Quizam Media (OTC:QQQFF) Stock, Quote.Headers.trade-ideas

Quizam Media Corp is a company whose principal business activities consist of providing computer training and consulting services, marketing of a computer-based educational program, film production and cannabis retail sales. It produces and acquires content for both entertainment and corporate education. The company does its sales via geographical segments that include Canada, USA and Europe. The majority of its revenue is derived from Canada.

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QUIZAM MEDIA CORP ORD by Quizam Media Corporation

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The graph depicts the stock price performance of baskets of stocks in six different cannabis industry subsectors. Each basket consists of the top four or five U.S. companies in each group. The stocks in each basket are equally weighted, and the basket prices are indexed so that August 25, 2023 (the Friday before the HHS announcement) equals 100.

Cannabis Chart Of The Week: Are Ancillary Sectors Participating In The Rescheduling Price Upswing?

Quizam to produce new Climate Change Documentary Film entitled &#34;Forest for the Fires&#34;

Quizam Increases Private Placement to $240,000

QUIZAM MEDIA CORP by Quizam Media Corporation

Quizam Media Corp

General Mills (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/gis#NYSE">GIS</a>) can provide a hedge if volatility continues to plague the S&amp;P 500. The company is amid a business transformation telegraphed in its price action, which is set up for a significant reversal after more than a year of lackluster performance.&nbsp;
The transformation includes selling its yogurt business, which will lighten the portfolio and shore up the fortress balance sheet. This will allow management to focus on core markets, international growth, and local gems that drive margin while providing steady capital returns.&nbsp;
The bonus is the stock beta. General Mills has trades with a 5-year beat of 0.1 and a 2-year beta of -.2, suggesting little to no correlation to the&nbsp; S&amp;P 500; if the broad market falls, General Mills trends will be unaffected and may even get an added boost from a flight to safety.&nbsp;
<h2>General Mills Post Earnings Dip Is A Buying Opportunity That Won&#39;t Last Long</h2>
General Mills share prices fell following the FQ1 release, opening a buying opportunity that will likely last only a short time. The results and guidance were good, with Q1 performance being better than expected, and guidance was reaffirmed. The problem is that Q1 strength didn&#39;t carry through to the guidance, suggesting the remainder of the year could be tepid relative to expectations. However, the $4.85 billion in revenue is down only 1% compared to last year, outperforming by 100 basis points, and aligns with the outlook for turnaround, resumed organic growth, and capital returns, which counts over the long term.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The margin news is just as mixed, with margins contracting but less than expected, leaving earnings down compared to last year but better than forecast. The salient detail is that although net earnings are down 14%, the $580 million is sufficient to sustain the fortress balance sheet and the capital return. The $1.07 in adjusted earnings gives a 55% quarterly dividend payout ratio, which is sustainable and expected to improve as the year progresses. It also leaves room for share repurchases, which have been aggressive.&nbsp;
The guidance is good enough. The company forecasts sequential improvement in revenue and earnings and YOY organic growth to return by the end of the year, not including the sale of the yogurt business. That is expected to close in 2025 and will impact reported results for the following twelve months by approximately 3% on a diluted basis.&nbsp;
<h2>General Mills Capital Return Is Top-Tier and Expected to Accelerate</h2>
General Mills&#39; financial condition is rock solid and allows for substantial capital return,&nbsp;including dividends and share buybacks. The dividend is attractive at 3.25% and only 16x earnings, a high-yield value compared to the broad market and leading consumer staples peers like Hormel (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/hrl#NYSE">HRL</a>), Hershey (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/hsy#NYSE">HSY</a>), and Kellanova (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/k#NYSE">K</a>), which trade at 20x, 21x, and nearly 22x their earnings outlooks, respectively.&nbsp;
Balance sheet highlights from Q1 include reduced cash, increased debt, and reduced equity, but repurchases and treasury stock offset those factors. The company repurchased $300 million of shares during the quarter, reducing the average count by 4.65% year over year and increasing the treasury holdings by nearly 20%. Repurchases have slowed compared to last year due to the contraction of revenue and earnings, and they may not accelerate soon. However, buybacks are likely to continue at a float-reducing pace through the year&#39;s end, and the company plans to use proceeds from the yogurt sale to boost activity once closed.&nbsp;
<h2>General Mills Share Price Supported by an Expectation for Lower Interest Rates</h2>
General Mills&#39; share price has steadily risen since mid-July, when the CPI report sparked a massive broad-market sell-off after signaling a high probability that the FOMC would lower interest rates this year. The signal is that risk-off investment dollars, once focused on higher-yielding bonds, have turned to quality dividend growth stocks like General Mills, which still present value and yield for investors today.&nbsp;
The technical action since July suggests a double-bottom reversal pattern is now in play, and price action has retreated to a critical support target. The critical target is the 30-day EMA, which aligns with highs earlier this year. If support is confirmed at this level, investors can expect GIS stock to continue higher and complete the reversal by year&#39;s end. If not, GIS stock could fall to the $70 level or lower before hitting solid support.&nbsp;
<img alt="General Mills GIS stock chart" class="aligncenter" src="https://www.marketbeat.com/logos/articles/med_20240918104246_chart-gis-9182024.png" style="height:426px; width:917px" />
The article &quot;<a href="https://www.marketbeat.com/stock-ideas/why-general-mills-is-the-perfect-hedge-for-s-and-p-500-volatility/">Why General Mills Is the Perfect Hedge for S&amp;P 500 Volatility</a>&quot; first appeared on MarketBeat.

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Why General Mills Is the Perfect Hedge for S&P 500 Volatility

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Top KingWin shares are trading higher after the company announced that its subsidiary, Guji Technology, signed a nonbinding letter of intent with Tuoxun Technology.

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American Battery Technology shares are trading lower after the company announced it was selected for a $150 million competitive grant.

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Ocean Power Technologies shares are trading higher after the Biden-Harris Administration announced a $112.5 million investment in marine energy.

