OP Wire 12/2 (OP – Lite)

1. Black Friday 2024: E-commerce Dominates, Retail Lags 📱
This year’s Black Friday saw U.S. shoppers shift from physical stores to online platforms. According to Mastercard (MA) data, in-store traffic remained muted at major retailers like Macy’s (M)Kohl’s (KSS), and Target (TGT), while e-commerce giants Amazon (AMZN) and Walmart (WMT) enjoyed a surge. Platforms like SheinTemu (PDD), and TikTok Shop also reported robust growth. Mastercard SpendingPulse noted a 3.4% YoY increase in overall sales. Retail stocks may face pressure, with the season shortened to just 26 days between Thanksgiving and Christmas.


2. Tesla Triumphs: JPMorgan Drops $162M Lawsuit ⚖️
JPMorgan Chase (JPM) dropped its $162 million lawsuit against Tesla (TSLA) over stock warrant transactions. Both parties agreed to dismiss claims without refiling, but no settlement details were disclosed. This legal battle, dating back to 2021, had drawn attention for its potential financial impact on Tesla


3. AI Boom Faces New Challenges 🧠💻
The AI industry’s “bigger-is-better” model could be shifting. Companies like Microsoft (MSFT)Google (GOOGL), and Meta (META), heavily investing in Nvidia’s (NVDA) GPUs, may now pivot towards inference over training. Inference—where models generate outputs—could favor competitors like AMD (AMD)Intel (INTC), and custom chips from Amazon. This shift may impact Nvidia’s dominance, especially as scaling larger models faces diminishing returns​


4. Stellantis CEO Steps Down 🚗
Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis (STLA), has unexpectedly resigned. The Board, led by John Elkann, has yet to announce a successor. This leadership shakeup could impact the automaker’s strategic direction amid ongoing industry challenges​


5. Disney’s “Moana 2” Sets Box Office Records 🌊🎥
Disney (DIS)’s “Moana 2” dominated the Thanksgiving box office, raking in $221 million over five days. It set records for the biggest 5-day debut and Thanksgiving earnings. Globally, the film grossed $386.3 million. The success underscores Disney’s stronghold in family entertainment, reinforcing its stock performance​


📈 Market Outlook: U.S. stock futures point to a cautious open as investors prepare for key economic data. Keep an eye on upcoming Fed commentary and the November jobs report—both could impact rate-cut expectations. Oil markets also remain volatile, with OPEC+ delaying decisions on output increases​.

Be sure to be in OP Chat later to see today’s upgrades/downgrades plus any breaking info as it comes in. Today is cyber Monday so if you want to level up your trading toolbox and get OP Course systems & support then today is the day to email steve@optionsplayers.com & ask for your cyber Monday offer. See you all in chat 🤑

If you want to get the plays of the day then signup for Gold, and get a FREE TRIAL

If you want to get the plays of the day then signup for Gold, and get a FREE TRIAL

Responses