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The British American Tobacco (LON: BATS) share price has done well this year, making it one of the best performing companies in the FTSE 100 index. It has jumped by 32% this year while the FTSE 100 index has risen by less than 10%. 

Growth and dividends

BAT’s stock performance has coincided with the ongoing strong performance of other companies in the tobacco industry. 

Altria, one of the biggest tobacco companies, and the manufacturer of Malboro, has risen by over 36% this year. Similarly, Philip Morris International (PM) has soared by almost 40%.

This performance is mostly because investors have reduced their focus on Environment, Societal, and Governance (ESG) issues. As a result, ESG funds have shed billions of dollars in assets in the past few months. 

Tobacco companies were some of the most avoided companies by ESG investors because of their impact on society. Most tobacco companies are accused of causing health issues, mistreating tobacco farmers, and contributing to carbon.

British American Tobacco is also loved by investors who are looking for dividends. In addition to the stock rising by over 32% this year, the company is one of the most generous in terms of dividend payouts. 

BAT has one of the highest dividend yields in London. It pays about 9.50%, meaning that a £10,000 investment will bring in £950 in dividend payouts. Combined with dividends, BAT’s total return has risen to over 40% this year, outperforming the S&P 500, which has returned 18%.

New categories doing well

BAT’s performance is notable because of the challenges the company has gone through in the past few years. 

These woes came to light in December last year when the company caught the market by surprise after deciding to write down $31.5 billion of its US business. It attributed this write down to the slowing economy, the ongoing shift towards vaping, and the rising competition in the country. 

$31.5 billion is a lot of money for a company whose market cap stands at about $85 billion after its stock surge this year. 

The stock has done well even after the company’s financial results came out short than expected. 

Its first half financial results showed that the company’s revenue dropped by 8.2% to £12.34 billion. This revenue dropped even after the number of consumers of its smokeless products jumped to over 26.4 million.

BAT’s revenue from new categories, which includes vapes, also dropped by 0.4% to £1.65 billion while its profits from operations dived by 28.3% to £4.2 billion. 

Its performance is a reflection that the tobacco industry is still seeing slow growth globally. A key factor is that the number of smokers is not growing. The situation is even worse among the younger generation.

A good example of this is that BAT’s revenue slowdown was mostly because of its US business whose combustibles revenue dropped by 8.5%. The rest of world revenue rose by just 2.2% during the first half of the year.

Another example is that the revenue slowdown is spread across other companies in the tobacco industry. Altria’s revenue dropped to $5.2 billion in the last quarter from $5.4 billion in the same period in 2023.

The only company that had growth in the quarter was Philip Morris whose revenue rose from $8.9 billion to $9.46 billion. 

On the positive side, British American Tobacco’s new categories business is now accounting for a big share of its total revenue, which is its goal. It now accounts for about 18% of the total revenue and the management expects the figure to continue rising. 

Good valuation but risks remain

BAT has attractive valuation metrics. It trades at a forward non-GAAP PE ratio of 8.30, lower than the industry average of 18. It also has a forward GAAP PE multiple of 10, lower than the industry’s average of 20.

Tobacco companies always attract lower valuation multiples compared to other firms because of their slow growth and the fact that the sector is seen as toxic.

There are two main risks for BAT. First, it is unclear whether the company’s growth in the new categories will be long-lasting. Second, over time, it will see weaker cigarette growth since many young people are not interested in smoking.

British American Tobacco stock analysis

Turning to the weekly chart, we see that the BAT stock price has been in a strong bull run this year. It has jumped from a low of 2,076p in January to a high of almost 3,000p.

The stock formed a golden cross pattern as the 200-day and 50-day moving averages have made a bullish crossover. In most periods, this is one of the most popular bullish signs.

The stock has also formed a cup and handle pattern, a popular bullish sign. Therefore, the stock will likely continue rising as bulls target the upper side of the cup at 3,023p. It will then consolidate to form the handle section and then resume the uptrend.

The post British American Tobacco stock: hard to resist this 9.5% compounder appeared first on Invezz

Shares of Ola Electric Mobility have garnered significant attention during Tuesday’s trading session following buy ratings from two major global brokerages, Goldman Sachs and BofA Securities.

The share price increased by more than 7% on the positive brokerage notes. This follows a largely flat period since its muted listing over a month ago.

After hitting a peak of Rs 157.53 on August 20, the stock has been trading in a range and closed at Rs 107.65 in the previous session, losing over 3% in a listless market.

Bullish outlook from Goldman Sachs and BofA Securities

Goldman Sachs has set a target price of Rs 160 on Ola Electric, implying a 49.53% upside from Monday’s closing price.

The global brokerage expects the company to achieve significant milestones, including an EBITDA breakeven by FY27 and a free cash flow (FCF) breakeven by FY30.

Goldman Sachs projects a robust revenue growth of over 40% compounded annually from FY24 to FY30, with an 11.9% EBITDA margin and a 27% return on invested capital (ROIC) by FY30.

“We view Ola Electric as positively levered to long-term structural trends in India’s electric two-wheeler market despite debates around its in-house battery cell manufacturing,” Goldman Sachs stated.

Meanwhile, BofA Securities has set a target price of Rs 145, signaling a potential 36% upside.

