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Fast Retailing Co (OTC:FRCOY) Stock, Option Chain

Fast Retailing Co

Fast Retailing is Japan's largest apparel company, operating the casualwear retail chain Uniqlo known for its high-quality functional apparel at reasonable prices. Fast Retailing is in charge of product design and sales, while outsourcing almost all of its production to factories in places including China, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and India. It is ranked the fourth-largest apparel company by sales globally in 2023 in our estimate, thanks to the expansion of Uniqlo International, which contributed 52% of core operating profit. As at the end of fiscal 2023, it ran 3,578 stores globally. Other brands in its portfolio include GU and acquired brands including Theory, Comptoir des Cotonniers, and Princesse Tam Tam. The Yanai family owned a 40.86% stake in the firm as at June 8, 2024.

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Another quarterly earnings season is about to kick off.

This Week: JPMorgan, Pepsi, Delta Air Lines, ConAgra Among Companies To Report Earnings

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FAST RETAILING UNSP/ADR by Fast Retailing Co. Ltd.

Fast Retailing Co Ltd

Another quarterly earnings season is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/calendars/earnings?date_from=2023-07-10&amp;date_to=2023-07-14">about to kick off</a>.
In the first half of the year, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rebounded from a negative return in 2022. Through the first six months, 15 of the 30 stocks that<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/06/33080239/15-stocks-up-15-stocks-down-a-look-at-the-dow-jones-industrial-average-halfway-through-2023"> make up the composite index</a> were up, while 15 were down.
This week, expect plenty of investors and analysts alike to chime in on which stocks will be the most resilient heading into the second half of 2023 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/07/33158559/recession-is-not-completely-off-the-table-despite-healthy-economy-janet-yellen">despite persistent inflation</a>.
Here are some of the corporates slated to announce earnings in the coming days:
<h2>MONDAY, July 10</h2>
<ul>
<li>National Grid plc (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ngg#NYSE">NGG</a>), annual general meeting</li>
<li>Helen of Troy Ltd. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/hele#NASDAQ">HELE</a>), Q1 2024 earnings</li>
</ul>
<h2>TUESDAY, July 11</h2>
<ul>
<li>America Movil SAB de CV (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/amx#NYSE">AMX</a>), Q2 2023</li>
<li>Vision Marine Technologies Inc (NASDAQ: VMR), Q3 2023 earnings</li>
<li>Velocity Composites PLC (LON: VEL), Q2 2023 earnings</li>
</ul>
<h2>WEDNESDAY, July 12</h2>
<ul>
<li>Burberry plc (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/burby#OTC">BURBY</a>), annual general meeting</li>
<li>Tata Consultancy Services Ltd (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/tcs#NYSE">TCS</a>), Q1 2024 earnings</li>
<li>HCL Technologies (NSE: HCLTECH), Q1 2024 earnings</li>
<li>DNB Bank ASA (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/dnbby#OTC">DNBBY</a>), Q2 2023 earnings</li>
<li>Aeon Co. Ltd (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/aonnf#OTC">AONNF</a>), Q1 2023 earnings</li>
<li>Ocean Power Technologies Inc (AMEX:OPTT), Q4 2023 earnings</li>
<li>American West Metals Ltd (ASX: AW1), Q4 2023 earnings</li>
</ul>
<h2>THURSDAY, July 13</h2>
<ul>
<li>PepsiCo Inc (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/pep#NASDAQ">PEP</a>), Q2 2023 earnings</li>
<li>Progressive Corp (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/pgr#NYSE">PGR</a>), Q2 2023 earnings</li>
<li>Fast Retailing Co (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/frcoy#OTC">FRCOY</a>), Q3 2023 earnings</li>
<li>VMware Inc (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/vmw#NYSE">VMW</a>), annual general meeting</li>
<li>Cintas Corp (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ctas#NASDAQ">CTAS</a>), Q4 2023 earnings</li>
<li>Fastenal Co (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/fast#NASDAQ">FAST</a>), Q2 2023 earnings</li>
<li>Delta Air Lines Inc (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/dal#NYSE">DAL</a>), Q2 2023 earnings</li>
<li>Wipro Ltd (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/wit#NYSE">WIT</a>), Q1 2024 earnings</li>
<li>ConAgra Foods Inc (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/cag#NYSE">CAG</a>), Q4 2023 earnings</li>
<li>BT Group plc (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/btgof#OTC">BTGOF</a>), annual general meeting</li>
<li>Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/wal#NYSE">WAL</a>), Q2 2023 earnings</li>
<li>Dr. Martens (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/docmf#OTC">DOCMF</a>), annual general meeting</li>
<li>BurgerFi International Inc (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/bfi#NASDAQ">BFI</a>), annual general meeting</li>
<li>Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Inc (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/rmcf#NASDAQ">RMCF</a>), Q1 2024 earnings</li>
</ul>
<h2>FRIDAY, JULY 14</h2>
<ul>
<li>JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/jpm#NYSE">JPM</a>), Q2 2023 Earnings</li>
</ul>
Separately, the June consumer price index (CPI) report is set to be released Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. ET. Whether the results inspire a continued stock-market rally, or dampen the moods of bullish investors remains to be seen.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/23/06/32838442/energy-driven-cpi-drop-in-may-contrasts-with-persistent-core-cpi-5-economists-specu">The June CPI reading</a> from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed the inflation rate coming in at 4% year-on-year&nbsp;against the 4.1% forecasted, and marking a&nbsp;substantial drop from the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/23/05/32313915/cpi-inflation-slows-to-4-9-in-april-fueling-market-hopes-of-fed-rate-pause-in-jun">4.9% reported in April</a>.
Now Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/07/33155886/second-wave-of-banking-crisis-incoming-crash-could-be-worse-than-2008-global-financial-crisis-says-e">Second Wave Of Banking Crisis Incoming, Crash Could Be Worse Than 2008</a>

