Tech stocks may have been the play for 2023, but for next year Bank of America Securities likes their debt. The bank called investment-grade corporate bonds of technology companies one of its top 10 trades for 2024. “Own tech balance sheets, but not tech EPS in ’24,” investment strategist Michael Hartnett wrote in a Nov. 19 note. The “Magnificent 7” tech stocks — Apple , Alphabet , Amazon , Microsoft , Meta Platforms , Nvidia and Tesla — led the market higher this year. Nvidia, for instance, has skyrocketed a staggering 229% year to date, while Meta is up 190% so far this year. The tech-heavy Nasdaq has gained 39% year to date. Hartnett said his call on the bonds of big U.S. tech companies is a “great, underappreciated contrarian hedge” in a year that will likely see rate cuts from the Federal Reserve and either a “hard landing” or “soft landing” for the economy. “How do you position for unexpected events next year? A decent hedge would be the bonds of companies that have a lot of cash,” he added. “The Magnificent 7 have a lot of cash.” That unexpected event would be a hard landing, according to Harnett. He says the consensus view is a soft landing, or a gradual easing of inflation and the labor market in response to the Fed’s rate hikes. But Harnett expects there is a greater risk than expected that the economy will slow down abruptly. If a hard landing is underpriced by investors, then this outcome unquestionably will be negative for equities, Harnett explained. With the biggest positions in equities in the Magnificent 7, a hard landing would lead to deleveraging of those stocks, he added. It would also be positive for bonds. “You would get some rotation into high quality corporate bonds — and there is nothing more high quality in the corporate bond market than large-cap U.S. tech,” Hartnett said. Overall, he expects money to flow into bonds next year. Buying investment-grade tech corporate bonds is just one side of the firm’s barbell strategy in the asset class, he said. “You certainly want exposure to what we would call the diamonds in the rough — the best house in the worst neighborhood, like banks,” Hartnett said. — CNBC’s Michael Bloom contributed reporting.
From reducing energy consumption to recycling waste, it seems like everyone is interested in doing their part to help the environment these days. While green living conserves natural resources and cuts down on pollution, it also has the practical benefit of saving money on your utility bills.
Actor and environmentalist Ed Begley, Jr. is living proof of the power of going green.
While you probably know him best from his many roles on television and film, he’s been an outspoken advocate of sustainable living for almost 40 years. Everything about his home demonstrates his commitment to treading as lightly as possible on the earth.
Actor and green living advocate Ed Begley, Jr. with Danny Lipford.
He’s even written a book, Living Like Ed: A Guide to the Eco-Friendly Life, about his experiences.
Sustainable Site
The first consideration in building a green house is minimizing the environmental impact to the site. Just north of San Diego, the green development of Del Sur is doing just that. Their emphasis on environmentally friendly building practices and commitment to preserving 60% of the development’s land as open space have earned Del Sur some of California’s top environmental awards.
Pervious paving of driveways, streets, and parking lots is another way to limit damage to the environment.
While pervious paving has the look and feel of concrete or asphalt, it allows rainwater to filter through and soak into the ground.
This decreases runoff that can pollute waterways and lower groundwater levels, as well as reducing the need for costly storm drains and retention ponds.
Reuse and Recycle
The Ranch House at Del Sur is both a welcome center and an example of sustainable development. Since shipping building materials long distances greatly increases their impact on the environment, many of the materials at Del Sur were obtained locally.
Walls for the Ranch House were constructed from stones found on the property while the wood flooring and the ceiling beams came from structures that were being demolished.
Nonprofit organizations like the Reuse People are given buildings that have been slated for demolition in exchange for tax deductions. They then disassemble it and resell the materials to finance their efforts. By taking the building apart piece by piece, they are able to reuse about three-fourths of the total weight and recycle much of the rest.
Companies like TerraMai in California, specialize in turning high quality wood from demolished structures into lumber for paneling, flooring, and millwork.
Since much of it comes from older, slow growing trees, the wood is stronger and more stable than lumber produced today.
