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On April 19th, under the unified coordination of the State Administration for Market Regulation, market supervision and public security departments of Shanxi and Sichuan provinces jointly cracked a major criminal network involved in the production and sale of trademark infringement and counterfeit liquor. The operation uncovered seven locations in Lüliang and Taiyuan cities, Shanxi Province, for the production, concealment, packaging, trademark printing, and mailing of illegal products, as well as one online live-streaming sales point. Nearly 20,000 cases of suspected counterfeit liquor, over 700,000 counterfeit packaging materials, 14 pieces of counterfeit manufacturing equipment, and 41 large storage tanks were seized. As of now, the amount involved has been determined to be 260 million yuan. The public security organs have summoned 22 people, taken coercive measures against 11, and transferred 2 for prosecution.On April 19th, my countrys first large-scale application project of hydrogen-blended natural gas, covering 100,000 households, was officially launched in Weifang, Shandong Province. The project utilizes Weifangs existing urban natural gas pipeline infrastructure to achieve stable hydrogen-blended natural gas transmission and distribution. The project covers 100,000 urban households in Weifangs central urban area, comprehensively encompassing various residential gas usage scenarios, including daily life and commercial catering. Residents can use hydrogen-blended natural gas normally without replacing their existing gas appliances. Experts stated that by implementing the "Hydrogen to Every Household" technology demonstration project, the "last mile" of hydrogen energy application in the urban gas sector has been bridged, achieving large-scale, continuous, long-term hydrogen-blended operation for the first time nationwide. The application of hydrogen-blended natural gas has significant demonstration benefits in energy security, green electricity consumption, and energy conservation and emission reduction. Preliminary calculations indicate that if hydrogen is blended at a 10% ratio in national urban gas consumption, it can replace approximately 15 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually, correspondingly reducing carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 30 million tons.Mayor of Tel Aviv, Israel: Iranian airstrikes have rendered more than 1,000 apartments in the city uninhabitable.April 19th - The US-Iran conflict caused a temporary setback in gold prices, but looking at the long term, golds luster remains undiminished. At the "2026 Market Outlook Forum" recently hosted by the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), economist Hong Hao stated that the recent decline in gold prices was not due to deteriorating fundamentals, but rather because it has "completed its historical mission for a certain period." Hong Hao analyzed that the lower the credit rating and the higher the yield of US Treasury bonds, the higher the gold price will be one year later. Holding 10-year US Treasury bonds for one year could result in a loss of nearly 10%, which is a very unfavorable trade; in contrast, fundamental logic, narrative logic, and data models all point to a higher gold price, with a doubling in the future being a certainty. Despite the significant short-term correction in gold prices, he remains optimistic about its long-term prospects.Bangladeshs Ministry of Energy announced Saturday evening that it has raised retail fuel prices by 10% to 15% due to soaring global crude oil prices and supply shortages caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The official notice indicates that under the new prices, gasoline will increase from 116 taka per liter to 135 taka (approximately US$1.10), diesel will remain at 115 taka per liter, and kerosene will cost 130 taka per liter. Bangladesh heavily relies on imported fuel, and the rising fuel costs are putting pressure on the South Asian nations already strained foreign exchange reserves.

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.