Reuters
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/22/04/26445937/exxonmobil-ditches-russia-following-western-sanctions-reuters" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">ExxonMobil Ditches Russia Following Western Sanctions</a>
<ul>
<li>Exxon Mobil Corp (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/xom#NYSE">XOM</a>) suspended its liquefied natural gas project in Russia&rsquo;s Far East following Western sanctions.</li>
<li>Exxon would pull out of managing extensive oil and gas production facilities on Sakhalin Island in Russia&rsquo;s Far East, putting the proposed multi-billion dollar LNG facility there in doubt.</li>
</ul>

<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/04/26445137/carrefour-daphni-partner-to-launch-venture-capital-fund-focused-on-digital-retail-startups" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Carrefour, Daphni Partner To Launch Venture Capital Fund Focused On Digital Retail Startups</a>
<ul>
<li>French retail giant Carrefour (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/crrfy#OTC">CRRFY</a>) has partnered with European venture capital firm Daphni to launch Dastore, a venture capital fund.</li>
<li>The fund aims to invest in early-stage startups addressing the digital retail space.</li>
<li>The fund will initially invest &euro;80 million by taking minority stakes in high potential emerging startups in France and globally.</li>
</ul>

WSJ
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/04/26445499/starbucks-suspends-buyback-to-focus-on-investing-in-operations-schultz-takes-helm" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Starbucks Suspends Buyback To Focus On Investing In Operations; Schultz Takes Helm</a>
<ul>
<li>Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/sbux#NASDAQ">SBUX</a>) said it would suspend its stock repurchasing program effectively immediately in order to focus on investing in the workforce and more stores.</li>
<li>The company&rsquo;s founder, Howard Schultz, returned as chief executive officer and board director after Kevin Johnson announced his retirement.</li>
</ul>

<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/22/04/26445126/tribes-industry-groups-agree-to-boost-us-hydroelectric-power-but-congress-needs-to-act" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Tribes, Industry Groups Agree To Boost US Hydroelectric Power, But Congress Needs To Act</a>
<ul>
<li>Native American tribes, environmentalists, and the hydroelectric power industry have reached a deal on a proposed legislative package to boost clean energy and river conservation.</li>
<li>The compromise deal resulted from four years of talks between groups that involved disagreements on vanishing fish populations and changes to river ecosystems. The deal would require approval from Congress.</li>
<li>The deal seeks to grant approvals to add hydroelectric power to some existing dams in two years while speeding the approval of off-river pumped-storage projects, which store surplus energy for later use, in three years.</li>
</ul>

Bloomberg
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/04/26441586/at-100b-this-chinese-fashion-e-tailer-could-become-the-most-valued-startup-after-tiktok-parent-space" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">At $100B, This Chinese Fashion E-Tailer Could Become The Most Valued Startup After TikTok Parent, SpaceX</a>
<ul>
<li>Chinese online fast-fashion retailer SHEIN is mulling a $1 billion funding that could shoot its valuation past the owners of H&amp;M, Uniqlo (OTC: <a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/frcoy#OTC" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">FRCOY</a>) and Zara.</li>
<li>The e-tailer is in talks with potential investors, including General Atlantic, and successful funding could value the company at about $100 billion.</li>
<li>If it successfully achieves that mark, the e-tailer would be placed as the third most valuable startup globally, after ByteDance Ltd. and Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/tsla#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) CEO Elon Musk&rsquo;s SpaceX, according to the report.</li>
</ul>

<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/04/26445674/lme-under-scrutiny-by-fca-and-bank-of-england-over-recent-nickel-turmoil" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">LME Under Scrutiny By FCA And Bank Of England Over Recent Nickel Turmoil</a> 
<ul>
<li>The U.K.&rsquo;s Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), part of the Bank of England, to investigate the LME&rsquo;s approach to its suspension and resumption of the nickel market in the wake of a short squeeze that sent prices soaring and resulted in the cancellation of trades.</li>
<li>LME plans to start an independent review into the events that led to the suspension of trading in the nickel market. The FCA and PRA said a third party would review the situation once the market settled down.</li>
</ul>