Rather than tearing down older inefficient homes and apartment buildings, some developers like Marty Bhatia of OM Development, LLC in Chicago, convert them into energy efficient and environmentally friendly structures. Buyers are even provided with a manual that explains the building’s green features.
Green Products
Green building materials can be made from just about anything, including agricultural waste.
Environ Biocomposites produces a composite material made from recycled sunflower hulls known as Dakota Burl® which doesn’t emit harmful gases and can be used for a number of interior applications.
Kirei Board is an environmentally friendly product manufactured in China from sorghum stalks that remain after harvesting.
The lightweight panels have an interesting grain pattern and can be used for anything from cabinets to flooring.
Conserving Water
A family of four uses on average 400 gallons of water a day, or almost 150,000 gallons a year.
Toilets are the largest user of water in the home. Older models require up to three times the water of new high efficiency toilets such as the Persuade™ and San Raphael™ from Kohler.
Replacing an existing toilet can cut your home’s water usage by as much as 10,000 gallon a year.
Showers are another big water guzzler. Replacing a standard showerhead with a low-flow model, like the Kohler MasterShower® Ecofficient™, can save up to 20%.
Adding low-flow aerators to kitchen and bathroom faucets will help as well. Be sure to check with your local water provider to see if tax credits are available for installing water conservation devices.Another way to cut down on water usage is by funneling the runoff from your roof to a storage tank for watering your lawn.
Some systems, such as the Deluxe Potable System from Rainwater Management Solutions, can even filter the water for use in your home.
If replacing bathroom fixtures or installing a rainwater collection system isn’t in your budget, you can still cut down on water usage by repairing leaks, limiting time in the shower, and washing only full loads of clothes and dishes.
Simple Solutions with Joe Truini: Checking for Drafts
A simple test for air leaks is to pass a butane lighter slowly around the edges of doors and windows. If the flame bends or flickers, repair or replace the weather stripping until it remains steady. Be sure to keep the flame away from curtains or other flammable materials.
Best New Products with Emilie Barta: n:vision Compact Fluorescent Bulbs
CFL light bulbs from n:vision carry the Energy Star rating and use 75% less energy than incandescents while delivering the same amount of light. Since they last about 10 times longer, you can expect to save $40 to $50 over the life of each bulb. For more natural looking light, choose a color temperature rating of warm or soft white. Find out more at The Home Depot.
Ask Danny: Installing a Programmable Thermostat
I’ve heard that if you install a digital thermostat it will lower your utility bills. Is that true? -Vicki from Spanish Fort
Installing a programmable digital thermostat allows your central system to reduce heating and cooling when the house is empty. While this can save up to 15% a year on utility bills, the actual amount will vary depending on how it is set and the amount of time the house is vacant each day. If you have a heat pump, use one of the newer hybrid thermostats that are designed to work with these systems.
ROSEMONT, ILL. — A record 1,685 exhibitors showcased the latest new products, flavors, packaging, ingredients and services at the 2023 Private Label Trade Show held Nov. 12-14 in Rosemont, Ill. The annual event is hosted by the Private Label Manufacturers Association, New York. The power of private brands was reflected in the show’s exhibitors, which featured more than 600 new to the event.
Today’s shoppers are buying private brands more often, according to the PLMA, which projected total US store brand dollar sales for 2023 to reach $233 billion, an increase of about $4 billion over 2022, based on data from Circana, Chicago.
Food and beverage manufacturers are investing in private brands by adding more of the attributes consumers want, including clean ingredient lists and premium flavor profiles. Those attributes are being sought by one of every two Gen Z grocery shoppers who “always/frequently” choose a place to shop due to its store brands, according to a recent PLMA consumer research report called “Gen Z loves store brands: America’s youngest consumers speak out on grocery shopping, stores and brands.” In the survey, 67% of Gen Z said they are “extremely/very” aware of store brands and 64% said they buy store brands “always/frequently.” More than half said they are “extremely likely/likely” to experiment with store brands to find “best value.”
“Gen Z store brand purchase frequency is most strongly driven by a perception that store brands are ‘reliable,’” said Sara Williamson, assistant professor of marketing, State University of New York-Old Westbury, who analyzed the survey results and presented her findings at the trade show. “Reliability perception is a stronger store brand purchase predictor than any other measure, including household income and monthly grocery spending.”
