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☆ An ex-Walmart cashier made $6 million in revenue in 3 years selling things online. Here's how she got started and her top 5 tips for print-on-demand products.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-30 | by ( Laila Maidan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

It's a low-cost way to sell products online because you don't need inventory. She had purchased an ebook about how to make money online and then realized it had an affiliate link she could promote. Finding something that stuckIt was around this time that she began dabbling with print-on-demand products. The demand was strong from others who were also offering print-on-demand products. She estimates that about 30% of the revenue came from selling her print-on-demand products.

☆ What one top tech analyst is worried about on Apple's stock into earnings
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( Brian Evans | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Despite positive sentiment and with valuation hovering around its peak, analyst Toni Sacconaghi says Wall Street may be overshooting with estimates for third and fourth quarter revenue. The firm has a market perform rating on Apple stock with a price target of $125 per share, or 24% downside against Wednesday's close of $163.76. AAPL YTD mountain Apple stock could be riding too high on strong sentiment that may be unfounded, according to Alliance Bernstein. Wall Street consensus expects $84.4 billion and $93.6 billion in the third and fourth quarter, respectively, the firm notes. Sacconaghi noted that Apple stock has outperformed expectations by 2,040 basis points after first quarter earnings.

☆ U.S. core capital goods orders and shipments drop in March
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Orders for non-defense capital goods excluding aircraft, a closely watched proxy for business spending plans, dropped 0.4% last month, the Commerce Department said on Wednesday. Data for February was revised down to show these so-called core capital goods orders falling 0.7% instead of dipping 0.1% as previously reported. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast core capital goods orders slipping 0.1%. Shipments of core capital goods decreased 0.4% in March after falling 0.4% in February. Core capital goods shipments are used to calculate equipment spending in the gross domestic product measurement.

☆ US business spending on equipment weakening as demand for goods slows
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Lucia Mutikani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Even though business spending on equipment weakened, demand remained strong for goods like computers and electronic products as well as electrical equipment, appliances and components. Orders for non-defense capital goods excluding aircraft, a closely watched proxy for business spending plans, dropped 0.4% last month. Core capital goods shipments are used to calculate equipment spending in the gross domestic product measurement. Goods imports dropped $2.5 billion to $257.3 billion, pulled down by decreases in industrial supplies, capital goods and other goods. While the decline in imports is supportive of higher GDP, the drop in capital goods underscored weakening business spending.

☆ US core capital goods orders fall; goods trade deficit narrows
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Lucia Mutikani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

SummarySummary Companies Core capital goods orders fall 0.4% in MarchShipments of core capital goods drop 0.4%Goods trade deficit narrows 8.1%WASHINGTON, April 26 (Reuters) - New orders for key U.S.-manufactured capital goods fell more than expected in March and shipments declined, suggesting that business spending on equipment likely remained a drag on economic growth in the first quarter. Data for February was revised down to show a 0.7% drop in these so-called core capital goods orders instead of the previously reported 0.1% dip. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast core capital goods orders would slip 0.1%. Shipments of core capital goods decreased 0.4% in March after falling by a similar margin in February. Goods imports fell $2.5 billion to $257.3 billion, pulled down by decreases in industrial supplies, capital goods and other goods.

☆ Target workers reveal the best perks and biggest frustrations of the job
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( Dominick Reuter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

But as attractive as the incentives may be for new applicants, some Target workers say the daily realities of working for the company can make those perks lose their luster. Most workers who spoke to Insider said that managers often pull them from one task to another to support a lean-staffing model. Joe Raedle / Getty ImagesAdditionally, all the workers Insider spoke with agreed that the company's interest in tracking metrics on activities from restocking and repricing to drive-up-order fulfillment can increase the pressure on workers. The company's benefits website says hourly workers' benefit eligibility is reviewed annually and averaged over the prior twelve months. A majority of the sources Insider spoke with said a big reason they sought a job at Target was that they love shopping there — and they still do.

☆ Swiss watch execs say the market is 'slowing down' — but that just means waitlists for new Rolexes or Patek Philippes are a little less long
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Dominick Reuter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The frenzy for new Swiss luxury watches is softening from its pandemic peak, when exports hit $27.6 billion. "The market is a little bit slower than before," Patek Philippe chairman Thierry Stern told Bloomberg. That doesn't mean watches from top brands are suddenly available to buy — it just means waitlists are slightly shorter. "I see in the past two months, the market is a little bit slower than before," chairman Thierry Stern told Bloomberg. Swiss exports boomed during the pandemic to a record 25 billion Swiss francs ($27.6 billion), but even with the recent softening, Stern told Bloomberg demand still vastly outstrips supply.

