rising 10.6% year on year in the first quarter of 2026 after 11 consecutive quarters of decline, and up another 7.7% year on year in the second quarter of 2026, suggesting home improvement product sales should recover in the fourth quarter of 2026 and in 2027. The research team said DOHOME saw same-store sales rise in July and August and expects this channel to keep posting high single-digit same-store sales growth in September. DOHOME is the most attractive first pick because construction materials account for nearly 50% of its first-half 2026 sales, with about 35% coming from the northeastern region, where applications for residential low-rise construction permits rose roughly 20% year on year in both the first and second quarters of 2026. GLOBAL is the second pick, while HMPRO will recover gradually along with consumption, supported by a dividend yield of 5.5% in 2027. CGSI has raised its combined net profit forecasts for the three companies by 1.0% to 3.6% for 2026 to 2028.
CGSI upgrades DOHOME, GLOBAL and HMPRO to Buy on recovering demand
CGS International (Thailand), or CGSI, has upgraded DOHOME, Siam Global House, or GLOBAL, and Home Product Center, or HMPRO, from Sell to Buy, and raised its investment weighting for the Thai retail sector from Neutral to Overweight, after seeing clearer signs of a demand recovery. The latest residential low-rise building permit data has returned to growth, with permitted construction area rising 10.6% year on year in the first quarter of 2026 after 11 consecutive quarters of contraction, and up another 7.7% in the second quarter of 2026. This suggests sales of home improvement products are likely to recover in the fourth quarter of 2026 and in 2027. CGSI said same-store sales growth at DOHOME in July and August, mostly sales of construction materials to contractors, project customers and wholesalers, has strengthened its confidence that the rise in construction plans is translating into real demand, and it expects same-store sales growth through that channel to remain in the high single digits in September even without the low-base boost from last year's steel shortage. CGSI views this as the clearest signal of a recovery in demand for home improvement products in three years. The stock CGSI finds most attractive is DOHOME, which it expects to be among the first to benefit from the demand recovery, as construction materials account for nearly 50% of sales in the first half of 2026, while about 35% of sales come from the northeastern region, where applications for low-rise residential building permits rose about 20% year on year in both the first and second quarters of 2026, according to the Real Estate Information Center, or REIC. GLOBAL has construction materials at about 35% of sales and a similar share of sales in the northeast to DOHOME, but its northern sales, about 25% to 30% of the total, still face declining building permit applications. HMPRO is expected to recover gradually along with consumption, supported by a dividend yield forecast at 5.5% in 2027. On earnings, CGSI raised its combined net profit forecasts for the three companies by 1.0% to 3.6% for 2026 to 2028 after lifting sales and margin assumptions for some companies and cutting financial cost forecasts, saying earnings and share price estimates could be revised up further if residential building permit applications keep growing, contractor sales continue to expand even without the low-base boost, and demand for construction materials and home decoration products recovers broadly. Risks that could weigh on this view include delays in construction after permits are granted, slower sales growth once the low-base effect fades, continued declines in household spending, and margins coming under more pressure than expected.
DOHOME.BK · Capital · Positive CGSI upgraded DOHOME from Sell to Buy, calling it the most attractive pick to benefit first from the home-improvement demand recovery.
GLOBAL.BK · Capital · Positive CGSI upgraded Siam Global House (GLOBAL) from Sell to Buy on signs of recovering home-improvement demand.
HMPRO.BK · Capital · Positive CGSI upgraded Home Product Center (HMPRO) from Sell to Buy amid clearer signs of a demand recovery.
