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☆ For Apple, emerging markets like Vietnam, India and Indonesia are 'a golden opportunity' right now
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Hong Kong CNN —Apple launched an online store in Vietnam this week, in another nod to the growing importance of emerging markets for the iPhone maker. Markets like Vietnam, India and Indonesia are becoming more important for Apple as its growth in developed markets, including China, slows down, prompting the company to focus on places where it’s traditionally been less active. “Clearly, growth has slowed globally and thus put more pressure [on Apple] to aggressively go after emerging markets,” said Daniel Ives, managing director of Wedbush Securities. This has “been the core part of its success in China that now can be replicated in India, Indonesia, and Vietnam, among others,” said Ives. And while consumers are becoming more affluent, the company’s price points are still considered high in many emerging markets, noted Ives.

☆ Analyst likes these 4 EV stocks — and says one is 'head and shoulders' above others
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The electric vehicle market is still a "long way" from a shakeout, according to consulting firm Sino Auto Insights. China's EV market has been roiled by Tesla 's aggressive price cuts and the country's government ended subsidies for EV buyers. But Sino Auto Insights' managing director, Tu Le, is still bullish on EV giant Tesla and its Chinese counterpart BYD. "BYD has still been able to be head and shoulders above everyone else, and not only in the Chinese market, but they're the number one brand for EVs in Israel and Thailand," he said. Other bright spots Tu acknowledges that Tesla and BYD are the EV market's top two players, but sees promise in some emerging ones.

☆ There are 'bright spots' for Xpeng and Nio, says consultancy
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailThere are 'bright spots' for Xpeng and Nio, says consultancyTu Le of Sino Auto Insights says "the competition's really just begun in the China [electric vehicle] market when it comes to some of the more premium brands."

☆ UBS is betting on European banks over automakers right now. Here's why
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Ganesh Rao | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Rising interest rates The European Central Bank's ongoing rate-hiking trajectory is one reason behind UBS' bullish stance on banks. Banks: No competition Banks' stellar returns are due to their expanding net interest margins. According to UBS, automakers face headwinds despite being cheap at 5.6 times earnings and 0.78 times price to book. The investment bank said European automakers face structural challenges while competing against Tesla and Chinese rivals. According to the bank's strategists, European car manufacturers also have less ownership of their supply chain, particularly in battery technology and software, which poses a risk to their profit margins.

☆ Ford must rethink its brand for China as EVs boom, CEO says
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

DETROIT, April 20 (Reuters) - Facing a booming and hyper-competitive market for electric vehicles (EVs) in China, Ford Motor Co (F.N) needs to reshape its brand for the world's largest car market, Chief Executive Jim Farley said. "We're going to have to rethink what the Ford brand means in a place like China," Farley told reporters on Thursday evening in Detroit, speaking on the sidelines of a charity event. Even state-owned automakers in China had created new brands for EVs, he said. "That's why they're going big on Europe. "They're totally vertically integrated, completely, all the way to batteries.

☆ Porsche posts record Q1 sales rise boosted by China
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Porsche Head of Style Michael Mauer presents a new design study of a Porsche 357 during the 75 years Porsche sports car exhibition "Driven by Dreams" in Berlin, Germany, January 25, 2023. REUTERS/ Lisi Niesner/File PhotoApril 17 (Reuters) - Porsche AG (P911_p.DE) posted a record year-on-year sales increase of 18% in the first quarter, boosted by China sales, the company said on Monday. The German luxury carmaker delivered 21,365 cars in China, its largest single market, representing 21% growth over the previous year. Peer Mercedes (MBGn.DE) delivered 191,000 vehicles in China in the first three months of 2023, which is 3% higher over the previous year. Worldwide, Porsche delivered 80,767 cars during the period, with an increase posted in every region.

☆ We remain bullish on Constellation Brands despite a top-line miss last quarter
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-06 | by ( Zev Fima | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Constellation Brands (STZ), the maker or Corona beer and other alcoholic drinks, reported mixed quarterly results on Tuesday. Bottom line Despite the top-line miss, we like what we're seeing this current quarter, which includes Cinco de Mayo, a big day for beer sales. Beer operating margin contracted as higher prices were more than offset by higher packaging, raw materials, logistics and other costs. Additionally, operating cash flow is expected to come in between $2.4 billion and $2.6 billion, below the 3.06 billion expected coming into the quarter. Taking out capital expenditures of $1.2 billion to $1.3 billion, the free-cash-flow forecast comes in between $1.2 billion and $1.3 billion, also a bit short versus the $1.4 billion expected coming into the print.