Restaurant Brands (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/qsr#NYSE">QSR</a>)&nbsp;owns massive fast-food chains like Burger King, Popeyes, and Tim Hortons. The company has&nbsp;received approval for its share buyback program, under which it will be able to repurchase up to 10% or $500 million worth of its outstanding shares over the next year. Let&#39;s explore&nbsp;what this announcement really means and compare the company to the competition on key metrics.
<h2>Repurchases: Better to Have and Not Need Than the Other Way Around</h2>
Should the company decide to use its buyback capabilities, it would benefit shareholders. Share buybacks support the earnings-per-share (EPS) of a company by lowering the share count. This also means each share that continues to be outstanding is worth a larger percentage of the overall company.
Counterintuitively, it&#39;s likely a better overall outcome for shareholders if the buyback program is not used. This is because the company is only likely to initiate buybacks if the share price falls significantly. The company started buying back shares in Oct. 2023, when the stock price had fallen nearly 10% in two weeks. This helped support the stock price at that time.
Since then, outstanding shares have climbed to their highest level in the past year, while the share price has been flat. More than anything, this announcement shows the firm&#39;s willingness to step in to help prevent the stock price from dropping rapidly.
Although it might not be the flashiest thing in the world, it clearly provides benefits to shareholders. Ideally, they won&#39;t need to use it. This can be understood better by exploring the phrase, &quot;it will be able to repurchase up to 10% or $500 million worth of its outstanding shares.&quot;
This means the company can repurchase the lesser (or equal) of these two figures, depending on its market capitalization. Based on its current market cap of $32 billion, $500 million represents 1.5% of the company&#39;s outstanding shares. So, for the company to repurchase 10% of its shares, the market cap would have to be $5 billion.
That could only happen if shares declined by 84%, a result that obviously no shareholder wants. However, the company can still use the repurchases strategically to support the share price when it starts falling modestly, which is a much more likely outcome. It&#39;s imperative to examine the current state of Restaurant Brands outside of this announcement.
<h2>Rate Cuts Are Good News for Non-Essential Goods</h2>
There are other things to like about Restaurant Brands. The company operates in the consumer discretionary sector, where the goods sold are considered non-essential. With impending interest rate cuts, firms in the consumer discretionary sector can benefit. The CME FedWatch Tool now projects a 62% probability of the Federal Reserve dropping interest rates by 50 basis points at its Sept. 18 meeting.
Additionally, by the Dec. 18 meeting, there is nearly a two-thirds probability that rates will fall by 120 basis points or more from current levels. This drop in rates can allow people to refinance their home loans and lower their monthly payments. By doing this, they can spend less on essentials like housing and have more money to spend on non-essential goods.
One analyst is particularly bullish on the company. RBC raised its price target for Restaurant Brands a week ago to $95. The current price of around $70 implies an upside of 36%.
<h2>Comparative Analysis: Restaurant Brands Shows Favorable Signs</h2>
Compared to other&nbsp;restaurant stocks, the company looks encouraging in several metrics. Its forward-looking dividend yield of 3.3% is significantly above that of most other U.S. and Canadian quick-service restaurant (QSR) stocks. Its forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 19.3x is below average compared to a peer group of nine U.S. and Canadian QSR firms with market capitalizations of at least $2 billion.
Also, the company has done well in an environment where other QSR firms are struggling to grow revenues. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 10% over the past two years exceeds the 7% average for this group. It&#39;s also twice that of the biggest player in the space, McDonald&#39;s (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/mcd#NYSE">MCD</a>), which has had a 5% revenue CAGR over the same period.
Forecasts for EPS growth over the next two years also look good at a CAGR of 14%, above the 11.5% average for these nine firms.
The article &quot;<a href="https://www.marketbeat.com/originals/what-buybacks-and-lower-rates-could-mean-for-restaurant-brands/">What Buybacks and Lower Rates Could Mean for Restaurant Brands</a>&quot; first appeared on MarketBeat.

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What Buybacks and Lower Rates Could Mean for Restaurant Brands

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Sharps Technology shares are trading lower after the company announced that it has entered into definitive agreements with institutional investors for a secured bridge loan financing of approximately $3.5 million.

Bitcoin&#8217;s (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/bitcoin-price-prediction">breakout to $64,000</a> has been fueled by several reasons, according to a new Bernstein analyst note.
What Happened: The analysts cite rate cuts, bipartisan crypto support, Bitcoin ETF momentum, miner stability post-halving, and reduced selling pressure as catalysts for Bitcoin&#8217;s 9% seven-day spike. Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) has shown even stronger performance, up 17% on the week.
<ul>
<li>Rate cuts and fiscal policy: The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40937057/bitcoin-ethereum-etfs-see-over-50m-net-outflows-despite-feds-50-bps-rate-cut">50-basis point rate cut</a>, and record-high gold prices have bolstered Bitcoin as an alternative asset. Bernstein notes that "Any signal of loose monetary policy and potentially weaker dollar, is positive for Bitcoin." Year-to-date (YTD), Bitcoin is up 45%, compared to gold's 27%.</li>
<li>Bipartisan crypto support: Both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have signalled support for digital assets, though the crypto community seeks <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40972902/kamala-harris-finally-mentions-crypto-and-that-too-on-wall-street-promises-to-encourage-in">more policy clarity</a> from Harris given the current administration&#8217;s mixed track record.</li>
<li>Bitcoin ETF momentum: Despite price volatility, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40976413/bitcoin-etf-surge-in-pre-market-as-king-crypto-hits-63-500">Bitcoin ETF inflows</a> remain positive, totalling $17 billion to date. Bernstein expects &#8220;re-acceleration of inflows&#8221; as more wirehouses approve the products.</li>
<li>Miner stability post-halving: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40985461/china-controls-55-of-bitcoin-hashrate-despite-crypto-ban-but-the-us-is-catching-up">Bitcoin network hash power</a> has rebounded to pre-halving levels around 630 EH/s, indicating miners have adjusted to reduced block rewards.</li>
<li>Reduced selling pressure: Major bitcoin sales by the German and U.S. governments have concluded, while MicroStrategy raised $2.1 billion to acquire more Bitcoin taking its holdings to 252,220 BTC (~1.3% of Bitcoin's total supply).</li>
</ul>
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40985125/bitcoins-on-chain-metrics-are-turning-bullish-what-is-going-on">Bitcoin&#8217;s On-Chain Metrics Are Turning Bullish: What Is Going On?</a>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/events/digital-assets/ "><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="300" height="250" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/29155259/905735A6-57D3-4874-9AA1-75D037842DB3-2.gif" alt="Benzinga Future of Digital Assets conference" class="wp-image-270548" /></a></figure>
Why It Matters: Bernstein sees potential upside for Bitcoin mining stocks, which have underperformed year-to-date. The analysts highlight opportunities in pure-play Bitcoin miners like Core Scientific (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CORZ#NASDAQ">CORZ</a>), Riot Platforms (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RIOT#NASDAQ">RIOT</a>), CleanSpark (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CLSK#NASDAQ">CLSK</a>) and Marathon Holdings (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MARA#NASDAQ">MARA</a>) that may be poised for a rebound.
The report also notes continued strength in crypto-exposed stocks like MicroStrategy (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>) is noted as &#8220;the most direct and largest market cap &#8211; leveraged equity proxy on Bitcoin price,&#8221; while Robinhood (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HOOD#NASDAQ">HOOD</a>) is benefiting from increased crypto trading revenues.
As the crypto market digests these bullish factors, Bernstein&#8217;s analysis suggests the rally may have room to run, particularly if institutional adoption continues to grow through ETFs and other investment vehicles.
What&#8217;s Next: The influence of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/is-bitcoin-a-good-investment" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin as an institutional asset class</a>&nbsp;is expected to be thoroughly explored at Benzinga&#8217;s upcoming&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/events/digital-assets/agenda/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Future of Digital Assets</a>&nbsp;event on Nov. 19.
Read Next:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40938429/raoul-pals-chief-crypto-analyst-says-the-bull-market-is-back-when-this-indicator-hits-45-i">Raoul Pal&#8217;s Chief Crypto Analyst Says The Bull Market Is Back When This Indicator Hits 45% (It&#8217;s Now At 11%)</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Coverage of Bitcoin, Etherum, Ripple and all the latest digital currencies.