The brokerage emphasized the company’s technology and cost leadership, which it believes positions Ola Electric well to navigate the competitive landscape.

BofA also highlighted the company’s dominance in the electric two-wheeler (E2W) market, with a 40% share year-to-date in 2024.

“The adoption rate of electric two-wheelers in India, currently at 6.5%, is expected to rise to 25% by FY30, and Ola’s leadership in technology and cost will drive its success,” BofA Securities remarked.

Source: Finshots

Concerns from Ambit Capital and HSBC

While the outlook from Goldman Sachs and BofA Securities is bullish, Ambit Capital has a more cautious perspective.

Ambit recently initiated coverage on Ola Electric with a ‘Sell’ rating and a target price of Rs 99.60, citing concerns about increasing competition and potential policy risks.

“New players like Honda and Suzuki entering the market, combined with existing OEMs expanding their portfolios, could erode Ola Electric’s market share from 42.4% in FY25 to 25% by FY31,” Ambit Capital warned.

The firm also raised concerns about the capex-intensive nature of Ola Electric’s business model and the risk of changes in government incentives.

Adding to the cautious sentiment, HSBC also retained its ‘Buy’ rating but flagged concerns about Ola Electric’s recent market share losses.

The brokerage suspects that the losses could be attributed to the ramp-up of lower-cost variants from competitors and noted that there is a 15-20% downside risk to volume estimates for FY25 and FY26 if these trends continue.

Market share and the road ahead

Despite the mixed outlook from various brokerages, Ola Electric’s position as a market leader in the Indian electric two-wheeler space remains solid.

As the company works towards its breakeven targets and navigates a rapidly evolving competitive landscape, the coming years will be crucial in determining whether Ola Electric can maintain its market leadership and fulfill its growth potential.

The post Ola Electric stock in focus as Goldman Sachs, BofA initiate ‘buy’ calls, see a 50% upside appeared first on Invezz

The Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF (RSP) surged to a record high on Monday as investors focused on the upcoming Federal Reserve interest rate decision. The fund jumped to a high of $176.55, continuing an uptrend that started on September 11. 

RSP is seen as a better S&P 500 alternative

The S&P 500 index is one of the most popular funds in Wall Street since it tracks the biggest companies in the United States. 

It was established in 1957 when it was trading at $386, which, adjusted to inflation is worth about $4,071 today. 

The fund is made up of 500 companies, which it ranks in terms of market cap. As a result, it is often highly concentrated in the tech industry. Tech stocks account for 32% of the fund followed by financial services, healthcare, consumer cyclical, and communication services.

As a result, large companies like Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, Amazon, Meta Platforms, and Alphabet have a big  role in the fund. The top-ten companies account for about 34% of the fund, making it relatively risky.

The S&P 500 index does well in good times for technology companies. It then underperforms the market when these companies are not doing well. However, since tech has done well in the last decade, the fund has done much better than other ETFs.

The Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF solves the concentration problem by ensuring that all companies in the fund have an equal weight. As a result, the fund often tilts towards smaller companies in the S&P 500 and reduces risks.

Unlike the S&P 500 index, the RSP fund is mostly made up of industrials, financials, technology, healthcare, consumer discretionary, and consumer staples. Industrials account for 15.8% of the fund while financials, tech, and healthcare account for 14.9%, 12.5%, and 12.5%, respectively.

The biggest companies in the RSP ETF are Kellanova, Mohawk Industries, DR Horton, CBRE Group, Fair Isaac Corp, Globe Life, GE Vernova, and Iron Mountain. 

Kellanova, formerly known as Kellog, will exit the fund soon as it was recently acquired by Mars in a $36 billion deal. Mohawk Industries is the biggest flooring company in the world, with a big market share in carpets, tiles, countertops, and wood flooring. 

DR Horton is a large restaurant brand while CBRE Group is a leading commercial real estate services provider. The other notable company is Iron Mountain, a REIT that focuses on data storage and data centers.

Catalysts for the RSP ETF

There are a few catalysts that could push the RSP ETF higher in the coming years. First, historically, while the RSP fund has lagged behind the S&P 500 index, it has done well. Its stock has jumped by 168% from its lowest point in 2020. Excluding dividends, the fund has jumped by 751% since its inception in 2003.

Second, the RSP ETF is relatively cheaper than the other funds that track the S&P 500 index. It has a trailing P/E ratio of 17.9 and a price-to-book ratio of 3.04. The SPDR S&P 500 (SPY) and the Vanguard S&P 500 (VOO) have P/E ratios of 23 and a price-to-book multiple of 4.71.

Third, the fund will likely benefit from the Federal Reserve interest rate cuts, which are set to start on Wednesday. Economists expect the bank will slash interest rates by either 0.25% or 0.50%. 

The main headline in the decision will be what the bank officials like Jerome Powell say after the meeting. The expectation is that they will maintain a more dovish tone, meaning that they will point to more rate cuts.

RSP and other stock ETFs do well when the Federal Reserve is cutting interest rates as we saw during the last cutting cycle in 2020 and 2021.

Fourth, the fund will benefit from the strong quarterly financial results by American companies. FactSet estimates that companies in the S&P 500 index will have revenue growth of 4.9% in the third quarter, the fifth quarter of consecutive growth.