Financial Times
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/04/26445613/electric-vehicle-dreams-remain-vulnerable-to-surging-battery-prices" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Electric Vehicle Dreams Remain Vulnerable To Surging Battery Prices</a>
<ul>
<li>Russia&rsquo;s Ukraine invasion has jeopardized the car industry&rsquo;s multibillion-dollar bet on cheaper electric vehicle batteries, rendering them unprofitable and uncompetitive.</li>
<li>Global demand played a crucial role in driving the prices of critical raw materials for EV battery manufacturing nickel, lithium, and cobalt.</li>
<li>But with Russia accounting for 11% of the world&rsquo;s nickel and supply chains already stretched, the war has sent the cost of such commodities skyrocketing.</li>
</ul>

<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/04/26445528/sec-examinations-unit-to-strengthen-policing-against-private-fund-failings-ft" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">SEC Examinations Unit To Strengthen Policing Against Private Fund Failings</a>
<ul>
<li>The Securities and Exchange Commission has tightened its policing of the booming market for unlisted assets with greater oversight of private funds.</li>
<li>Gary Gensler, SEC chair, has proposed that stricter rules covering fees, expenses, and performance metrics should be imposed on private funds following the publication by the SEC of a series of highly critical reports, known as risk alerts, which detailed numerous instances of rule-breaking.</li>
</ul>

Benzinga
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/04/26444862/breaking-elon-musk-acquires-9-2-stake-in-twitter" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">BREAKING: Elon Musk Acquires 9.2% Stake In Twitter</a>
<ul>
<li>Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/tsla#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) CEO Elon Musk has acquired a 9.2% stake in social media company Twitter Inc. (NYSE: <a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/twtr#NYSE" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">TWTR</a>), a 13G SEC filing from the latter revealed early Monday.</li>
<li>Musk has bought 73,486,938 shares in Twitter, with sole voting power, according to the SEC filing. The stake is worth $2.89 billion, considering Twitter&rsquo;s last closing price of $39.31.</li>
<li>Twitter shares jumped 29% in the pre-market session on Monday to $51.02 at the time of writing, as per data from Benzinga Pro. Tesla shares traded 1% higher at $1,096.</li>
</ul>

<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/22/04/26445795/novartis-to-strengthen-pipeline-boost-productivity-with-new-organizational-structure" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Novartis To Strengthen Pipeline, Boost Productivity With New Organizational Structure</a>
<ul>
<li>Novartis AG (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/nvs#NYSE">NVS</a>) will integrate its pharmaceuticals and oncology units into an innovative medicines (IM) business to simplify its structure, targeting savings of at least $1 billion by 2024.</li>
<li>Value creation through these operational improvements should ensure at least 4% sales growth in constant currency through 2026.</li>
<li>Novartis also expects to deliver at the high end of its IM margin guidance of the high 30s in the medium term and 40% or more in the mid-to-long term.</li>
</ul>

<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/22/04/26441009/elizabeth-warren-thinks-buying-bitcoin-is-like-buying-air-has-this-to-say-about-dogecoin" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Elizabeth Warren Thinks Buying Bitcoin Is Like Buying Air, Has This To Say About Dogecoin</a>
<ul>
<li>Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) has equated buying Bitcoin BTC/USD with purchasing air in a recent media interview.</li>
<li>NBC&rsquo;s Chuck Todd asked Warren if he was buying Bitcoin, was he &ldquo;buying a share of stock, or am I buying a pork belly, or am I buying euros? What am I buying?&rdquo;</li>
<li>&ldquo;Or are you buying air?&rdquo; Warren replied, calling Bitcoin an &ldquo;ephemeral token&rdquo; and saying its value was tied to people&rsquo;s perceptions.</li>
</ul>

<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/04/26441395/tesla-zips-past-the-million-mark-for-both-output-and-deliveries-over-past-12-months" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Tesla Zips Past The Million Mark For Both Output And Deliveries Over Past 12 Months</a>
<ul>
<li>Tesla Inc&rsquo;s (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/tsla#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) production and delivery numbers shot past the one million mark each in the past 12 months, a first for the Elon Musk-led electric vehicle maker.</li>
<li>What Happened: Austin, Texas-based Tesla made 1.055 million electric vehicles and delivered 1.06 units in the past four quarters, starting from the second quarter of 2021.</li>
<li>Tesla on Saturday said it produced over 305,407 units and delivered over 310,048 in the first quarter of 2022 despite ongoing supply chain challenges and factory shutdowns.</li>
</ul>

<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/22/04/26441396/apple-analyst-doesnt-see-3m-coolant-plant-shutdown-in-belgium-affecting-chip-supply" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Apple Analyst Doesn&rsquo;t See 3M Coolant Plant Shutdown In Belgium Affecting Chip Supply</a>
<ul>
<li>Ming-Chi Kuo, a noted Apple Inc (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/aapl#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) analyst, said the impact on semiconductor supply from the shutdown of 3M Company&rsquo;s (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/mmm#NYSE">MMM</a>) coolant plant in Belgium &ldquo;could be almost ignored.&rdquo;</li>
<li>Kuo&rsquo;s comments came after media reports indicated that 3 M&rsquo;s Belgium semiconductor coolant plant &mdash; which accounts for 80 percent of the global total semiconductor coolant output &mdash; has been closed indefinitely under tightened local environmental regulations to minimize the emission.</li>
</ul>

