South Korea’s largest K-pop agency, Hybe, suffered a dramatic $423 million loss in market capitalization on Friday after NewJeans, one of its most popular girl groups, announced it was terminating its contract with the sub-label ADOR.

The announcement, made during a press conference on Thursday night, followed months of escalating disputes between NewJeans and the label. The decision sent shockwaves through the K-pop industry and caused Hybe shares to plunge by nearly 7%.

The five-member group, which debuted in 2022, accused ADOR of breaching their contract and fostering a toxic work environment.

At the press conference, group member Hanni detailed the group’s grievances.

“Staying here would be a waste of time and would only bring pain, mentally,” she said.

The group collectively decided there was no professional benefit to remaining under ADOR’s management.

The controversy reportedly began with a legal notice sent by NewJeans to Hybe earlier this month, demanding the reinstatement of former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin and action against alleged mistreatment.

Failure to meet these demands, the group warned, would result in their departure. South Korean media outlet JoongAng Ilbo further reported that an internal Hybe memo suggested “getting rid of NewJeans and starting anew,” fueling tensions between the agency and the group.

Workplace harassment at ADOR?

Hanni also revealed instances of alleged mistreatment during her testimony before South Korea’s parliament in October, claiming she had faced workplace harassment at ADOR.

She highlighted what she called “countless preventions and contradictions, deliberate miscommunication, and manipulation” within the label.

These claims, though not elaborated upon in detail, added to the group’s decision to leave.

The fallout extends beyond the group. Former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin, who was accused by Hybe of attempting to take the sub-label independent earlier this year, stepped down from her role in August.

Although she remained a director at ADOR, Min resigned from the company entirely on November 20.

She had previously denounced Hybe’s management, accusing the agency of copying NewJeans’ concepts for another group under a different subsidiary.

Significant blow to Hybe

The loss of NewJeans is a significant blow to Hybe, given the group’s meteoric rise in the K-pop scene.

Since their debut, the group has won numerous accolades, including the Group of the Year award at Billboard’s Women in Music ceremony in 2024.

Billboard cited their success across 10 of its charts, including the Billboard Hot 100, Billboard 200, and Billboard Global 200.

Hybe’s struggles aren’t limited to this controversy.

The agency’s third-quarter net profit for 2024 plunged nearly 99% year-on-year, with analysts attributing the decline to fewer artist activities during the Olympics and the high costs associated with launching KATSEYE, a localized group in the US Hybe’s stock has already lost 15.72% this year, mirroring a broader downtrend in the K-pop sector, which has seen all of the “Big Four” agencies facing declining valuations.

As Hybe navigates this crisis, industry experts are closely watching how it manages the fallout and its potential long-term impact on the company’s reputation and financial health.

The departure of NewJeans underscores the growing challenges of retaining top talent in the competitive and often contentious K-pop landscape.

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Electric vehicle stocks have had a mixed performance this year. Most of them have crashed, while Tesla has soared to a high of $360, its highest level since April 2022 and 225% above the lowest point in 2023. So, here are some of the best EV stocks to buy that could 10x your money in 2025.

Are EV stocks good investments in 2025?

Most investors believe that EV stocks will underperform the market in 2025 because of the recent Donald Trump election. Trump has always been skeptical about EVs and has hinted that he will undo the stimulus package that gives buyers incentives. 

He has also pledged to introduce new tariffs that could impact industries. However, the reality is that EV stocks may do well during the Trump administration. For one, Trump has aligned himself with Elon Musk, the founder and CEO of Tesla, who has advocated for these tax credits.

Also, while a president is important, data shows that the stocks rarely do as expected when a presidential term starts. For example, most EV stocks did poorly during the Biden administration despite his incentives. So, there is a likelihood that some EV stocks will bounce back. 

Nio stock has formed a bullish pattern

The main reason why Nio stock price will bounce back in 2025 is that it has formed a highly bullish chart pattern. On the daily chart, we see that it has been forming a falling wedge pattern on the daily chart. 

This pattern is characterized by two descending trendlines that are converging. In most cases, a falling wedge usually results in a strong bullish breakout when the two lines are approaching the convergence point. 

Therefore, if this happens, there are chances that the stock will go vertical in 2025. If this happens, the first initial target to watch will be the year-to-date high of $7.7, which is about 76% above the current level. 