There are signs that American companies are doing well, with the number of those mentioning inflation in their earnings calls falling to the lowest point in 2021.

RSP ETF technical catalysts

RSP chart by TradingView

The other catalyst for the RSP ETF is its technicals. On the weekly chart, we see that the fund has been in a strong bull run, and most recently, it crossed the important resistance point at $157.85, its highest point in January 2022 and its previous all-time high.

The equal-weight fund has remained above the 50-week Exponential Moving Average (EMA) while the Average Directional Index (ADX) has moved to 27, meaning that it has a strong uptrend. 

Therefore, the fund will likely continue rising as bulls target the next psychological point at $200. 

The post S&P 500 Equal Weight (RSP) ETF hit ATH and has many catalysts appeared first on Invezz

The British American Tobacco (LON: BATS) share price has done well this year, making it one of the best performing companies in the FTSE 100 index. It has jumped by 32% this year while the FTSE 100 index has risen by less than 10%. 

Growth and dividends

BAT’s stock performance has coincided with the ongoing strong performance of other companies in the tobacco industry. 

Altria, one of the biggest tobacco companies, and the manufacturer of Malboro, has risen by over 36% this year. Similarly, Philip Morris International (PM) has soared by almost 40%.

This performance is mostly because investors have reduced their focus on Environment, Societal, and Governance (ESG) issues. As a result, ESG funds have shed billions of dollars in assets in the past few months. 

Tobacco companies were some of the most avoided companies by ESG investors because of their impact on society. Most tobacco companies are accused of causing health issues, mistreating tobacco farmers, and contributing to carbon.

British American Tobacco is also loved by investors who are looking for dividends. In addition to the stock rising by over 32% this year, the company is one of the most generous in terms of dividend payouts. 

BAT has one of the highest dividend yields in London. It pays about 9.50%, meaning that a £10,000 investment will bring in £950 in dividend payouts. Combined with dividends, BAT’s total return has risen to over 40% this year, outperforming the S&P 500, which has returned 18%.

New categories doing well

BAT’s performance is notable because of the challenges the company has gone through in the past few years. 

These woes came to light in December last year when the company caught the market by surprise after deciding to write down $31.5 billion of its US business. It attributed this write down to the slowing economy, the ongoing shift towards vaping, and the rising competition in the country. 

$31.5 billion is a lot of money for a company whose market cap stands at about $85 billion after its stock surge this year. 

The stock has done well even after the company’s financial results came out short than expected. 

Its first half financial results showed that the company’s revenue dropped by 8.2% to £12.34 billion. This revenue dropped even after the number of consumers of its smokeless products jumped to over 26.4 million.

BAT’s revenue from new categories, which includes vapes, also dropped by 0.4% to £1.65 billion while its profits from operations dived by 28.3% to £4.2 billion. 

Its performance is a reflection that the tobacco industry is still seeing slow growth globally. A key factor is that the number of smokers is not growing. The situation is even worse among the younger generation.

A good example of this is that BAT’s revenue slowdown was mostly because of its US business whose combustibles revenue dropped by 8.5%. The rest of world revenue rose by just 2.2% during the first half of the year.

Another example is that the revenue slowdown is spread across other companies in the tobacco industry. Altria’s revenue dropped to $5.2 billion in the last quarter from $5.4 billion in the same period in 2023.

The only company that had growth in the quarter was Philip Morris whose revenue rose from $8.9 billion to $9.46 billion. 

On the positive side, British American Tobacco’s new categories business is now accounting for a big share of its total revenue, which is its goal. It now accounts for about 18% of the total revenue and the management expects the figure to continue rising. 

Good valuation but risks remain

BAT has attractive valuation metrics. It trades at a forward non-GAAP PE ratio of 8.30, lower than the industry average of 18. It also has a forward GAAP PE multiple of 10, lower than the industry’s average of 20.

Tobacco companies always attract lower valuation multiples compared to other firms because of their slow growth and the fact that the sector is seen as toxic.

There are two main risks for BAT. First, it is unclear whether the company’s growth in the new categories will be long-lasting. Second, over time, it will see weaker cigarette growth since many young people are not interested in smoking.

British American Tobacco stock analysis

Turning to the weekly chart, we see that the BAT stock price has been in a strong bull run this year. It has jumped from a low of 2,076p in January to a high of almost 3,000p.

The stock formed a golden cross pattern as the 200-day and 50-day moving averages have made a bullish crossover. In most periods, this is one of the most popular bullish signs.

The stock has also formed a cup and handle pattern, a popular bullish sign. Therefore, the stock will likely continue rising as bulls target the upper side of the cup at 3,023p. It will then consolidate to form the handle section and then resume the uptrend.

The post British American Tobacco stock: hard to resist this 9.5% compounder appeared first on Invezz

In the fast-evolving world of mobile gaming, a new trend is emerging that is capturing the attention of millions of users worldwide: tap-to-earn (T2E)  gaming. 

By offering players the opportunity to earn rewards through simple, repetitive taps, this style of gaming has quickly become one of the most addictive and popular genres in the mobile game market. 

With its roots in easy accessibility and instant gratification, the power of tap-to-earn is reshaping how players interact with games—and it’s showing no signs of slowing down.

What is tap-to-earn gaming?

