Costco Soars on Fresh Wave of Momentum: Can It Last?

This American classic is starting to look more like a rising star with serious profit power…

December 15, 2023 Costco Soars on Fresh Wave of Momentum: Can It Last? By Andy Swan Take a look at this chart: That might look like a rising star tech stock. But it's actually an American classic: Costco (COST). This "Steady Eddie" portfolio staple that's been padding investor profits year after year is now soaring into 2024 on a fresh wave of investor momentum. Shares rallied this week ahead of earnings with investors speculating about a potential price increase. And no, we're not talking about its iconic $1.50 hotdog – we're talking about a hike in its membership fees. The last time Costco raised the price of membership was in June 2017, so it's due for another. An anticipated hike would serve as a sort of double punch, building on previous efforts to crack down on membership sharing through an extra ID check at self-checkout. While last night's earnings results didn't deliver the membership fee increase Wall Street was expecting, what we got might've been even better. Along with a 6.1% year-over-year boost in net sales to $56.72 billion, a 7.6% increase in paid household members, and strong earnings beat, Costco announced a special cash dividend – just in time for the holidays. Any investor holding COST as of December 28 will receive a special dividend payout of $15 per share on January 12, 2024. That was enough to send COST soaring another 5% today to a new intra-day high of $661.88 (as of this writing), putting it on track for another record close to top off a week-long rally. From an execution standpoint, Costco is firing on all cylinders. But what about from a consumer standpoint? That's where our data offers unique insight. Here's the full story on whether Costco could sustain this growth into 2024, even with a membership fee increase still looming... Click here to continue reading   Until next time, Andy Swan Founder, LikeFolio Add This $3 Moonshot to Your Portfolio for 2024 Costco is a great bet on an American classic. But there's always room in our portfolio for another kind of bet – a moonshot. You know, one of those lesser-known stocks trading for just a few bucks... but with the potential to skyrocket? Well, we've got our eye on a $3 pick that fits the "moonshot" bill to a T. Not only is it riding the AI profit train – but it's set to benefit from a political ad spending spree in the new year. Check out this gem today while it's still flying under the radar. Get Instant Access Click to read these free reports and automatically sign up for research throughout the week. 25 Doomed Blue Chip Stocks The Infinite Income Manifesto

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How to lose $11 billion in one month

Plus: A reprieve in Guyana and Venezuela's border dispute.