A break above that level will lead to higher chances of it soaring to $9.55, the highest point in December last year, followed by $16.17, its 2023 high, which is about 270% higher than the current level.

Rivian stock has created a double-bottom

The other good EV stock to buy for strong returns in 2025 is Rivian, one of the most popular brands in the US. Fundamentally, Rivian has some major issues, including its continued cash burn. 

However, the company has made some progress by reducing its gross loss and by partnering with Volkswagen. Rivian has also provided a roadmap to profitability.

The main reason why Rivian is a good EV stock to 10x your money is that it has formed a slanted double-bottom pattern. In most periods, this is one of the top bullish reversal signs in the market. 

The double bottom happened around the $9.8 level, while the neckline has moved to $18.86. Therefore, because of this pattern, there are odds that the RIVN stock price will stage a strong rally and move to $18.86, which is about 127% above the lower side of the double bottom. 

A break above the pattern’s neckline will lead to more gains, potentially to $28, which is its 2023 highest point. If this happens, Rivian then can replicate Carvana’s rally as it attempts to jump to a record high of $170. Remember, all it takes for Rivian to achieve this is to report two or three quarters of strong results.

XPeng stock could rebound because of its strong growth

XPeng stock price has retreated to $12, down by 23% from its highest level this year. It remains about 82% higher than the year-to-date low. 

XPeng share price has the potential to go parabolic because of its strong fundamentals and supportive technicals. On the daily chart, the stock recently formed a golden cross pattern as the 50-day and 200-day Exponential Moving Averages (EMA) crossed each other. In technical analysis, this is one of the most popular bullish signs. 

XPEV’s recent pullback is normal since it happened after it rose to the 50% Fibonacci Retracement level. It is highly common for stocks and other assets to have a pullback when they hit the retracement point. 

XPeng’s business is also growing despite the ongoing challenges in China and other countries. The most recent results showed that the revenue rose by 24.5% in the third quarter to RMB 10.1 billion. This happened as the company delivered 46,533 vehicles during the quarter, an increase from the 40,008 it sold in the same period a year earlier.

Most importantly, the company is on a path to profitability as its gross margin jumped to a record high of 15.3%. The company’s initiatives like its flying car could lead to a higher stock price. 

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Asia-Pacific markets largely trended downward on Friday as investors digested a mix of economic data, including Tokyo’s accelerating inflation and a rebound in South Korea’s industrial production.

The region’s benchmarks faced pressure amid uncertainty surrounding global monetary policy, despite pockets of resilience in select markets.

Tokyo’s November inflation figures showed the headline rate rising to 2.6%, a significant uptick from October’s 1.8%.

Core inflation, which excludes volatile fresh food prices, came in at 2.2%, slightly above the 2.1% predicted by economists in a Reuters poll.

Tokyo’s inflation data, often seen as a bellwether for nationwide trends, suggests mounting price pressures in Japan, which could bolster the case for a potential rate hike by the Bank of Japan at its December meeting.

Meanwhile, South Korea’s industrial production rebounded with a 2.3% year-on-year increase in October, reversing a 1.3% contraction in September.

Despite the positive data, South Korea’s benchmark Kospi fell by 1.74%, while the small-cap-focused Kosdaq dropped 1.75%.

The divergence underscores lingering market concerns over global demand and economic uncertainty.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 slid 0.59%, and the broader Topix fell 0.35% as investors weighed the inflation data. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 mirrored the regional downturn, shedding 0.35%.

In contrast, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index defied the trend with a modest 0.21% gain, buoyed by a recovery in tech stocks.

Mainland China’s CSI 300, however, was slightly down in early trade.

Dollar weakens amid rate cut speculation

The US dollar fell 1.4% against major currencies this week as traders increasingly anticipated a December rate cut by the Federal Reserve.

Futures markets now assign a 63% probability to a quarter-point cut, up from 55% the previous week, according to CME Group’s FedWatch Tool.

The yen appreciated to a five-week high, trading below 150 against the greenback, supported by Tokyo’s inflation surge and heightened speculation of tighter monetary policy from the Bank of Japan.

Oil prices steady, gold Falls

Oil prices steadied on Friday following news of an Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire, but they remained poised for weekly losses.

US West Texas Intermediate crude futures edged up 0.1% to $68.76 per barrel, down 2.5% for the week.

