Asian markets closed mixed on Monday, with most indexes ending in the red after a tech selloff in the United States. It was one of those days when bad news from Wall Street just rippled across the region.

Japanese and South Korean chipmakers got hit particularly hard since they’re so tied to what happens with US tech companies. When American semiconductor stocks tank, it usually drags down their Asian suppliers and partners too.

China was a bit of a mixed bag, though. While the broader market was down, some of their tech companies actually did okay thanks to all the AI buzz.

Asian markets: Nikkei 225 hits 3-week low

Japan’s Nikkei 225 dropped to its lowest close in three weeks as investors got spooked about the AI competition heating up.

The index fell 1.24%, or about 530 points, to end at 42,188.79. At one point during the day, it was down more than 2% before recovering slightly.

The broader Topix index didn’t get hit quite as hard, falling 0.39% to 3,063.19, but it still reflects the overall cautious mood in Japanese markets.

Hong Kong had a much better day than most of Asia, with the Hang Seng Index jumping 2.15% to close at 25,617.42. That’s a solid gain when most other regional markets were struggling.

Chinese companies listed in Hong Kong did well too, with the China Enterprises Index up nearly 2% to 9,121.87. But the real standout was the Tech Index, which climbed 2.20% to 5,798.96.

Korean markets slip on tech sector worries

South Korea’s Kospi index plunged 1.35% to 3,142.93, and the smaller Kosdaq dropped even more at 1.49% to 785.

Korean markets have been particularly sensitive to tech sector worries lately, so the selloff there wasn’t too surprising.

Australia joined the decline too, though not as dramatically. The S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.51% to 8,927.70, which is pretty mild compared to what we saw elsewhere in the region.

China’s CSI 300 remained flat on Monday as investors remained cautious about the overall volatility. The index surged 0.60% higher to close at 4,523.71 on Monday.

Sensex climbs 568 points

By the end of the day, Indian markets had a pretty solid session. The Sensex climbed 568 points to close at 80,377.74, up 0.71%, while the Nifty gained 198 points to finish at 24,625.10, up 0.81%.

The breadth was impressive too, as over 2,600 stocks went up compared to just 1,300 that fell.

Auto stocks were the big winners, with the Nifty Auto index jumping 2.7%. Consumer durables weren’t far behind at 2.2%. Even the smaller companies did well, with mid-caps up 2% and small-caps gaining 1.7%.

That’s a sign investors weren’t just buying the big names; they were feeling optimistic across the board.

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As the US imposes punitive tariffs on over $60 billion of Indian exports, investors are left grappling with the implications for their portfolios. 

In an interview with Invezz, Bill Mann, Chief Investment Strategist at Motley Fool Asset Management, outlined a proactive approach to navigating this turbulent landscape. 

“For investors, this isn’t a reason to panic-sell; it’s a reason to focus on resilience,” Mann said, emphasising the importance of investing in high-quality companies with pricing power. 

With critical sectors like textiles and gems facing potential export collapses of up to 70%, the stakes are high for India, which has become a focal point in US trade policy. 

A sought-after public speaker and commentator, Bill’s expertise spans a wide range of industries.

His deep understanding of corporate governance issues led him to testify as an expert witness before the US Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation, regarding the collapse of Enron.

Mann cautioned against overreacting to tariff-induced volatility, suggesting that opportunities exist in technology and energy infrastructure. 

“We’re seeing a surge in demand for power generation and transmission capacity,” he noted, highlighting sectors that could benefit from the ongoing energy buildout. 

The strained US-India relationship, marked by these tariffs, poses challenges for bilateral trade and investor confidence. However, Mann believes that companies capable of adapting to shifting trade flows will thrive. 

At Motley Fool Asset Management, we focus on companies that can compete globally, regardless of policy twists. 

As global GDP growth is projected to slow to around 3.0% in 2025, Mann’s insights offer a roadmap for investors looking to capitalise on resilient markets while navigating the complexities of international trade.