CGSI upgrades DOHOME, GLOBAL and HMPRO to Buy, raises Thai retail to Overweight
The research team at CGSI, the Thai arm of CGS International, has shifted its view on Thailand's retail sector from Neutral to Overweight and upgraded its recommendations on DOHOME, GLOBAL and HMPRO from Sell to Buy, after data on residential low-rise construction permits returned to growth. Permitted construction area rose 10.6% year on year in the first quarter of 2026, following 11 consecutive quarters of contraction, and increased a further 7.7% in the second quarter of 2026. CGSI sees the growing construction pipeline likely translating into demand for construction materials and home decoration products in the fourth quarter of 2026 and on into 2027, which it calls the clearest sign of a recovery in home improvement demand in three years. DOHOME is the top pick, as construction materials account for nearly 50% of its sales in the first half of 2026, with roughly 35% coming from the northeastern region, where permitted low-rise residential construction area rose about 20% from a year earlier. GLOBAL derives about 35% of sales from construction materials, while HMPRO is expected to recover gradually in line with consumption, with a projected dividend yield of 5.5% in 2027. CGSI has raised its combined net profit forecasts for the three companies by 1.0% to 3.6% for 2026 to 2028, after lifting sales and margin assumptions for some of them and lowering financial costs.
DOHOME.BK · Capital · Positive CGSI upgraded DOHOME from Sell to Buy as top pick, citing construction materials ~50% of sales and raised profit forecasts.
GLOBAL.BK · Capital · Positive CGSI upgraded GLOBAL from Sell to Buy, noting ~35% of sales from construction materials and lifted profit forecasts.
HMPRO.BK · Capital · Positive CGSI upgraded HMPRO from Sell to Buy, expecting gradual recovery and a 5.5% 2027 dividend yield.
CGS International Securities (Thailand) Co., Ltd. · Capital · Positive CGSI (Thailand) is the research house issuing the sector upgrade and Buy ratings on the three retailers.
Carnival, CarMax, Vail Resorts Beat Estimates; Fair Isaac Plunges 26.5%
Carnival Corp. Ltd. shares jumped 13.4% after the company reported third-quarter fiscal 2026 adjusted earnings of $1.43 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.36 per share. CarMax Inc. shares climbed 4.7% after posting second-quarter fiscal 2027 adjusted earnings of $1.16 per share, outpacing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.68 per share. Vail Resorts Inc. shares rose 2.3% after the company posted a fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 adjusted loss of $5.34 per share, narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $5.40 per share. Fair Isaac Corp. shares plunged 26.5% following Federal Housing Finance Agency director Bill Pulte's introduction of a single pricing grid to mortgage pricing.
CCL · Capital · Positive Carnival reported Q3 fiscal 2026 adjusted EPS of $1.43, beating the $1.36 consensus estimate.
FICO · Regulation · Negative FHFA director Bill Pulte introduced a single pricing grid for mortgage pricing, hitting Fair Isaac's credit-scoring business.
KMX · Capital · Positive CarMax posted Q2 fiscal 2027 adjusted EPS of $1.16, far outpacing the $0.68 consensus estimate.
MTN · Capital · Positive Vail Resorts posted a Q4 fiscal 2026 adjusted loss of $5.34 per share, narrower than the expected $5.40 loss.
CGSI Upgrades Thai Retail to Overweight, Flips DOHOME, GLOBAL and HMPRO from Sell to Buy
CGSI, or CGS International Securities (Thailand), has raised its investment weighting for the Thai retail sector from Neutral to Overweight, while flipping its recommendations on home improvement stocks DOHOME, GLOBAL and HMPRO from Sell to Buy, after finding the clearest signs of demand recovery in three years. Construction area permitted rose 10.6% year on year in the first quarter of 2026, following 11 consecutive quarters of decline, and increased another 7.7% year on year in the second quarter of 2026, suggesting home improvement product sales should recover in the fourth quarter of 2026 and in 2027. The research team said DOHOME is the most attractive first pick because it should benefit first, as construction materials account for nearly 50% of its first-half 2026 sales, with about 35% coming from the northeastern region, where applications for permits to build low-rise housing rose roughly 20% year on year in both the first and second quarters of 2026. GLOBAL is the second pick because its share of construction material sales is lower at about 35%, while HMPRO will recover gradually in line with consumption and is supported by a dividend yield of 5.5% in 2027. CGSI raised its combined net profit forecasts for the three companies by 1.0% to 3.6% for 2026 to 2028, after lifting sales and margin assumptions for some companies and lowering financial costs.