At its core, tap-to-earn gaming revolves around a straightforward concept: players earn in-game rewards, typically in the form of tokens or cryptocurrencies, by tapping the screen to complete tasks. The more they tap, the more they earn. 

These games are designed to be simple, requiring minimal cognitive effort, making them accessible to a broad audience of gamers.

The earned tokens can often be traded for fiat currency or cryptocurrencies, adding a real-world financial incentive to the gaming experience.

As a sub-genre of the broader play-to-earn (P2E) gaming category, T2E games share the same premise of rewarding players with assets that hold real-world value.

These assets can range from cryptocurrency tokens to non-fungible tokens (NFTs), which players can later trade on digital markets. 

According to a study by Business Research Insights, the global play-to-earn NFT games market, which includes T2E games, was valued at $755 million in 2021 and is projected to grow to $6.3 billion by 2031, boasting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.3%.

At its core, tap-to-earn gaming is a straightforward concept: users play games where they tap the screen to complete in-game tasks or challenges, often earning rewards or in-game currency with each tap which can later be redeemed for fiat or other cryptocurrencies. 

As the name suggests, the more you tap, the more you earn. These games are designed to be simple, requiring minimal cognitive effort, making them accessible to a wide range of players.

T2E is a sub-genre of ‘Play-to-Earn’ (P2E) games 

Tap-to-earn or T2E is part of the broader play-to-earn (P2E) game category wherein players are rewarded with in-game assets that have real-world value, like a form of cryptocurrency, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), or other items that can be traded for real money or other cryptocurrencies. 

The global Play-to-Earn NFT Games Market size was $755 million in 2021 & the market is expected to reach $6.3 billion by 2031, exhibiting a CAGR of 21.3% during the forecast period, according to Business Research Insights. 

Level of interest in play to earn games among adults in the US as of December 2022, by age group; Source: Statista

Further, blockchain-based gaming, the broad category that subsumes P2E and T2E games, generated $4.5 billion in revenue in 2022, according to DappRadar.

The psychology behind tap-to-earn gaming is key to its success. By providing a constant stream of small rewards, the games keep players engaged in a repetitive loop.

This “reward feedback loop” taps into the brain’s pleasure centres, creating a dopamine-driven cycle that keeps users coming back for more. 

Further, some of these games even offer lucrative referral bonuses which help draw in more players, thereby adding more value as demand rises.

The ease and simplicity of tap-to-earn games give players a sense of accomplishment, making them highly addictive. Players quickly become invested, eager to earn more rewards with every tap.

Why Telegram is central to tap-to-earn’s rise?

One of the main drivers behind the rapid growth of T2E gaming is its integration with the popular messaging app, Telegram.

With over 950 million users worldwide, Telegram provides a unique platform for these games to flourish. 

Unlike traditional mobile app stores, Telegram allows users to play tap-to-earn games directly within the app, eliminating the need for separate downloads or external links.

Additionally, many T2E games on Telegram have launched native tokens on The Open Network (TON), a blockchain backed by Telegram. 

With the TON wallet integrated into the app, users can store, manage, and exchange the tokens they earn, all within a single platform.

This seamless experience enhances the ease of use and drives engagement, making Telegram a key factor in the success of T2E games.

Telegram’s clean user interface and focus on privacy and security have further fueled the popularity of T2E games. 

With easy access to games and built-in trust due to the platform’s security features, users feel more comfortable engaging with these games, knowing their data is protected.

The rise of major players: Hamster Kombat and beyond

Among the top T2E games, Hamster Kombat has emerged as a standout success. Launched with modest expectations, the game quickly gained popularity due to its engaging gameplay, competitive leaderboards, and high rewards. 

In the game, players engage in virtual hamster battles, tapping to perform moves, earn rewards, and climb the ranks.

The fast-paced nature of the game, combined with its humorous theme, has made it a favourite among players.

What sets Hamster Kombat apart is its community-driven gameplay. Players constantly compete to outperform others, driving retention and engagement.

The developers also regularly introduce new content, updates, and seasonal events, ensuring that the game remains fresh and exciting.

Other popular T2E games, including Dragon Ta, Frog Jumper, TapSwap, and Notcoin, have also capitalized on the growing trend.

Each game offers its unique twist on the T2E model, providing players with a variety of experiences while leveraging the core tap-to-earn mechanics.

With more developers entering the space, competition is intensifying, and the market for T2E games continues to expand.

Does tap-to-earn have long-term potential?

While T2E games are currently riding a wave of popularity, their long-term potential hinges on several factors that could shape their future success.

Rapid user adoption: One of the primary reasons for the success of T2E games is their ability to quickly attract a massive user base.

The simplicity of the games, combined with platforms like Telegram, which already have large numbers of active users, has allowed T2E games to scale rapidly. 

These games provide a low-barrier entry point into the world of decentralized finance (DeFi) and blockchain technology, introducing millions of new users to the space.

For instance, successful T2E games have already attracted millions of players globally, creating a robust user base that extends beyond the typical crypto-savvy audience. 

By rewarding users with cryptocurrency tokens for completing simple in-game tasks, T2E games have opened the doors to broader adoption of blockchain technology.

Potential to evolve and educate: As with any new trend, the future success of T2E games depends on their ability to evolve.

Developers could integrate more complex features such as NFTs, staking, and other blockchain-based incentives to enhance player engagement.