Edited excerpts:

Strained trade relation

Invezz: How will the US tariffs affect India’s GDP and critical sectors like textiles and gems?

Of more than $86 billion in goods exported from India to the US, more than $60 billion are now subject to punitive tariff rates. 

A New Delhi-based think tank called The Global Trade Research Initiative predicts that segments like textiles and gems could suffer as much as a 70% collapse in exports to the US, as these industries have not received any tariff waivers, unlike other segments such as pharmaceuticals.

Invezz: How might tying tariffs to India’s Russian oil purchases reshape global trade, especially for competitors like China or Vietnam?

China and Vietnam will remain highly interested in this outcome. India has been a favored destination as foreign companies have looked to both India and Vietnam as viable manufacturing alternatives to China.

Invezz: How might strained US–India ties influence investor confidence and bilateral relations?

Since the aftermath of “Liberation Day” in April, American investors have taken the threat of tariffs in stride. 

The Trump administration has pointed to trade imbalances being driven by policies that favor global competitiveness over domestic consumption.

It’s remarkable that it is India, rather than Russia or China, where the US has drawn the hardest line.

Investment strategies

Invezz: How should investors adjust portfolios to manage risks from the 50% US tariffs on $60 billion of Indian exports, especially in textiles and gems? Any recommended asset classes or regions?

Of the $86 billion in Indian exports to the US, $60 billion is now under tariffs, and industries like textiles and gems could see exports collapse by as much as 70%. 

We believe that, for investors, this isn’t a reason to panic-sell; it’s a reason to focus on resilience. 

Our philosophy is to stay invested in high-quality companies with pricing power. 

We’re cautious on tariff-sensitive consumer goods but see opportunities in technology, energy infrastructure, and companies positioned to benefit from AI-driven demand for power. 

We believe that volatility here is not something to fear; it’s where active managers can find value.

Invezz: With global GDP growth projected to slow to around 3.0% in 2025 due to trade tensions and policy uncertainty, how should investors position themselves to capitalise on resilient markets like India, despite the US tariffs impacting $60 billion of its exports?

You have to ask why India is a preferred soft target for US sanctions. 

For many reasons, the Indian economy is less export-oriented and more domestically focused than many other countries in Asia, especially China and Vietnam. 

Still, Standard Chartered suggests that if these tariffs remain, it could impact the Indian economy by as much as 1% of GDP. 

That’s a devastating contraction. 

Will India open up its agricultural market as the US is demanding? Will it choose to align itself with the US or with China and Russia? 

For better or for worse, the Indian stock market, writ large, hasn’t really overreacted. 

Our preferred way to invest in the growth of countries around the world is through companies that have the opportunity to capitalise on trends that we believe should be more immune to macroeconomics.

US technology leaders like Microsoft offer high-quality opportunities to benefit from growth in India, with its cloud services arm, Azure, growing at a 34% annual rate.

Energy and trade

Invezz: Energy Market Impact: With tariffs tied to India’s Russian oil purchases potentially spiking Brent crude prices, how might this affect investor sentiment in energy-intensive sectors or create opportunities for US energy firms?

The tariffs are closely tied to India’s Russian oil purchases, which highlights how energy remains at the center of global trade tensions. 

While this creates uncertainty for energy-intensive industries like transport and manufacturing, it also reinforces the opportunity for US energy and infrastructure companies. 

We’re seeing a surge in demand for power generation and transmission capacity, with equipment backlogs stretching years and pricing power firmly in suppliers’ hands. 

At Motley Fool Asset Management, we view these bottlenecks not as risks to avoid, but as catalysts for companies positioned on the right side of the energy buildout.

Invezz: How will targeting India with tariffs impact its competitiveness versus Vietnam, and what does this mean for US-India trade talks?

These tariffs deliberately hit Indian industries without waivers, leaving pharmaceuticals untouched while weakening sectors like textiles. That opens the door for Vietnam and China to capture market share. 