Friday, December 15, 2023 Good afternoon,   Here's the agenda today:   UP FIRST: Starbucks's $11 billion loss, explained   CATCH UP: A peaceful path forward in South America?   —Dylan Scott, senior correspondent UP FIRST Starbucks's $11 billion loss, explained Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images Starbucks is worth about $11 billion less than it was in mid-November — but you can't necessarily blame the social media-driven boycotts over the company's stance on the Israel-Hamas war.   Let's back up here, in case you missed it: Starbucks has come under fire from supporters of both Israel and Palestine over its public messaging on the conflict in Gaza.    It started with Starbucks Workers United, a pro-labor organization that has pushed to unionize the company's workers, tweeting its solidarity with Palestine shortly after the October 7 attacks. The tweet was quickly deleted and disavowed by the group. But it was already too late.   Starbucks, which has a … let's call it contentious relationship with the labor activists within its workforce, sued over the tweet. It alleged that the use of its copyright and trademarks in the initial message could have been construed as the company supporting Hamas. The workers' organization then countersued and claimed defamation.   Somehow, both the right and the left ended up enraged by this sequence of events and called for coffee drinkers to boycott Starbucks. Republicans and Jewish organizations were furious over the initial tweet. Supporters of Palestine fumed over the company's response to the union message, interpreting it as Starbucks putting itself on the side of Israel in this conflict.   Both sides had reasons to celebrate — and claim credit — as Starbucks's stock price dipped 9 percent over the past month. The only problem, Vox's Emily Stewart writes, is the boycotts don't appear to have had anything to do with the company's poor financial performance. Starbucks's sales have been falling short of Wall Street expectations. To give one example, the surge in foot traffic for the company's Red Cup Day (when it gives away reusable coffee mugs) was much smaller this year than it was last year: Just a 32 percent bump over a regular day versus 81 percent the year before. "I don't think it's the protests that are driving this," Sara Senatore, senior research analyst at Bank of America, told Emily. Let's be frank: Nobody knows exactly why stock prices do what they do. All we know for sure is investors do not like what they are seeing from the company right now. Starbucks has other challenges. Price hikes could be driving coffee drinkers to cut back, and the weakening Chinese economy also poses a threat to its core business. It didn't help that Starbucks started Q4 with high expectations, giving it farther to fall when the reality didn't meet those projections.  The battle between Starbucks and its workers continues. Nearly 400 of the franchise's 9,000 US locations have unionized and staff continue to put pressure on the company to meet its demands. In perhaps a hopeful sign, corporate reached out to the union with a proposal to resume bargaining in January 2024. Whatever is going on, the company seems eager to move on and move forward. Read the rest of Emily's analysis here. CATCH UP A peaceful path forward in South America? Roberto Cisneros/AFP via Getty Images Venezuela and Guyana are stuck in a territorial dispute over one particularly oil-rich swath of land, but the two sides announced they intend to find a peaceful resolution to the matter.   The countries' two leaders — Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and Guyanese President Irfaan Ali — shook hands on camera at the conclusion of a day-long summit dedicated to the issue. They also agreed to form a joint commission to resolve the dispute, though Guyana still says it wants the International Court of Justice involved and Venezuela does not, CNN reports.   At issue is the Essequibo region, which comprises most of Guyana's land area and about 128,000 of its 730,000 citizens. The dispute dates back to the colonial era, when the United States adjudicated a dispute between the United Kingdom (then in control of Guyana) and Venezuela over the territory, handing control of most of it to the UK (and thereby putting it in Guyana once the latter became independent). But Venezuela has continued to protest its case.   The two sides have been ostensibly striving to find a permanent solution since the late 1960s. But recent events have brought the dispute back to the fore: Venezuelans voted recently to create a new state within Essequibo. Following a popular referendum earlier this month, Maduro ordered new maps to be drawn and pointedly disregarded the 1899 agreement that created Guyana's modern borders. Guyana regarded the Venezuelan actions as an "existential" threat that could lead to bloodshed. Ali said his country had begun conversations with the United States (with whom Guyana has a complicated defense cooperation agreement) and with Brazil in preparation for the need to defend itself if Venezuela moved forward. The two countries are pledging not to go to war. This week's summit did not lead to a resolution to the diplomatic disagreement, but the sides have promised "not [to] threaten or use force against one another in any circumstances" and to "refrain, whether by words or deeds, from escalating any conflict or disagreement." A joint commission of Venezuelans and Guyanans will try to find a path forward. The commission will be led by both countries' foreign ministers, with the assistance of their technical staff. They are expected to provide an update within three months, after which there will be another summit in Brazil.  VERBATIM 🗣️ "Without getting greater detail as to what the abstract call for genocide would be and what sort of pattern of conduct or behavior it might be a part of, the college presidents were put in a situation in which they could not answer [Rep. Elise Stefanik's viral] question with one word." —Nico Perrino, executive vice president of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, an organization that advocates for free speech, to Nicole Narea on the uproar over university leaders' testimony to Congress on free speech and the Israel-Hamas war. Stefanik's question was: "Calling for the genocide of Jews, does that constitute bullying or harassment?" [Vox] AROUND THE WEB Inside the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Painstaking reporting from inside one of America's most secretive public institutions stitches together the most thorough narrative yet of what led to the justices' historic and controversial ruling. [NYT] How tainted chemotherapy drugs ended up in pediatric cancer wards. There has been a lot of ink spilled in recent weeks about the poor quality of many of the drugs the US is importing, but this Bloomberg expose may be the most haunting example of the problem. [Bloomberg] The worst year for humanitarian aid in a long time. The UN reports a staggering shortfall in support, with donors providing less than $20 billion of the nearly $60 billion the organization needs to enact its humanitarian agenda. [Devex] MORE READS FROM VOX A new approach to measuring what's going on in our minds   What Trump has already taken from us   Why Biden may give in to Republican demands on immigration   Big Meat just can't quit antibiotics   Today's crossword ONE LAST THING Enjoying the Sentences newsletter? Forward it to a friend; they can sign up for it right here.  As always, we want to know what you think. We recently changed the format of this newsletter. Any questions, comments, or ideas? Write us at newsletter@vox.com or just reply to this email.  This email was sent to edwardlorilla1986.paxforex@blogger.com. Manage your email preferences or unsubscribe. If you value Vox's unique explanatory journalism, support our work with a one-time or recurring contribution.   View our Privacy Notice and our Terms of Service.   Vox Media, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Floor 12, Washington, DC 20036. Copyright © 2023. All rights reserved.

The one asset elites are hoarding now

Did you know this? Dear Reader, Why did global central banks buy $70 billion worth of gold last year? The most in over seven decades. Maybe they knew something was about to happen to the market. Something that impacted every retirement account. Leading MarketWatch to admit the unthinkable. That last year marked the worst combined total return for stocks and bonds. Since 1872. That's 150 years. Why did major investors buy over $740-million in gold collectively? Maybe they knew… The current market situation could devastate retirement accounts. They were right. Since, according to Bloomberg, 401(k) accounts lost 20% on average last year. Why are the elites now hoarding gold like never before? It could be because they know something even worse is coming. Leaving retirement accounts invested in paper assets like sitting ducks. But you don't have to be a victim of whatever downturn comes next. Get your hands on this Free Guide today. It outlines a simple gold-based investment strategy. That follows in the footsteps of central banks and top investors. Designed to protect and even grow your retirement. Whether the market goes up or down. Whether global conflicts get out of hand. No matter what happens. Click here to get your Free Copy right now. Regards, Gold Safe Exchange Marketing Tech Solutions T85, 5th Main Road, Anna Nagar, Chennai 600040, India.                                                  © Copyright 2023. All Rights Reserved. This email was sent to edwardlorilla1986.paxforex@blogger.com because you've subscribed on our site or made a purchase. Unsubscribe | Edit preferences