☆ Nike will restock its wildly popular Jordan 1 'Chicago' after the original was featured in 'Air.' The SNKRS app and fans' patience may be tested.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Danni Santana | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Nike looks set to re-release the Air Jordan 1 "Lost & Found," next week, according to Complex. But many sneakerheads could not enter a draw for the wider release on the SNKRS app because of app crashes or frozen screens. Most sizes of the original release still go for at least double the $180 retail price on StockX. In the movie, Nike executives present Jordan with his first basketball shoe, the Air Jordan 1 "Chicago," the same colorway as the recent "Lost and Found" release. Nike will undoubtedly hope that the conversation surrounding the "Lost & Found" restock is focused on the sneakers and not any hiccups associated with its SNKRS app.

☆ China travel rebound bets turn toward airports, away from airlines
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Ankur Banerjee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"We are optimistic on a rebound in regional and international travel and continue to get exposure through airports and airplane leasing." Shares of Air China, China Eastern and China Southern have gained between 7% to 17% in the past four months, with Air China and China Southern trading above their 5-year average forward earnings, according to Refinitiv data. Airports under perform AirlinesIn the battle for Chinese travelers, local airlines are expected to fare better than regional airlines such as Qantas (QAN.AX), Singapore Airlines (SIAL.SI) and Cathay Pacific (0293.HK), mainly because Chinese airlines kept more widebody planes and staff ready. All three Chinese airlines are expected to swing to profit in 2023 after reporting big losses last year, according to Refinitiv data. Analysts expect Chinese airlines will see profits peak next year as international traffic makes a fuller rebound.

☆ US consumer sentiment deteriorates in March, inflation expectations retreat
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( Lucia Mutikani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

SummarySummary Companies Consumer sentiment slips in MarchInflation expectations easeManufacturing production edges up 0.1% in FebruaryWASHINGTON, March 17 (Reuters) - U.S. consumer sentiment fell for the first time in four months in March, but households expected inflation to subside over the next year and beyond, which could offer some relief to the Federal Reserve as it confronts financial market instability. The University of Michigan's preliminary March reading on the overall index of consumer sentiment came in at 63.4, down from 67 in the prior month. While the correlation between consumer sentiment and spending is weak, economists expect tighter financial conditions will undercut consumption and push the economy into recession. A separate report from the Conference Board showed its Leading Economic Index, a gauge of future economic activity, dropped for an 11th straight month in February. Durable manufacturing production nudged up 0.1%, while nondurable manufacturing output climbed 0.2%.

☆ The 6 best locations for a vending machine if you want to start a 6-figure side hustle
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( Jennifer Ortakales Dawkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

According to the vending entrepreneur Marcus Gram, younger people use vending machines more than other age groups. "Students have access to the vending machines in their dorms 24/7 and even late at night for classes," he said. "Breaks aren't typically long enough for people to go to the store, so they turn to the vending machine." "If you have lashes inside of the vending machine at a hotel, it doesn't necessarily mean that that's going to sell," she said. AirportsAirports have a lot of foot traffic and therefore more opportunity for your vending machine to be visited by travelers.

☆ H&M launches U.S. resale program
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( Katherine Masters | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

NEW YORK, March 14 (Reuters) - Fast-fashion retailer H&M (HMb.ST) launched a resale program Tuesday in collaboration with ThredUp, an online consignment platform that has partnered with dozens of brands to run their used clothing sales, H&M told Reuters. H&M will be the largest retailer to work with ThredUp, and the partnership will mark the retailer's first resale marketplace in the United States, according to Abigail Kammerzell, head of sustainability for H&M North America. Roughly 30,000 articles of clothing will initially be available on H&M’s resale site. Some critics say that efforts by H&M and other large retailers to enter the resale market are undercut by the volume of clothing they produce. H&M does not currently plan to slow its clothing launches or reduce the overall number of items it sells, according to Kammerzell.

☆ A new Pentagon map shows how China is beefing up what a top US general calls its 'dangerous position' in the South China Sea
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( Benjamin Brimelow | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

China and several of its neighbors have claimed parts of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. The map also gives rough locations for seven Chinese outposts, including three airfields, and 63 other outposts in the Spratlys. China's outposts "are capable of supporting military operations" and "have supported non-combat aircraft," the Pentagon report says. Recent action by those forces around Taiwan, as well as ongoing Chinese activity in the South China Sea, have worried US commanders. The Spratly IslandsFilipino fishermen sail by a Chinese coast guard ship near Scarborough Shoal on February 5.