At Motley Fool Asset Management, we don’t try to guess every policy twist; instead, we focus on companies that can adapt and compete globally, regardless of shifting trade flows.

Inflation

Invezz: Given forecasts of uneven global inflation and rising bond yields in 2025, how can investors navigate tariff-induced price pressures and market volatility to identify opportunities in sectors like technology or sustainable energy?

Why are we presuming that tariffs will be inflationary? 

There is a long history of trade protection in countries like India through the 1990s and Japan up until a few years ago that suggests the exact opposite is just as likely. 

The US tariff regime is in place to reorder global trade, which, as a direct byproduct, could mean that massive amounts of capital resources will be stranded, particularly in China, which has the largest concentration of manufacturing assets on the planet. 

Stranded or poorly returning capital assets of a sufficient scale are deflationary in nature. 

Couple that with the OPEC unwind of more than 2 million barrels per day of voluntary production cuts, and it is possible that these dynamics do not support inflation. 

Our philosophy at Motley Fool Asset Management isn’t really about navigating pressures that may or may not come to pass; rather, it’s about finding companies that have characteristics that should help them succeed regardless. 

For example, we have very little exposure to sustainable energy because our questions around the long-term profitability of the space are too substantial.

Instead, we’ve focused on construction and services companies that specialise in energy infrastructure.

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Dow futures showed some modest strength on Monday, staying in a pretty tight trading range. It’s the kind of cautious optimism you get when investors are trying to feel their way through uncertain times.

After all the recent market choppiness, especially with tech stocks getting beaten up, the Dow’s relative stability is notable.

While growth stocks and semiconductors have been all over the place, the more traditional blue-chip companies that make up the Dow seem to be holding their ground better.

Traders are basically in a wait-and-see mode right now. There’s a bunch of economic data coming out this week that could move markets, plus everyone’s still trying to figure out what all the global volatility means for US companies.

5 key signs from Wall Street today

1. Pre-market trading is showing some big moves that could set the tone for the day. Top KingWin took a serious hit, dropping 11.11% as investors seem to be losing confidence over some financial concerns.

On the flip side, NeoGenomics and Affirm Holdings are both moving higher, which shows it’s not all doom and gloom out there.

Affirm has been on a roll lately after their strong earnings, so that momentum seems to be carrying over into pre-market.

These early moves give you a pretty good sense of what traders are thinking before the real action starts.

2. The world economy is still on pretty unstable ground, and a lot of that has to do with what’s going on in Asia right now. Most Asian markets ended the day in the red because US tariffs are really hurting manufacturing activity throughout the region.

When Asian factories start slowing down, it doesn’t take long for that to mess with supply chains and trade patterns everywhere else.

3. The technical picture on Wall Street is sending some mixed signals right now. Both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq are bumping up against some important support levels after all the recent choppiness, which has the chart watchers paying close attention.

Technical analysts are basically saying the moving averages and RSI readings suggest we could see a bounce, but it’s not guaranteed to stick.

4. Tech stocks are still the main event, but it’s getting pretty complicated in that space.

The semiconductor and AI sectors are going through some major shifts right now, with investors trying to figure out who the real winners and losers are going to be.

There are still bright spots, especially among companies that are actually making money from AI rather than just talking about it.

5. The geopolitical situation isn’t making things any easier for investors right now. Asia-Pacific tensions and all those ongoing trade talks are keeping everyone on edge, and it’s definitely showing up in market sentiment.

Political drama in China, Indonesia, and Thailand is creating uncertainty that’s rippling beyond just those local markets.

The post Dow futures trade in green on Monday: 5 key signs from Wall Street today appeared first on Invezz

British bank stocks recovered modestly on Monday after sharp losses last week, with analysts arguing that fears of new taxes on the sector may be overstated.

NatWest (NWG) shares, which fell 4.9% on Friday, and Lloyds (LLOY), which dropped 3.4%, were both trading in the green at market open on Monday.

The declines followed calls from a think-tank for an additional levy on banks and a Financial Times report suggesting industry leaders were concerned the government could raise revenue by targeting lenders.