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Core Scientific, Inc. - Class A Common Stock

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HOOD

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RIOT

5 Reasons Why Bitcoin Rallied 10% In 7 Days To $63K: Bernstein

GRRR

Gorilla Technology Group shares are trading higher after the company announced a strategic cooperation agreement with CS Energy Technology.

Gold has surged&nbsp;to a new all-time high, rising 33.5% over the past year to $2,583.64/oz. This is driven by easing inflation and expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates after recent data signaled a slowing U.S. economy. As inflation nears the Fed&#39;s 2% target, gold has become a go-to haven for investors looking to protect against potential economic turbulence. Silver has also followed suit, gaining just over 32% during the same period.
The weakening of the U.S. dollar, coupled with the anticipation of the Fed cutting interest rates this week, has pushed the price of gold higher. As a result, the popular SPDR Gold Shares ETF (ARCA:GLD) recently broke out of a multi-week consolidation phase and reached new all-time highs, bringing its YTD gains to an impressive 24.8%.&nbsp;
With gold&#39;s strong performance and the potential for continued upside, investors may look to capitalize on this momentum through gold-related stocks. Here are three options that could offer exposure to this trend.
<h2>SPDR Gold Shares ETF: A Simple Way to Invest in Gold</h2>
The SPDR Gold Shares ETF&nbsp;is one of the most popular and straightforward options for investors seeking exposure to gold&#39;s price movements. The ETF directly reflects the performance of gold bullion minus the Trust&#39;s expenses, which come in at a net expense ratio of 0.4%. This low cost makes GLD an attractive vehicle for gold exposure without the need to physically own or store the metal.
GLD has been riding gold&#39;s upward momentum, up almost 25% YTD. It recently reached new all-time highs, marking a significant move for the ETF. In terms of flows, GLD has attracted strong investor interest, with positive one-month net flows of 2.9% and three-month net flows of nearly 5%. This indicates that more investors are moving into the ETF, suggesting that the rally may still have room to run.
<h2>Newmont: The Largest Gold Mining Stock in the U.S.</h2>
Newmont (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/nem#NYSE">NEM</a>) is the largest gold mining stock in the U.S. by market capitalization, standing at over $61 billion. As a global leader in gold production, Newmont also has interests in other metals like copper, silver, and zinc, making it a diversified player in the mining industry. The company&#39;s operations span the globe, with assets in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and South America.
NEM offers investors both growth and income potential, thanks to its 1.88% dividend yield, which provides steady cash flow even as its share price appreciates. The stock has performed exceptionally well in 2024, up nearly 30% YTD, and it currently trades just 2% away from its 52-week high. Analysts remain bullish on the stock, giving it a Moderate Buy rating based on 16 ratings. This bullish sentiment is partly driven by Newmont&#39;s projected earnings growth of 20.57% for the year, a significant factor supporting further upside.
Newmont&#39;s Q2 2024 earnings report was strong, with earnings per share (EPS) of $0.72, beating analysts&#39; estimates by $0.10. The company&#39;s quarterly revenue of $4.4 billion also exceeded expectations, marking a 64.1% year-over-year increase.&nbsp;
<h2>Barrick Gold: A Global Leader in Gold and Copper Production</h2>
Barrick Gold (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/gold#NYSE">GOLD</a>), headquartered in Canada, is another global leader in gold production. The company has a market capitalization of nearly $36 billion and operates mines across North and South America, Africa, and Australia. While gold remains its primary focus, Barrick also has significant copper operations, providing exposure to an additional commodity with strong global demand.
The stock has a 1.95% dividend yield, offering a consistent income stream alongside its growth potential. Barrick&#39;s stock is up 13.4% YTD, and like Newmont, it is trading close to its 52-week high, just 2.8% away. Analysts are optimistic about Barrick, giving the stock a Moderate Buy rating, with a consensus price target that implies nearly 14% upside.
In its most recent earnings report, Barrick posted EPS of $0.32, beating consensus estimates of $0.27. The company&#39;s revenue also exceeded expectations at $3.16 billion, marking an 11.6% increase year-over-year. Barrick&#39;s diversified global presence, combined with its strong financial performance and upside potential, makes it a solid choice for investors seeking both income and growth in the gold sector.
The article &quot;<a href="https://www.marketbeat.com/stock-ideas/gold-hits-new-all-time-highs-3-stocks-to-ride-the-surge/">Gold Hits New All-Time Highs: 3 Stocks to Ride the Surge</a>&quot; first appeared on MarketBeat.

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Gold Hits New All-Time Highs: 3 Stocks to Ride the Surge