The survey was conducted in mid-2023 and consisted of 934 respondents, with 51% female and 48% male. The breakdown by Gen Z age was 16% between 18 and 21 years, 43% between 22 and 25, and 41% between 26 and 28. Almost one-fifth had a total household income of less than $25,000 during the prior 12 months, while 13% reported household income was $100,000 or more for the period.
The impact of store brand reliability is an indicator of the manufacturer-retailer relationship and is more important than ever, Ms. Williamson said.
“To succeed with Gen Z, retailers must establish a foundation of store brand suppliers who meet their customers’ quality expectations,” she said.
This relationship is expected to remain a priority for Gen Z, a cohort that changed grocery shopping habits during the past year because of inflation and a group that has come to appreciate the savings. Two out of five respondents to the survey spent less money on groceries overall, with 38% making fewer trips to the store. Sixty-two percent said they looked for more sales this past year and 58% cut back on expensive items and reduced impulse buying.
The key, however, is Gen Z expects more from their foods. They are looking for brand reliability in an otherwise unstable world.
“Further, they enjoy shopping in the store more than most think,” Ms. Williamson said. “Store brands can offer Gen Z shoppers the digital, physical and financial stability they need while providing the engaging and satisfying shopping experience they crave.
“Gen Z wants their brands to stand for something, just as they do. Therefore, we expect that this emphasis on personal values and self-expression could pose a unique opportunity for store brands to connect with Gen Z shoppers by continuing to reach beyond a price-oriented value proposition and focus on aligning brand identity with the personal needs and values of Gen Z.”
Such values include prioritizing the planet, which is why plant-based was a significant theme on the expo floor. Manufacturers offered new options in plant-based ethnic meals as well as convenient handheld snacks, including beefless Korean bulgogi and cheese-free breaded mozzarella sticks. Whole fruits and vegetables —minimally processed and sold in the freezer or ambient shelf — also were more sophisticated, with blends and global flavors now available to retail brands.
Sevillo Fine Foods, Salt Lake City, is a producer of chef-inspired vegetables, fruits, condiments and sauces primarily for foodservice and industrial customers. The company now offers select products for store brands, such as individually quick-frozen fire-roasted sweet corn with olive oil and sea salt. Products “coming soon” include fire grilled peach slices; chipotle lime southwest corn and rice blend with black beans, red pepper and poblanos; and a fire roasted vegetable (zucchini, onion and red pepper) and farro blend.
The global shift to spicy food options has found its way into the snack aisle, which is heating up with new flavor combinations featuring jalapeño, chili, habanero and other spicy peppers. Products spotted on the expo floor included chipotle cheddar trail mix, habanero pork rinds and jalapeño sweet potato chips.
Flavorful condiments, cooking sauces and marinades all have experienced noteworthy innovation and subsequent growth since the onset of the pandemic. The products are proving to be an economical approach to giving new life to a bowl of rice or pasta, a boneless chicken breast or grilled vegetables.
“The hybrid meal has taken over America’s kitchens, with the continued home-centered world having room for premium purchases,” said Anne-Marie Roerink, principal, 210 Analytics, Houston. “Half of Americans say they prepare dinner using a mix of scratch-cooked and semi-and fully prepared items.”
Flavor profiles relying on spice and heat, from sriracha to curry to peri-peri, are among the flavors capturing consumers’ attention. Consumers aren’t afraid of heat when they can control its addition to a dish. They increasingly are adding spice and heat, sometimes with a touch of sweet, also known as “swicy,” at all day parts. And the growing private label shopper is looking to retailers to offer them value-added options in the space, which had been limited to store-brand ketchup, mustard and marinara. Seasoned mayonnaises, spiced up cooking sauces and flavored cooking and topical sprays were abundant on the show floor.