However, several analysts believe the scale of the selloff was excessive given the uncertainty surrounding any potential tax measures.

Analysts dismiss scale of selloff

Jonathan Pierce, analyst at Jefferies, said in a Reuters report that the recent market reaction did not match the likelihood of the proposal being enacted.

“If it were genuine flag-flying by HMT (the British Treasury), one might expect a modest selloff. But a 5% hit to domestic banks on the back of yet another think tank highlighting potential reserve-remuneration-related benefits is not justified in our view,” Pierce noted.

He added that while an extra bank tax might be introduced, it was unlikely to take the form currently suggested.

The think-tank proposal targeted the interest banks earn on the hundreds of billions of pounds they hold in reserves at the Bank of England, a legacy of the central bank’s quantitative easing programme.

These balances are now being gradually reduced.

Likely alternatives to a reserve tax

Bank of America (BofA) analysts also downplayed the likelihood of the suggested reserve-based tax.

Instead, they argued that if the government did seek additional revenue from the sector, the most probable route would be through the Banking Surcharge.

The surcharge was cut from 8% to 3% in 2023, coinciding with the increase in UK Corporation Tax from 19% to 25%.

Raising this surcharge, BofA suggested, would provide a more straightforward mechanism for boosting tax contributions from lenders.

Such a move would have uneven effects across the sector. According to BofA, Lloyds and NatWest would be more exposed due to their domestic focus, facing an estimated 3% reduction in profits by 2026.

By contrast, Barclays, with its broader international operations, would see a smaller impact of around 1.5%.

Economic growth considerations

Beyond the immediate effect on bank earnings, some market observers highlighted the potential economic consequences of increasing the tax burden on financial institutions.

Rory McPherson, Chief Investment Officer at Wren Sterling, said it was important for the government to take account of the wider business environment before introducing new measures.

“We would hope the government has looked at the impact of implicit taxes on business, like the rise in interest rates and national insurance contributions and the impact of those on UK economic growth,” McPherson said.

With UK banks still adjusting to a higher interest rate environment and a weaker economic outlook, additional taxes could weigh further on profitability and lending capacity.

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Wall Street ended the week on a cautious note as markets dipped, tech stocks faltered, and investors braced for fresh inflation data. 

Beyond the markets, political and corporate drama dominated headlines from Trump’s unprecedented attempt to oust a Fed governor and a court ruling against his tariffs, to Nvidia’s blockbuster earnings and Elon Musk’s latest clash with regulators.

A glance at the biggest stories that captured attention this week. 

Tech drags as investors play safe

Wall Street had a crazy week, with mixed signals making things a bit uncertain. The main indexes were all down: the Dow Jones fell 92 points, the S&P 500 slipped 0.6%, and the Nasdaq dropped 1.2%. 

The tech sector took the biggest hit, with big names like Nvidia, Super Micro Computer, and Broadcom pulling things down as investors got a bit defensive before new inflation numbers came out.

Instead of big tech, investors seemed to prefer safer bets. 

Consumer staples and value stocks did better, a clear sign of the cautious mood as the market heads into September, which is often a tough month.

There were some interesting individual movers, too. Keurig Dr Pepper took a big hit after announcing an acquisition, while Deckers Outdoor had a good week thanks to some new product launches. 

Regional banks and chipmakers had a mixed performance, with investors trying to balance the good news from Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s dovish comments against. 

Trump vs. the Fed

The Fed vs White House showdown climbed to a different level this week as US President Donald Trump ordered the removal of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, citing allegations of mortgage fraud as the reason for her dismissal. 

This marked the first time a sitting president has attempted to remove a Federal Reserve governor in the institution’s 112-year history. 

Trump claimed he had constitutional authority to act, accusing Cook of making misleading statements regarding mortgage agreements. 

Cook denied the allegations and pushed back against Trump. She filed a lawsuit seeking to block her termination while claiming that the President doesn’t have the legal authority to remove her.