Gold, meanwhile, was down 2.7% this week, trading at $2,638.29 per ounce as the dollar weakened.

India’s economic growth slows

India’s economy is expected to post its slowest quarterly growth since March 2023, with economists forecasting a 6.5% expansion in the second fiscal quarter.

The estimate falls below the Reserve Bank of India’s earlier forecast of 7% and represents a slight slowdown from the 6.7% growth recorded in the first quarter.

Agriculture, which accounts for over 18% of India’s GDP, is projected to perform strongly, supported by sustained consumer spending and improved business confidence, according to the RBI’s October outlook.

Focus on Europe and monetary policy

European bond markets provided some respite, with French bond yields easing after Prime Minister Michel Barnier scrapped plans to raise electricity taxes in the 2025 budget.

Meanwhile, German inflation undershot forecasts, signaling potential downside risk for the eurozone’s inflation reading.

Traders remain focused on the European Central Bank, with expectations leaning toward a gradual rate-cut approach in December.

The mixed signals from Asia, Europe, and the US leave investors closely watching key economic indicators and central bank decisions in the weeks ahead, as markets continue to navigate a complex global environment.

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Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers are facing mounting challenges in Europe with their market share in the region continuing to decline in October for the fourth consecutive month.

According to researcher Dataforce, Chinese brands like SAIC Motor Corp.’s MG and BYD Co. accounted for just 8.2% of European EV registrations last month, down from 8.5% in September.

The drop coincides with the European Union’s implementation of new tariffs on Chinese-made EVs, which began provisionally in July and were finalized on October 30.

These duties, which raise import fees to as high as 45%, have slowed the once-rapid expansion of Chinese brands in this critical overseas market.

Julian Litzinger, an analyst at Dataforce, remarked that Chinese manufacturers seemed to avoid significant shipment volumes in October.

“It will be very interesting to see what happens in November,” he said in a report by Bloomberg, suggesting that manufacturers may adjust their strategies in response to the tariffs.

BYD emerges as a key player despite challenges

Among Chinese brands, BYD has continued to expand its presence in Europe despite these headwinds.

According to Jato Dynamics, BYD outsold MG for the second time in three months, with sales more than doubling year-over-year to 4,630 vehicles in October.

This growth comes as the company ramps up its European operations, including a major sponsorship deal and strategic hires from competitors like Stellantis NV.

Executive Vice President Stella Li has also been instrumental in BYD’s European push, spending significant time in the region to oversee expansion efforts.

However, despite BYD’s progress, MG remains ahead in overall sales for the year, with 63,895 vehicles registered through October—nearly twice BYD’s total.

Yet MG’s October sales tell a different story, with deliveries plummeting 56% to 3,846 vehicles.

Tariffs and trade tensions reshape the automotive industry

The introduction of new EU tariffs has not only affected Chinese EV manufacturers but also disrupted the broader automotive industry.

These duties apply to all Chinese-made EVs, including those imported by Western brands like Volkswagen and BMW.

The increased costs have led to delays in projects, such as Chery Automobile Co.’s plans to begin EV production at a refurbished factory in Barcelona.

With trade tensions growing, the global automotive industry faces heightened uncertainty.

This trend could accelerate with US President-elect Donald Trump’s expected push for additional tariffs.

To mitigate these challenges, some Chinese manufacturers are investing in local factories and supply networks in Europe, a move designed to ease concerns about their impact on domestic industries.

However, the long-term effectiveness of this strategy remains to be seen.

European EV market struggles amid declining subsidies

The challenges faced by Chinese manufacturers are part of a broader slowdown in the European EV market.

Major countries like Germany have reduced subsidies that once fuelled demand, contributing to a 1.7% year-to-date decline in battery-electric vehicle registrations.

While October saw a modest 6.9% growth in registrations, the overall market remains subdued.

This slowdown has had ripple effects across the industry.

Volkswagen is reportedly considering factory shutdowns in Germany, while Stellantis has scaled back production of Fiat 500 EVs in Italy, citing weak European sales.

Chinese dominance in EV technology persists

Despite their struggles in Europe, Chinese manufacturers continue to lead in EV technology.

This dominance was underscored by the recent bankruptcy of Swedish battery maker Northvolt AB, once hailed as a potential rival to Chinese battery producers.

Northvolt’s largest shareholder, Volkswagen AG, had viewed the company as a way to counterbalance China’s influence in the battery market.