Whales with a lot of money to spend have taken a noticeably bullish stance on Target.
Looking at options history for Target (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TGT#NYSE">TGT</a>) we detected 10 trades.
If we consider the specifics of each trade, it is accurate to state that 80% of the investors opened trades with bullish expectations and 10% with bearish.
From the overall spotted trades, 5 are puts, for a total amount of $245,006 and 5, calls, for a total amount of $584,354.
<h3>Expected Price Movements</h3>
Taking into account the Volume and Open Interest on these contracts, it appears that whales have been targeting a price range from $145.0 to $165.0 for Target over the last 3 months. 
<h3>Analyzing Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
Assessing the volume and open interest is a strategic step in options trading. These metrics shed light on the liquidity and investor interest in Target's options at specified strike prices. The forthcoming data visualizes the fluctuation in volume and open interest for both calls and puts, linked to Target's substantial trades, within a strike price spectrum from $145.0 to $165.0 over the preceding 30 days.
<h3>Target Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1727117154_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Biggest Options Spotted:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>TGT</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>12/20/24</td>
<td>$5.15</td>
<td>$5.05</td>
<td>$5.1</td>
<td>$165.00</td>
<td>$356.9K</td>
<td>2.0K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">769</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TGT</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$7.5</td>
<td>$7.45</td>
<td>$7.45</td>
<td>$150.00</td>
<td>$83.4K</td>
<td>6.0K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">113</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TGT</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$15.65</td>
<td>$15.4</td>
<td>$15.55</td>
<td>$145.00</td>
<td>$77.7K</td>
<td>1.8K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">50</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TGT</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>11/15/24</td>
<td>$2.43</td>
<td>$2.4</td>
<td>$2.43</td>
<td>$165.00</td>
<td>$67.3K</td>
<td>4.7K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">595</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TGT</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>09/19/25</td>
<td>$16.65</td>
<td>$16.35</td>
<td>$16.35</td>
<td>$155.00</td>
<td>$52.3K</td>
<td>84</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">37</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Target</h3>
Target serves as the nation's seventh-largest retailer, with its strategy predicated on delivering a gratifying in-store shopping experience and a wide product assortment of trendy apparel, home goods, and household essentials at competitive prices. Target's upscale and stylish image began to carry national merit in the 1990s—a decade in which the brand saw its top line grow threefold to almost $30 billion—and has since cemented itself as a leading US retailer.Today, Target operates over 1,950 stores in the United States, generates over $100 billion in sales, and fulfills over 2 billion customer orders annually. The firm's vast physical footprint is typically concentrated in urban and suburban markets as the firm seeks to attract a more affluent consumer base.
In light of the recent options history for Target, it's now appropriate to focus on the company itself. We aim to explore its current performance.
<h3>Present Market Standing of Target</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a volume of 1,255,058, the price of TGT is up 0.47% at $155.47. </li>
<li>RSI indicators hint that the underlying stock is currently neutral between overbought and oversold.</li>
<li>Next earnings are expected to be released in 58 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Professional Analyst Ratings for Target</h3>
Over the past month, 3 industry analysts have shared their insights on this stock, proposing an average target price of $180.66666666666666.
Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move
Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=Be8be9arja3be22bz20&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from JP Morgan continues to hold a Neutral rating for Target, targeting a price of $167. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Telsey Advisory Group persists with their Outperform rating on Target, maintaining a target price of $195. 
&#x2A; Reflecting concerns, an analyst from Melius Research lowers its rating to Buy with a new price target of $180.
Options are a riskier asset compared to just trading the stock, but they have higher profit potential. Serious options traders manage this risk by educating themselves daily, scaling in and out of trades, following more than one indicator, and following the markets closely.
If you want to stay updated on the latest options trades for Target, <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> gives you real-time options trades alerts.

Options

Smart Money Is Betting Big In TGT Options

High-rolling investors have positioned themselves bullish on Li Auto (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LI#NASDAQ">LI</a>), and it's important for retail traders to take note. 
\This activity came to our attention today through Benzinga's tracking of publicly available options data. The identities of these investors are uncertain, but such a significant move in LI often signals that someone has privileged information.
Today, Benzinga's options scanner spotted 17 options trades for Li Auto. This is not a typical pattern.
The sentiment among these major traders is split, with 64% bullish and 23% bearish. Among all the options we identified, there was one put, amounting to $43,000, and 16 calls, totaling $1,549,963.
<h3>What's The Price Target?</h3>
Based on the trading activity, it appears that the significant investors are aiming for a price territory stretching from $20.0 to $37.0 for Li Auto over the recent three months. 
<h3>Insights into Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
In terms of liquidity and interest, the mean open interest for Li Auto options trades today is 1837.75 with a total volume of 18,440.00.
In the following chart, we are able to follow the development of volume and open interest of call and put options for Li Auto's big money trades within a strike price range of $20.0 to $37.0 over the last 30 days.
<h3>Li Auto Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1727117148_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Noteworthy Options Activity:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>LI</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>12/20/24</td>
<td>$3.5</td>
<td>$3.45</td>
<td>$3.45</td>
<td>$20.00</td>
<td>$270.4K</td>
<td>499</td>
<td>784</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LI</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>12/20/24</td>
<td>$1.55</td>
<td>$1.5</td>
<td>$1.5</td>
<td>$25.00</td>
<td>$259.1K</td>
<td>622</td>
<td>2.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LI</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>12/20/24</td>
<td>$3.55</td>
<td>$3.5</td>
<td>$3.55</td>
<td>$20.00</td>
<td>$211.2K</td>
<td>499</td>
<td>1.3K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LI</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$2.02</td>
<td>$2.01</td>
<td>$2.02</td>
<td>$25.00</td>
<td>$202.2K</td>
<td>2.7K</td>
<td>1.1K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LI</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$3.9</td>
<td>$3.7</td>
<td>$3.83</td>
<td>$30.00</td>
<td>$124.4K</td>
<td>1.5K</td>
<td>326</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Li Auto</h3>
Li Auto is a leading Chinese NEV manufacturer that designs, develops, manufactures, and sells premium smart NEVs. The company started volume production of its first model Li One in November 2019. The model is a six-seater, large, premium plug-in electric SUV equipped with a range extension system and advanced smart vehicle solutions. It sold over 376,000 NEVs in 2023, accounting for about 4% of China's passenger new energy vehicle market. Beyond Li One, the company expands its product line, including both BEVs and PHEVs, to target a broader consumer base.
Having examined the options trading patterns of Li Auto, our attention now turns directly to the company. This shift allows us to delve into its present market position and performance
<h3>Current Position of Li Auto</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a volume of 4,742,920, the price of LI is up 3.53% at $22.3. </li>
<li>RSI indicators hint that the underlying stock may be approaching overbought.</li>
<li>Next earnings are expected to be released in 45 days.</li>
</ul>
Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?
20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>.
Trading options involves greater risks but also offers the potential for higher profits. Savvy traders mitigate these risks through ongoing education, strategic trade adjustments, utilizing various indicators, and staying attuned to market dynamics. Keep up with the latest options trades for Li Auto with <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> for real-time alerts.