A Digital Dollar to Strip Financial Privacy

This Will Go Down In Infamy Dear Reader, Agustín Carstens is the head of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS). Also known as the "central bank of central banks". Carstens said, "The financial system is on the cusp of significant change." What "change" is he talking about? The shift to a digital form of fiat money. Controlled by the government and a cabal of unelected officials. According to Carstens, this new government-issued digital currency… "Will sit at the core of the future financial system." A system that would be based on a new form of programmable money. Designed to replace the real dollar. While being used for mass surveillance of every financial transaction you would ever make. That's why we are holding a Special "Exit The Digital Dollar" event as part of our upcoming… Gold & Silver Summit this Thursday @ 4pm PT / 7pm ET Click here to register for free Our experts will expose the truth behind this plan to impose a digital dollar on society. They will also share the little-known gold and silver strategy that allows you to opt out of the digital dollar and break free from further government control. Plus: Why now is the best time to own gold and silver at preferred rates An "IRS Loophole" left open for investors that may serve to protect their wealth Strategies to help safeguard your retirement from financial crisis An established way to set up a Gold and Silver backed IRA BONUS: How to claim your free gold and silver gift just for attending! Click here to register for free. Whatever you do… Do NOT miss this urgent event. The Federal Reserve has already put in place a new instant payment system. Next, they may plan on issuing a CBDC. Perhaps weeks from now. If that happens it might be too late for millions of Americans. Join us and find out how to protect your money against a threat like this. Click here to register for free. Marketing Tech Solutions T85, 5th Main Road, Anna Nagar, Chennai 600040, India.                                                             © Copyright 2023. All Rights Reserved. This email was sent to edwardlorilla1986.paxforex@blogger.com because you've subscribed on our site or made a purchase. Unsubscribe | Edit preferences

How am I doing?  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

December 15, 2023   |   Read Online Mid-point check in How am I doing? Moneyball 💰 I Christmas 🎁 I Gamma Replay 📹 Moneyballing the SPY *Trading is hard, results not guaranteed and should not be expected to be replicated typically. JW's LIVE every day in the Market Navigator from 9-11 EST  Locking in incredible wins trading the SPY! Great place to start options trading…  Join Navigator TODAY!   Hey Folks! Here's my run-down for Alpha Hunter at the December mid-point.  From the snapshot below, you can see I've had some big winners and some big losers.  In general I'm not focused on my personal win rate, but much more so on managing my trades, especially the ones that look headed for Loserville 👎. Overall you can see I'm up quite a bit (surpassed my $10,000 goal already this month – hoo-RAH!), but I wanted to pull some of the data from my spreadsheet to show you what kind of trades I makes and – more importantly – can teach YOU to make: Note: Trading is hard, results not guaranteed and should not be expected to be replicated typically. You can get my FULL spreadsheet by contacting Jeff Brown (jbrown@ragingbull.com) even if you're not a member.   I know you might skim over the MSFT Scratch, but I am really proud of my discipline to manage that trade.  If you recall, I exited the MSFT put spread on Wednesday, the day after I set it up.  I only made a small profit on it, and people were asking me why I exited at that time. The short answer is that the market was rallying strong after the Fed news, and MSFT was just barely green.  As much as I like MSFT, I don't know why so many shares are being sold, but it was under tremendous pressure. Here is a good chart showing you what happened. Note: Trading is hard, results not guaranteed and should not be expected to be replicated typically. As you can see, that was totally the right move. As you become a more experienced, and disciplined trader, you will start to get a "sense" for when things just don't feel right.  When that happens, I have learned to trust my gut and just get out of the trade. I can't tell you how much I have saved doing that. Decisions like these have me locking in over $10,000/month on average in Alpha Hunter. My six month isn't even over, and here's where my journal sits: Note: Trading is hard, results not guaranteed and should not be expected to be replicated typically. I'm pretty proud of the way I've managed my trades to get to this point. So if you are interested in learning more (I hope you are!!!), please check out my page here: 👉 Monthly & Lifetime Plans Available in Alpha Hunter So quit dragging your feet and invest some time into improving yourself as a trader! Hope to see you soon! To YOUR success, Jeff Bishop MORE great trading resources: Click here for unique private investing news & opportunities 💡Get the hottest stock ideas in Jeff's Bright Ideas For today's hottest stocks flying under the radar, hook arms with 360 Wall Street Questions or concerns about our products? Email Support@ragingbull.com © Copyright 2022, RagingBull DISCLAIMER To more fully understand any Ragingbull.com, LLC ("RagingBull") subscription, website, application or other service ("Services"), please review our full disclaimer located at https://ragingbull.com/disclaimer *Sponsored content: We're a proud affiliate for 1440 Media, meaning if you click a link for a product or service, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. 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