Black Friday kicked off the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season, and the latest in-store traffic and promotional insights suggest a mixed start to the popular spending period. U.S. consumers spent a record $9.8 billion on Friday, up 7.5% year over year, according to the latest data from Adobe Analytics. Meanwhile, the annual online shopping event known as Cyber Monday is slated to bring in between $12 billion and $12.4 billion, Adobe estimates. Despite the seeming rush to shop, this Black Friday ushered in moderately higher promotions over last year and mixed in-store traffic, according to some Wall Street analysts. “These initial reads suggest the season has been lackluster so far,” said UBS analyst Michael Lasser in a Monday note to clients. “While it’s early, we think it’s best to have muted expectations for the rest of the holiday. This period is likely to include ups and downs.” As the scramble to buy up toys, gaming devices and new gadgets for the impending holidays gain steam, analysts highlighted some of the season’s early winners and losers — and what to look out for with roughly a month left to Christmas. Black Friday winners Value-focused shopping destinations seemed to win big on Friday, based on annual store checks from a slew of Wall Street shops. Five Below , Ollie’s Bargain Outlet and Walmart also showed strong Black Friday traffic, according to KeyBanc Capital Markets analyst Bradley Thomas, with Ollie’s showed the greatest strength, particularly within toys, small appliances and consumer electronics. On the traffic front, Target showed some sluggishness, with most consumers piling up on essentials versus discretionary items, he noted. Thomas attributed some of that slowness to the early Black Friday sales. Kohl’s also seemed to win big this Black Friday with improved line counts, according to Morgan Stanley. Analyst Alex Straton called the department store a “clear leader,” noting signs that new management changes are likely underway. Lululemon preserved as a leading sportwear winner, and brand to shop at this year. Multiple Wall Street firms noted snaking lines and limited discounts at the athleisure company. Goldman Sachs analyst Kate McShane also noted that Lululemon, along with Dick’s Sporting Goods , Bath & Body Works and Best Buy showed a “little stronger than average” traffic. Along with Bath and Body Works, beauty retailers such as Ulta Beauty scored big this Black Friday, with JPMorgan’s Matthew Boss calling it a “leading category” within department stores. Piper Sandler’s Korinne Wolfmeyer noted a slight uptick in traffic at both Ulta and Sephora despite declines at other retailers. “We’re seeing mass skincare and makeup as increasingly better positioned here, but we also see areas of exception like in fragrance,” she wrote. The Black Friday shopping extravaganza also ushered in some bullish sentiment toward Shopify . The Canadian e-commerce company seemed to triumph as a dominant player, hitting $4.1 billion in sales and showing 22% growth from a year ago. That should signal upside to growth merchandise value growth expectations for the fourth quarter in the high teens, according to Morgan Stanley’s Keith Weiss, against a backdrop of what appears to be resilient e-commerce spending. Deutsche Bank’s Bhavin Shah also highlighted Shopify’s “impressive” Black Friday growth as a sign of some upside ahead to fourth-quarter expectations. That said, investors shouldn’t get too excited given that it represents one day, he noted. Black Friday losers Not every popular retailer seemed to kick off the holiday shopping period on a strong note. Nordstrom , for example, showed similar line counts even with higher discounts, which could signal that “mgmt.’s revised go-forward strategy is doing little to impact the P & L, as evidenced by still-challenged 3Q fundamentals,” Straton wrote. Straton also highlighted American Eagle Outfitters as a laggard that saw average line counts decline about 30% from last year. While Lululemon drove strong in-store traffic, helped in part by advertising use in Black Friday markdowns, Nike and Under Armour both showed higher promotions, said Piper Sandler’s Abbie Zvejnieks. “Similar to last year, select premium brands within our coverage including On Running, HOKA, UGG, and lululemon were able to maintain pricing over the weekend while we saw the highest promotions within private label athletic apparel and footwear with discounts often 50% off or higher,” she said.
Have you ever wondered about the stories a home can tell? Every home has a history, and researching it can be both practical and rewarding, especially for a new home you’re planning to move to.
Researching the history of a home you’re considering purchasing can help you identify any potential problems, such as past damage or structural alterations. This information can be helpful in negotiating a lower price or making informed decisions about repairs.
