Forever 21? More Like Forever Gone
In this issue of the peel:
Market Snapshot
Banana Bits
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Macro Monkey Says
Oil’s Well That Ends Well?
In the latest episode of "As the World Burns," oil prices took center stage, performing a gravity-defying act reminiscent of a caffeinated kangaroo.?
The catalyst? President Trump's stern warning to Iran, holding them accountable for any future Houthi shenanigans. It's as if the oil market suddenly remembered it's allergic to geopolitical tension and broke out in hives.
Over the weekend, the U.S. military decided to play whack-a-mole with Houthi rebels in Yemen. The U.S. has vowed to continue its "unrelenting" campaign until the Houthis agree to a ceasefire, aiming to safeguard the vital waterways crucial for global energy and cargo shipments.
Not to be left out, Iran received a sternly worded memo from President Trump, warning that any further Houthi hijinks would result in Tehran facing "consequences." It's the diplomatic equivalent of a parent threatening to "turn this car around" if the backseat antics don't stop.
Meanwhile, oil traders, ever the drama enthusiasts, reacted predictably. Brent crude rose 0.6% to $70.52? per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate crude also climbed 0.5% to $67.48 a barrel. It's as if the mere hint of Middle Eastern tension sends them into a tizzy, clutching their pearls and bidding up prices.?
In summary, the geopolitical soap opera continues, with oil prices playing the role of the damsel in distress. As tensions ebb and flow, one thing remains certain: the oil market loves a good cliffhanger.
Career Corner
Question
As I’ll start my internship in 10 days, do you suggest I reach out to folks in the firm for an early catch-up?
Answer
Maybe the person who is directly managing you, but besides that, you will have plenty of time for coffee chats throughout your internship.
Head Mentor,?WSO Academy
What's Ripe
Hesai Group (HSAI) 12.6%
Intel (INTC) 6.8%
What's Rotten
Discover Financial (DFS) 6.9%
Peloton (PTON) 6.5%
Thought Banana
Forever 21’s Not-So-Trendy Ending
In a move that has fashionistas clutching their pearls, Forever 21 has filed for bankruptcy for the second time in five years, announcing plans to shutter all 350 of its U.S. stores.?
Once the darling of fast fashion, the retailer's fall from grace reads like a cautionary tale of what happens when you try to stay "forever" young in a rapidly changing market.
The company's woes began as it faced stiff competition from online upstarts like Shein and Temu, who swooped in with trendier styles and rock-bottom prices.?
Forever 21's attempts to pivot, including a partnership with Shein in 2023, were akin to putting a band-aid on a bullet hole—too little, too late. The collaboration saw moderate success but wasn't enough to pull the brand out of its downward spiral.
As the retailer prepares for liquidation, shoppers are flocking to stores for final sales, eager to snag deals before the doors close for good. Meanwhile, the brand's international stores remain unaffected, continuing to operate under separate licensing agreements.
So, what lessons can be gleaned from Forever 21's saga??
Perhaps it's a reminder that in the fast-paced fashion world, staying relevant requires more than just slapping "trendy" on a neon sign. Adaptability, keen market insight, and a dash of humility might just be the new black.
The Big Question: Will other fast fashion giants learn from Forever 21’s mistakes, or are we looking at the beginning of more bankruptcies in the industry?
Banana Brain Teaser
Previous
A certain characteristic in a large population has a distribution that is symmetric about the mean m. If 68% of the distribution lies within one standard deviation d of the mean, what percent of the distribution is less than m+d?
Answer: 84%
Today
In a box of 12 pens, a total of 3 are defective. If a customer buys 2 pens selected at random from the box, what is the probability that neither pen will be defective?
Send your guesses to [email protected]
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The individual investor should act consistently as an investor and not as a speculator.
Benjamin Graham
How Would You Rate Today's Peel?
Happy Investing,
Chris, Vyom, Ankit & Patrick