European UnionGlobalAndorraColombiaEl SalvadorGreeceArmenia
Specialty Retail▲
Winamp's Bridger Signs Five New Rights Agreements in Andorra, Colombia, El Salvador, Greece and Armenia
Winamp Group SA, through its subsidiary Bridger, announced the signing of five new agreements with collective management organizations in Europe and Latin America, expanding the international rights management coverage available to the artists and songwriters it represents. The agreements were signed with SDADV in Andorra, SAYCO in Colombia, SACIM in El Salvador, EDEM in Greece and Armauthor in Armenia. Each agreement covers both Performance Rights and Mechanical Rights and extends Bridger's ability to manage rights across offline uses as well as digital services operating within the respective territories, while international digital services are already covered through Bridger's existing arrangements with MINT. With these latest additions, Bridger's international network now includes more than 40 agreements with collective management organizations worldwide, complementing deals concluded over the past months across Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia. Alexandre Saboundjian, CEO of Winamp Group, said the new agreements strengthen the company's ability to manage both performance and mechanical rights across additional territories and uses. Winamp Group, listed on Euronext Growth Paris and Brussels under the ticker ALWIN, will hold an investor webinar on October 8, 2026.
ALPET.PA · Demand · Positive Bridger signed five new rights-management agreements with collective management organizations, expanding its network to over 40 deals and broadening coverage for represented artists
CGSI upgrades retail stocks to Overweight after strongest demand recovery in three years
CGS International (Thailand), or CGSI, has raised its investment weighting for Thailand's retail sector from Neutral to Overweight, and changed its recommendations on home improvement stocks from Sell to Buy, namely DOHOME, GLOBAL and HMPRO, after finding the clearest signs of demand recovery in three years. Data on residential low-rise construction permits has returned to growth, with permitted construction area rising 10.6% year on year in the first quarter of 2026 after declining for 11 consecutive quarters, and rising another 7.7% year on year in the second quarter of 2026, suggesting home improvement product sales should recover in the fourth quarter of 2026 and in 2027. The research team said DOHOME is the most attractive first choice, because construction materials account for nearly 50% of its first-half 2026 sales, and about 35% comes from the northeastern region, where applications for residential low-rise construction permits rose roughly 20% year on year in both the first and second quarters of 2026, according to data from the Real Estate Information Center, or REIC. GLOBAL is the second choice, while HMPRO will gradually recover along with consumption, supported by a dividend yield of 5.5% in 2027. CGSI raised its combined net profit forecasts for the three companies by 1.0% to 3.6% for 2026 to 2028, after lifting sales and margin assumptions for some companies and lowering financial costs.
Broker maintains Sell on DOHOME, target 3.20 baht, expects 2027 profit to fall 5%
Bualuang Securities said DOHOME still looks set for strong 3Q26 earnings, forecasting net profit of 140 million baht, up 38% YoY but down 54% QoQ, helped by better sales and lower interest expense. Same-store sales growth, or SSSG, rose 5-7% YoY in July-August on a low base a year earlier, but is expected to slow to about 2% in September, putting the full quarter at roughly 4%. Gross margin is expected to hold steady YoY even though steel margins fell below the normal 10-12% range on inventory losses, as a higher share of own-brand products partly offsets the drag. However, the boost from new store openings is starting to fade after the company postponed all large-format store openings in 2026. It plans to open 12-15 ToGo outlets, but small stores account for only about 3% of total sales, while the next large-format branch will open in 1Q27, meaning sales growth over the remainder of the period must rely mainly on a recovery in SSSG. The 2027 outlook is not particularly attractive, as demand from both households and the construction sector remains weak. Private consumption is expected to grow only 2.6% YoY, while the government investment budget for fiscal 2027 falls 8.4% YoY to 789 billion baht, following a 7.6% decline in 2026. As a result, SSSG in 2027 is forecast at just 1.5% and core profit is expected to fall 5% YoY to 773 million baht, as margins return to normal levels and support from new stores diminishes. The broker maintains its Sell rating and 3.20 baht target price. Although the stock trades at a 2027 PER of about 15x, well below its historical average, the discount reflects weaker profit growth rather than an attractive valuation. Any share price gain driven by post-flood sales expectations should be seen as a chance to sell into strength rather than to chase the stock higher.