☆ Buy shares of this off-price retailer helping its customers fight inflation, Loop Capital says
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( Samantha Subin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

As macroeconomic uncertainties linger, Loop Capital says investors should consider adding this inflation-fighting retail stock to their portfolios. "We think persistent inflation is tough for Burlington's customers, and the improved values and brands in stores are likely to drive market share gains for the company," she wrote. BURL YTD mountain Burlington shares so far in 2023 So far this year, shares of Burlington Stores have gained 2%. But now, the tides have shifted, with Champine noting particularly strong inventory improvements among ladies apparel and premium brands. "Our March/April checks see mid-tier brands back in stock, robust inventory, and notably better values," she wrote.

☆ Volkswagen: to share results of mock listing exercise in June
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

BERLIN, March 14 (Reuters) - Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) will share the outcome of a mock listing exercise for its brands and Volkswagen Group instigated by Chief Executive Oliver Blume at a capital markets day on June 21, Blume said on Tuesday. The carmaker intended to keep its combustion engine models competitive for as long as they are on the market but was shifting to being a technology and mobility company, Chief Financial Officer Arno Antlitz added. Blume also said the carmaker was finalising a high-performance software for luxury and premium brands, which would be brought into a software architecture for the whole company in the medium term. Reporting by Victoria Waldersee; editing by Matthias WilliamsOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Chinese companies have rushed to fill the gap in Russia left by brands exiting from the Ukraine war
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-25 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Chinese manufacturers were already popular in Russia before the war, accounting for approximately 40% of the smartphone market in December 2021. Tough times for consumersAlthough Chinese brands are reaping the rewards of the Western embargo, the Russian market is shrinking as its economy slumps. If the war in Ukraine ends, Apple and Samsung will likely rebuild operations in the country — and quickly recapture smartphone sales, Stryjak said. Even then, with the return of international brands, Chinese players could retain their foothold, particularly given how long it could take to rebuild supply chains. “Stating this a bit harshly, but the Russian brands and the Chinese brands are kind of stand-ins for the real players,” said Le at Sino Auto Insights.

That left used cars accounting for almost three quarters of all cars sold, up from 55% in 2021, the data shows. Russians turn to used cars as production falls, prices rise"Money flowed into the used cars market as prices for second-hand cars held up, while at the same time the structure of the new cars market changed significantly," Autostat CEO Sergei Udalov told Reuters. At 2.5 million roubles, his Skoda was around 1 million roubles more expensive than it would have been a year earlier, but still 1 million roubles cheaper than a brand new version. Imports of used cars jumped last year, with those from Japan leading the way. Japan has curbed exports of high-value cars to Russia, but used cars imported by individuals fall outside the restrictions.

☆ This could be a 'banner year' for cruise stocks. Why Citi says it's time to reconsider the industry as a long-term trade
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-02 | by ( Samantha Subin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

After a long port of call, it may be anchors aweigh time for investors in cruise stocks, according to Citigroup. Royal Caribbean is favored thanks to its solid track record of maintaining costs, and offers the best risk-reward opportunity within the group. So far this year, Royal Caribbean shares are off to a solid start, up more than 41% after tumbling about 36% in 2022. Citi reestablished a price target on RCL shares of $80, implying 19% upside from Wednesday's close. Hardiman retained a neutral but high risk rating on Carnival, lifting his price target to $13 from $9 a share.

☆ Gucci's challenge: reigniting heat while boosting timeless appeal
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-30 | by ( Mimosa Spencer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

PARIS, Jan 30 (Reuters) - Sabato De Sarno, newly appointed by Kering (PRTP.PA) to reinvigorate its prized Gucci brand, needs to spark heat with a new direction, analysts say - a delicate task, given the emphasis executives have also put on the label's timeless appeal. De Sarno, a senior fashion designer from Valentino, is tasked as creative director with reviving the fortunes of the brand that accounted for two-thirds of Kering's profits in 2021. Analysts welcomed Kering's choice of a seasoned but relatively unknown designer, noting that previous creative director Michele did not have a public profile when he was appointed in 2002. His experience at Valentino suggests a "less eccentric aesthetic" than Gucci's previous designer, noted Carole Madjo of Barclays. The designer rose through Valentino's ranks after his arrival in 2009 to become fashion director overseeing both the men's and women's collections, working closely with chief designer Pierpaolo Piccioli.