<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/22/04/26441097/why-fitch-sees-price-hikes-in-china-hitting-low-end-ev-makers-more" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Why Fitch Sees Price Hikes In China Hitting Low-End EV Makers More</a>
<ul>
<li>Ratings agency Fitch said on Monday that the recent price hikes are likely to affect China&rsquo;s low-end electric vehicles more than high-end ones as buyers for more affordable vehicles are price sensitive.</li>
<li>Fitch said China&rsquo;s EV market is &ldquo;bright, given still-strong demand,&rdquo; and that it expects wholesale EV deliveries to rise by over 50% and their market share to exceed 20% in 2022.</li>
<li>&ldquo;Cost pressure for EV manufacturers increased in early 2022, as battery suppliers tried to pass on the surging raw-material costs ... by shifting from an annual to quarterly contract duration,&rdquo; Fitch said.</li>
</ul>

<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/22/04/26441424/this-crypto-skyrocketed-210-last-week-leaving-bitcoin-ethereum-dogecoin-nowhere-in-sight" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">This Crypto Skyrocketed 210% Last Week, Leaving Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Nowhere In Sight</a>
<ul>
<li>STEPN (GMT) shot up nearly 210% over the last seven days to emerge as the top gainer in the period. </li>
<li>Green Metaverse Token or GMT is the governance token of STEPN, a Solana (SOL)-based project that incentivizes exercises such as running and jogging.</li>
<li>GMT gains exceeded those of Bitcoin BTC/USD, Ethereum ETH/USD, and Dogecoin DOGE/USD last week. BTC and DOGE declined 1.45% and 2.55% last week, while ETH rose 5.7% in the same period.</li>
</ul>
Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Pre-open movers
U.S. stock futures traded slightly higher in early pre-market trade after the Dow Jones jumped around 140 points in the previous session following the release of jobs data. Investors are awaiting earnings results from SRAX, Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/srax#NASDAQ">SRAX</a>) and Atotech Limited (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/atc#NASDAQ">ATC</a>).
Data on factory orders for February will be released at 10:00 a.m. ET. Analysts expect factory orders dropping 0.6% in February.
Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 9 points to 34,727.00 while the Standard &amp; Poor&rsquo;s 500 index futures slipped 6.50 points to 4,545.75. Futures for the Nasdaq index rose 49.25 points to 14,913.00.
Check out our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premarket/"> premarket coverage here </a>.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/investing/global-oil-storage-trends/">Oil prices </a>traded lower as Brent crude futures fell 0.9% to trade at $103.48 per barrel, while US WTI crude futures fell 0.5% to trade at $98.81 a barrel. The total number of active U.S. oil rigs rose by 2 to 533 rigs this week, Baker Hughes Inc reported Friday.
The U.S. has the highest number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the world, with total infections in the country exceeding 81,832,610 with around 1,008,190 deaths. India reported a total of at least 43,029,040 confirmed cases, while Brazil confirmed over 29,999,810 cases.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/22/03/26379432/insiders-buying-these-4-penny-stocks">Check out this: Insiders Buying These 4 Penny Stocks</a>

A Peek Into Global Markets

European markets were mixed today. The STOXX Europe 600 Index rose 0.1%, while Spain&rsquo;s IBEX 35 Index fell 0.5% and London&rsquo;s FTSE 100 gained 0.2%. The French CAC 40 Index fell 0.2%, while German DAX dropped 0.4%. The number of foreign tourist arrivals in Spain climbed 1007.8% year-over-year to 3.157 million in February, while number of people registered as unemployed in the country dropped by 2,921 from a month ago to 3.109 million in March. The German trade surplus shrank to &euro;11.4 billion in February from &euro;17.9 billion a year ago.
Asian markets traded higher today. Japan&rsquo;s Nikkei 225 rose 0.25% and Hong Kong&rsquo;s Hang Seng Index climbed 2.1%. Australia&rsquo;s S&amp;P/ASX 200 rose 0.3%, while India&rsquo;s BSE SENSEX surged 2%. The S&amp;P Global Indian manufacturing declined to 54.0 in March from 54.9 in the previous month. Retail sales in Australia rose by 1.8% from a month ago in February, while job advertisements rose by 0.4% to 245,891 in March.