By offering a more immersive and valuable experience, T2E games could retain users for longer periods and provide more significant rewards.

T2E games also have the potential to educate players about the broader possibilities of blockchain and crypto technology. 

By serving as an entry point into decentralized ecosystems, T2E games could introduce players to decentralized applications (dApps), digital asset management, and even governance participation.

Challenges and uncertainties: Despite their rapid growth, T2E games face several challenges that could impact their long-term sustainability. One of the most significant challenges is the economic model.

Many T2E games rely on continuous user growth to maintain their token reward systems. 

If the influx of new players slows down, the token economy could face instability, leading to diminishing rewards for existing players.

Additionally, while T2E games are currently popular, maintaining user engagement in the long term may be difficult. 

Unlike traditional games that offer intricate narratives and complex gameplay, T2E games tend to rely on simple mechanics that may lose their appeal over time without constant innovation.

A gateway to more sophisticated blockchain applications

Despite these challenges, T2E games have the potential to serve as a gateway to more sophisticated blockchain applications. 

By integrating features such as DeFi, NFTs, and cross-platform interactions, T2E games could become an essential part of the broader crypto ecosystem. 

As the games evolve, they could offer players opportunities to engage with more advanced decentralized applications and further explore the world of blockchain.

What’s next for tap-to-earn gaming?

As the tap-to-earn gaming sector continues to grow, industry experts predict that the trend will evolve, incorporating more features and deeper gameplay mechanics. 

Investors like Hashkey Capital and Animoca Brands see T2E games as proof of the scalability of blockchain gaming models. 

According to Animoca Brands CEO Yat Siu, “The next 100 to 200 million users in Web3 will come from Telegram and its gaming ecosystem.”

Despite some concerns about the sustainability of blockchain-based gaming, particularly around “mercenary users” who play solely to earn tokens, analysts are confident that these issues are short-term. 

Games like Hamster Kombat and Notcoin are expected to continue dominating the market, attracting millions of players with their simple yet rewarding gameplay.

The post Tap-to-earn gaming surges with 950M Telegram users driving rapid growth appeared first on Invezz

Asian markets opened with varied performances on Monday, reflecting investor reactions to recent economic data and weather-related disruptions.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell by 0.76% as investors digested weak economic indicators from China. Meanwhile, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 and Taiwan’s Weighted Index posted modest gains.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index drops

The decline in Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index was driven by disappointing economic figures from China released over the weekend.

August data revealed that factory output, retail sales, and investment numbers all fell short of expectations. Additionally, the urban jobless rate reached a six-month high, and year-on-year home prices dropped at their fastest pace in nine years.

These figures raised concerns about the health of China’s economy and contributed to the negative sentiment in Hong Kong’s stock market.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rises 0.44%

In contrast to Hong Kong, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 opened up 0.44%, signaling some positive momentum. The index’s increase may reflect a degree of investor optimism despite regional uncertainties.

Additionally, the Taiwan Weighted Index showed a slight uptick, suggesting cautious optimism among investors in the region.

Japanese yen strengthens

Japan’s markets remained closed for Respect for the Aged Day, but the Japanese yen strengthened to 140.49 against the US dollar.

This represents the yen’s strongest level in over a year. Expectations for Japan’s inflation data, set to be released soon, are that it will show a slight increase in August.

This may influence the Bank of Japan’s upcoming policy decisions. The central bank is anticipated to keep interest rates unchanged while signaling potential future rate hikes.

Typhoon Bebinca causes flight cancellations in China

Typhoon Bebinca has disrupted travel in China, leading to the cancellation of hundreds of flights. Shanghai, in particular, is expected to experience the strongest storm since 1949.

The typhoon’s impact on economic activities and investor sentiment is an additional factor influencing market conditions across the region.

Read More: China’s housing market: Is the bottom in sight?

Market closures and upcoming central bank decisions

Markets in mainland China and South Korea were closed for the Mid-Autumn Festival, while Japan’s Respect for the Aged Day holiday also contributed to reduced trading activity.

Investors are awaiting key central bank decisions from the region, including China’s setting of its one- and five-year loan prime rates on Friday.

The current one-year loan prime rate stands at 3.35%, and the five-year rate at 3.85%. These rates are crucial as they impact loan and mortgage pricing.

US indexes end the week on a high note

In the US, after a challenging start to September, major indexes ended the previous week on a positive note. The S&P 500 gained 0.54%, closing at 5,626.02, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.65% to 17,683.98.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 0.72%, ending the week at 41,393.78. This marked the best week of 2024 for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite, signaling a rebound amid broader market volatility.

The post Hong Kong stocks decline as investors react to China’s economic data and Fed rate decision appeared first on Invezz

AMC Entertainment (AMC) stock price has moved sideways in the past few months as concerns about its upcoming maturities and the trends in the box office continues. It has been stuck at $5 since May, where it has been in the past few months. It remains about 109% from its lowest point this year.

AMC is lagging behind Cinemark

AMC stock price has dropped by over 58% from its highest point this year. The initial jump happened in May as meme stocks jumped following Roaring Kitty’s return to social media platforms like X. 

The stock has moved sideways on the past few months as investors focused on the company’s financial results and its huge debt load. Its performance has lagged the performance of Cinemark, the other big movie theatre company.