ASL maintains Buy on PTG with 8.70 baht target, expects second-half profit growth both HoH and YoY
ASL Securities stated that PTG's operating results showed a net profit of 74 million baht in 2Q26, down 76.3% YoY and 22% below expectations, due to high tax expenses of 66 million baht, or an ETR of 40.4%. Total revenue was 61 billion baht, up 8.9% QoQ and 9.5% YoY, benefiting from high global oil prices and the government's removal of pump price caps, the main factor supporting the recovery of marketing margin, which reached 1.83 baht per liter, up 41% from the previous quarter. As a result, GPM stood at 7.4%, flat from 7.5% in 1Q26 and below 7.7% in 2Q25. SG&A/Sales was at 7%, down from 7.7% in the previous quarter, reflecting efficient cost control, especially through adjustments to marketing plans. For the 2H26F outlook, net profit is expected to expand both HoH and YoY. In 3Q26F, sales may slow due to seasonal factors, but growth will be prominent in 4Q26F, the high season for travel, which supports traffic at gas stations, along with marketing margin rising about 10-15% compared with 1H26. The brokerage views positively management's 2H26F plan to cut capital expenditure to 3,000-4,000 million baht from 3,500-4,000 million baht, especially the Pantai coffee portion to 800-1,000 million baht from 1,000-1,500 million baht, as it aims to slow expansion of PTG-owned branches while continuing to expand through franchises, which helps reduce costs for hiring and training new employees. SG&A/Sales is expected to fall to 7.0% from 7.3% compared with 1H26. The YoY growth factors come from the benefit of high oil prices, improved performance in the non-oil business, especially Pantai coffee from the increase in the number of branches, and lower operating expenses due to reduced marketing budget. We maintain our Buy recommendation with a 2027F TP of 8.70 baht, based on PBV of 1.22 times, close to the three-year historical average of 1.69 times minus 1S.D. Currently PBV is 1.39, an attractive level. We view that PTG has room to recover in the remainder of the year, given marketing margin returning to normal in line with market mechanisms, flexibility in its business plan to cope with current conditions, and business restructuring to reduce the impact of global oil price volatility.
TJX Adds United Rentals Executive to Board, Declares $0.48 Dividend, Raises Store Target to 7,500
The TJX Companies, Inc. has added Craig A. Pintoff, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of United Rentals, Inc., to its Board and Audit and Finance Committee, and declared a US$0.48 per-share quarterly dividend payable on December 3, 2026. Alongside the board refresh and continued dividend payments, TJX is accelerating its global expansion plans by raising its long-term store target by 500 locations to 7,500, underscoring management's confidence in the performance of new store formats across rural, urban, and established markets. The company's narrative projects $74.8 billion in revenue and $7.2 billion in earnings by 2029, requiring 6.3% yearly revenue growth and about a $1.1 billion earnings increase from $6.1 billion today. Some of the most optimistic analysts were expecting TJX to reach about US$78.3 billion in revenue and US$7.3 billion in earnings, a far more upbeat view than consensus. Rising labor and operating costs remain a key risk to margin resilience as the retailer expands its footprint.
