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July 5th - OPEC+, comprised of OPEC and other oil-producing nations, will hold its monthly meeting later today. An informed source indicated that OPEC+ has agreed in principle to increase crude oil production quotas by 188,000 barrels per day in August. Two other sources stated that this increase is the most likely decision.July 5th - The Malian military reported on the 4th that military positions in multiple locations across Mali were subjected to a new round of coordinated attacks by armed groups. The military successfully repelled all attacks, and the attacked positions remain under its "complete control." The report stated that these attacks occurred in Agailok, Anefisse, Gao in northern Mali, and Sevare in central Mali. A local official in Gao said that before dawn on the 4th, militants launched a fierce attack on military camps with guns and rockets. A local resident said, "This morning, no one can leave their homes... The Malian armed forces have blocked all the streets. The gunfire was so intense, it felt like the roofs were about to collapse."July 5th - According to Israeli sources on the 5th local time, Israeli Transportation Minister Miri Regev confirmed that Israel deployed an Iron Dome air defense system to the United Arab Emirates in the early stages of the US-Israel-Iran conflict. This marks the first time the Iron Dome has been deployed to a country outside of Israel and the United States. Reportedly, this is the first time an Israeli government official has publicly acknowledged deploying the Iron Dome system to the UAE. Previously, related reports had been confirmed by US officials.OPEC+ sources: OPEC+ has agreed in principle to increase its oil production target by 188,000 barrels per day starting in August.On July 5th, at the 2026 Global Digital Economy Conference Results Release Conference, Lu Ya, Vice President of the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, released the "Beijing Digital Economy Development Report (2025-2026)" blue book. The report shows that in 2025, Beijings digital economy added value exceeded 2.4 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 8.7%, accounting for 46.4% of GDP. It ranked second in the global digital economy benchmark city index evaluation, with a development index value of 0.770, firmly maintaining its position as a "global leading city." Lu Ya introduced that Beijings status as the "No. 1 city for artificial intelligence" continues to be consolidated. In 2025, the core artificial intelligence industry scale reached approximately 450 billion yuan, attracting over 2,500 related enterprises. As of April 2026, 225 large-scale models had been registered. Innovation and industry application of large-scale models are accelerating in both directions, rapidly empowering industrial upgrading, technological innovation, and public services. The market-oriented reform of data elements is being deepened, and breakthroughs have been achieved in the construction of "one zone and three centers." The on-exchange transaction volume of the Beijing International Big Data Exchange increased by 150% year-on-year, and the circulation of trusted data space is deepening around key areas such as healthcare and audiovisual media.

Costco Margins Are Impacted by Growing Freight And Labor Expenses, And The Stock Price Falls

Charlie Brooks

May 27, 2022 09:50

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Costco Wholesale Corp (NASDAQ:COST) announced a decline in gross margins on Thursday, impacted by rising freight and labor expenses across the United States. The news sent shares of the membership-only retailer down 2% and overshadowed an otherwise positive quarterly report.


Fresh COVID-19 lockdowns in China and the Russia-Ukraine conflict have compounded the problem for U.S. businesses.


Costco announced that it would increase prices in certain food categories in order to battle inflation.


Retailers such as Walmart (NYSE:WMT) Inc and Target Corp (NYSE:TGT) have warned that decades-high inflation will have a negative impact on their earnings, as shoppers hesitate from purchasing non-essential and high-margin goods.


The average Costco buyer earns more than the average Walmart and Target shopper, allowing Costco to generate quarterly earnings and revenue that easily exceeds expectations.


Memberships and sales have been boosted by the company's efforts to keep gas prices several cents below the national average.


Costco, in contrast to Walmart, reported that there has not been a significant shift from branded products to its private label product, Kirkland Signature.


"We aren't really observing a decline in commerce. This year, more money is being spent on tickets, dining out, travel, tires, and gasoline "In a post-earnings conference call, Robert Nelson, senior vice president of finance and investor relations, said.


Costco's gross margins decreased by 99 basis points in the third quarter.


According to data from Refinitiv IBES, Costco's total sales for the quarter ending May 8 increased by 16 percent to $52.60 billion, surpassing analysts' projections of $51.71 billion.


Excluding adjustments, Costco's earnings per share were $3.17, exceeding analysts' expectations of $3.03.