Learning about the history of your current home can also be emotionally gratifying. It can help you feel more connected to your community and the people who lived there before you. It can also give you a sense of pride in your home and a deeper appreciation for its unique character.
In addition to the practical and emotional benefits, understanding your home’s history can have safety benefits, too. For example, knowing about past flooding or fire incidents can help you make necessary repairs or take proactive steps to prevent future disasters.
So, why not take the time to learn about the history of your home? You might be surprised at what you discover.
What Do I Need To Begin Researching A House?
Are you ready to go all Sherlock Holmes on your home’s history? Here are the essential tools you’ll need to get started:
Address: Make sure you have the full and accurate address, including any old street names or historical street numbers.
Year of construction: This is your time anchor. Knowing when your home was built can guide your research chronologically.
Deeds, titles, and tax records: These can be treasure troves of information, hinting at previous owners, land disputes, and value changes.
Previous owner information: Even if it’s just names or vague details, any clue can lead to more comprehensive discoveries.
Photographs, maps, and other visual resources: Old photos can reveal architectural changes, while maps might show shifts in property boundaries or neighborhood development.
Architectural plans: If available, they provide insight into the home’s original design and any subsequent modifications.
Oral histories: Chat with longtime neighbors or community members. Their stories might offer a unique personal perspective on the house’s past.
With these tools in hand, you’re ready to begin your exciting historical expedition. Remember, every snippet of information, no matter how trivial it seems, could be the key to unveiling a captivating chapter of your home’s tale.
How Can I Find the History of a House Online?
Are you intrigued by the secrets of your house? If so, tracing its history can be a fascinating journey. Here are some online resources that can help you get started:
These maps provide a fascinating glimpse into urban growth, showing the structural footprints of cities and towns throughout history. They can be used to see how your house has changed over time and to learn about the businesses and industries that may have once operated in the area.
If your home is architecturally or historically significant, it may be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This designation can provide you with access to a wealth of information about your home’s history, including photographs, architectural drawings, and historical documents.
This service can tell you if any deaths have occurred at a particular address in the United States. While it may seem morbid, this information can be important for understanding the history of your home and its previous owners.
The U.S. Census Bureau keeps a trove of records, including the names of previous owners of your home. These records can be used to track down the life stories of your home’s former residents and learn about the social and economic history of the area.
If you’re concerned about flooding, you can request flood loss data for your property from FEMA. This data can help you assess the risk of flooding at your home and take steps to mitigate that risk. You can procure flood loss data for your property by either faxing an NFIP Loss History Report Request to 703-960-9125, calling 877-336-2627 or 800-638-6620, or e-mailing. Remember, such requests are typically limited to property owners.
NARA is the guardian of countless historical, genealogical, and land records. These records can be used to learn about the ownership history of your home, as well as the history of the land on which it sits.
Familysearch.org is a free genealogy website that can help you trace your home’s lineage back to its previous residents. This can be a great way to learn about the people who lived in your home before you and to connect with your family history.
Cyndi’s List is a treasure trove of links for genealogical research. The dedicated House & Building Histories page is a great place to start your search for information about your home’s history.
These are just a few of the many resources available to help you trace the history of your home. With a little bit of research, you can uncover a fascinating story about the people, places, and events that have shaped your home over the years.
Unraveling the history of a house can be like piecing together a jigsaw puzzle. Below are a few people and places that can provide valuable insights.
Neighbors
Long-term residents can be the living archives of a neighborhood, holding memories and anecdotes about past occupants, events, and the evolution of the area. They may be able to tell you about the house’s original owners, any famous residents it had, or any significant events that happened there. They may also be able to point you to other sources of information such as old photographs or newspaper articles.
Real Estate Agents
When considering buying a house, many people are curious about its past, including any deaths that may have occurred within its walls. A real estate agent can shed light on some of these details, though disclosure laws vary from place to place. It’s essential to consult your local real estate regulations for precise information. The agent may also be able to provide you with information about the house’s recent history, such as who the previous owners were and why they sold the house.