PTG reports 2Q/26 net profit of 74 million baht, missing estimates by 22% on high taxes
PTG reported second-quarter 2026 net profit of 74 million baht, down 76.3% from a year earlier and 22% below analyst estimates, due to tax expenses of 66 million baht, or an effective tax rate of 40.4%. Total revenue came in at 61 billion baht, up 8.9% from the previous quarter and 9.5% from a year earlier, helped by high global oil prices and the government's removal of the cap on pump prices, the main factor supporting the recovery in marketing margin, which reached 1.83 baht per liter, up 41% from the previous quarter. As a result, gross profit margin stood at 7.4%, flat from 7.5% in the first quarter of 2026 and below 7.7% in the second quarter of 2025. SG&A as a proportion of sales was 7%, down from 7.7% in the previous quarter, reflecting efficient cost control, particularly through adjustments to its marketing plan. For the outlook in the second half of 2026, analysts expect net profit to expand both half-on-half and year-on-year. In the third quarter of 2026, sales may slow seasonally, but growth should be strong in the fourth quarter of 2026, the high season for travel that boosts traffic at gas stations, along with a roughly 10-15% increase in marketing margin compared with the first half. Analysts also view the management's second-half plans positively, following a cut in capital expenditure to 3,000-4,000 million baht from 3,500-4,000 million baht, particularly for the Punthai Coffee business, which was reduced to 800-1,000 million baht from 1,000-1,500 million baht, as the company wants to slow the expansion of PTG-owned branches while continuing to expand through franchising, which helps reduce costs for hiring and training new employees. SG&A as a proportion of sales is expected to fall to 7.0% from 7.3% in the first half. Analysts maintain a Buy rating with a 2027 target price of 8.70 baht, based on a P/BV of 1.22 times, close to the three-year average of 1.69 times minus one standard deviation. The current P/BV of 1.39 is at an attractive level. Analysts see PTG as having room to recover over the remainder of the year, supported by marketing margin returning to normal in line with market mechanisms, flexibility in its business plans to cope with current conditions, and business restructuring to reduce the impact of global oil price volatility. On the technical side, the short term has seen a test and a hold of the uptrend line without creating a new low below 8.05-8.00, with the trend still swinging upward. Intraday resistance is a double top at 8.50-8.60; a break above and hold with increased trading volume would be a buy signal for a continuation of the V-shaped pattern, with major resistance at the previous high of 9.00. For investment recommendations, investors holding the stock should hold or add to positions, with a chance to test resistance at 8.50-8.60 and 9.00. Investors without the stock should buy short term, focusing on holding support at 8.05-8.00, which should not be breached.
PTG.BK · Capital · Negative 2Q/26 net profit of 74 million baht missed estimates by 22% and fell 76.3% year-on-year on a 40.4% effective tax rate.
PTG.BK · Pricing · Positive Removal of the government pump-price cap lifted marketing margin to 1.83 baht per liter, up 41% quarter-on-quarter.
Punthai Coffee · Capital · Neutral Punthai Coffee capex was cut to 800-1,000 million baht as PTG slows company-owned branch expansion in favor of franchising.
Warby Parker Shares Jump 10.4% on Google AI Smart Glasses Partnership
Warby Parker shares jumped 10.4% in the afternoon session as the market continued to react to the eyewear retailer's partnership with Google on AI-powered smart glasses. According to Barron's, the collaboration centers on developing smart glasses powered by artificial intelligence and has already driven sharp price swings after an initial run-up. Barron's noted that longer-term fundamentals remain supported by steady revenue growth and solid gross margins, though volatility around the AI glasses story can keep shares moving as investors reassess how much of the partnership is already priced in. The stock is up 21.4% since the beginning of the year, but at $27.43 per share it is still trading 9.6% below its 52-week high of $30.34 from June 2026. Warby Parker's shares are extremely volatile, with 57 moves greater than 5% over the last year.
Taiyo Yuden and TDK Form Business Alliance; Ito En to Abolish Shareholder Benefits
Among the individual announcements made on the 29th, Taiyo Yuden revealed that it will sign a business alliance agreement with TDK covering joint development of electronic components and other areas. Sekichu raised its standalone operating profit forecast for the fiscal year ending February 2027, while Ito En will abolish its shareholder benefit program. Honey's Holdings posted a sharp profit decline in its consolidated results for the first quarter of the fiscal year ending May 2027, covering June to August 2026. BB Tower won a large order from a global IP company for storage products and maintenance services, with the order value at approximately 3.8 billion yen. Bank Innovate announced a consolidated operating profit forecast of 2.02 billion yen for the fiscal year ending September 2026, down 6.2 percent from the previous year, figures it had previously left undisclosed, and Nifco announced it will cancel treasury shares equivalent to 9.78 percent of its total issued shares, effective October 7.