Check Out What Whales Are Doing With Li Auto

Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bullish stance on Lululemon Athletica (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LULU#NASDAQ">LULU</a>).
And retail traders should know.
We noticed this today when the trades showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga.
Whether these are institutions or just wealthy individuals, we don't know. But when something this big happens with LULU, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen.
So how do we know what these investors just did? 
Today, <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/?utm_source=insights">Benzinga</a>'s options scanner spotted 17 uncommon options trades for Lululemon Athletica.
This isn't normal.
The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 58% bullish and 41%, bearish.
Out of all of the special options we uncovered, 10 are puts, for a total amount of $482,385, and 7 are calls, for a total amount of $241,665.
<h3>Projected Price Targets</h3>
Based on the trading activity, it appears that the significant investors are aiming for a price territory stretching from $210.0 to $280.0 for Lululemon Athletica over the recent three months. 
<h3>Analyzing Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
In today's trading context, the average open interest for options of Lululemon Athletica stands at 576.0, with a total volume reaching 871.00. The accompanying chart delineates the progression of both call and put option volume and open interest for high-value trades in Lululemon Athletica, situated within the strike price corridor from $210.0 to $280.0, throughout the last 30 days.
<h3>Lululemon Athletica Call and Put Volume: 30-Day Overview</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1727117143_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Biggest Options Spotted:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>LULU</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$20.55</td>
<td>$20.4</td>
<td>$20.4</td>
<td>$250.00</td>
<td>$65.2K</td>
<td>419</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">32</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LULU</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>10/11/24</td>
<td>$3.15</td>
<td>$2.75</td>
<td>$2.75</td>
<td>$245.00</td>
<td>$65.1K</td>
<td>49</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">247</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LULU</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>12/20/24</td>
<td>$24.45</td>
<td>$24.05</td>
<td>$24.45</td>
<td>$270.00</td>
<td>$63.5K</td>
<td>293</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">55</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LULU</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>12/20/24</td>
<td>$15.05</td>
<td>$14.8</td>
<td>$14.8</td>
<td>$250.00</td>
<td>$57.7K</td>
<td>1.8K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">41</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LULU</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>12/20/24</td>
<td>$24.45</td>
<td>$24.35</td>
<td>$24.35</td>
<td>$270.00</td>
<td>$53.5K</td>
<td>293</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">77</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Lululemon Athletica</h3>
Lululemon Athletica designs, distributes, and markets athletic apparel, footwear, and accessories for women, men, and girls. Lululemon offers pants, shorts, tops, and jackets for both leisure and athletic activities such as yoga and running. The company also sells fitness accessories, such as bags, yoga mats, and equipment. Lululemon sells its products through more than 700 company-owned stores in about 20 countries, e-commerce, outlets, and wholesale accounts. The company was founded in 1998 and is based in Vancouver, Canada.
Having examined the options trading patterns of Lululemon Athletica, our attention now turns directly to the company. This shift allows us to delve into its present market position and performance
<h3>Where Is Lululemon Athletica Standing Right Now?</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a volume of 780,621, the price of LULU is down -0.26% at $261.93. </li>
<li>RSI indicators hint that the underlying stock is currently neutral between overbought and oversold.</li>
<li>Next earnings are expected to be released in 73 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Expert Opinions on Lululemon Athletica</h3>
5 market experts have recently issued ratings for this stock, with a consensus target price of $342.0.
Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?
20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Wedbush persists with their Outperform rating on Lululemon Athletica, maintaining a target price of $324. 
&#x2A; An analyst from TD Cowen persists with their Buy rating on Lululemon Athletica, maintaining a target price of $375. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Telsey Advisory Group continues to hold a Outperform rating for Lululemon Athletica, targeting a price of $360. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Morgan Stanley has decided to maintain their Overweight rating on Lululemon Athletica, which currently sits at a price target of $326. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Raymond James has decided to maintain their Outperform rating on Lululemon Athletica, which currently sits at a price target of $325. 
Options trading presents higher risks and potential rewards. Astute traders manage these risks by continually educating themselves, adapting their strategies, monitoring multiple indicators, and keeping a close eye on market movements. Stay informed about the latest Lululemon Athletica options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>.

LULU

This Is What Whales Are Betting On Lululemon Athletica

SONM

Sonim Technologies shares are trading higher after the company announced a strategic distribution partnership with TCCM.

Smartsheet (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/smar#NYSE">SMAR</a>) is a smart buy because of its growth, operational quality, cash flow, and capital return. That&#39;s why private equity firms are in talks to buy it; they see deep value in the business and its stock. The takeaway is that Smartsheet will either get taken over at a premium to today&#39;s prices or won&#39;t. If it does, investors stand to make a quick 10%, and the gains will be greater if it doesn&#39;t.&nbsp;
What is Smartsheet? It is a cloud-based SaaS firm focused on workflow and project management. Clients include nearly 85% of the Fortune 500 and 90% of the Fortune 100, statistics which prove its utility for business. Firms looking to take over the business include a partnership between Vista Equity and Blackstone (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/bx#NYSE">BX</a>), which are reported to be nearing finalization on an agreement worth $8 billion. If completed, it would be among the largest takeovers of the year. The $8 billion target price works out to about $56 per share or a nearly 10% premium to the market cap, with shares trading near $52.50.&nbsp;
<h2>Smartsheet Is Growing and Monetizes AI Today</h2>
Smartsheet reported a solid Q2 and gave guidance indicating strengths will continue through the year&#39;s end. Revenue growth is slowing, but the $276.6 reported is up 17% compared to last year and outpaced the consensus by 70 basis points on increasing client count and deepening service penetration. Subscription revenue, the company&#39;s core business, is up 19%, offset by an 8% decline in Professional Services.&nbsp;
The critical details concerning revenue are the 17% increase in ARR and 113% net retention rate, which point to sustained growth at current levels as the client count grows and existing clients lean into expanded services. Regarding the client count, the number of clients contributing more than $100K in ARR grew by 23%, followed by a 17% increase in clients contributing more than $500K in ARR and a 6% increase in small businesses.&nbsp;
The margin news is the best in the report, with GAAP and adjusted margin improving at all levels. Adjusted margin, which matters regarding cash flow, improved by 800 basis points to 16%, doubling last year&#39;s results. The net result is a GAAP profit of $0.06 compared to last year&#39;s losses, and adjusted EPS is up nearly 3x to $0.44, beating the consensus by 5000 basis points or 50% better-than-expected. The cash flow and FCF set records with FCF of $57.2 million, or 21% of the revenue, and are expected to remain strong for the foreseeable future.&nbsp;
<h2>Smartsheet Gives Cautious Guidance, Shares Rise</h2>
The only bad news in Smartsheet&#39;s report is the guidance, and even that is not bad, only in alignment with the robust analysts&#39; expectations. The company expects sequential and YoY revenue growth, with YoY growth slowing to a pace of 15% to 16%, a low bar to beat. The earnings are expected to run near $1.375 for the year, which is also a low bar to beat, given the momentum in revenue growth and widening margin and a primary reason analysts lifted their price targets for the stock.&nbsp;
MarketBeat.com tracked 10 analyst revisions the first day after the release, with 80% raising their price targets and the two outliers reiterating targets above the consensus. The 10 lead to the high-end range, or another 4% to 5% upside, in addition to the 5% implied by the consensus. A move to consensus would set a multi-year high and break the market out of its consolidation range, setting it up to continue higher in 2024.&nbsp;
The technical action is suggestive. The market is moving up from the bottom of a range and is on track to break out of the range and set new highs. The current highs are providing resistance but may be broken soon. If so, the technical targets are the magnitude of the trading range added to the breakout point or a gain of $26 at the low end. The high-end target is the range magnitude as a percentage of the price or 100% from low to high. Adding that to the breakout point puts this stock above $100.
<img alt="Smartsheet SMAR stock chart" class="aligncenter" src="https://www.marketbeat.com/logos/articles/med_20240917082011_chart-9172024.png" style="height:426px; width:917px" />
The article &quot;<a href="https://www.marketbeat.com/originals/smartsheet-is-a-smart-buy-for-traders-and-investors-heres-why/">Smartsheet Is a Smart Buy for Traders and Investors: Here&#39;s Why</a>&quot; first appeared on MarketBeat.