The lawsuit argues her firing violates federal law, which requires “cause” for removal, a standard generally interpreted as serious misconduct. 

The case threatens to challenge longstanding Federal Reserve independence and could reach the Supreme Court, potentially revisiting a historic 1935 decision protecting independent agencies. 

Trump’s move is seen as an attempt to increase control over the central bank, intensifying political tensions. 

The White House defended the firing, while economists and officials caution that such interference risks economic stability. Cook remains on the board pending court proceedings. Read full report here

AI demand powers Nvidia’s record quarter

Nvidia had a fantastic second quarter, blowing past expectations with $46.7 billion in revenue. That’s a huge jump, up 56% from this time last year and 6% from the last quarter.

The company’s earnings per share (EPS) were also strong at $1.04, beating the $1.01 forecast. 

The real story here is the data center business, which saw a massive 56% growth. This is Nvidia’s bread and butter right now, thanks to the soaring demand for AI infrastructure.

The company’s gross margin held strong at 72.4%. CEO Jensen Huang pointed to the rapid adoption of their new Blackwell AI platform as a key driver behind the AI boom.

Despite all the good news, some analysts were expecting even more from the data center revenue, which caused a slight dip in the stock after hours.

Looking ahead, Nvidia is optimistic, forecasting about $54 billion in revenue for the third quarter. 

However, this doesn’t include potential shipments of their H20 chips to China, a situation complicated by ongoing regulations. Read full report here

SEC accuses Musk of late Twitter disclosure

In another Musk vs US administration saga, Elon Musk is pushing back against the SEC. 

On Thursday, his legal team filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit from the US Securities and Exchange Commission, which claims he was late in reporting his stake in Twitter back in 2022.

The SEC alleges Musk waited 11 extra days to reveal his initial 5% ownership, allowing him to snap up more shares at a lower price and pocket $150 million.

Musk’s lawyers argue the delay was simply a mistake and was fixed quickly. 

They insist there was no intent to mislead anyone or harm investors. His filing goes even further, accusing the SEC of overstepping its authority and unfairly targeting him, calling the lawsuit a waste of the court’s time. 

Ultimately, Musk is asking the court to throw the case out entirely.

Court curbs Trump’s tariff powers

In the latest blow to President Donald Trump, a US appeals court on Friday ruled that most of his tariffs are illegal. 

In a 7-4 decision, the court said Trump overstepped his authority under a law meant for emergency economic powers, arguing that the power to impose tariffs belongs to Congress, not the President.

The ruling strikes down the “reciprocal” tariffs he had placed on many countries, including a 10% blanket tariff on nearly all U.S. trading partners.

While the ruling is a significant setback, the tariffs won’t disappear immediately. 

The court has given the Trump administration until October 14 to appeal to the Supreme Court. 

Trump has already vowed to fight the decision and says he expects the Supreme Court to rule in his favor. Read full report here

The post Weekly wrap: markets wobble, Trump battles Fed, Nvidia smashes records, Musk faces SEC heat appeared first on Invezz

The 2025 NFL season kicks off on September 4 with the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles hosting the Dallas Cowboys. For investors, this isn’t just football – it’s a financial playbook.

The NFL commands the largest share of US sports betting volume, and with 38 states now legalizing some form of sports wagering, the season’s kickoff marks a surge in user engagement, betting activity, and platform revenues.

Sportsbooks see a spike in app downloads, active users, and betting handle during the NFL’s opening weeks. That makes now a prime time to position in the sector.

Below are two top sports betting stocks poised to benefit from the NFL frenzy.

DraftKings Inc (NASDAQ: DKNG)

DraftKings is the second-largest online sportsbook in the U.S., commanding roughly 25% market share.

With operations in 25 states and Washington, DC, it’s a pure digital play – no brick-and-mortar distractions, just scalable tech and aggressive user acquisition.

The company added 3 million active users in 2024 alone, a testament to its marketing muscle and product stickiness. As the NFL season begins, DKNG typically sees a surge in betting volume, especially around marquee matchups and fantasy contests.