Broker Recommendation
JP Morgan upgraded Zebra Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/zbra#NASDAQ">ZBRA</a>) from Neutral to Overweight and lowered the price target from $530 to $500.
Zebra Technologies shares dropped 0.1% to $413.25 in pre-market trading.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/03/26379846/executives-sell-over-640m-of-5-stocks">Check out this: Executives Sell Over $640M Of 5 Stocks</a>
&nbsp;
Breaking News 
<ul>
<li>Tesla Inc (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/tsla#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) CEO Elon Musk said that the electric vehicle maker is aiming at a 30% gross margin or about 10% profitability including all costs for its Supercharger network business.</li>
<li>Nikola Corporation (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/nkla#NASDAQ">NKLA</a>) filed for mixed shelf of upto $1.2 billion.</li>
<li>Conformis, Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/cfms#NASDAQ">CFMS</a>) named Michael Fillion as its Chief Operating Officer.</li>
<li>Chinese online fast-fashion retailer SHEIN is mulling a $1 billion funding that could shoot its valuation past the owners of H&amp;M, Uniqlo (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/frcoy#OTC">FRCOY</a>), and Zara.</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/">Check out other breaking news here</a>

Chinese online fast-fashion retailer SHEIN is mulling a $1 billion funding that could shoot its valuation past the owners of H&amp;M, Uniqlo (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/frcoy#OTC">FRCOY</a>), and Zara.&nbsp;
What Happened: According to a Bloomberg&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-04-04/shein-s-100-billion-valuation-would-top-h-m-and-zara-combined?srnd=next-china&amp;sref=TBDibEcD" target="_blank">report</a>, the e-tailer is in talks with potential investors, including&nbsp;General Atlantic, and successful funding could value the company at about $100 billion.&nbsp;
Why It Matters: If it successfully achieves that mark, the e-tailer would be placed as the third most valuable startup globally, after&nbsp;ByteDance Ltd. and&nbsp;Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/tsla#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) CEO Elon Musk&#39;s&nbsp;SpaceX,&nbsp;according to the report.&nbsp;
SHEIN is known for its affordably priced apparel, beauty and lifestyle products and churns out over 6,000 new items daily in around 195 countries.
Early Winner: SHEIN&#39;s business model benefitted from the China&ndash;United States trade war when increased tariffs substantially affected the Chinese bulk garment exports. Its express delivery of products from its Chinese warehouse to U.S. consumers seized the opportunity.&nbsp;
SHEIN&nbsp;saw its sales more than triple to $10 billion in 2020, early in the COVID-19 pandemic, as consumers increasingly took to online shopping amid lockdowns.&nbsp;
Photo courtesy: SHEIN app

Financing

Media

At $100B, This Chinese Fashion E-Tailer Could Become The Most Valued Startup After TikTok Parent, SpaceX

<ul>
<li>SoftBank Group Corp&nbsp;(OTC:&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/sftby#OTC" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">SFTBY</a>) (OTC:&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/sftbf#OTC" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">SFTBF</a>) directors Yuko Kawamoto and Ron Fisher will depart as board members, the&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.ft.com/content/4d6d6593-78e2-49d1-9477-7227725b8e98" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">Financial Times reports</a>.</li>
<li>High pressure from U.S. hedge fund Elliott Management and other investors over better corporate governance practices led to the election of Kawamoto.</li>
<li>Kawamoto had reportedly challenged its founder Masayoshi Son on internal control issues.</li>
<li>SoftBank&rsquo;s first woman director Kawamoto will become National Personnel Authority commissioner. SoftBank has selected another female director to replace her.</li>
<li>Fisher, who supervised most of SoftBank&rsquo;s WeWork investment, will depart after 26 years. He reportedly worked the closest with management on its strategy and growth plans.</li>
<li>SoftBank has defended the resignation as Fisher&rsquo;s decision and was unrelated to the WeWork investment.</li>
<li>Fast Retailing Co Ltd&nbsp;(OTC:&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/frcoy#OTC" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">FRCOY</a>) CEO Tadashi Yanai and&nbsp;Alibaba Group Holding Ltd&nbsp;(NYSE:&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/baba#NYSE" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">BABA</a>) co-founder Jack Ma resigned as directors as SoftBank started investing in technology start-ups through its $100 billion Vision Fund.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Arm CEO Simon Segars will depart after SoftBank sold the U.K. company to&nbsp;NVIDIA Corp&nbsp;(NASDAQ:&nbsp;<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/nvda#NASDAQ" style="color:#4a6ee0; background:transparent; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt" target="_blank">NVDA</a>).</li>
<li>Price action:&nbsp;SFTBY shares traded lower by 1.47% at $39 on the last check Friday.</li>
</ul>

