Últimas noticias sobre Dollar Gen (NYSE:DG) Bolsa

Dollar Gen

With more than 20,000 locations, Dollar General's banner is nearly ubiquitous across the rural United States. Dollar General serves as a convenient shopping destination for fill-in store trips, with its value proposition most relevant to consumers in small communities with a dearth of shopping options. The retailer operates a frugal store of about 7,500 square feet and primarily offers an assortment of branded and private-label consumable items (80% of net sales) such as paper and cleaning products, packaged and perishable food, and health and beauty items at low prices. Dollar General also offers a limited assortment of seasonal merchandise, home products, and apparel. The firm sells most items at a price point of $10 or less.

Dollar General

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Barclays analyst Karen Short maintains Dollar Gen (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DG#NYSE">DG</a>) with a Overweight and lowers the price target from $102 to $100.

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Barclays Maintains Overweight on Dollar Gen, Lowers Price Target to $100

Wall Street enters 2025 singing the same song it has sung for the past few years:
Artificial Intelligence!
Quantum Computing!
FinTech!
Tesla! (Ticker: TSLA)
Crypto!
Tech!
More tech!
That is where the action is; as we know, these things can grow forever, and nothing could go wrong.
The business&#8217;s more &#8220;prominent&#8221; folks suggest indexing and a 60-40 mix of stocks and bonds.
Never mind that this exposes you to a massive position in high-multiple tech stocks and low total returns over the next decade.
It is prudent.
All the textbooks say so.
I am more interested in the things Wall Street never talks about.
Wall Street never mentions the type of small banks mentioned last week.
Old economy companies trading for less than the liquidation value of the assets they own are never talked about.
Unless they are doing an IPO that lures buyers willing to pay a high fee, you will never hear closed-end funds mentioned.
When they are out of favor and trading at a discount to the value of the stocks and bonds in the fund and throwing off a high stream of regular income, the big firms and Instant Experts of the internet are as silent as the mice scurrying in the rafters of Trinity Church.
You rarely hear any discussion of real estate aside from the occasional asset allocation scheme that calls for a 10% allocation to Real Estate Investment Trusts for diversification purposes.
No one mentions the Morningstar data that shows that since 1972, REITs have outperformed the S&amp;P 500.
The CREM Benchmarking study never comes up either.
That study clarifies that REITs have outperformed private equity in defined benefit pension plans over the last 25 years.
The instant experts are too busy trying to predict which company will dominate nuclear energy when the new plants are finally turned on and can produce cash flow in future years. They never mention the REITs throwing off growing streams of cash right now.
Wall Street and the Instant Experts only care about what is hot now.
You will hear little mention of portfolios of almost fully leased properties that pay investors a huge amount of cash every quarter.
Broadstone Net Lease (Ticker: BNL) is a great example of a collection of properties producing regular cash streams that are being distributed to shareholders as dividends.
Broadstone owns industrial, warehouse, and retail properties across the United States.
The average lease has 11 years to run, and all leases have a 2% escalation clause that helps protect cash flows from inflation.
Its tenants include Nestlé, Carvana, Tractor Supply, and other well-known companies with excellent credit profiles.
30% of its properties are manufacturing facilities making everything from food products to semiconductors.
It has both normal and cold storage warehouse facilities, and it will see increased demand from the remaking of the global supply chain and the continued rise of e-commerce.
All of the properties are net lease properties, which means that tenants pay all maintenance, insurance, and taxes in addition to rent.
Broadstone has an excellent balance sheet, with BBB credit ratings and about twice as much equity as long-term debt.
The REIT maintains plenty of liquidity, so it can withstand all economic turmoil and take advantage of opportunities created by disruptions.
This is not the most exciting story you will hear this year.
It may be the most consistent and profitable over the next several years. The current yield on the shares is about 7.3%, and the shares trade at a fairly steep discount to my internal calculation of net asset value.
None of the chattering experts on the internet will be excited about a collection of retailers we all drive by and use every day of our lives that is throwing off cash, either.
Alpine Income Property Trust (Ticker: PINE) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) specializing in owning and managing high-quality, single-tenant retail and office properties. Based in Florida, the company strategically focuses on acquiring net lease assets in thriving markets across the United States.
Alpine emphasizes properties leased to strong, creditworthy tenants, often with long-term, triple-net lease agreements that shift maintenance, taxes, and insurance costs to the tenant.
Its tenants include companies like Walmart (Ticker: WMT), Dollar General (Ticker: DG), 7-Eleven, Bass Pro Shops, Best Buy (Ticker: BBY), and CVS (Ticker: CVS).
Alpine&#8217;s properties are also leased on a triple-net basis, so most of the cash collected goes back to shareholders as a dividend.
The yield is currently about 6.6%, and the portfolio of properties is, in my calculation, worth much more than the current price of the shares.
When it comes to investing, boring companies that generate a lot of cash have a better-than-average chance of being wildly profitable investments for patient, aggressive investors.
In the case of REITs, that has been the case for more than five decades.