Local Library
Libraries, especially those in older towns or cities, often have a collection of historical records, old newspapers, and property documents. The local history section could become a mine of information, unveiling stories and facts about your house’s past. You may be able to find information about the house’s construction, its owners, and any significant events that happened there. You may also be able to find photographs, maps, and other documents that can help you visualize the house’s history.
Historical Society Archives
Dedicated to preserving the memories of a town or region, historical societies collect and maintain archives that can offer a detailed account of properties, significant events, and notable residents. Their repositories can include photographs, maps, blueprints, and letters that paint a comprehensive picture of a house’s journey through time. You may be able to find information about the house’s original design, its subsequent renovations, and the people who lived there over the years.
In addition to these resources, you may also want to consider contacting the following:
The county recorder’s office: This office may have records of the house’s deed, mortgage, and other property documents.
The tax assessor’s office: This office may have records of the house’s assessed value and property taxes.
The planning department: This office may have records of the house’s zoning, permits, and other planning documents.
By connecting with the right people and visiting local establishments, you can dive deep into your home’s history and uncover a fascinating story.
What Are Some Red Flags In A House’s History?
When researching the history of a potential home, certain red flags may indicate hidden problems or potential future headaches. Being aware of these red flags can help prospective homeowners make informed decisions. Below are some significant areas of concern you should be aware of.
Flooding and Water Damage
A history of flooding or water damage can suggest both visible and invisible problems. Beyond the obvious visual damage, there may be hidden structural issues or potential mold growth. These repairs can be both expensive and time-consuming.
Fire Damage
While a home may appear renovated after a fire, underlying damage, especially to essential structural components, can persist. Such a history can also affect insurance premiums or even the ability to insure the property.
Criminal Past
Homes that have been the scenes of notable crimes, especially violent ones, may not only have a stigma attached but can also be difficult to resell in the future. The emotional weight of such a history is a consideration for many potential buyers.
Environmental Concerns
A property located near former landfills, hazardous waste sites, or in areas known for environmental contamination can pose long-term health risks. Pollutants, toxic chemicals, or even harmful gases may permeate the ground, air, or water sources around such homes.
Structural Problems
Prior structural issues, such as foundation problems, roof leaks, or major wall cracks can be predictors of recurring problems. Even if repaired, the house may be more susceptible to these issues in the future due to inherent weakness.
Code Violations
A house with a history of code violations — ranging from unpermitted renovations to serious safety breaches like improper wiring — can be a problem. Such violations may not only indicate shoddy work quality but could also pose obstacles to obtaining mortgages or insurance.
A house’s history can serve as a roadmap to potential problems. By remaining vigilant and recognizing these red flags, potential homeowners can ensure they are making a safe and sound investment.
How Can I Use The Information I Find?
From a Buyer’s Perspective
Researching a potential home’s history can offer insights that can greatly influence a purchase decision. Unearthing red flags such as past floods, fire damage, or code violations can help you make a more informed evaluation of the property, both in terms of its structural integrity and its potential future costs.
Positive historical discoveries can add an intangible charm, making the property more appealing. For example, if you learn that the house was once owned by a famous person or was the site of a significant event, it may make you feel more connected to the property.
From an Owner’s Perspective
Diving into the property’s past might lead to discoveries of historical or emotional significance. For example, you may find old photographs, artifacts, or anecdotes that tell the story of the house and its former residents. Preserving these findings not only adds value to the home but also creates a trove of stories for future generations.
Documentation becomes key, ensuring that the house’s legacy and character remain intact and appreciated over time. By preserving these historical elements, homeowners become the caretakers of their home’s narrative, enriching its story for future dwellers.
Conclusion
Delving into the history of a house is a journey that extends beyond brick and mortar. It offers potential buyers a lens through which they can gauge a property’s worth and its future prospects. For homeowners, it’s a chance to appreciate and preserve the rich tapestry of stories their dwelling holds. Recognizing and utilizing a home’s history not only empowers decision-making but also forges deeper connections between dwellers and their abodes, ensuring that each house remains more than just a structure — it’s a testament to times gone by.
CHICAGO — ADM has promoted Ian Pinner to senior vice president, president of nutrition and chief sales and marketing officer. Mr. Pinner succeeds Vince Macciocchi, who is retiring at the end of the year.