Management

Tech

BABA

NVDA

SFTBF

SFTBY

2 More Directors Depart from SoftBank Group: FT

More Western brands are facing backlash in China as they get caught in the international crossfire over Beijing&#39;s treatment of Muslims in the country&#39;s Xinjiang region.
What Happened:&nbsp;On Saturday, Chinese celebrities snubbed Hugo Boss AG&nbsp;(OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/bossy#OTC">BOSSY</a>) after the German fashion house issued a statement regarding&nbsp;forced labor in Xinjiang,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-28/hugo-boss-under-fire-from-chinese-stars-over-xinjiang-pledge?sref=TBDibEcD" target="_blank">Bloomberg</a>&nbsp;reports.&nbsp;
Chinese actor and singer Li Yifeng said on his Weibo Corp (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/wb#NASDAQ">WB</a>) social media account that he was ending his relationship with Hugo Boss. Singers Zhu Zhengting and Wang Linkai also indicated on Weibo that they will stop working with Hugo Boss.&nbsp;
This was after Hugo Boss said in an official&nbsp;<a href="https://group.hugoboss.com/fileadmin/media/pdf/sustainability/company_commitments_EN/HUGO_BOSS_Statement_on_Xinjiang.pdf" target="_blank">statement</a>, &quot;The company does not tolerate forced labor and insists that its global suppliers follow suit. The company has not procured any goods originating in the Xinjiang region from direct suppliers.&quot;&nbsp;
Similarly, Chinese actor Zhou Dongyu has ended her brand ambassador role with&nbsp;Burberry Group (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/burby#OTC">BURBY</a>),&nbsp;The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/26/chinese-actor-quits-as-burberry-ambassador-as-xinjiang-cotton-row-escalates" target="_blank">Guardian</a>&nbsp;reports.&nbsp;
The Swedish clothing company&nbsp;H &amp; M Hennes &amp; Mauritz AB&nbsp;(OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/hmrzf#OTC">HMRZF</a>) also came under fire in the Xinjiang row last week. Alibaba Group Holding Ltd and shopping app Meituan also have removed H&amp;M from listings, and search engine company Baidu has removed H&amp;M from a maps app,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/china-xinjiang-retail/chinese-apps-join-celebs-in-backlash-against-western-fashion-brands-over-xinjiang-idINKBN2BI1GM" target="_blank">Reuters</a>&nbsp;reports.&nbsp;
According to a New York Times report, H&amp;M posted a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/21/03/20326696/chinese-government-attacks-h-m-over-statement-on-xinjiang-forced-labor-report" target="_blank">statement</a>&nbsp;on its website last September stating the company was &quot;deeply concerned by reports from civil society organizations and media that include accusations of forced labor and discrimination of ethno-religious minorities&quot; in Xinjiang, adding it would no longer procure cotton from the region.
Other overseas brands, including&nbsp;Nike Inc&nbsp;(NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/nke#NYSE">NKE</a>), and&nbsp;adidas A.G.&nbsp;(OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/addyy#OTC">ADDYY</a>), have also faced online backlash for their statements regarding the sourcing of cotton in Xinjiang.
Other brands which have come under fire in China for saying they would not use Xinjiang cotten&nbsp;are New Balance, Under Armour Inc (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/uaa#NYSE">UAA</a>), PVH Corp&#39;s (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/pvh#NYSE">PVH</a>) Tommy Hilfiger brand,&nbsp;Puma S.E.&nbsp;(OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/pumsy#OTC">PUMSY</a>), Fast Retailing&#39;s (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/frcoy#OTC">FRCOY</a>) Uniqlo, and Converse, owned by Nike.
Why It Matters:&nbsp;The backlash was sparked by an international&nbsp;outcry over reports that forced labor in Xinjiang is used to feed products into the global&nbsp;supply chains of major corporations. As Western brands sought to distance themselves from any appearance of using products from Xinjiang, a counter-backlash grew among consumers in China, upset at the accusations against their country.
U.N. rights experts have accused China of engaging in mass detainment, torture&nbsp;and forced labor of Uyghurs, a&nbsp;Muslim minority group,&nbsp;in Xinjiang. The U.S. has accused China of instigating social media campaigns to boycott U.S. and other international companies that refuse to use cotton from Xinjiang.&nbsp;
However, China denies these claims and says its actions in the region are necessary to counter extremism.
China on Saturday announced sanctions against two U.S. officials, a Canadian lawmaker&nbsp;and a Canadian parliamentary subcommittee in response to what Beijing said was &quot;coordinated action&quot; taken by the two countries last week over China&#39;s treatment of Uyghurs in Xinjiang.
Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@varietou?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Jules D.</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/hugo-boss?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a>.

ADDYY

BOSSY

HMRZF

PUMSY

Chinese Stars Snub Western Brands Hugo Boss, Burberry, and H&M Over Xinjiang Row

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Stocks That Hit 52-Week Highs On Tuesday