Opinion

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Consumers were focused on value in 2024 as inflation drove many shoppers to stretch their dollars, cut back on unnecessary purchases, and trade down to less expensive alternatives. Here's a look at emerging trends that could drive consumer <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42686215/2025-crypto-policy-preview-warns-clarity-will-come-from-congress-not-the-sec">behavior in 2025. </a>
Bulk Buyers: Wholesale clubs like Costco Wholesale Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COST#NASDAQ">COST</a>) and Sam's Club are gaining popularity as consumers are spending less time at traditional grocery stores. According to data from Placer.ai, the share of traditional grocery store visitors who also visited a Costco at least three times during the third quarter grew across chains.
The wholesale clubs are also benefitting from Millennials who have reached the family-rearing stage and are looking to purchase larger quantities at lower prices.
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Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMG#NYSE">CMG</a>) recently unveiled the "Autocado" avocado-peeling robot at a California location. The Autocado location is drawing 10% more visits than other locations in the same metro area and has reduced customer wait times with 43.9% of visits lasting less than 10 minutes.&nbsp;
McDonald&#8217;s Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCD#NYSE">MCD</a>) is also testing the waters with its first &#8211; almost &#8211; fully automated, takeaway-only restaurant in Texas where customers order at self-serve kiosks and orders are delivered by robots. Humans are still preparing the food, but the customer experience is interaction-free.&nbsp;
Small-Format Stores: Retailers are rethinking store formats as a smaller footprint can make stores more accessible, reduce costs and allow new locations in smaller growth markets.&nbsp;
Macy's, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/M#NYSE">M</a>) announced a turnaround plan in 2024 that includes a pivot towards smaller-format Macy's locations. Macy's also continues to expand its highly-curated, small-format Bloomie's concept, which features a mix of established and trendy pop-up brands tailored to local preferences.
The smaller, more accessible Macy's locations drew a higher share of weekday visitors and local customers than Macy's traditional stores in the third quarter of 2024, according to Placer.ai.  
Dollar Dips: The new year may bring a slower rate of growth to discount and dollar stores like Dollar Tree, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DLTR#NASDAQ">DLTR</a>) and Dollar General Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DG#NYSE">DG</a>).&nbsp;
Placer.ai's data shows the average number of visits to each discount and dollar store location remained essentially flat compared to 2023, while visits to superstores and grocery stores grew by 2.8% and 1%, respectively.&nbsp;
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Image: Shutterstock

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Fast-Food Robots, Smaller Stores, Wholesale Clubs: 2025 Retail Trends To Watch

Dollar Gen's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DG#NYSE">DG</a>) short percent of float has risen 14.56% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 8.27 million shares sold short, which is 4.25% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 2.2 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Dollar Gen Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1735047921_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Dollar Gen has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Dollar Gen's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Dollar Gen's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 3.44%, which means the company has more short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Short Sellers

Short Ideas

How Is The Market Feeling About Dollar Gen?

