March 19, 2025
A bounce, steady fed, AI press releases rain from the sky, some interesting news.
Covered Williams Sonoma WSM short for a decent ST profit after ER.
Mid-Cap defense name added to LTP - Kratos KTOS #LTGains
Market bounces, Fed stands pat NVDA press releases rain from the sky.
Multiple sources dumping on Apple's AI strategy fail. Could this open a window for Google to get back in on the back of better AI for Pixel? I doubt it but still...
VUZI has been announcing some re-orders. Could they ever make it?
AMZN is mulling the used car market - It does suck. CVNA, GURU, KMX, TRUE. So far AMZN has not done great with clothing, furniture or healthcare. Something to chew(y) on.
TSLA gets some upgrades - core issues remain unaddressed, competition, price pressure, lack of innovation, and governance questions.
AI Love Day led by NVDA includes just about every technology name. Stocks are mostly all "sell the news" including NVDA which is starting to look attractive again. Have we ever seen more press releases tied to one event? Maybe CES. Lots of notes on this but will roll it into a actual note for IPO Candy.
SIG squeezing those "diamonds are over" today on a strong ER. Might people have it wrong? Even lab-grown diamonds need a gold or platinum setting?
SS&T as a short? Customers hate them. SW roll up, bad management.
Quest Diagnostics DGX is inflecting to something better than investors know. The stock looks inexpensive. Against a UNH short?
SRAD misses ER guides in line. Makes acquisition. #sportstech
MS Eliminating 2000 jobs.
VG gets approval to export LNG. $11.56
With every OEM now building NVDA-based designs is there anything still special about SMCI?
Samsung's new CEO. Could it mark a shift? Who is this guy? SSNLF
What is NVDA talking about with FICO? #watchlistshort
Mid-Cap defense name added to LTP - Kratos KTOS #LTGains
Could the telephone "be great again?" Crexendo? CXDO. #watchlistlong
GEF announces price increases - more data suggesting continued pressure on PPI and inflation.
VIK takes delivery of another new boat. 168-guests target is Seine. #watchlistlong
Interesting News Items
Rockets, Home Sales, SportsTech, VEON Ukraine SPAC IPO, Vertex Investor Day, SHOP moves to the NASDAQ - why can't the NYSE hold on to these companies?
RKLB Rocket Lab USA schedules a rapid turnaround mission on Electron for OroraTech
The mission, named "Finding Hot Wildfires Near You," is set to launch during a window that opens on March 27th UTC and will lift off from Rocket Lab's private orbital launch site Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand. The mission is being deployed only four months after the launch contract was signed to support OroraTech's season-sensitive requirements for its wildfire detection mission. Electron will deliver eight of OroraTech's Constellation Phase 1 satellites to a 550km orbit to expand its constellation providing data from space to help tackle wildfire challenges globally. Using AI-driven analytics derived from near-real-time data provided by its satellites' thermal infrared cameras, OroraTech's constellation empowers first responders, governments and those alike with the ability to swiftly address wildfires and hotspots worldwide, significantly enhancing the protection of people, forests, and infrastructure.
RMAX RE/MAX Holdings: February home sales increases 8.4% over January
February 2025 home sales increased 8.4% over January -- about half of the month-to-month average sales increases seen in the previous two Februarys, and down 2.6% from sales one year ago. Despite the smaller month-to-month increase, February's growth in home sales could still indicate momentum for March home sales that typically post the highest monthly sales jump -- averaging 31% the last three years.
February's Median Sales Price across the 52 metro areas surveyed was $423,000. That was just $3,000 (0.6%) higher than January and nearly $13,000 (3.1%) more than a year ago.
Inventory increased 2.9% in February, compared to January. It has grown month-over-month 10 out of the last 12 months and is 33.9% higher than a year ago. New listings dropped 3.0% from January -- a stark contrast to last month's big climb of 53.7% -- and were 0.1% higher year over year.
SRAD Sportradar Group AG acquires IMG ARENA and global sports betting rights portfolio from Endeavor Group Holdings
Sportradar Group AG (SRAD) announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc. (EDR) to acquire IMG ARENA and its global sports betting rights portfolio. IMG ARENA's portfolio will enhance Sportradar's content and product offering and further strengthen its strategic position as a leading content provider in the most bet upon global sports, including tennis, soccer and basketball. Upon closing, the acquisition will provide a number of key benefits:
Enhances margins: Immediately accretive to Sportradar's adjusted EBITDA margins, aligning with our disciplined investment approach;
Accelerates growth: Further accelerates Sportradar's robust revenue, adjusted EBITDA and cash flow growth;
Unique structure: Sportradar will not be required to pay any financial consideration; Transaction provides financial consideration totaling $225 million comprised of $125 million paid to Sportradar and up to $100 million cash prepayments made by Endeavor to certain of the sports rightsholders;
Highly strategic portfolio: Basketball, soccer and tennis account for approximately 70% of the rights which are the top three most bet on global sports, complementing our existing sports portfolio.
The transaction is currently expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025
VEON announces its wholly-owned subsidiary JSC Kyivstar has signed an agreement to acquire Uklon group, a leading Ukrainian ride-hailing and delivery platform
This strategic acquisition marks Kyivstar's expansion into a new area of digital consumer services in line with VEON's digital operator strategy.
Uklon operates in 27 cities across Ukraine and unites more than 100 thousand driver-partners on the platform. The company facilitated over 100 million rides and more than 3 million deliveries in 2024. In 2023, Uklon entered the deliveries business and expanded its operations into Uzbekistan, where VEON's Beeline Uzbekistan also operates as the country's leading digital operator.
Upon closing of the deal, Kyivstar will acquire 97% of Uklon shares for a total consideration of USD 155.2 million. Uklon CEO Serhii Hryshkov is expected to remain in his position, where he will continue developing the company's products and services in Ukraine and other geographies. The agreement is subject to customary closing conditions and approvals.
VERX Vertex releases Investor Day slides; details accelerating financial momentum with new 2028 (long-term) targets #investordays
GOOG Alphabet posts blog titled "The latest A-series phone with Google AI smarts at an unbeatable value"
"Powered by our fastest, most efficient chip yet, Google Tensor G4, Pixel 9a comes with everything you expect from our Pixel 9 series — complete with a sleek redesign, upgraded main camera and Gemini built in. At just $499, Pixel 9a brings value, helpfulness and AI smarts that are hard to beat. A brand new look Pixel 9a has a fresh look, featuring a sleek, flat profile, rounded edges and an upgraded 6.3-inch Actua display.1 That's the brightest display on an A-series ever — 35% brighter than Pixel 8a at 2700 nits — and a 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate for a smoother, more vibrant experience."
SHOP sharply higher after announcing that it's transferring its U.S. stock exchange listing to the Nasdaq from the NYSE; Move viewed positively because it aligns company with a broader base of tech-focused investors, and company could benefit from lower listing fees.