Meanwhile, the Chinese government has encouraged domestic manufacturers to retain critical EV technologies within the country.

This policy aims to solidify China’s competitive advantage as it navigates growing global trade tensions.

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Carvana stock price has had a phoenix-like rebirth in the past two years. After crashing to $3.3 in December 2022, it has jumped by over 10,000%, making it one of the best-performing companies in Wall Street.

Carvana shares have jumped as the company addressed its balance sheet issues that wanted to collapse it. It has also become a more popular company in the auto industry and the management has prioritized profits over growth.

This turnaround can be seen in Carvana’s growth as it sales jumped to $3.65 billion in the third quarter from $2.7 billion a year earlier. The management hopes that this growth trajectory will continue in the next few years. 

Buying Carvana stock at its lowest point was an act of courage since odds of it moving into bankruptcy were at an elevated level. So, here are some of the top beaten-down stocks that could stage a strong recovery in the next few years. 

Read more: Expensive Carvana stock could soar by another 85%

Celsius Holdings | CELH

Celsius Holdings stock price has imploded this year, ending one of the longest rallies in the consumer market. It has crashed by over 71% from its highest level this year, pulling its market cap from $23.5 billion to $6.3 billion.

Celsius stock has crashed because of the rising concerns that its growth has stalled as people lose interest in its drinks. There are also worries that its international business is not growing as fast as investors were expecting.

The most recent results conformed this as its North American revenue dropped by 33% to $247 million. This slowdown was offset by a 37% increase in its international division, whose revenue jumped by 37%. However, the dollar amount of $18.6 million was relatively limited.

Therefore, the outlook for the Celsius stock price is quite dark right now as Carvana was a few years ago. Still, there is a likelihood that the company will resume growing in the next few years. Analysts expect that Celsius Holding’s revenue will jump from $1.37 billion this year to $1.6 billion in 2025.

A likely contrarian view is where the CELH stock rebounds and retests its all-time high of almost $100, giving it a 255% return. 

Capri Holdings | CPRI

Capri Holdings stock price has also plunged as investors question its future trajectory after the collapse of its acquisition by Tapestry. CPRI has plunged by over 67% from its highest level in February 2022.

This decline also coincided with a period of slow business growth as evidenced by its recent earnings reports. Capri’s quarterly revenue dropped from $1.29 billion in Q3’23 to $1.079 billion in Q3’24. 

Capri Holdings’ profits have also turned elusive, with the net income falling from $90 million to $24 million. Therefore, it makes sense to worry about Capri’s stock as its business trajectory worsens. 

However, there are signs that the stock will bounce back for three reasons. First, low interest rates may stimulate consumer spending in the coming years. Second, with the Tapestry deal off the table, there are signs that a private equity company may be open to acquiring it. 

Third, the company will benefit from its iconic brands like Versace, Jimmy Choo, and Michael Kors. 

Lululemon Athletica | LULU

Lululemon Athletica is another fallen angel that could stage a strong recovery after its stock plunged by over 38% from its all-time high. The company has faced substantial challenges amid rising competition with the likes of The Gap and On Holdings. 

This competition has contributed to Lululemon’s slow growth in the past few quarters. And analysts believe that the era of double-digit revenue growth is over. 

Still, analysts believe that the company is a good value stock that will continue doing well as focus now shifts to profitability. Its annual revenue for this year will be about $10.43 billion, followed by $11.2 billion next year. Its profit per share is also expected to jump from $14.02 to $14.88 in that period. 

The most likely Lululemon stock price forecast is where it rebounds to $516 from the current $317, a 61% surge.

Read more: Lululemon stock: valuation reset done, 20% gains possible

TripAdvisor stock | TRIP

TripAdvisor stock price has imploded as it crashed by over 71% from its highest level in 2022. It recently dropped to $13.9 and is hovering at its all-time high. The company, which owns TheFork and Viator, has struggled because of the rising competition in the travel industry.

TripAdvisor’s revenue dropped by 7% in the last quarter, which was offset by a 16% growth rate of Viator and TheFork. The stock has also collapsed after the company decided to turn down a takeover bid from Apollo Global.

Now, with the company struggling, there are hopes that it will agree to be acquired if a new bid comes. Also, it only takes a quarter of good results to push its stock much higher than where it is today.

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