Deep-pocketed investors have adopted a bearish approach towards Dollar Gen (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DG#NYSE">DG</a>), and it's something market players shouldn't ignore. Our tracking of public options records at Benzinga unveiled this significant move today. The identity of these investors remains unknown, but such a substantial move in DG usually suggests something big is about to happen.
We gleaned this information from our observations today when Benzinga's options scanner highlighted 11 extraordinary options activities for Dollar Gen. This level of activity is out of the ordinary.
The general mood among these heavyweight investors is divided, with 9% leaning bullish and 81% bearish. Among these notable options, 7 are puts, totaling $927,997, and 4 are calls, amounting to $174,454.
<h3>Expected Price Movements</h3>
Analyzing the Volume and Open Interest in these contracts, it seems that the big players have been eyeing a price window from $40.0 to $150.0 for Dollar Gen during the past quarter. 
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Trends</h3>
In terms of liquidity and interest, the mean open interest for Dollar Gen options trades today is 1219.67 with a total volume of 3,126.00.
In the following chart, we are able to follow the development of volume and open interest of call and put options for Dollar Gen's big money trades within a strike price range of $40.0 to $150.0 over the last 30 days.
<h3>Dollar Gen Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1734978618_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Biggest Options Spotted:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>DG</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$10.25</td>
<td>$10.1</td>
<td>$10.25</td>
<td>$80.00</td>
<td>$254.2K</td>
<td>2.3K</td>
<td align="right">285</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DG</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>01/31/25</td>
<td>$16.05</td>
<td>$13.15</td>
<td>$14.64</td>
<td>$88.00</td>
<td>$218.7K</td>
<td>0</td>
<td align="right">148</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DG</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$10.7</td>
<td>$10.7</td>
<td>$10.7</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
<td>$107.0K</td>
<td>2.2K</td>
<td align="right">310</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DG</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$10.85</td>
<td>$10.65</td>
<td>$10.77</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
<td>$106.6K</td>
<td>2.2K</td>
<td align="right">410</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DG</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$10.7</td>
<td>$10.45</td>
<td>$10.7</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
<td>$105.9K</td>
<td>2.2K</td>
<td align="right">210</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Dollar Gen</h3>
With more than 20,000 locations, Dollar General's banner is nearly ubiquitous across the rural United States. Dollar General serves as a convenient shopping destination for fill-in store trips, with its value proposition most relevant to consumers in small communities with a dearth of shopping options. The retailer operates a frugal store of about 7,500 square feet and primarily offers an assortment of branded and private-label consumable items (80% of net sales) such as paper and cleaning products, packaged and perishable food, and health and beauty items at low prices. Dollar General also offers a limited assortment of seasonal merchandise, home products, and apparel. The firm sells most items at a price point of $10 or less.
After a thorough review of the options trading surrounding Dollar Gen, we move to examine the company in more detail. This includes an assessment of its current market status and performance.
<h3>Present Market Standing of Dollar Gen</h3>
<ul>
<li>Trading volume stands at 2,433,632, with DG's price down by -3.27%, positioned at $73.91.</li>
<li>RSI indicators show the stock to be is currently neutral between overbought and oversold.</li>
<li>Earnings announcement expected in 80 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Professional Analyst Ratings for Dollar Gen</h3>
In the last month, 5 experts released ratings on this stock with an average target price of $87.4.
Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move
Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=Be8be9arja3be22bz20&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; In a positive move, an analyst from B of A Securities has upgraded their rating to Buy and adjusted the price target to $95. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Telsey Advisory Group persists with their Market Perform rating on Dollar Gen, maintaining a target price of $88. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Telsey Advisory Group continues to hold a Market Perform rating for Dollar Gen, targeting a price of $90. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from BMO Capital keeps a Market Perform rating on Dollar Gen with a target price of $84. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Wells Fargo continues to hold a Equal-Weight rating for Dollar Gen, targeting a price of $80. 
Trading options involves greater risks but also offers the potential for higher profits. Savvy traders mitigate these risks through ongoing education, strategic trade adjustments, utilizing various indicators, and staying attuned to market dynamics. Keep up with the latest options trades for Dollar Gen with <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> for real-time alerts.