Benzinga's M&amp;A Chatter for Friday July 31 through Sunday Aug 2, 2015
The following are the M&amp;A deals, rumors and chatter circulating on Wall Street for Friday July 27, 2015:
Yahoo to Acquire Polyvore
The Deal: Yahoo!, Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/yhoo#NASDAQ">YHOO</a>) announced Friday that it has reached an agreement to acquire social shopping site Polyvore. Terms were not disclosed.
Yahoo closed at $36.67 on Friday, a loss of 2%. 
Hearing Unconfirmed Market Chatter of Potential Costco Bid for Whole Foods
The Rumor: Shares of Whole Foods Market, Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/wfm#NYSE">WFM</a>) were boosted Friday, on unconfirmed market chatter of a potential offer from Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/cost#NASDAQ">COST</a>). The rumored bid is $44.00 per share.
Publix has also been mentioned on several occasions as a potential Whole Foods suitor
Spokespersons for Whole Foods and Costco did not respond to requests for comment.
Whole Foods closed at $36.40 Friday, a gain of $0.32.
Hearing Unconfirmed Market Chatter of Potential Offer for The Gap
The Rumor: Shares of The Gap, Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/gps#NYSE">GPS</a>) spiked higher Friday, on unconfirmed market chatter of a potential hostile offer from Japan's Fast Retailing (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/frcoy#OTC">FRCOY</a>). The rumored bid is $48.00 per share.
A Spokesperson for The Gap was not available for comment.
Gap closed at $36.48 Friday, a gain of $0.43.
UPS to Acquire Coyote Logistics for $1.8B
The Deal: UPS (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ups#NYSE">UPS</a>) has agreed to acquire truckload freight brokerage company, Coyote Logistics for $1.8 billion from Warburg Pincus. The deal is expected to close within 30 days.
UPS closed Friday at $102.36, up $.96.
EU Commission Begins Investigation into FedEx Takeover of TNT Express
The Investigation: FedEx Corp. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/fdx#NYSE">FDX</a>) confirmed media reports Friday that the European Commission has initiated a Phase II review of its offer to acquire all the issued and outstanding shares of TNT Express N.V. (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/tntey#OTC">TNTEY</a>). FedEx also noted reviews by other antitrust agencies, including the Ministry of Commerce in China and Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica in Brazil.
FedEx still expects the deal to close in H1 of 2016.
FedEx closed Friday at $171.42, down $0.15.
Consortium of German Auto Manufacturers to Acquire Nokia's HERE for $3.2B
The Rumor: A consortium of German automakers has agreed to acquire Nokia's (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/nok#NYSE">NOK</a>) mapping business HERE, according to sources as reported by Reuters on Sunday. Daimler (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ddaif#OTC">DDAIF</a>) BMW and Volkswagen's (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/vlkay#OTC">VLKAY</a>) Audi unit are said to have agreed to pay approximately $3.2 billion.
The deal could be announced on Monday.
Nokia closed Friday at $7.05, up $.02.

Rumors

COST

DDAIF

TNTEY

VLKAY

YHOO

Benzinga's Weekend M&A Chatter

Fast Retailing Co. Ltd. (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/frcoy#OTC">FRCOY</a>) reported a rise in its profit for the six months through February and raised its earnings outlook for the full year.
Fast Retailing now projects a net profit of Y120 billion on revenue of Y1.65 trillion ($13.7 billion). The company had earlier expected earnings of Y100 billion on revenue of Y1.6 trillion.
Fast Retailing posted a net profit of Y104.75 billion for the first half, versus a year-ago profit of Y67.08 billion. 
Its sales climbed 24% to Y949.68 billion.
The company's sales at Uniqlo stores in Japan gained 12.1%, while international sales jumped 48.9%.
Fast Retailing shares rose 0.05% to close at $39.75 yesterday.

Fast Retailing Posts Rise In Profit, Lifts Full-Year Outlook

Fast Retailing Co. Ltd. (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/frcoy#OTC">FRCOY</a>) reported a 64% gain in its net profit for the fiscal first quarter.
Fast Retailing's quarterly net profit surged to Y68.83 billion, versus a year-ago profit of Y42.00 billion.
Its sales gained 23% to Y479.54 billion from Y389.05 billion.
For the current business year, the company projects 16% growth in revenue to Y1.6 trillion and net profit to rise 34% to Y100 billion.
Fast Retailing shares gained 2.03% to close at $36.77 yesterday.

Fast Retailing Q1 Profit Rises 64%

Fast Retailing Co (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/frcoy#OTC">FRCOY</a>) reported a 29% drop in its net profit in the fiscal year ended Aug. 31.
Fast Retailing's net profit for the year fell to Yen75 billion ($690 million), from a year-ago profit of Yen105 billion. The results included a 19.3 billion yen impairment loss on its J Brand premium denim label.
Under international accounting standards adopted this year, Fast Retailing's operating profit for the year declined 2.8% to 130.4 billion yen. However, under Japanese accounting standards, profit surged 11.8% to 148.6 billion yen, versus analysts' estimates of 147.5 billion yen.
Its sales gained 21% to Yen1.38 trillion versus Yen1.14 trillion.
Fast Retailing's sales of the flagship Uniqlo brand jumped 65% outside of Japan, while sales gained 4.7% in Japan.
Chief Executive Tadashi Yanai said, "Margins are likely to bottom out as management has increased its emphasis on profitability such as by introducing high-value-added products and focusing on opening large stores in prime locations."
For the current fiscal year ending August 2015, the company projects net profit to surged 34% to Yen100 billion and revenue to gain 16% to Yen1.6 trillion.
Fast Retailing shares gained 2.24% to close at $34.48 yesterday.

Guidance

Fast Retailing Posts Drop In Net Profit

Japan's Fast Retailing Co (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/frcoy#OTC">FRCOY</a>) reported a 1.4% drop in its net profit for the first half of its business year and lowered its full-year outlook.