☆ Europe's arms spending on Ukraine boosts defense companies
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

London CNN —After months of soaring stock prices, Europe’s defense companies hardly needed another boost. But a tentative €2 billion ($2.1 billion) European Union plan to procure ammunition for war-torn Ukraine may provide just that. Speaking in Stockholm Wednesday, Ukraine’s Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said his country needed one million rounds of ammunition “as soon as possible” to deter Russian forces. A final decision is expected on March 20 when EU foreign and defense ministers meet in Brussels. In early February, the bloc announced that it would inject another €545 million ($575 million) into its €3.6 billion ($3.8 billion) military assistance fund for Ukraine.

LAUNCESTON, Australia, March 7 (Reuters) - China's imports of major commodities showed both the potential for an acceleration this year and the reality that economic momentum takes time to build. Crude oil imports were 84.06 million tonnes for the first two month, which is equivalent to 10.40 million barrels per day (bpd), according to the data, released on Tuesday. Where there was signs of an economy emerging from its now abandoned zero-COVID policy was in imports of iron ore and coal. However, the coal imports were largely in line with December's figure of 30.91 million tonnes and November's 32.31 million, suggesting that demand is steady at relatively robust volumes. Seaborne arrivals in the first two months were 47.72 million tonnes, according to commodity analysts Kpler, suggesting that arrivals overland from neighbouring countries were around 13 million tonnes.

☆ Britain 'warming up' weapon output to help Ukraine, says defence minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Elizabeth Piper | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/5] British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace is helped off a tank during a visit to Bovington Camp, a British Army military base in Dorset, to view Ukrainian soldiers training on Challenger 2 tanks, Britain February 22, 2023. In an interview with Reuters in southwest England where officers are training Ukrainian crews on Challenger-2 tanks, Wallace said he believed Britain was in a good place to help Ukraine but needed to sustain the provision of weapons. 'REASSURED'Standing at a tank training ground surrounded by armoured fighting vehicles and tanks, Wallace spoke to Ukrainian soldiers who were training to use Britain's Challenger tanks which the defence minister said would arrive in Ukraine in "the spring". London has also offered to train Ukrainian soldiers on war planes rather than delivering fighter jets as yet. Wallace said Britain could offer additional Challenger tanks to the 14 already promised, but that it would depend on the threat level and also the country's defence needs.

The gains are being driven by restocking by steel mills in China, which buys about 70% of global seaborne iron ore and produces half of the world's steel. It's worth noting that stockpiles remain well below the same week last year, when they were at 160.95 million tonnes. Australia's iron ore exports are likely to drop in February, with Kpler estimating shipments of 57.7 million tonnes, while Refinitiv is forecasting 58.74 million. While Australia and Brazil dominate the global seaborne iron ore trade, it's worth noting that other exporters aren't adding much to the overall supply story. The supply shortage and expectations of increasing Chinese demand are likely to provide a solid base for further gains in spot iron ore prices.

Surging Shanghai metal stocks have injected an element of doubt into the bull narrative and the LME Index is now showing year-to-date gains of only 3% after a February pull-back. Shanghai Futures Exchange stocks of aluminium, copper and zincSEASONAL SURGEMetals bulls have been nervously watching the fast build in Shanghai Futures Exchange (ShFE) stocks over the past few weeks. Copper stocks have grown equally dramatically, from 69,268 tonnes to 242,009 tonnes over the same period. It is currently assessed by Shanghai Metal Market at a bombed-out $22.50 a tonne, down from an October high of $152.50. WAIT AND WATCHIt's difficult to say until China's seasonal stocks pattern plays out in full.

☆ Bank of America reveals the most undervalued stocks on Wall Street, including this motorcycle giant
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-11 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

CNBC Pro combed through top Bank of America research to find the most undervalued stocks on Wall Street. The firm says its base case is that the already "undervalued" stock can re-rate from current levels. In addition, Harley's management team is executing well with electric vehicle motorcycles on the horizon and burgeoning international growth opportunities. The says it sees "asymmetrical upside potential" meaning that when peers in the sector go up, KKR shares could go even higher. Remain Buy for undervalued growth and pipeline with two launches worth 5bn euros peak in 23E.