Options

Unpacking the Latest Options Trading Trends in Dollar Gen

Tech stocks began Christmas week with positive momentum, as the Nasdaq 100 rose 0.4% on Monday, building on a 0.7% gain from Friday. The index has now recovered nearly half of the losses sustained following the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/federal-reserve">Federal Reserve's recent policy meeting.</a>
Semiconductors stood out as the top-performing sector:
<ul>
<li>iShares Semiconductor ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SOXX#NYSE">SOXX</a>) jumping 2.3%.</li>
<li>Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>), up 4.7%</li>
<li>Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>), which surged 4.9%.</li>
</ul>
Meanwhile, other major indices showed minimal movement in what appeared to be a session marked by low trading volumes.
Consumer staples emerged as the weakest sector, with notable declines in major retailers. Dollar General Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DG#NYSE">DG</a>) dropped 3.3%, while Walmart Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>) shed 2.8%. 
In economic news, U.S. consumer confidence fell sharply in December, with the index dropping 8.1 points to 104.7 amid worsening expectations in future economic conditions.
The U.S. dollar index edged higher, mirroring a further surge in Treasury yields. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose 4 basis points to 4.57%, approaching its highest closing level since late May.
In commodities, gold slipped 0.4%, set to break a two-session winning streak, while oil prices declined 1%.
In the cryptocurrency market, Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) fell 1.7% to around $93,000, eyeing its fifth loss in the past six sessions.
Shares of MicroStrategy Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>) tumbled over 4% in their first trading session after the company's inclusion in the Nasdaq 100 index.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Monday&#8217;s Performance In Major US Indices, ETFs</h3>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Major Indices</td>
<td>Price</td>
<td>1-day %chg</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq 100</td>
<td>21,373.71</td>
<td>0.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>5,932.42</td>
<td>0.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>2,232.71</td>
<td>-0.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>42,620.75</td>
<td>-0.5%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Updated at 12:30 p.m. ET </figcaption></figure>
According to&nbsp;<a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent122324&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">Benzinga Pro</a>&nbsp;data:
<ul>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) edged 0.1% higher to $592.12.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>)&nbsp;eased 0.4% to $427.22.</li>
<li>The tech-heavy&nbsp;Invesco QQQ Trust Series&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) rose 0.4% to $520.67.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;iShares Russell 2000 ETF&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) eased 0.4% to $221.06.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLK#NYSE">XLK</a>) outperformed, up by 0.5%; the&nbsp;Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLP#NYSE">XLP</a>) lagged, down 2%.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Monday&#8217;s Stock Movers</h3>
<ul>
<li>Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>) rose 3% following a 17.8% drop on Friday. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced on Monday that it has approved Hikma Pharmaceuticals&#8217; generic version of Novo Nordisk&#8217;s Victoza for treating type 2 diabetes.</li>
<li>New Fortress Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFE#NASDAQ">NFE</a>) rallied 18%, after Stifel raised the stock price target from $16 to $18. </li>
<li>Carnival Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CCL#NYSE">CCL</a>) fell over 4% following a 6.4% post-earning rally Friday. </li>
</ul>
Read now: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42653753/history-may-hint-at-sp-500-struggles-in-2025-yet-there-is-also-hope-heres-why">History Suggests S&amp;P 500 Could Struggle In 2025, But There&#8217;s Reason For Optimism</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Tech

$BTC

AVGO

SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust

MSTR

iShares PHLX SOX Semiconductor Sector Index Fund

SOXX

XLRE

Tech Stocks Eye Christmas Gains, Microstrategy Tumbles As Bitcoin Dips To $93,000: What's Driving Markets Monday?