Mr. Pinner has been with ADM since 1999 and has held several leadership roles throughout his tenure with the company. Most recently, Mr. Pinner was chief strategy and innovation officer for the past five years.
As the market gets off to a strong start for the new month, Piper Sandler sees the stars aligning for certain stocks. The firm compiled its “triple select list” for November, which screens for stocks that stand to gain from a convergence of positive factors aligning: A favorable macroeconomic outlook, strong company fundamentals an attractive technical backdrop. All stocks on the Piper Sandler list have an overweight rating. Piper Sandler’s high-conviction list comes as stocks head for their best week of the year . A softer-than-expected jobs report as well as hope that the Federal Reserve could be nearing the end of its monetary tightening cycle underpinned the uptick in stocks. E-commerce giant Amazon made the Piper Sandler list, underpinned by both its earnings growth and momentum heading into future results. The firm also noted that Amazon stock is headed toward its 52-week high and could break out above $146 per share. Shares have surged more than 64% this year. AMZN YTD mountain Amazon YTD “We view AMZN as a top Internet name to own given improving margin profile, stabilizing AWS [Amazon Web Services] trends, logistics moat, and consumer mind-share,” analyst Thomas Champion said. “As the company distances itself from the pandemic overbuild and the benefits of the regional fulfillment structure are realized, we see North American retail margins returning to their pre-pandemic peak.” Athleisure company Lululemon also made the cut. The clothing retailer has climbed roughly 27% in 2023. LULU YTD mountain Lululemon in 2023. Analyst Abbie Zvejnieks noted that Lululemon stock is benefiting from bullish relative strength while also closing near its 52-week high in recent days. The analyst also noted there’s “constructive price action” above the stock’s 40-week moving average along with “strong realized earnings growth.” “LULU is one of our top ideas as the leader in material innovation in the athletic apparel space with best-in-class operating margin of ~22% due to a full price selling model and primarily direct-to-consumer strategy (~45% of revenue from company owned stores and ~45% of revenue from ecommerce),” Zvejnieks said. Elsewhere, biotechnology firm Amgen also made the list. Shares have ticked up about 2% from the start of 2023. AMGN YTD mountain Amgen stock. Analyst Christopher Raymond thinks Amgen is finding support near the $250 level, which aids a relative strength outlook and presents investors with a buying opportunity. “AMGN has very high profitability compared to sector peers and offers a lower beta than most in the sector,” Raymond said.
The purpose of a sealant, or caulk, on the exterior of a home is to seal gaps that allow air and moisture to infiltrate the structure of the home.
That seems simple enough, but the reality of building materials is that they are constantly moving.
Changes in temperature and humidity cause them to continually expand and contract which means the size of those gaps is constantly changing.
This means that the caulk filling those gaps is regularly being stretched and squeezed, so if it dries hard it will crack within a season or two due to the movement. To have any longevity in an exterior environment, a sealant needs to remain flexible even after it dries.
Because most homes are comprised of many different types of materials, the gaps that need to be filled are often between completely different building materials. So, a successful exterior caulk also needs to bond, or adhere, well to a wide variety of materials and surface textures.
Because an exterior sealant is very visible, it’s also important for it to blend aesthetically with your home. Some caulk options are very flexible but cannot be painted and only come in a few colors. While there are plenty of “paintable” caulk options, many of them dry relatively hard within a few months.
Solution: Elastomeric Caulk
Elastomeric caulk is a great solution because it has the ability to stretch.
Titebond has addressed all those issues with their new all-purpose exterior sealant called TiteShield.
It’s an elastomeric caulk which, as the name implies, can stretch even after it’s completely dry. In fact, TiteShield can expand and contract up to 50% of the joint size while covering gaps up to two inches in width.
TiteShield also bonds well to a variety of building materials from wood and metal to concrete and glass.
Plus, it’s available in a wide variety of colors but can also be painted with ordinary latex paint.
The at-home coffee category saw a period of significant growth during pandemic-era restrictions. Although at-home coffee consumption rates have peaked, levels continue to remain above pre-pandemic numbers. Consumers are gravitating toward both premium and customizable options for at-home consumption.