Cinemark’s stock has surged to $29, up by over 117% from its lowest point this year, making it one of the best-performing companies in the industry. It has also jumped to its highest point since February 2020, meaning that it has recovered all the losses it made during the Covid-19 pandemic. It has also become a bigger company than AMC with its market cap of over $3 billion.

A key concern among AMC investors is its ongoing dilution, which is higher than what Cinemark has done. Data shows that Cinemark’s total outstanding shares have jumped from over 117 million in 2020 to 122.3 million today.

On the other hand, AMC has been one of the most dilutive companies in Wall Street as the number of outstanding shares have jumped from over 5.96 million in 2020 to 361 million. This means that shares have jumped by over 5,000% in the last few years.

AMC continued to dilute its shareholders this year. The company raised over $124 million through equity offerings as its stock surged, and analysts expect this trend to continue in the coming years.

The most recent 10Q statement shows that the company has substantial operating lease payments coming up in the coming years. It has over $894 million in 2025, $831 million in 2026, $766 million in 2027, and $680 million in the following year. Altogether, the company has over $4.25 billion in lease liabilities. 

The most important liability is the cash that matures in 2026 when the company’s $2.6 billion cash matures. However, on the positive side, the company has negotiated its financing to postpone these payments to 2029 and 2030. 

This is a big decision since the company now has more leg room to handle its finances in the next few years. 

Box Office is recovering modestly

AMC Entertainment’s stock has reacted to the ongoing trends in the box office industry. Recent data shows that Inside Out made over $652 million in domestic sales followed by Deadpool & Wolverine, which made $621 million.

Despicable Me 4 made $360 million while Dune, Twisters, Godzilla x Kong, and Kung Fu Panda made over $193 million. These numbers mean that the industry is making a steady recovery and that people are still interested in going out for movies.

The most recent results showed that AMC’s revenue dropped from $1.03 billion in the second quarter, down from $1.3 billion in the same period in 2023. For the first half, its revenue dropped to $1.9 billion. This revenue drop happened across its top divisions like admissions and food and beverage. 

AMC also moved back to a big loss. It made a net loss to $32.8 million from the previous profit of over $8.6 million. 

Analysts expect that AMC Entertainment’s revenue will come in at $1.28 billion, down from the $1.29 billion it made in the same period in 2023. Additionally, analysts expect that its loss per share will be 13 cents, a reversal from the 0.08 profit it made last year. For the year, revenue is expected to come in at $4.58 billion followed by $5.17 billion next year.

AMC stock price forecast

AMC stock chart by TradingView

The daily chart shows that the AMC Entertainment stock price has moved sideways in the past few months. As a result, the stock has been consolidating at the 50-day and 25-day Exponential Moving Averages (EMA).

The Average True Range (ATR) has continued falling, a sign that the volatility has dropped. Also, the accumulation and distribution indicator has continued moving downwards. 

Most importantly, the stock has formed a symmetrical triangle chart pattern, which is nearing the confluence level. This triangle is nearing the confluence level, meaning that a big move is expected to come up soon.

It is still unclear whether this will be a big upward or downturn move. At this stage, the next support and resistance levels to watch will be at $4 and $6. A cross above the triangle pattern will point to more gains.

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Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) stock price has remained in a deep bear market this year as concerns about the artificial intelligence (AI) industry continued. It has dropped by over 35% from its highest point this year, giving it a market cap of over $246 billion. 

AI growth concerns remain

In theory, the artificial intelligence industry is doing modestly well. Just recently, there are reports that OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, is about to raise funds at a $150 billion valuation. Just recently, we reported that the firm’s fundraising from Apple and Nvidia were funding it at a $100 billion.

Nvidia, the posterchild of the AI industry is also doing well, as evidenced by its secons-quarter financial results. Its revenue jumped to over $30 billion in the second quarter, up by over 115% from the same period in 2023. Its quarterly results were higher than what the company made in 2022. 

This growth happened as companies and governments continued to accumulate its GPUs as AI investments jumped. It is estimated that large tech companies and governments will spend over $1 trillion in AI investments in the next few years.

The challenge, however, is that there are signs that AI investment is getting out of hand with no immediate benefit. In a recent research paper, analysts at Goldman Sachs warned that transformation changes will not happen quickly, and that AI would take over a decade to go mainstream.

Most importantly, the analysts warned that to generate an adequate return on the $1 trillion, the AI industry will need to solve complex problems. 

AMD is seen as an Nvidia alternative

AMD, which is run by Lisa Su, who is Nvidia’s CEO’s cousin, is often seen as Nvidia’s alternative, especially now that Intel is not doing well

AMD, which is a big player in the CPU industry, recently launched the Mi300 Series, which is seen as a good and cheaper alternative to Nvidia’s HP-100. The only challenge is that Nvidia owns the CUDA software that lets developers convert the GPUs for general-purpose computing tasks.

Analysts expect that AMD will ultimately catch up and start to gain market share in the GPU and AI industries. Recent data shows that the company is achieved about 10% share in the industry as it generated $1 billion in revenue. AMD also raised its guidance to over $4.5 billion even as concerns about Microsoft slashing spending continuing.

AMD’s data center revenue could do well as more companies opt for its GPUs, which are seen as being lower priced. 

