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On August 9th, regarding Fridays unexpectedly negative US non-farm payroll data, Rick Reid, Chief Investment Officer of BlackRocks Global Fixed Income division, stated that last months weaker-than-expected employment data reflects the "productivity revolution" of the artificial intelligence era. He believes the decline in non-farm payrolls reflects that US companies are learning how to expand output without increasing the number of employees. He said, "I dont think adjusting the overnight federal funds rate will really solve the problem—weve seen this before… I just think that raising rates now doesnt make much sense."The commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard stated that the United States and Israel have completely failed in achieving their goals against the Islamic regime, and their leaders have shown no response to their repeated failures in the face of public opinion, elites, and their own people.According to Irans Fars News Agency, Bulgaria claims that a Ukrainian drone attacked the Trans-Balkan Gas Pipeline this morning, which carries Russian gas to Europe via Türkiye.August 9th - Analysts point out that the market generally expects the US CPI to rise 0.1% month-on-month in July, after a 0.4% decline in June. The core CPI, excluding fuel and food, is expected to rise 0.2% month-on-month and 2.5% year-on-year, the smallest year-on-year increase since February. The slowdown in inflation may help alleviate inflationary anxieties within the Federal Reserve following Fridays weak July non-farm payroll report. Previously, at the July 29th meeting, three officials voted to raise interest rates. The CPI report is likely to show that energy-related price pressures have eased, pressures that intensified sharply in the months following the start of the US-Iran conflict in late February. Retail gasoline prices fell to their lowest point in nearly four months in early July before rebounding to above $4 per gallon by the end of the month. The report may also show that airfares have declined as jet fuel costs have stabilized.On August 9th, local time, the U.S. Central Command stated that on August 8th, U.S. Navy personnel were performing maintenance on F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier to ensure the carrier strike groups equipment remained operational and to continue strictly enforcing the naval blockade against Iran. As of that day, the U.S. military had diverted 53 merchant ships, rendered two ships inoperable, and boarded and inspected two other vessels. In addition, the U.S. military allowed more than 30 ships carrying humanitarian aid to pass through the blockade zone.

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.