Date Issued – 21th August 2024
Courtesy of the Research Department at Balfour Capital Group

BOEING Suspends 777X Flight Tests After Engine Part Failure

Boeing has temporarily halted flight testing of its new 777X wide-body jet after discovering a malfunction in a component that connects the engine to the aircraft’s body. This issue marks yet another setback for the U.S. aerospace giant, which has been plagued by safety and quality control concerns in recent years.

In a statement, Boeing explained, “During scheduled maintenance, we identified a component that did not perform as designed. Our team is replacing the part and capturing any learnings from the component and will resume flight testing when ready.”

Impact on 777X Program

The suspension affects the 777-9 model, part of Boeing’s 777X family, which was first unveiled in 2013. The 777X is set to be the world’s largest twin-engine jet, with over 500 orders already placed. However, the aircraft’s entry into commercial service has been delayed multiple times, with the latest target now pushed to 2025. This delay stems from ongoing certification challenges, including issues like the one that led to the recent suspension.

Following the discovery, all other 777-9 aircraft used in testing are undergoing inspections to ensure the same problem is not present.

Boeing’s Ongoing Challenges

This incident adds to Boeing’s list of recent troubles, including a near-disastrous event involving a 737 MAX in January. The company has been under intense scrutiny over its safety protocols, leading to the appointment of Kelly Ortberg as the new CEO earlier this month. Ortberg has pledged to restore trust in Boeing, basing himself in Seattle to be closer to the company’s commercial airplane programs.

Despite these setbacks, Boeing recently reported a rebound in orders, including 72 new orders in July, 57 of which were for its 737 MAX. Additionally, El Al finalized a significant purchase of up to 31 737 MAX aircraft, marking the largest aircraft order in the history of the Israeli airline.

Conclusion

The 777X’s troubles continue to weigh heavily on Boeing, even as the company sees a resurgence in demand for its other aircraft models. The aerospace giant’s ability to overcome these challenges will be crucial to its future success and reputation.

What to Expect from Target’s Upcoming Earnings Report

Target is set to report its quarterly earnings on Wednesday as the retailer strives to recover from a challenging period of declining sales and profitability. Here’s what Wall Street analysts expect for the Minneapolis-based retailer:

• Earnings per share (EPS): $2.18
• Revenue: $25.21 billion

Challenges Facing Target

Target has faced headwinds as consumers have shifted their spending away from discretionary items like clothing and home decor towards essential expenses such as food and housing. This shift has resulted in four consecutive quarters of declining comparable sales, a critical industry metric that adjusts for factors like store openings and closures.

Target’s Strategy for Recovery

Despite these challenges, Target’s leadership expressed optimism in May, stating that the company was on track to return to sales growth in the second quarter. The retailer expects comparable sales for the full year to range from flat to a 2% increase, with adjusted earnings per share projected between $8.60 and $9.60.

To boost sales and attract more customers, Target has implemented several strategies:

• Price Cuts: In May, Target announced price reductions on approximately 5,000 frequently purchased items, including essentials like diapers, milk, and paper towels.
• Loyalty Program: The company relaunched its loyalty program and introduced a new paid membership called Target Circle 360, offering perks such as free same-day deliveries.
• Promotional Events: Target held its own sales event in July to compete with Amazon’s Prime Day, aiming to drive higher foot traffic and sales.

Back-to-School Season and Consumer Spending

The back-to-school season, a critical period for retailers, could also provide a sales boost for Target as families purchase new clothes, shoes, and school supplies. Additionally, stronger-than-expected consumer spending in July, with a 1% rise in advanced retail sales compared to the previous month, could be a positive indicator for Target’s performance.

Comparison with Walmart

Target’s business model differs significantly from its big-box competitor Walmart, which recently exceeded Wall Street’s expectations for its quarter. Walmart’s CFO noted that consumer health remains stable, with customers continuing to seek value. However, Walmart’s revenue mix leans heavily towards groceries (about 60% of its U.S. business), whereas groceries account for only 23% of Target’s revenue. This difference could impact Target’s performance, especially as Walmart gains market share among higher-income households, which might come at the expense of retailers like Target.

Conclusion

As of Tuesday’s close, Target’s stock was trading at $144.33, up about 1% for the year, significantly trailing the S&P 500’s approximately 17% gains during the same period. Target’s earnings report will be closely watched to see if the company’s efforts to revitalize sales are taking hold and whether it can match or exceed Wall Street’s expectations in the face of stiff competition and changing consumer behavior.

JD.com falls by over 10% on reports of Walmart stake sale

Walmart’s decision to sell its stake in JD.com has caused a significant drop in JD.com’s stock, with shares falling by over 10% in Hong Kong and 9.5% in U.S. after-hours trading. This divestment is part of Walmart’s strategy to concentrate on its core Chinese operations, particularly Walmart China and Sam’s Club, while freeing up capital for other priorities. Despite the sale, Walmart affirmed its ongoing commercial relationship with JD.com, highlighting the value of their partnership over the past eight years.

The sell-off reflects broader challenges in the Chinese tech sector, where companies like JD.com, Alibaba, and PDD Holdings are grappling with economic uncertainty, changing consumer behavior, and increased regulatory pressures. JD.com, once a key player in China’s booming e-commerce market, has struggled recently, with its market value halving since early 2022 and only 1.2% revenue growth in the June quarter.