Benzinga examined the prospects for<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas"> many investors&#8217; favorite stocks</a> over the last week — here&#8217;s a look at some of our top stories.
The Dow dropped 1.8% this week, while the S&amp;P 500 fell 0.6%, ending a three-week winning streak. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq gained 0.3%, continuing its climb, driven by optimism in tech and artificial intelligence. 
The Nasdaq 100, boosted by the Magnificent Seven, reached record highs, approaching the 22,000 mark and logging a 30% year-to-date gain. Five of the group's stocks, including Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) and Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), hit new highs, with their combined market value <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/12/42492966/ai-driven-rally-pushes-tech-stocks-to-records-broadcom-enters-trillion-dollar-club-inflation-data-flashes-warning-signal-this-week-in-the-markets">surpassing $18 trillion.</a>
Inflationary pressures also persisted in November, with the Consumer Price Index rising 2.7% year-over-year, marking the second consecutive annual increase and presenting challenges for the Federal Reserve's 2% target. Shelter costs, which rose 0.3%, accounted for 40% of the monthly CPI gain, underscoring the sticky nature of inflation despite <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/12/42436676/inflation-rises-as-expected-in-november-sustain-hopes-for-next-weeks-fed-interest-rate-cut">earlier signs of disinflation.</a>
Benzinga provides daily reports on the stocks most popular with investors. Here are a few of this past week&#8217;s most bullish and bearish posts that are worth another look.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Bulls</h3>
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/12/42449593/tesla-stock-is-analysts-top-2025-sector-pick-elon-musks-political-involvement-will-accelerate-teslas-journey-beyond-autos">Tesla Is Analyst&#8217;s Top 2025 Stock Pick: Elon Musk Political Involvement May &#8216;Accelerate&#8217; EV Maker Beyond Autos</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/chris-katje">Chris Katje</a>, highlights Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) as an analyst&#8217;s top automotive pick for 2025, citing Elon Musk's political influence as a catalyst for Tesla&#8217;s expansion into AI, robotics, and renewable energy beyond its core automotive business.
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42405504/dogecoin-can-touch-18-if-things-go-wild-says-influential-crypto-trader-thankful-for-the-dip-and-will-buy-more">Dogecoin Can Touch $18 If Things &#8216;Go Wild,&#8217; Says Influential Crypto Trader: &#8216;Thankful For The Dip And Will Buy More&#8217;</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/aniket-verma">Aniket Verma</a>, shares a crypto analyst&#8217;s bullish prediction for Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>), targeting $3 with a potential high of $18 in a &#8220;wild&#8221; scenario, while using dips between $0.40 and $0.30 to increase holdings early in the bull cycle.
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42433049/microstrategy-nasdaq-100-inclusion-on-the-horizon-could-spell-59-upside-says-bernstein">MicroStrategy: Nasdaq 100 Inclusion On The Horizon Could Spell 59% Upside, Says Bernstein</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/murtuza-merchant">Murtuza Merchant</a>, highlights the significance of MicroStrategy Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>) joining the Nasdaq 100. Bernstein projects the move could enhance visibility, drive $2.1 billion in ETF inflows, and support a $600 price target, underpinned by the company's Bitcoin-centric growth strategy.
For additional bullish calls of the past week, check out the following:
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42433831/bitcoin-to-200000-ethereum-to-7000-solana-to-750-in-2025-predicts-bitwise">Bitcoin To $200,000, Ethereum To $7,000, Solana To $750 In 2025, Predicts Bitwise</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42453057/palantir-positioned-to-become-the-next-oracle-in-2025-says-dan-ives-messi-of-ai-set-for-breakout-year">Palantir Positioned To Become &#8216;The Next&#8217; Oracle In 2025, Says Dan Ives: &#8216;Messi Of AI&#8217; Set For Breakout Year</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/space/24/12/42412982/russell-2000-high-flyers-4-stocks-shaping-2024-with-quantum-ai-nuclear-space">Russell 2000 High Flyers: 4 Stocks Shaping 2024 With Quantum, AI, Nuclear, Space</a>
The Bears
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/24/12/42404352/nvidia-china-antitrust-probe-may-remain-unsolved-in-near-term-says-top-analyst-investors-should-be-prepared-for-increased-scrutiny">Nvidia China Antitrust Probe May &#8216;Remain Unsolved&#8217; In Near Term Says Top Analyst; Investors Should Be Prepared For Increased Scrutiny</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/ananya-gairola">Ananya Gairola</a>, discusses China&#8217;s investigation into NVIDIA Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) for potential anti-competitive practices, with TF Securities&#8217; Ming-Chi Kuo predicting limited short-term financial impact but warning of escalating scrutiny, including possible future CUDA-related probes.
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/12/42402629/trump-to-change-dollar-stores-for-good-dollar-tree-exec-says-prepared-to-act">Trump To Change Dollar Stores For Good? Dollar Tree Exec Says &#8216;Prepared To Act&#8217;</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/chris-katje">Chris Katje</a>, highlights Dollar Tree Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DLTR#NASDAQ">DLTR</a>) and Dollar General Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DG#NYSE">DG</a>) bracing for cost pressures from proposed tariffs, with Dollar Tree's CEO stating the company is ready to adapt its pricing and supply strategies.
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/12/42468190/defense-stocks-face-headwinds-as-trumps-doge-targets-spending-cuts-goldman-sachs-downgrades-general-dynamics-to-sell">Defense Stocks Face Headwinds As Trump&#8217;s DOGE Targets Spending Cuts: Goldman Sachs Downgrades General Dynamics</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/piero-cingari">Piero Cingari</a>, reports Goldman Sachs&#8217; downgrade of General Dynamics Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GD#NYSE">GD</a>) to Sell, citing risks from Donald Trump&#8216;s Department of Government Efficiency&#8217;s potential Pentagon budget cuts, while Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LMT#NYSE">LMT</a>) and Northrop Grumman Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOC#NYSE">NOC</a>) remain under scrutiny for valuation concerns and slowing growth.
For more bearish takes, be sure to see these posts:
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/12/42452944/larry-summers-cautions-on-trumps-tariffs-and-tax-cuts-markets-are-hair-trigger-sensitive-to-inflation">Larry Summers Warns Of Nixon-Era Risks In Trump&#8217;s Term: Policies Could Trigger &#8216;Significantly Larger&#8217; Inflation</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/24/12/42482813/intel-cfo-hints-at-possible-division-split-as-company-struggles-to-recapture-moat">Intel CFO Hints at Possible Division Split as Company Struggles To Recapture Moat</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/12/42430772/janet-yellen-warns-trump-tariffs-could-undermine-confidence-in-financial-markets-and-raise-american-household-costs">Janet Yellen Warns Trump Tariffs Could &#8216;Undermine Confidence In Financial Markets&#8217; And Raise American Household Costs</a>
Keep up with all the latest breaking news and trading ideas by following<a href="https://twitter.com/Benzinga"> Benzinga</a><a href="http://twitter.com/Benzinga"> on Twitter</a>.
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Benzinga Bulls And Bears: Tesla, Nvidia, MicroStrategy, Dollar Tree, And Dogecoin Prediction Of $18 In 'Wild' Scenario