Growth and valuation concerns

AMD needs to take market share in the data center GPU industry because of the ongoing slow growth in the PC industry, as I noted on my HP article. The results revealed that AMD’s total sales rose by just 9% to over $5.8 billion.

AMD also has weaker metrics than Nvidia, which could improve if the company starts to grow its market share in the GPU industry. For example, while Nvidia has gross margins of 76%, AMD’s stands at 46%. Nvidia’s net profit margin stands at 55% while AMD has a margin of 8%.

AMD’s total data center revenue rose by 115% to $2.8 billion, helped by record GPU shipments and CPU sales. 

The company’s other segments like gaming and embedded are not doing well. Gaming revenue crashed by 59% to $648 million while its embedded one fell by 41% to $861 million. 

AMD’s growth is expected to start picking up as GPU growth continues. Analysts expect that its revenues for the third quarter will come in at $6.7 billion, a 15.70% increase from what it made in the same quarter in 2023. 

For the year, AMD’s revenue is expected to rise by 12.90% to $25.6 billion. It will then grow by over 28% to over $32.9 billion. 

AMD’s second quarter earnings

A key concern is that AMD is significantly overvalued considering that its growth is relatively slow. AMD trades at a forward P/E ratio of 45 and a trailing multiple of 54, higher than the sector median of about 23. Its valuation multiples are also higher than those of Nvidia, a company that is doing much better.

AMD stock price analysis

AMD stock price chart

The daily chart shows that the AMD share price peaked at $226.90 in March and then suffered a harsh reversal to a low of $122.26 on August 5. 

It has moved between the 38.2% and 50% Fibonacci Retracement level. Also, the stock is consolidating at the 50-day and 200-day Exponential Moving Averages (EMA) while the MACD indicator has moved above the neutral point.

Therefore, the stock’s outlook is neutral with a bullish bias. If this happens, the stock will likely bounce back and reach a high of $187, it highest point in July. The alternative scenario is where the stock drops to the next support at $122.26, its lowest swing in August.

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Nio (NIO) stock price has staged a strong comeback this month even as other Chinese electric vehicle companies like Li Auto, Xpeng, and Polestar remains under pressure. It jumped to a high of $5.5 on Monday, its highest point since May 15. It has soared by over 53% from its lowest point this year, making it one of the best-performing EV companies.

Nio financial results

Nio, a leading Chinese electric vehicle company, published strong financial results, which showed that its business was doing well. Its vehicle deliveries jumped to over 57,000 in the second quarter, a big increase from the 23,520 it sold in the same period in 2023.

The deliveries were almost double what it delivered in the first quarter, and is a sign that the EV industry is doing well. This is unlike what most analysts have been predicting.

Nio’s vehicle sales rose by 118% to over $2.1 billion and a 87% jump from the last quarter. Most importantly, unlike the recent expectations, Nio continued to grow its vehicle margins, which rose to 12.2% from 6.2% in Q2’23 and 9.2% in the first quarter. 

As a result, Nio’s gross pofit rose to $232 million while its net loss slowed to $716 million. Excluding share-based compensation, Nio’s loss came in at $624 million. 

Most importantly, Nio hopes to continue growing, especially with the upcoming launch of its ONVO brand. ONVO’s L60 is a relatively low-cost brand that has already attracted thousands of pre-orders. 

Nio hopes to deliver between 61,000 and 63,000 in the third quarter, a 10% to 13% increase from the same period in 2023. It also expects that its revenue will be between $2.6 billion and $2.7 billion.

Cheap valuation as profitability nears

One reason why Nio stock price has crashed hard in the past few years is that it has been a big incinerator that has made substantial losses. Its net loss has increased to over $9.2 billion in the last five financial years. These losses happened even as Nio’s revenue totalled over $24.2 billion in the same period.

Nio’s loss-making has been because of its big investments to increase manufacturing capacity. It has also spent a fortune in research and development (R&D) and selling, general, and administration. 

Nio is not the only EV company that has come under pressure in the past few years. Rivian, the giant American company known for its SUVs and pickup trucks, has lost billions of dollars and was recently saved by Volkswagen, which invested $5 billion.

Similarly, Lucid Group has also become a big cash incinerator. Like Rivian, it also remains in business because of the large investments by the Saudi Arabia’s government. 

Tesla, the gold-standard in the EV industry, also recorded substantial losses before it turned a profit. It is estimated that it lost over $6 billion between 2003 and 2020. 

Fortunately, there are signs that Nio is working towards profitability in the next few years. Nio’s loss per share stood at $1.53 in 2023 and analysts expect it to narrow its loss to $1.23 this year and $0.92 in the following year. 

On the positive side, Nio has the balance sheet it needs to become a highly profitable brand. It ended the last quarter with over $5.7 billion in cash and short-term investments. Its short-term borrowings stands at $729 million, which it can pay comfortably without dilutions.

Risks remain

Still, Nio, like other companies in the EV industry, is facing substantial risks ahead. The first risk is that the EV industry is slowing globally, especially in China, its primary market. It is also getting highly competitive, with companies like Xpeng and BYD vying to take market share. 

Second, there are signs that consumer spending is slowing in China. This explains why many companies like LVMH, Estee Lauder, and Burberry that do a lot of business there are struggling.