Walmart initially invested in JD.com in 2016, seeking to leverage the partnership to penetrate the Chinese e-commerce market. Over time, Walmart increased its stake to 9.4%, but the returns from this alliance have been disappointing. Walmart is now looking to raise up to $3.74 billion by selling 144.5 million JD.com shares at a discount, which underscores the challenging environment for Chinese tech giants.

While JD.com has struggled, Walmart’s Sam’s Club franchise in China has been a success story, posting sales growth in a difficult retail market. Sam’s Club’s membership-based model has resonated with Chinese consumers, contrasting with the struggles of Walmart’s other hypermarkets in the country. This success highlights the shifting dynamics in China’s retail landscape and Walmart’s strategic pivot toward areas of its business that show stronger growth potential.

EV company NIO aims to build battery chargers and swap stations in every Chinese county

NIO, a leading Chinese electric vehicle (EV) company, is ambitiously expanding its infrastructure by aiming to build battery chargers and swap stations in every county across China. This initiative aligns with NIO’s broader strategy to enhance its NIO Power business, which includes battery swapping and charging services.

NIO’s battery swapping technology, which allows drivers to replace a depleted battery with a fully charged one in about three minutes, is a significant part of its strategy. This technology is becoming increasingly relevant as battery charging speed becomes a critical factor in the EV industry. Although it’s not clear how quickly NIO’s fastest chargers can recharge a battery, the company’s focus on swapping technology sets it apart from competitors. For instance, Zeekr, a Geely-owned brand, recently announced that its vehicles could charge from 10% to 80% in just 10.5 minutes, surpassing Tesla’s Model 3 in charging speed.

As of August 20, 2023, NIO had installed more than 23,000 charging stations and at least 2,480 battery swap stations across China, completing over 51 million battery swaps. This robust network supports NIO’s drivers, with battery swaps accounting for over half of the electricity used by NIO vehicles in July. A smaller portion of power came from home chargers (over one-fifth), while only 4.5% was from public chargers.

The Chinese government has been actively supporting the development of a nationwide battery charging network, which is crucial for the growth of the domestic EV industry. The latest “five-year plan,” initiated in 2021, emphasizes the need for fast-charging stations across the country, including in at least 60% of highway service areas. China reported having 8.6 million battery charging stations in 2023, marking a 65% increase from the previous year. In comparison, the U.S. had 168,388 public EV charging stations in the same year, a 23.5% increase.

NIO’s expansion of its battery swap and charging infrastructure is part of its effort to solidify its position in the rapidly growing EV market in China, where government support and consumer demand continue to drive significant advancements in the industry.

Gold (XAU) Daily Outlook: Trading Near $2,517—Will the Bull Run Persist?

Market Snapshot

Gold (XAU/USD) is maintaining its upward trajectory, currently trading near $2,517 after hitting an intraday high of $2,520.02. Tuesday marked a historic moment as gold reached an all-time high, buoyed by a dovish Federal Reserve stance and a weakening US dollar. Geopolitical tensions have further bolstered gold’s status as a safe-haven asset. However, optimism surrounding a potential ceasefire in Gaza and a modest rebound in the US dollar, which had recently plummeted to its lowest point since January, have capped gold’s gains.

Gold Sets New Record Amid Fed Rate Cut Speculations

Expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut in September have played a crucial role in propelling gold prices. Investors are increasingly confident that the Fed will reduce rates by 25 basis points, a move that has pressured US Treasury yields and the dollar, propelling gold to a new record high on Tuesday. The CME Group’s FedWatch Tool currently shows a 70% probability of this rate cut, while a Reuters poll indicates that a slim majority of economists now anticipate a 25 bps reduction at each of the Fed’s three remaining meetings in 2024. However, Fed Governor Michelle Bowman has cautioned that inflation remains above the Fed’s 2% target, potentially tempering expectations for immediate rate cuts. Nonetheless, the prevailing sentiment of anticipated rate reductions continues to enhance gold’s allure as a safe-haven investment, driving its recent surge.

China’s Gold Import Quotas and SPDR Holdings Fuel Rally

China’s recent decision to issue new gold import quotas to several banks suggests a potential surge in demand, signaling that the country may be preparing for substantial gold acquisitions. This, combined with a rise in SPDR Gold Trust holdings to 859 tons, the highest level in seven months, reflects growing global investment interest in gold. These developments are reinforcing gold’s upward momentum, as China’s expected buying spree and the increasing investment demand via SPDR Gold Trust point to stronger global demand for the precious metal.

Short-Term Forecast

Gold prices (XAU/USD) are likely to sustain their bullish momentum as they hover around the key pivot point at $2,508.27, with further gains possible if resistance levels are breached. Currently trading at $2,517.21, gold is showing a slight increase of 0.10% on the 4-hour chart. The critical pivot point at $2,508.27 will play a pivotal role in determining gold’s next move. Immediate resistance is noted at $2,526.63, with further levels at $2,543.74 and $2,559.85. On the downside, immediate support lies at $2,490.10, followed by $2,470.54 and $2,451.82.

The upward channel on the chart suggests that the buying trend will persist above the $2,508 level. The 50-day EMA at $2,476.15 and the 200-day EMA at $2,425.00 both indicate a bullish trend. As long as gold remains above $2,508, the bullish trend is likely to continue. However, a drop below this level could trigger a sharp reversal, leading to a potential selling trend.

Find below some of our Buy/Sell Recommendations. Balfour Capital Group is a distinguished global boutique investment management firm with $350 million AUM and over 1000 Clients.

Disclaimer: This Buy/Sell Recommendations provides financial insights for informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice or recommendations for investment decisions.