For the full year, the retailer cut its profit forecast to Y88 billion ($862 million), versus Y92 billion, However, it lifted its revenue guidance to Y1.37 trillion versus Y1.32 trillion.

Fast Retailing's net profit for the period fell to Y64.56 billion, from a year-ago profit of Y65.45 billion.

Its sales climbed 24.3% to Y764.35 billion, while operating profit climbed 6.8% to Y103.20 billion.

Fast Retailing shares closed at $37.20 yesterday.

Fast Retailing Posts Drop In Profit, Lowers Profit Forecast

Fast Retailing Co (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/frcoy#OTC">FRCOY</a>) reported an 8.8% rise in its first quarter net profit.

Fast Retailing's quarterly net profit surged to Y41.85 billion ($399 million), from a year-ago profit of Y38.47 billion.

Its sales climbed 22% to Y389.05 billion versus Y318.14 billion, while the company's operating profit jumped 13% to Y64.03 billion versus Y56.61 billion.

For the full business year ending August, Fast Retailing lowered its sales outlook to Y1.322 trillion versus Y1.330 trillion.

Fast Retailing shares closed at $38.94 yesterday.

Fast Retailing Q1 Net Profit Rises 8.8%

Fast Retailing Co (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/frcoy#OTC">FRCOY</a>) reported a 23.1% rise in its domestic same-store sales at its Uniqlo casual clothing store in March.

Fast Retailing's same-store sales climbed 9.6% in February and dropped 5.5% in January.

Fast Retailing shares closed at $32.61 yesterday.

Retail Sales

Fast Retailing Uniqlo March Same-Store Sales Up 23.1%

Fast Retailing Co (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/frcoy#OTC">FRCOY</a>) reported a 9.6% rise in its same-store sales in February.

Its customer visits climbed 15.1% in the month.

For the first half of the year, Fast Retailing's same-store sales gained 3.6% and customer visits rose 6.3%.

Fast Retailing shares closed at $27.21 on Friday.

Fast Retailing Same-Store Sales Up 9.6% In February

The following are the M&amp;A deals, rumors and chatter circulating on Wall Street for Friday February 15, 2013:

Hearing Renewed Chatter of Coke Bid for Monster Beverage

The Rumor: Renewed chatter of a possible bid by Coca-Cola (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ko#NYSE">KO</a>) for Monster Beverage (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/mnst#NASDAQ">MNST</a>) surfaced on Friday. <a href="http://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/12/04/2533643/coca-cola-to-buy-monster">Benzinga</a> first reported on a potential deal on April 26, 2012, based on analyst comments. The story was later picked up by the Wall Street Journal. 

A spokesperson for Monster Beverage declined comment on the latest rumor. A Coca-Cola spokesperson was not available for comment.

Monster Beverage closed at $51.08 Friday, a gain of 7% on 3 times average volume.

Hearing Chatter of Fast Retaling Interest in Gap

The Rumor: Shares of Gap (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/gps#NYSE">GPS</a>) rose sharply higher Friday on chatter of possible interest by Japan's Fast Retailing (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/frcoy#OTC">FRCOY</a>). 

A Gap spokesperson declined comment on the rumor. A Fast Retailing spokesperson was not available for comment.

Gap closed at $32.88 Friday, a gain of almost 5% on 3 times average volume.

Report Office Depot in Talks to Sell 50% Stake in Mexican Unit

The Rumor: Bloomberg reported Friday that Office Depot (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/odp#NYSE">ODP</a>) is in talks to sell the remaining 50 percent stake in its Mexican unit to Grupo Gigante SAB. Office Depot's largest shareholder, Starboard Value, is reportedly pressuring the office supply retailer to complete a deal.

Office Depot closed at $4.59 Friday, a gain of 2% on twice average volume.

Hearing Chatter of Possible Cummins Bid for Westport Innovations

The Rumor Cummins (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/cmi#NYSE">CMI</a>) is rumored to be in talks to acquire Westport Innovations (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/wprt#NASDAQ">WPRT</a>), according to unconconfirmed market chatter. The two companies already have the Cummins Westport joint venture, which designs, engineers, and markets 6 to 12 litre spark-ignited automotive natural gas engines for commercial transportation applications, such as truck and buses.

Spokespersons for Cummins and Westport Innovations were not available for comment.

Westport Innovations closed at $31.54 Friday, a gain of 8% on 3.5 times average volume.

Nasdaq OMX Group Reportedly Considers Options

The Rumor: Nasdaq OMX Group (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="/stock/ndaq#NASDAQ">NDAQ</a>) is reportedly exploring the possibility of going private or splitting the company up, according to sources, reported by Reuters. Nasdaq is not currently in talks with private equity firms, but investors are frustrated with the valuation of the company. Carlyle Group is said to have been in talks with Nasdaq previously.

Nasdaq OMX Group closed at $31.07 Friday, a gain of 1.5% on 1.5 times average volume.

Long Ideas

Short Ideas

Benzinga's M&A Chatter for Friday February 15, 2013

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