Since the pandemic, Diageo has benefited from people splurging on more expensive types of alcohol while staying home under lockdown. But Diageo's North America business, which accounts for nearly 30% of overall sales, reported organic sales growth of 3% in the six months ended Dec. 31 versus analyst estimates of over 6%. The company said it expected North American organic net sales growth to "continue to normalise through the second half of fiscal '23, compared to the double-digit growth in the prior period". OCCASIONAL TREATSStill, overall organic net sales rose 9.4% in the six months to Dec. 31, beating analyst forecasts for a 7.9% rise. Diageo's "premium-plus" brands - which are more expensive than brands such as Smirnoff vodka but under about 50 pounds ($61.92), drove 65% of its organic net sales growth, the company said.

The outlook and disappointing North American sales in the first-half overshadowed forecast-beating first-half sales thanks to price hikes and as more people drank premium spirits. But Diageo's North America business, which accounts for nearly 30% of overall sales, reported organic sales growth of 3% in the six months ended Dec. 31 versus analyst estimates of over 6%. The company said it expected North American organic net sales growth to "continue to normalise through the second half of fiscal '23, compared to the double-digit growth in the prior period". Still, overall organic net sales rose 9.4% in the six months to Dec. 31, beating analyst forecasts for a 7.9% rise. Diageo's "premium-plus" brands - which are more expensive than brands such as Smirnoff vodka but under about 50 pounds ($61.92), drove 65% of its organic net sales growth, the company said.

☆ Johnnie Walker maker Diageo tops sales estimates helped by premium brands
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Bottles of Johnnie Walker whisky, a brand of Diageo, are seen for sale in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., May 20, 2022. REUTERS/Andrew KellyLONDON, Jan 26 (Reuters) - Diageo (DGE.L), the world's largest spirits maker, beat first-half sales forecasts on Thursday as it raised prices and more people drank premium spirits. The London-based company, which makes Tanqueray gin, Captain Morgan's rum and Ketel One vodka, said organic net sales rose 9.4% in the six months to December 31, beating analyst forecasts for a 7.9% rise. The growth reflected organic volume growth of 1.8%, indicting 7.6 percentage points of higher price growth. Diageo's "premium-plus" brands - which are more expensive than brands such as Smirnoff vodka but under about 50 pounds ($61.92), drove 65% of its organic net sales growth, the company said.

☆ Johnnie Walker-maker Diageo beats first-half sales estimates
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Johnnie Walker is a brand of Scotch whisky now owned by Diageo, which beat first-half sales forecasts. Diageo , the world's largest spirits maker, beat first-half sales forecasts on Thursday as it raised prices and more people drank premium spirits. The growth reflected organic volume growth of 1.8%, indicting 7.6 percentage points of higher price growth. "If you look at the consumer, the consumer is very savvy," Menezes told CNBC. Since the pandemic, Diageo has also benefited from people buying more expensive types of alcohol while staying home under lockdown.

☆ PREVIEW Luxury giants bank on Chinese return as Western shoppers sober up
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-24 | by ( Mimosa Spencer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

They are expected to see a deceleration in sales growth over the quarter as the post-pandemic splurge on designer fashions begins to ease in the United States and Europe. Hermes (HRMS.PA), which reports fourth-quarter results on Feb. 17, is expected to show sales growth of 17%, a decline from 24% in the third quarter. Luxury spending by Chinese nationals had dipped from 33% of the global personal luxury goods market in 2019 to as little as 17% last year, according to estimates from consultancy Bain. Burberry's like-for-like sales growth slowed sharply to 1% in the quarter to end-December after a 23% fall in mainland China. Although the Chinese are expected to initially resume travelling within Asia, Europe is a region that particularly stands to benefit from a return of Chinese tourists.