Mid Cap

Tech

SMAR

Smartsheet Is a Smart Buy for Traders and Investors: Here's Why

General Motors Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GM#NYSE">GM</a>) shares are trading lower Monday after Bernstein downgraded the stock from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings">Outperform to Market Perform</a>.
What Happened: Bernstein analyst Adrian Yanoshik downgraded General Motors on Monday and set a price target of $53, citing valuation concerns heading into the company&#8217;s October&nbsp;Capital Markets Day. 
&#8220;GM shares have appreciated +85% since last November, but now our data signals rising earnings headwinds, and we think there is a risk the company will announce additional capital requirements during its October CMD. We want to wait and see,&#8221; the Bernstein analyst said in a new note to clients.
<a href="http://benzinga.com/quote/gm">GM shares</a> are up approximately 33% since the start of the year and have been trending higher since last October. GM refocused on shareholder returns toward the end of last year, announcing an accelerated buyback and then adding an additional $6 billion to its repurchase program in June. Yanoshik believes the buybacks account for the stock&#8217;s recent outperformance, but he warned that headwinds are coming into play.
Check This Out: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40971831/putin-ally-who-unveiled-tesla-cybertruck-with-machine-gun-last-month-now-says-elon-musk-remotely-dis">Putin Ally Who Unveiled Tesla Cybertruck With Machine Gun Last Month Now Says Elon Musk &#8216;Remotely Disabled&#8217; The Militarized EV</a>
The Bernstein analyst expects continued inventory build in the United States to lead to pricing headwinds in 2025. He&#8217;s also concerned that a delayed push into electric vehicles and Cruise could bring greater losses into play next year. As a result, the analyst lowered the firm&#8217;s 2025 adjusted earnings forecast by about 8%. 
Yanoshik also noted that GM&#8217;s upcoming investor day could shed light on more headwinds ahead of the Detroit-based automaker. The analyst believes updates on key strategies could introduce additional capital requirements, which would ultimately weigh on the company&#8217;s ability to generate strong free cash flow in the near term.
&#8220;We are cautious about the company's future plans and are eager to hear the updated strategy at the CMD as we don't see GM's approach from last year being extended into its current strategy,&#8221; Yanoshik said.
&#8220;The company is not likely to meet its BEV sales target, it's announced a collaboration to work on new technology, has been struggling in China, and has not clearly defined its plans for Cruise. Each of these issues present a challenge to FCF generation in the short term.&#8221;
GM Price Action: <a href="http://benzinga.com/quote/gm">GM shares</a> were down 2.38% at $47.72 at the time of publication, according to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com">Benzinga Pro</a>.
Photo: Shutterstock.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40987087/us-stocks-stall-gold-updates-record-highs-tesla-rallies-whats-driving-markets-monday">US Stocks Stall, Gold Updates Record Highs, Tesla Rallies: What&#8217;s Driving Markets Monday?</a></li>
</ul>
<ol start="0">
<li></li>
</ol>

Analyst Color

Downgrades

Movers

General Motors Stock Falls As Analyst Sees Caution Signs On Road Ahead

The ambitious Pillar 2 plan—central to Germany&#8217;s cannabis legalization strategy—faces potential abandonment due to mounting political and bureaucratic challenges. Key pilot projects for the controlled sale of adult-use cannabis are now at risk, driven by political shifts within Germany and concerns raised by the European Commission, <a href="https://businessofcannabis.com/where-are-germanys-planned-cannabis-model-projects/">reports</a> Business of Cannabis.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Political And Regulatory Roadblocks</h3>
One of the primary obstacles is the rise of right-leaning political parties in recent state elections, which are gaining significant influence. These conservative factions, such as the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) led by Friedrich Merz, have openly voiced their intent to reverse the cannabis legalization efforts if they gain more power in the upcoming federal elections.
The political climate in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/germany-cannabis">Germany</a> is shifting and time appears to be running out for the &#8220;traffic light coalition&#8221; (a coalition government of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), the Free Democratic Party (FDP) and The Green Party) to pass the necessary legislation to secure Pillar 2's future.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/07/39730706/is-germany-poised-to-become-the-next-weed-epicenter-in-europe">Is Germany Poised To Become The Next Weed Epicenter In Europe?</a>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Delays In Cannabis Legislation</h3>
Although the bill was expected by summer 2023, it was delayed, with hopes that it would be passed <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/04/38142798/german-lawmakers-eager-to-see-phase-2-of-cannabis-legalization-weed-giant-curaleaf-considers-lis">in April 2024</a>. But this didn&#8217;t happen either.
Even with efforts to integrate it into the&nbsp;existing CanG law&nbsp;to avoid passing a separate law, internal conflicts and slow coordination between ministries have further delayed the bill's progress. 
The&nbsp;Federal Ministry of Health, led by Karl Lauterbach, has yet to finalize the draft, a point of ongoing frustration for municipalities eager to participate in the project.
Ates Gürpinar, a spokesperson for the Left Party, has expressed skepticism, stating he no longer expects the law to be enacted before the end of the legislative period.
<ul>
<li>Get Benzinga&#8217;s exclusive analysis and the top news about the cannabis industry and markets daily in your inbox for free. Subscribe to our newsletter <a href="https://newsletteremail.benzinga.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>. If you&#8217;re serious about the business, you can&#8217;t afford to miss out.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Crafting The Cannabis Space In Germany</h3>
Yet, some municipalities are <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/08/40520655/25-german-cities-join-cannabis-pilot-trials-in-2024-under-new-legalization-law">keen to participate</a>. Wiesbaden, for example, recently announced plans to support the model projects, focusing on cannabis sales in pharmacies. Cities like Bremen, Frankfurt and Munich have also expressed interest, while others like Nuremberg and Freiburg have opted out.
Despite recently advancing with the first permits, including <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/08/40564933/berlin-grants-first-cannabis-cultivation-permission-lower-saxony-to-introduce-fines-with-hefty-p">authorizing a Berlin club </a>to cultivate cannabis, concerns remain. The possibility of the European Commission delaying its review of the law, combined with rising conservative opposition, raises fears that Germany may abandon Pillar 2 altogether.
This would be a significant setback for the cannabis space in Germany and would leave the country stuck in the same regulatory gray zone that has plagued other European nations.
Stay tuned to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/cannabis">Benzinga Cannabis</a> as this story develops.
<ul>
<li>Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/09/40824983/20m-germans-could-benefit-from-medical-marijuana-but-most-struggle-to-find-prescribing-doctors">20M Germans Could Benefit From Medical Marijuana But Most Struggle To Find Prescribing Doctors</a></li>
</ul>
Cover image made with AI.