Financially, the company is turning a corner. Revenue growth has been robust, and EBITDA margins are improving. In 2025, DraftKings plans to introduce a tax surcharge in high-tax states, a move aimed at protecting profitability.

While this could slightly dent market share, it signals a shift toward sustainable earnings. Analysts remain bullish, citing its dominant brand, expanding casino offerings, and potential for international growth.

Wall Street currently has a consensus “overweight” rating on DKGN shares with a mean target calling for upside to roughly $55. For investors seeking exposure to the NFL betting boom, DraftKings stock is a front-runner.

Flutter Entertainment Plc (NYSE: FLUT)

Flutter Entertainment, the parent company of FanDuel, is the undisputed leader in US online sports betting, with a commanding 48% market share.

FanDuel’s dominance is especially pronounced during the NFL season, when its intuitive interface, aggressive promotions, and same-game parlays attract millions of bettors.

Operating in 24 states, FanDuel is often the first app downloaded by new users, giving Flutter a powerful funnel for customer acquisition.

Beyond the US, Flutter’s global footprint adds resilience. It leads in the UK and Ireland, and its Australian brand SportsBet holds 45% market share. This geographic diversification cushions against regulatory shocks and seasonal dips.

Flutter’s reinvestment strategy – plowing profits back into marketing and tech – has paid off with consistent top-line growth. As the NFL season kicks off, expect FanDuel to dominate headlines and betting volumes.

Wall Street currently rates FLUT shares at “overweight” as well. For investors, Flutter stock offers both scale and stability, making it a compelling pick for the sports betting surge.

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Goldman Sachs President John Waldron just cashed in $13.6 million worth of company stock, selling 18,244 shares over a couple of days in late August.

The shares went for between $748 and $751 each, according to the regulatory filing that came out Friday.

This is pretty notable timing since Waldron is widely seen as the heir apparent to CEO David Solomon.

It could just be routine portfolio management or estate planning, but it also raises questions about his confidence in the company’s near-term prospects.

The sale happened over August 27-28, so it was planned and executed pretty quickly. At Goldman’s current stock price levels, $13.6 million represents a decent chunk of shares for even a senior executive to unload at once.

The filing breaks down exactly how Waldron did this – he spread the sale across six different trades to move all 18,244 shares. The average price worked out to about $749 per share, which got him to that $13.6 million total.

Strategic shuffle at Goldman

Waldron’s been at Goldman for over two decades now, starting there in 2000 and working his way up to President and COO in 2018.

So this isn’t some outsider making a quick move; he knows the company inside and out.

What’s important to note is that even after this big sale, Waldron still owns around 106,268 shares, which keeps him as one of Goldman’s biggest individual shareholders.

The sale represents maybe 6% of his total holdings, which puts it more in the category of portfolio management than any kind of panic move.

What makes this sale even more interesting is that Waldron and CEO Solomon both got massive share retention bonuses worth $80 million combined earlier this year.

That was Goldman’s way of keeping them locked in and aligned with shareholders, so selling stock just months later sends a bit of a mixed message.

Waldron’s leadership spans oversight of Goldman Sachs’ key divisions like investment banking, global markets, and asset and wealth management, and he is currently a member of Goldman’s board of directors.

Waldron’s stock sale sparks investor buzz

Goldman’s stock has been on a tear this year, hitting all-time highs thanks to strong revenue and profits from investment banking and trading.

So from a timing perspective, Waldron picked a pretty good moment to cash in some chips. His sale can be more to do with basic financial planning than any red flags about Goldman’s future.

Everyone’s keeping an eye on Waldron since he’s basically the consensus pick to eventually take over from Solomon as CEO.

When someone in that position makes any kind of move with their stock holdings, investors tend to read more into it than they probably should.

Sure, $13.6 million sounds like a lot of money, but when you look at his total stake in the company, it’s really just a small slice.