"If prices keep increasing, rural consumers will move towards smaller pack sizes since there's a strain on wallets," said Alok Shah, a consumer analyst at India's Ambit Capital. Shah said poorer rural consumers could move to cheaper locally-made products instead of those produced by Unilever. HUL, the biggest consumer company in India by sales, said last January that demand in rural India - where average incomes are lower than urban areas - had begun to slow as prices rose. Unilever did not respond to questions on how much of its revenues come from rural consumers. HUL Chief Executive Sanjiv Mehta said, however, the company had begun seeing signs of a pick up in rural sales as inflation eases and farm incomes rise again.

☆ Luxury giants bank on Chinese return as Western shoppers sober up
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( Mimosa Spencer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

☆ Natural Light is tapping into nostalgia with its new can design
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Natural Light’s new cans will soon look a lot like their old ones. Drinkers will soon notice a retro-inspired makeover that mirrors the budget beer brand’s 1979 design, featuring a throwback logo, crest and colors. Left is the old design and the right is the "new" design hitting shelves in February. Natural Light sales have held “steady,” Stowe said, but noted “we definitely have room to grow.”For Natural Light to do that, the Anheuser-Busch (BUD)-owned brand is “widening its aperture,” Stowe said. “Natural Light’s decision could be in efforts to go the opposite way, and reach the less competitive audience of older adults,” she said.

☆ Consumers are going to trade down in a big way this year — How to play it from Bank of America
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-18 | by ( Michelle Fox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Here are three of Bank of America's trade-down picks, which Ohmes expects to outperform in 2023. Consumers looking to save money on a gym membership could quit their mid-tier gym and join Planet Fitness for $10 to $25 a month. During the 2008-2009 downturn, Planet Fitness' same-store sales averaged 21% as consumers shifted away from higher-priced options, Ohmes said. Planet Fitness also has rapidly expanding margins and return on invested capital, as well as growth in its equipment segment, Ohmes said. PLNT 1Y mountain Planet Fitness' 12-month performance Bank of America's price target of $100 per share implies 21% upside from Tuesday's close.

☆ Volkswagen Group deliveries lowest in over a decade
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Victoria Waldersee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Buzz, a fresh take on the iconic vehicle of the Volkswagen brand, during its world premiere in Paris, France, March 9, 2022. Group sales rose 14.3% in the fourth quarter, but the outlook for 2023 remains clouded by weak economies and supply chain shortages, extended executive sales committee member Hildegard Wortmann said. Audi, Lamborghini and Bentley weathered 2022 better than Volkswagen Passenger Cars and Skoda, with deliveries down around 4% at the premium brands and down 9% for mass-market vehicles. Group deliveries fell 7% versus 2021. The Volkswagen Group's deliveries were up 12% in the second half of the year, but the full-year figure was dragged down by a drop of over a fifth in the first half.

☆ German premium car brands handled supply chain woes better than VW
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( Victoria Waldersee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/4] The new hybrid-electric BMW XM is displayed at the BMW manufacturing plant in Greer, South Carolina, U.S., October 19, 2022. Though the fourth quarter provided universal relief for the carmakers, China's extensive lockdowns early in the year were particularly hard on sales volumes. Audi's deliveries fell 3.9% to 1.61 million, with Europe the only region to register marginal growth after an 18.7% jump in German sales. That compared with only a 1% drop in Mercedes-Benz total sales and its 143% leap in deliveries of electric and hybrid vehicles. The Volkswagen brand fared worst year on year, with a 6.8% fall in sales attributed to supply chain issues affecting all model types.

☆ Molson Coors is launching its first-ever zero-proof cocktail
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —Molson Coors is typically known for its lineup of beers and booze, but its newest drink isn’t either. Its arrival comes as Molson Coors broadens its portfolio beyond beer and expands into new growth categories that are sparking consumers’ interest, including canned cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages. “We know a lot of consumers are starting to either moderate or temper and think about their consumption habits,” Jamie Wideman, vice president of innovation for Molson Coors exclusively told CNN. Molson Coors Beverage CompanyRoxie is available in three flavors: Passionfruit, pineapple and mango. The company’s direction beyond traditional beer stems from a 2019 decision to rebrand itself from Molson Coors Brewing Company to Molson Coors Beverage Co (TAP)mpany as a result of declining beer sales.

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