A large exercise of company stock options by Kathleen Reardon, EVP &amp; Chief People Officer at Dollar Gen (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DG#NYSE">DG</a>) was disclosed in a new SEC filing on December 11, as part of an insider exercise.
What Happened: Reardon, EVP &amp; Chief People Officer at Dollar Gen, exercised stock options for 3,583 shares of DG stock. This information was disclosed in a Form 4 filing with the <a href="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000029534/000106299324020436//Archives/edgar/data/29534/000106299324020436/0001062993-24-020436-index.htm">U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission</a> on Wednesday. The exercise price of the options was $74.72 per share.
Dollar Gen shares are trading, exhibiting down of 1.46% and priced at $78.66 during Thursday's morning. This values Reardon's 3,583 shares at $14,099.
<h3>Delving into Dollar Gen's Background</h3>
With more than 20,000 locations, Dollar General's banner is nearly ubiquitous across the rural United States. Dollar General serves as a convenient shopping destination for fill-in store trips, with its value proposition most relevant to consumers in small communities with a dearth of shopping options. The retailer operates a frugal store of about 7,500 square feet and primarily offers an assortment of branded and private-label consumable items (80% of net sales) such as paper and cleaning products, packaged and perishable food, and health and beauty items at low prices. Dollar General also offers a limited assortment of seasonal merchandise, home products, and apparel. The firm sells most items at a price point of $10 or less.
<h3>Unraveling the Financial Story of Dollar Gen</h3>
Revenue Growth: Dollar Gen's remarkable performance in 3 months is evident. As of 31 October, 2024, the company achieved an impressive revenue growth rate of 5.05%. This signifies a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. In comparison to its industry peers, the company stands out with a growth rate higher than the average among peers in the Consumer Staples sector.
Insights into Profitability:
<ul>
<li>
Gross Margin: The company maintains a high gross margin of 28.83%, indicating strong cost management and profitability compared to its peers.
</li>
<li>
Earnings per Share (EPS): The company excels with an EPS that surpasses the industry average. With a current EPS of 0.89, Dollar Gen showcases strong earnings per share.
</li>
</ul>
Debt Management: Dollar Gen's debt-to-equity ratio surpasses industry norms, standing at 2.39. This suggests the company carries a substantial amount of debt, posing potential financial challenges.
Valuation Metrics:
<ul>
<li>
Price to Earnings (P/E) Ratio: Dollar Gen's P/E ratio of 13.17 is below the industry average, suggesting the stock may be undervalued.
</li>
<li>
Price to Sales (P/S) Ratio: The Price to Sales ratio is 0.44, which is lower than the industry average. This suggests a possible undervaluation based on sales performance.
</li>
<li>
EV/EBITDA Analysis (Enterprise Value to its Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation &amp; Amortization): At 11.76, Dollar Gen's EV/EBITDA ratio reflects a below-par valuation compared to industry averages signalling undervaluation
</li>
</ul>
Market Capitalization Analysis: Falling below industry benchmarks, the company's market capitalization reflects a reduced size compared to peers. This positioning may be influenced by factors such as growth expectations or operational capacity.
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<h3>Unmasking the Significance of Insider Transactions</h3>
Insider transactions shouldn't be used primarily to make an investing decision, however, they can be an important factor for an investor to consider.
When discussing legal matters, the term "insider" refers to any officer, director, or beneficial owner holding more than ten percent of a company's equity securities, as stipulated in Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. This includes executives in the c-suite and significant hedge funds. Such insiders are required to report their transactions through a Form 4 filing, which must be completed within two business days of the transaction.
A new purchase by a company insider is a indication that they anticipate the stock will rise.
On the other hand, insider sells may not necessarily indicate a bearish view and can be motivated by various factors.
<h3>A Deep Dive into Insider Transaction Codes</h3>
Taking a closer look at transactions, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/investing-tools">investors</a> often prioritize those unfolding in the open market, meticulously cataloged in Table I of the Form 4 filing. A P in Box 3 denotes a purchase, while S signifies a sale. Transaction code C denotes the conversion of an option, and transaction code A signifies a grant, award, or other acquisition of securities from the company.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/sec/insider-trades/search/index?company_cik=0000029534">Check Out The Full List Of Dollar Gen's Insider Trades.</a>
Insider Buying Alert: Profit from C-Suite Moves
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This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Insider Trades