Case-Shiller July Home Prices Rise 1.9%, CarMax Beats Fiscal Q2 Estimates
Case-Shiller home prices rose 1.9% in July, with the 20-city survey up 2.5% and the 10-city up 3.4%, though the report marked the 14th-straight decline in real home prices. Chicago posted the biggest gain for a fifth-straight month at 6.9%, followed by New York City at 5.8% and Cleveland at 4.2%, while Seattle fell 1.6%, Las Vegas 1.3% and Denver 1.1%. CarMax shares rose 5% after the auto dealer reported a 70.6% earnings surprise to $1.16 per share in its fiscal Q2, with revenues up 11.54% to $7.88 billion. Ahead of the open, the August JOLTS report is expected to show job openings easing to 7.2 million from 7.27 million, and the Conference Board's September Consumer Confidence reading is expected to dip to 89 from 89.4 in August. Pre-market futures were modestly higher, with the Dow up 70 points, the Nasdaq up 94, the S&P up 10 and the Russell 2000 up 4, as WTI traded at $90 per barrel and Brent at $103 per barrel.
Chewy Vet Care Clinics Post Triple-Digit Revenue Growth in Q2
Chewy said its Vet Care business delivered triple-digit revenue growth in the second quarter as its clinic portfolio continues to scale in line with the economic framework management outlined at the company's recent investor event. The company said Chewy Vet Care is posting strong customer satisfaction while maintaining attractive veterinarian productivity and retention, and is demonstrating compelling four-wall economics. Chewy added that the business is driving incremental engagement across its broader ecosystem, and that it is encouraged by progress across Chewy Health, supported by the early performance of Modern Animal. Management believes Chewy Health can deepen customer engagement and expand wallet share while becoming an increasingly meaningful contributor to Chewy's long-term growth and earnings power, and said its outlook does not depend on a meaningful recovery in the broader pet category. Chewy carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell), and its shares have lost 28% over the past six months against industry growth of 16.7%.
SINGER shareholders approve transfer of reserves to clear accumulated losses
The extraordinary general meeting of shareholders of Singer Thailand Public Company Limited, or SINGER, passed a resolution approving the transfer of statutory reserves and share premium to offset the company's accumulated losses. The resolution received unanimous approval with 424,374,655 votes in favour, representing 100% of the shares attending the meeting and eligible to vote. Narathip Virulchadaphan, Chief Executive Officer of SINGER, announced the outcome of the vote.
CarMax Beats Fiscal Q2 Estimates as Pre-Market Futures Rebound
CarMax shares rose 5% after the auto dealer reported a 70.6% earnings surprise to $1.16 per share in its fiscal Q2, with revenues up 11.54% to $7.88 billion. Pre-market futures were moderately higher following Monday's selloff, with the Dow up 70 points, the Nasdaq up 94, the S&P up 10 and the Russell 2000 up 4, helped by cooling oil prices at $90 per barrel on WTI and $103 per barrel on Brent. Bond yields remained elevated at 5.226% on the 10-year, 4.922% on the 2-year and 5.55% on the 30-year. The Case-Shiller Home Prices report for July showed 1.9% growth overall, 2.5% on the 20-city survey and 3.4% on the 10-city survey, marking the 14th-straight decline in real home prices, with Chicago leading gains at 6.9% for a fifth-straight month. Later today, the August JOLTS report is expected to show job openings easing to 7.2 million from 7.27 million, while the Conference Board's September Consumer Confidence reading is expected to dip to 89 from 89.4 in August.
United States