☆ Truckers Expect an Inventory-Driven Rebound Later This Year
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( Liz Young | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +4 min

Trucking companies are pinning hopes for a rebound in freight demand on the second half of this year, saying their retailer customers expect to resume restocking after winding down inventories over recent months. Carrier executives say they are hearing from their shipping customers that they expect to return to a more normal ordering cycle this year and start moving bigger volumes closer to the fall shopping season following volatile retail spending and distribution in 2022 that left them overstocked. Inbound volumes at U.S. ports are also down, suggesting fewer goods from overseas are flowing into domestic freight networks. “Trucking is definitely down right now,” said Tom Nightingale, CEO of AFS Logistics, a Shreveport, La.-based logistics operator. She said on a Jan. 18 earnings conference call that the company “has good signals” from shipping customers that they plan to pick up their ordering in the second quarter.

☆ Here are Wednesday's biggest analyst calls: Apple, Amazon, Target, AMD, Exxon, Snap, Nike & more
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Morgan Stanley reiterates PayPal as overweight Morgan Stanley said it's standing by shares of PayPal but that Apple Pay is a formidable competitor for the company. Morgan Stanley initiates Rocket Pharmaceuticals as overweight Morgan Stanley said in its initiation of Rocket Pharmaceuticals that it likes the company's pipeline. Morgan Stanley reiterates Amazon as overweight Morgan Stanley said it's bullish on Amazon's Buy with Prime service for merchants. Morgan Stanley reiterates Walmart as overweight Morgan Stanley said growth remains strong for the Walmart's subscription service, Walmart+. " Morgan Stanley reiterates McDonald's as overweight Morgan Stanley said the fast food giant is well positioned for 2023 after it reported strong earnings on Tuesday.

China's net refined copper imports and year-on-year changeBOOMING IMPORTSThe strength of last year's imports was even more surprising given the financial problems at privately-owned Maike Group. But it has clearly had minimal impact on the overall flow of refined copper into China. But China's imports of Russian copper actually fell by 20% to 324,000 tonnes in 2022. China's net imports of refined copper were running below year-earlier levels through May but steadily accelerated over the second part of the year. Goldman suggests that a sign of restocking by China's copper sector would be net refined imports being consistently higher than 280,000 tonnes per month.

☆ Shipping Platform Freightos Goes Public in SPAC Deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Paul Berger | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +4 min

Online freight booking platform Freightos Ltd. started trading shares publicly on Thursday through a merger with a special-purpose acquisition company, just as the booming shipping demand that helped fuel the digital startup’s growth shows signs of weakening. The company has seen booming business during the pandemic for its platform as shipping demand skyrocketed while tight capacity and supply-chain disruptions sent freight rates soaring. The Freightos platform operates like an Expedia or Travelocity for freight, allowing companies with goods to ship to compare prices and book space on planes and ships. In a note to new shareholders on Freightos’ website Thursday, Zvi Schreiber, the company’s chief executive and chairman, recommended that investors view Freightos as a long-term investment. Ezra Gardner, Gesher’s chief executive and a Freightos board member, said the SPAC gave Freightos more control than an IPO over whom the company’s main investors would be.

China's own production of refined tin was flat year-on-year at 165,900 tonnes in 2022, according to Shanghai Metal Market. ShFE tin price, market open interest and stocksSHIFT IN POSITIONINGWhile China has reshaped tin's fundamental picture, the price recovery has forced an equally significant shift in fund positioning. Investment funds turned net short on the LME tin contract in September as the price was imploding. Tin market open interest collapsed from 102,106 to 71,218 contracts in the week before the Lunar New Year holidays, indicating a big clean-out of short positions. GOLDILOCKS PRICEThe tin price is now in the Goldilocks zone, not high enough to frighten off physical users, and not low enough to threaten existing supply.

☆ J.B. Hunt Expects Freight-Demand Volatility to Ease This Year
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( Paul Page | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +3 min

Trucking and logistics giant J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. expects freight demand to regain traction in the coming months as the pandemic-driven upheaval in supply chains fades and companies return to more conventional ordering cycles. “We have had good signals from our customers about Q2 starting up back to a more normalized or having a more normal environment,” J.B. Hunt President Shelley Simpson said in an earnings conference call Wednesday. “Demand for intermodal capacity was seasonally weaker than normal, as peak season activity leading up to the holidays was absent this year,” Darren Field, president of intermodal at J.B. Hunt, said in the earnings call. He said volumes weakened sequentially during the fourth quarter, with volumes up 4% in October before falling 3% in November and 5% in December. The steepest revenue decline came in J.B. Hunt’s Integrated Capacity Solutions unit, which matches freight loads to trucks.

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