He still owns around 106,268 shares, so this sale doesn’t suggest he’s lost faith in Goldman’s game plan or where the company is headed.

The post Goldman Sachs No. 2 just sold $13.6M in stock: here’s what it really means appeared first on Invezz

Retail stocks have done fairly well since April, as indicated by the “XRT” exchange-traded fund (ETF). Still, R5 Capital founder Scott Mushkin says the second half of 2025 will likely be a different story.

“We don’t like much in retail,” he told CNBC in a recent interview, citing widespread structural and competitive concerns across the sector. But there’s one exception: Dollar Tree Inc (NASDAQ: DLTR).

Dollar Tree shares are already up more than 50% versus the first week of April, but Scott Mushkin continues to see it as a rare bright spot within the retail space, poised for further upside ahead.

Why is Mushkin dovish on retail stocks

Mushkin is keeping bearish on retail stocks for the second half of 2025 because the sector faces a confluence of macro and competitive headwinds.

Inflation ticked up again in August, hitting its highest level since February – squeezing consumer wallets and shifting spending toward essentials.

That’s bad news for discretionary-heavy retailers like Best Buy, which Mushkin says is struggling with “empty stores” and a broken model.

Tariff pressures and the elimination of de minimis exemptions are also expected to raise import costs, especially for low-margin retailers. Meanwhile, Dollar General faces pricing erosion and intensifying competition from Walmart, Amazon, and Dollar Tree itself.

“We think there’s a lot of downward pressure on some of these products,” Mushkin warned, adding that Dollar General’s pricing surveys show it’s “well above Walmart” in key categories.

Why Mushkin likes Dollar Tree stock

Despite his bearish stance on retail, Mushkin is bullish on Dollar Tree stock – and not because of macro tailwinds.

“It really has nothing to do with the tariffs or the macro,” he said, adding his positive view is based primarily on the firm’s long-awaited success in rolling out its multi-price point strategy.

“They’ve stumbled on it until this year,” Mushkin noted, but now sees traction that could drive both traffic and sales.

The strategy allows DLTR to expand its product assortment and compete more effectively with rivals. As budget-conscious consumers seek value, Scott Mushkin believes Dollar Tree is uniquely positioned to benefit.

“That’s kind of the icing on top of the cake,” he added, forecasting rapid earnings growth over the next 12 months.

How to play DLTR shares heading into Q2 earnings

According to Mushkin, the discount retailer will come in ahead of Street estimates for its fiscal Q2 on September 3rd, which he believes will serve as the next near-term catalyst for DLTR shares.

Heading into the company’s earnings release, Wall Street analysts are keeping constructive on the Nasdaq-listed firm as well.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the consensus rating on Dollar Tree stock currently sits at “overweight” with price targets going as high as $143, indicating potential upside of another 30% from here.

The post Why Scott Mushkin doesn’t like anything in retail but Dollar Tree stock appeared first on Invezz

The IPO season is here, with several companies like Circle, CoreWeave, Bullish, Webull, and eToro already public. The Klarna IPO, which may come as soon in September, will likely be the biggest one of the year. This article gives details about this IPO and whether it will be a good buy.

What you need to know about the Klarna IPO

Klarna is one of the biggest fintech companies in the world. It is a top player in the booming buy-now, pay-later (BNPL) industry. Its main service is that it lets people shop and pay for the products in four equal instalments without paying any interest. 

Like Affirm, it has introduced longer-term financing, which often comes with higher interest rates. The company mostly operates in Europe and North America.

Klarna has raised billions of dollars over time. It most recent funding was a $1.63 billion debt financing from Banco Santander. It also raised $800 million in 2022 at a $6.7 billion valuation from the likes of Sequoia, Silver Lake, and Canada Pension Plan. 

That valuation was much lower than the previous one of over $45 billion, when it was the most valuable European startup. The cut in valuation came in 2022 as central banks raised interest rates and the valuations of public and private companies plunged.

