Coke’s Q1 Results, Tesla’s China Success, and More!
Editor’s Note: Happy Wednesday, dear reader! We’re halfway through the week!
Tesla’s China Coup
Shares of Tesla (NSDQ: TLSA) popped on Monday, giving the electric vehicle (EV) maker’s stock one of its best days in more than three years.
The reason: According to Tesla, its cars have passed the Chinese government’s user-data safety requirements. This means it’s more likely that Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software will become available in the country.
It’s worth pointing out that Tesla’s FSD currently does not grant cars full autonomy. At this time, FSD is more of a driver-assistance service.
Although Tesla’s cars are extremely popular in China — the world’s biggest market for EVs — the government had previously banned them from certain state properties due to concerns about data safety.
Tesla has been offering Chinese customers its FSD software with limited options for years in order to meet the government’s requirements. Now it can remove those limitations.
In addition, there are reports that Tesla has partnered with Chinese tech giant Baidu (NSDQ: BIDU) in a deal that would let Tesla use Baidu’s mapping service license. Apparently, in order for cars with driver-assistance options to travel on Chinese public roads, they must have a Baidu license.
The news that Tesla may soon offer its FSD software without restrictions was enough to send the carmaker’s shares soaring yesterday. However, year to date, Tesla’s stock has still lost more than 20% of its value.
Anglo American Rejects BHP Takeover Bid
Shares of Anglo American (OTCMKTS: NGLOY) turned volatile last week after the mining giant rejected a takeover bid from rival BHP Group (NYSE: BHP).
According to Anglo American, BHP’s bid, which valued the miner at 31.1 billion pounds — just shy of $39 billion — “significantly undervalues” its businesses.
If the deal had gone through, it would have created the largest mining company in the world.
A statement from Anglo American said that BHP’s proposal “contemplates a structure which the board believes is highly unattractive for Anglo American’s shareholders, given the uncertainty and complexity inherent in the proposal, and significant execution risks.”
“Anglo American is well positioned to create significant value from its portfolio of high-quality assets that are well aligned with the energy transition and other major demand trends,” Chair Stuart Chambers said in the statement.
“With copper representing 30% of Anglo American’s total production, and with the benefit of well-sequenced and value-accretive growth options in copper and other structurally attractive products, the board believes that Anglo American’s shareholders stand to benefit from what we expect to be significant value appreciation as the full impact of those trends materializes.”
As part of BHP’s offer, Anglo American would have been required to de-merge its holdings in miners Anglo American Platinum (OTMKTS: ANGPY) and Kumba Iron Ore (OTCMKTS: KIROY), entities that are based in South Africa and that represent a significant share of the company’s copper production (despite their names).
Because copper is so critical to the transition to alternative energy — it’s used in everything from electric vehicles (EVs) to wind turbines — mining companies are hungry for supplies of the metal.
According to SP Angel’s John Meyer, this means we’re likely to see more consolidation — or at least, attempts at consolidation — in the mining sector.
“This is an opening shot,” he told CNBC on Friday. “This is like a boxer walking into the ring and just warming up.”
According to Meyer, it’s likely that BHP may make another bid for Anglo American or another miner with copper exposure, such as Rio Tinto (OTCMKTS: RTNTF).
Meyer also indicated that he wouldn’t be surprised if a Chinese firm made a takeover attempt at Anglo American.
“Quite possibly the Chinese are going to come in and make a counterbid,” he said. “Some Chia state company would probably be quite welcome in South Africa.”
Coca-Cola’s Q1 Beat
Yesterday, Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) reported first-quarter earnings that beat Wall Street’s expectations and led the beverage behemoth to up its full-year organic revenue outlook.
For the quarter, Coke reported revenue of $11.30 billion — higher than the $11.01 billion analysts had expected. Earnings per share (EPS) also came in better than expected, with 72 cents adjusted versus 70 cents.
And net income for the quarter rose from $3.11 billion a year ago to $3.18 billion. Net sales similarly rose by 3% on a year-over-year basis, to $11.30 billion.
Coke’s organic sales — which removes any impact from divestitures, acquisitions, and foreign exchange (forex) — rose 11% during the first quarter.
For full-year 2024, Coke said it is now expecting organic revenue to grow by 8% to 9%. Previously, the company had given a forecasted range of 6% to 7%. In part, Coke is attributing this improved outlook to price hikes in corners of the globe where there is “intense inflation.”
Coke is still expecting comparable earnings growth of 4% to 5% for the full year.
“We’re encouraged by our start to 2024, delivering another quarter of volume, topline, and earnings growth amidst a dynamic backdrop,” Coke Chairman and CEO James Quincey said in a company statement.
“We believe our global system is primed for sustained success, thanks to the right strategies, clear alignment, a powerful portfolio, and strong execution.”
Thanks to inflation, Coke has been able to increase its average selling prices by 13%. At the same time, unit case volumes rose by only 1%.
Coke has joined several packaged food companies in offering newer or revamped products to spur an increase in demand. Many consumers have begun to spend less on brand-name goods as prices continue to increase and money becomes tight.
For Coke, that has meant a reformulation of its lemon-lime soda Sprite in certain markets in an effort to attract younger customers. In addition, the company has extended a promotion involving 1.25-liter sodas in a value bundle for price-conscious shoppers.
Coke also launched a product, Coca-Cola Happy Tears Zero Sugar, which is sold exclusively on social media platforms in the U.S. and U.K. Happy Tears and its branded promotional accessories reportedly sold out in fewer than 24 hours.
Year to date, Coke’s stock has risen by roughly 4%.
The Biggest Apparel Retailers in the U.S.
According to data from ECDB, Amazon (NSDQ: AMZN) and Walmart are the biggest online clothing retailers here in the U.S. — with apparel net sales for 2023 coming in at $12.3 billion and $8.9 billion, respectively.
Both of these companies have been around for several decades now.
But apparently, there’s a new contender in the third spot: Shein. The Chinese fast-fashion company specializes in super-trendy fashion products for low prices and launched in the U.S. in 2017.
Since then, Shein has overtaken “legacy” apparel retailers such as Macy’s (NYSE: M) and Nike (NYSE: NKE).
Take a look:
You will find more infographics at Statista
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