Regulations

Politics

Global

Conservative Politics Threaten Germany's Cannabis Legalization Plan: What's Going On?

U.S. stocks traded higher toward the end of trading, with the Dow Jones index gaining more than 50 points on Monday.
The Dow traded up 0.15% to 42,125.80 while the NASDAQ rose 0.15% to 17,975.80. The S&amp;P 500 also rose, gaining, 0.23% to 5,715.46.
Check This Out: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/09/40979493/how-to-earn-500-a-month-from-kb-home-stock-ahead-of-q3-earnings">How To Earn $500 A Month From KB Home Stock Ahead Of Q3 Earnings</a>
Leading and Lagging Sectors Consumer discretionary shares jumped by 1.1% on Monday.
In trading on Monday, health care shares fell by 0.2%.
Top Headline
The S&amp;P Global manufacturing PMI declined to 47 in September from 47.9 in the prior month, versus market estimates of 48.5.
The S&amp;P Global flash composite PMI slipped to 54.4 in September compared to 54.6 in August, and versus market estimates of 54.3.
Equities Trading UP &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Kaival Brands Innovations Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KAVL#NASDAQ">KAVL</a>) shares shot up 148% to $1.4350 after the company and Delta Corp Holdings entered a merger and share exchange agreement.</li>
<li>Shares of BitFuFu Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FUFU#NASDAQ">FUFU</a>) got a boost, surging 15% to $3.9499 amid strength in Bitcoin prices.</li>
<li>Biohaven Ltd. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BHVN#NASDAQ">BHVN</a>) shares were also up, gaining 16% to $46.80 after the company announced its study of Troriluzole for the treatment of spinocerebellar ataxia in achieved the primary endpoint.</li>
</ul>
Equities Trading DOWN
<ul>
<li>Elevai Labs Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ELAB#NASDAQ">ELAB</a>) shares dropped 63% to $0.1036 after the company announced the pricing of an $8.0 million public offering.</li>
<li>Shares of Jin Medical International Ltd. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ZJYL#NASDAQ">ZJYL</a>) were down 29% to $2.91.</li>
<li>MINISO Group Holding Limited (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MNSO#NASDAQ">MNSO</a>) was down, falling 17% to $13.65 after B of A Securities downgraded the stock from Buy to Underperform. The company announced plans to acquire a stake in Yonghui Superstores, a leading Chinese retailer.</li>
</ul>
Commodities In commodity news, oil traded down 0.9% to $70.34 while gold traded up 0.2% at $2,652.60.
Silver traded down 1.4% to $31.06 on Monday, while copper rose 0.2% to $4.3535.
Euro zone
European shares were higher today. The eurozone's STOXX 600 rose 0.40%, Germany's DAX gained 0.68% and France's CAC 40 gained 0.10%. Spain's IBEX 35 Index rose 0.38%, while London's FTSE 100 rose 0.36%.
The S&amp;P Global UK composite PMI declined to 52.9 in September from 53.8 in August, and down from market estimates of 53.5. German composite PMI declined for a fourth consecutive month to 47.2 in September, while French composite PMI declined to 47.4 in September versus 53.1 in the earlier month.
The HCOB Eurozone manufacturing PMI slipped to 44.8 in September from 45.8 in the prior month, while services PMI declined to 50.5 in September from 52.9 in August.
Asia Pacific Markets
Asian markets closed mostly higher on Monday, with Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index falling 0.06%, China's Shanghai Composite Index gaining 0.44% and India's BSE Sensex gaining 0.45%.
The People's Bank of China unexpectedly cut the 14-day reverse repurchase rate by 10bps on Sept. 23.
Economics
<ul>
<li>The Chicago Fed National Activity Index rose to +0.12 in August versus a revised reading of -0.42 in the previous month and better than market expectations of -0.20.</li>
<li>The S&amp;P Global manufacturing PMI declined to 47 in September from 47.9 in the prior month, versus market estimates of 48.5.</li>
<li>The S&amp;P Global flash composite PMI slipped to 54.4 in September compared to 54.6 in August, and versus market estimates of 54.3.</li>
</ul>
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<h2>Industry: Natural Food</h2>
Companies in the Zacks Natural Foods Products industry have been reaping the benefits of growing consumer health awareness and the rising demand for nutritious, wholesome products. To capitalize on this trend, many companies are expanding their product lines with innovative offerings and strategic acquisitions. Some industry players are increasing investments in digital capabilities to enhance customer engagement and streamline operations.
Despite the challenges posed by rising operating expenses, natural food companies are taking proactive steps to address cost inflation, particularly through strategic pricing initiatives. These positive factors bode well for companies like Performance Food Group Co.&nbsp;(NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/pfgc#NYSE">PFGC</a>), Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/sfm#NASDAQ">SFM</a>) and SpartanNash Co.&nbsp;(NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/sptn#NASDAQ">SPTN</a>).
<h2>About the Industry</h2>
The Zacks Natural Foods Products industry comprises companies that manufacture and sell a wide range of organic and natural fruits, vegetables, dairy products, flour, bakery items, meat and seafood, as well as spices and condiments. These also offer packaged ready-to-eat meals, snacks, cereals and frozen food.
Some companies offer comfort food items like ice cream and soups. A few players provide personal care products as well as health supplements. The firms operating in this space sell their products mostly through wholesalers, distributors, large retail organizations, grocery chains, mass merchandisers, drug stores and e-commerce service providers. Some also cater to food service channels, including restaurants, cafes and hotels. Others offer services to schools, hospitals and industry caterers. Some players operate through independent retail stores.
<h2>Major Trends Shaping the Future of the Natural Food Industry</h2>
Shift Toward Healthier Eating Habits: Consumers are increasingly opting for nutritious and natural food choices, driving demand for fresh and organic products. This trend has become a major boost for companies in the natural food industry as more individuals prioritize healthy eating, even when dining out.
The appetite for fresh, natural and organic foods is expected to remain strong, with foodservice channels experiencing a resurgence. Restaurants and cafes are also responding by incorporating more wholesome ingredients into their menus to meet the preferences of health-conscious customers. Industry experts predict that the focus on healthier food options will persist, supporting the continued popularity of fresh and organic offerings.
Expanding Product Lines and Market Reach: Companies are diversifying their offerings and expanding market reach through strategic partnerships, acquisitions and retail growth. A key focus has been on research and development to create convenient, flavorful home-cooking options with minimal preservatives. Products based on plant-based, gluten-free and keto-friendly ingredients are gaining momentum.