Klarna’s valuation has likely ticked up in the past few years as macro conditions have improved. Forge, a company that allows trading of private companies, places its valuation at $14.9 billion as its stock has jumped from $20 in 2023 to $37 today.

Is Klarna a good stock to buy after IPO?

The most recent financial results showed that Klarna’s business was growing. Its revenue jumped to $2.8 billion in 2024, up from $2.2 billion in the previous year. 

In contrast, Affirm made $3.2 billion in 2024 and $2.32 billion in the previous year. Its net income was about $52 million, while Klarna reported a profit of $21 million. This means that, in theory, Klarna’s valuation should be much lower than Affirm’s $28 billion. 

Klarna ended last year with over $3.2 billion in cash and equivalents, $13.8 billion in total assets, and liabilities of $11.57 billion.

As one of the most popular fintech companies, the Klarna stock price will likely go parabolic shortly after IPO as investors will ignore it valuation. This is similar to how other recent IPOs like CoreWeave, Bullish, and Circle performed. 

Klarna’s stock will then dive after going public as the listing hype eases and talks of the lockup expiry intensify. 

In the long term, however, Klarna will be a good stock to buy as Affirm has demonstrated. Affirm stock price has jumped by over 868% from its all-time low in 2022 as the BNPL industry has become more attractive. 

Klarna, like Affirm, is available in the checkout of most global brands like Booking.com, Apple, Samsung, Uber, H&M, and ZARA, among others. It is also one of the most dominant players in the BNPL industry. 

The post Klarna IPO is coming: will its stock be a good buy? appeared first on Invezz

The Indian state of Madhya Pradesh handed out some massive power plant contracts worth about $3.7 billion, and it’s all going to coal.

Adani Power and Torrent Power are splitting up 2,400 MW of new coal capacity, with Torrent getting the bigger piece, a 1,600 MW ultra-supercritical plant, while Adani gets an 800 MW facility.

This is part of India’s aggressive plan to add 80 GW of coal power by 2032, which might sound contradictory given all the talk about renewable energy.

But the reality is India’s electricity demand is growing so fast that they’re basically saying, “we need everything we can get.”

Torrent, Adani power up big

Torrent Power officially got the green light from MP Power Management Company to build that massive 1,600 MW coal plant. They’re putting up about $2.5 billion to build this thing from scratch, using two 800 MW ultra-supercritical units.

The deal is pretty straightforward: Torrent will sell all the power exclusively to MPPMCL for 25 years at Rs 5.829 per kilowatt-hour.

That’s a locked-in revenue stream for the next quarter-century, which is exactly the kind of certainty power companies love when they’re making billion-dollar investments.

One major advantage for Torrent is that they don’t have to worry about securing coal supplies.

Under the government’s SHAKTI Policy, MPPMCL will handle getting the coal to the plant, which removes a major headache and cost from Torrent’s plate.

The timeline is ambitious but doable, as they have 72 months from when they sign the power purchase agreement to get the plant up and running.

Adani Power got the smaller piece of the pie but still a significant one, an 800 MW coal plant that’ll cost them about $1.2 billion.

What’s notable is this is their fourth big power contract in just the past year, showing they’re really pushing hard to expand their footprint across India.

Both companies are going with ultra-supercritical technology, which is basically the cleanest way to burn coal these days.

It’s more efficient than older coal plants and puts out fewer emissions per unit of electricity generated. It’s not exactly green energy, but it’s about as clean as coal gets.

Modi’s massive coal expansion plan

The PM Modi-led Indian government has set an ambitious target when it comes to power generation.

They want to add 80 GW of new coal capacity by 2032, which would push India’s total coal power to over 290 GW. That’s more than a one-third jump from where they are now.

India’s electricity demand is growing sharply as the economy expands and more people get access to power. Renewable energy is great, but solar and wind don’t work when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing.

Coal might not be popular with environmental groups, but it provides that 24/7 baseload power that keeps the grid stable.

India’s been burned before by power shortages that hurt economic growth, so they’re clearly prioritizing energy security over environmental concerns.

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