“Consumers are bypassing the coffee shop and making their own specialty coffee beverages at home, often replicating the cold coffee drinks seen on their social media feeds,” said Caleb Bryant, associate director of food and drink at Mintel in a September 2023 interview. “Increased interest in premium at-home coffee experiences will drive retail coffee sales and offer both coffee brands and complementary coffee categories key growth opportunities.”
Frazy, a custom beverage startup, developed a line of shelf-stable boba tea. The product comes with a 2.5-oz aluminum bottle of tea concentrate, a vacuum-sealed packet of boba tapioca pearls and milk powder. After softening the tapioca pearls in the microwave for three seconds, the ingredients may be combined with hot or cold water to create an 8-oz beverage.
“Our new boba teas mark the next step in the evolution of Frazy Bottles,” said Balaji Krishnan, founder and chief executive officer of Frazy. “Our wide variety of options enables people to try different customized boba teas they wouldn’t have a chance to order otherwise, and also allows consumers who live in markets that don’t have boba to enjoy their favorite boba tea at home, work or on the go.”
On the foodservice side, Starbucks introduced its fall menu, which was inspired by “barista and consumer creativity.” New introductions included an Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso, a combination of Starbucks Blonde Espresso and flavor notes like apple, cinnamon and brown sugar, and the Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Latte.
“We’re excited to celebrate the creativity of our baristas and customers by offering the Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte on the official fall menu,” said Billy Altieri, beverage developer at Starbucks. “The warm spice flavors of chai and pumpkin seamlessly blend together, creating a creamy and comforting iced beverage.”
Here are some of the tickers on my radar for Tuesday, Oct. 10, taken directly from my reporter’s notebook:
As PepsiCo (PEP) doesn’t see the GLP-1 weight-loss drug impact that Walmart (WMT) warned about, there’s a new survey that says coverage of these treatments (Novo Nordisk‘s (NVO) Wegovy and Ozempic as well as Eli Lilly‘s (LLY) Mounjaro) could nearly double next year to 43%. About 25% cover now. Lilly is a stock in the CNBC Investing Club portfolio.
Market historian Ed Yardeni is raising his odds of a recession in 2024. He sees rolling recoveries. But base case rolling recession.
Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) price target cut to $120 per share from $132 at Bank of America. Keeps neutral (hold) rating. The analysts see a “tricky set-up” for chip stocks. AMD is in the Club’s Bullpen watch list for stocks that could become part of the portfolio. The chipmakers the Club does own are Nvidia (NVDA) and Broadcom (AVGO).
Citi takes Skyworks (SWKS) to sell from neutral. Qorvo (QRVO) same. Makers of wireless chip solutions.
Schwab (SCHW) price target lowered to $55 per share from $64 at Barclays.
JMP Securities lowers Goldman Sachs (GS) to $440 per share from $450. Give me a break stock. The stock closed Monday at $312. Goldman reports its quarter next week. Club name Wells Fargo (WFC) kicks off earnings season Friday.
If you like this story, sign up for Jim Cramer’s Top 10 Morning Thoughts on the Market email newsletter for free.
Harley-Davidson (HOG) price target cut to $32 per share from $35 at Citi. The long-awaited rebound being pushed out.
Realty Income (O) downgraded to hold from buy at Bank of America.
Mizuho lowers Walgreens (WBA) to $25 per share from $31. Cites walkout of employees.
JMP and Barclays lower Robinhood (HOOD) price targets. But big difference in where each sees HOOD. JMP goes to $24 per share from $25. Barclays goes to $10 from $11.
Block (SQ) down 46% since July. I see it as an unjustified pullback.
Unity Software CEO John Riccitiello out. Retiring. James Whitehurst, former Red Hat chief in at Unity (U). I love Whitehurst.
Citi takes Corning (GLW) to hold from buy. Sees stretched-out recovery. Shares of the Gorilla Glass maker hits a 52-week low Tuesday.
Here’s a full list of the stocks in Jim’s Charitable Trust, the portfolio used by the CNBC Investing Club.