To meet the rising demand for fresh and organic foods, companies are scaling up their production capabilities. The shift toward online shopping has benefited natural food companies, leading to investments in digital transformations, including e-commerce platforms, delivery systems and digital marketing initiatives.
Rising Operating Costs: Companies are facing rising operational expenses, particularly in personnel costs, including wages, salaries, commissions and benefits, which are putting pressure on budgets. Some companies are also seeing increased costs due to new store openings and higher marketing expenditures. While businesses remain focused on growth-oriented investments, these efforts are often weighing on profit margins.
<h2>Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Robust Prospects</h2>
The Zacks Natural Foods Products industry is housed within the broader Zacks Retail - Wholesale sector. The industry currently carries a Zacks Industry Rank #93, which places it in the top 37% of more than 250 Zacks industries.
The group&#39;s Zacks Industry Rank, which is basically the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates bright near-term prospects. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
The industry&#39;s positioning in the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries is a result of a positive earnings outlook for the constituent companies in aggregate. Looking at the aggregate earnings estimate revisions, it appears that analysts are gradually gaining confidence in this group&#39;s earnings growth potential. Since the beginning of July 2024, the industry&#39;s earnings estimate for 2024 has risen 2.1%.
Here, we present a few stocks that you may want to consider for your portfolio. However, before that, it&#39;s worth taking a look at the industry&#39;s performance and current valuation.
<h2>Industry vs. Broader Market</h2>
The Zacks Natural Foods Products industry has outperformed the broader Zacks Retail - Wholesale sector as well as the Zacks S&amp;P 500 over the past year.
The industry has risen 59.9% over this period compared with the broader sector&#39;s growth of 25.5% and the S&amp;P 500&#39;s increase of 27.2%.
<h2>Industry&#39;s Current Valuation</h2>
On the basis of forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E), which is commonly used for valuing Retail-Wholesale stocks, the industry is currently trading at 17.88X compared with the S&amp;P 500&#39;s 21.48X and the sector&#39;s 23.28X.
Over the past five years, the industry has traded as high as 20.31X and as low as 10.88X, with the median being 14.94X.
<h2>3 Natural Food Stocks to Keep a Close Eye On</h2>
Sprouts Farmers: This well-known grocery retailer has been capitalizing on its emphasis on product innovation, a strong focus on e-commerce, the expansion of private-label offerings, targeted marketing efforts and competitive pricing. SFM has also enhanced its same-day delivery options and store pickup services to provide customers with more convenience across its locations. Sprouts Farmers continues to solidify its position in the natural and organic market, tapping into the growing demand within this sector.
This Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) company has soared a whopping 156.8% in the past year. The consensus mark for Sprouts Farmers&#39; earnings per share for the current fiscal year has increased by 8% to $3.37 over the past 60 days. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SFM&#39;s sales and EPS for 2024 suggests growth of 9.6% and 18.7%, respectively, from the figure reported in the year-ago period.
SpartanNash: This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company&#39;s strategic initiatives and core strengths highlight its potential for long-term growth. SpartanNash has demonstrated resilience in navigating operational challenges while maintaining a strong focus on boosting profitability through targeted investments and cost optimization. With a clear emphasis on innovation, customer satisfaction and market expansion, the company is well-positioned to sustain positive momentum.
SpartanNash&#39;s efforts to broaden its product range and expand its market presence are noteworthy. The company has been diversifying its offerings through strategic partnerships, acquisitions and retail growth, with a significant focus on research and development. The consensus mark for SPTN&#39;s EPS has increased from $1.94 to $1.96 over the past 60 days. Shares of this food solutions company have jumped 27.2% in the past year.
Performance Food Group: This Zacks Rank #3 company has been benefiting from its strong position in the expanding food-away-from-home market. The resilience of its Foodservice segment highlights the company&#39;s effective sales organization and strategic market positioning. Notable initiatives, such as launching a nationwide pizza concept in partnership with GPM and expanding PFG-branded foodservice concepts to convenience customers, reflect PFGC&#39;s innovative approach to creating value.
These strategic moves, alongside disciplined cost management and targeted investments, are anticipated to fuel long-term growth. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Performance Food Group&#39;s fiscal 2024 sales and earnings indicates growth of 3.8% and 13.3% from the prior-year reported figure. The consensus mark for the EPS has declined from $4.92 to $4.87 over the past 60 days. Shares of PFGC have risen 23.9% in the past year.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2339700/zacks-industry-outlook-highlights-performance-food-sprouts-farmers-market-and-spartannash?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-press_releases-2339700">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

Retail Sales

PFGC

SPTN

Zacks Industry Outlook Highlights Performance Food, Sprouts Farmers Market and SpartanNash

Stellantis NV Chairman John Elkann has started a search for a successor to Chief Executive Officer Carlos Tavares, whose contract runs out in early 2026.
The automaker confirmed the decision in response to questions from Bloomberg News, adding it's part of regular succession planning. Pressure on the CEO is rising due to Stellantis' poor performance in markets including the US, its biggest single profit pool.
&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-09-23/stellantis-starts-search-for-tavares-successor-as-pressure-rises?srnd=condisc&amp;embedded-checkout=true" title="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-09-23/stellantis-starts-search-for-tavares-successor-as-pressure-rises?srnd=condisc&amp;embedded-checkout=true">https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-09-23/stellantis-starts-search-for-tavares-successor-as-pressure-rises?srnd=condisc&amp;embedded-checkout=true</a>

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'Stellantis Starts Search for Tavares Successor as Pressure Rises' - Bloomberg

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