Third, Nio’s global expansion approach is finding some major challenges. Like most EV companies, Europe, an economy that is slowing is a big priority. The challenge is that many Europeans are now focusing on hybrid vehicles. 

Nio stock price analysis

NIO chart by TradingView

Nio’s stock surge is in line with my last prediction, when I forecasted that its comeback would be epic. It formed a double-bottom chart pattern at $3.65 and is now approaching the neckline at $6. 

The stock is also nearing the 38.2% Fibonacci Retracement point. It has also found a strong resistance point at the 200-day moving average. Also, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) has jumped to the overbought level. It has formed a small bullish flag chart pattern.

Therefore, the path of the least resistance for the Nio share price is bullish, with the next point to watch being at $6. A break above that level will point to more gains.

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Mexico’s recent Senate approval of a far-reaching judicial reform has ignited a heated debate among legal experts, judges, and international observers.

This reform, backed by the ruling party Movimiento Regeneración Nacional (Morena), is designed to overhaul Mexico’s judicial system by enabling the popular election of over 6,500 judges and magistrates starting in June 2025.

The proposed changes aim to enhance public accountability within the legal system but have been met with significant opposition and concern from various stakeholders.

Senate approval and legislative process

The reform was passed in the Senate with a vote of 86 in favor and 41 against, despite strong resistance from opposition parties such as Acción Nacional (PAN), Revolucionario Institucional (PRI), and Movimiento Ciudadano (MC).

This approval represents a significant legislative victory for Morena, which has a two-thirds supermajority in Congress.

The next phase involves the reform being reviewed by state legislatures, where Morena’s support base is expected to facilitate its passage.

Following successful passage, the reform will be officially published in Mexico’s government gazette, marking a critical step in its implementation.

Mexico judicial reform: opinions and concerns

Moisés Montiel, a prominent lawyer and professor at Mexico’s Center for Economic Research and Teaching, has raised substantial concerns about the implications of the proposed reform.

Montiel argues that electing judges through popular vote could undermine the independence of the judiciary and expose it to political pressures and external influences.

According to him, this change could lead to an erosion of judicial impartiality and increased susceptibility to manipulation.

Montiel acknowledges that the reform seeks to address some genuine issues within the Mexican judicial system, such as corruption, delays in legal proceedings, and restricted access to justice.

However, he criticizes the reform’s approach, which he believes may exacerbate existing problems rather than solve them.

He contends that the mass dismissal of district judges, circuit magistrates, and Supreme Court ministers, as outlined in the reform, could destabilize the judiciary and impact its effectiveness.

The reform initially proposed a comprehensive overhaul of the judiciary but has since evolved into a staggered replacement plan.

The first round of elections is set for 2025, with subsequent elections planned for 2027.

This gradual implementation is intended to ease the transition but also raises questions about the coherence and long-term impact of the reform.

The nomination process for new judges remains complex, with candidates to be selected from the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

Montiel points out that the lack of clarity regarding nomination criteria and the absence of a transparent process could undermine the meritocratic nature of the new judicial appointments.

Judicial Discipline Tribunal

A particularly contentious aspect of the reform is the establishment of the Judicial Discipline Tribunal.

Montiel has expressed significant reservations about this tribunal, describing it as potentially becoming an “Inquisition of the Judicial Power.”

He argues that the tribunal’s broad grounds for dismissing judges, coupled with a voting mechanism that could be biased, poses a risk to judicial independence.

Montiel is concerned that judges could be removed without substantial justification, leading to a lack of recourse for those facing dismissal.

Montiel also highlights the potential negative impact of the reform on judicial efficiency.

He argues that without additional financial or material resources, the reform may fail to improve the handling of cases and could even slow down judicial processes.

The new judges, who may lack the experience necessary for effective court management, could further contribute to delays rather than enhancing efficiency.

Despite the accelerated timelines mandated by the reform, which require judges to justify delays in cases that have been pending for over two years, Montiel believes that the lack of resources will ultimately hinder progress.

Judicial quality and public perception

Another significant concern is the reform’s impact on the quality of the judiciary.

The reform stipulates that candidates for judicial positions must have achieved a minimum academic score and be licensed lawyers.

However, the specific requirements for postgraduate experience remain unclear.

Montiel criticizes this lack of clarity, suggesting that it could compromise the quality of the judicial personnel and raise serious concerns about the protection of citizens’ rights under the new regulations.

The reform has elicited strong reactions from various sectors, including academics and members of Mexican society.

Critics argue that the establishment of the Judicial Discipline Tribunal, combined with the insufficient resources allocated for judicial functions, could lead to unfair dismissals of judges and undermine the overall effectiveness of the judicial system.

These concerns underscore the complexity of the reform and the need for careful consideration of its potential implications.

Mexico’s judicial reform represents a bold attempt to address longstanding issues within the country’s legal system.

However, the controversy surrounding the reform highlights significant concerns about judicial independence, efficiency, and quality.

As Mexico moves forward with these changes, it is crucial to address the ambiguities and potential pitfalls of the reform to ensure that it achieves its intended goals without compromising the integrity of the judiciary.

The ongoing debate reflects broader questions about the balance between accountability and independence in judicial reforms, underscoring the need for a nuanced approach to strengthening Mexico’s legal system.

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