Options Exercise Update At Dollar Gen: Kathleen Reardon Engages

President-elect Donald Trump will name ex-Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.) as his choice for ambassador to China, a pivotal role <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/12/42367505/economists-warn-trumps-tariffs-on-canada-mexico-and-china-could-hurt-your-budget-more-than-help-it" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">in shaping the future of U.S.-China relations</a>.
Perdue, who served in the U.S. Senate from 2015 to 2021, is known for his strong stance on China, a position that has earned him the label of &#8220;anti-China&#8221; from Chinese think tanks, BBC <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj0rj0vl4n8o" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports</a>.
The selection places Perdue at the heart of one of the most critical foreign policy challenges for the United States, as tensions with China continue to escalate, particularly over trade and military influence.
Perdue&#8217;s career is a blend of business acumen and political service. Before entering politics, he held senior executive positions at major companies, including Reebok and Dollar General Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DG#NYSE">DG</a>), per <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/David-Perdue" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Britannica</a>, where he became known for his successful turnarounds of struggling businesses.
His corporate background has been both praised by investors and criticized by political opponents, who argue that his methods favored shareholders over the well-being of employees.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42333675/fbi-warns-of-ongoing-china-backed-telecom-hacks-heres-how-encrypted-messaging-could-be-your-last-line-of-defense" rel="noreferrer noopener">FBI Warns Of Ongoing China-Backed Telecom Hacks: Here&#8217;s Why Encrypted Messaging Could Be Your Last Line Of Defense</a>
When he first ran for the Senate, Perdue presented himself as a businessman who could bring pragmatic solutions to Washington&#8217;s complex issues.
During his time in the Senate, Perdue was vocal about the growing threat posed by China. He advocated for a stronger U.S. military, particularly the Navy, to counter China&#8217;s increasing military presence in the region.
His views align with the broader &#8220;hawkish&#8221; approach of Trump&#8217;s foreign policy team, which has taken a hard line on China&#8217;s economic practices and military expansion.
In a September essay, Perdue described China&#8217;s government as a force seeking to undermine U.S. capitalism and democracy, framing the nation as a strategic adversary, CNN <a target="_blank" href="https://www.politico.com/news/2024/12/06/trumps-china-ambassador-bad-news-beijing-00193088" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports</a>.
The Trump administration has vowed to impose tough tariffs on Chinese imports, citing the longstanding trade imbalance between the two nations.
Perdue&#8217;s appointment as ambassador is expected to play a key role in managing this delicate and potentially volatile relationship, as the U.S. looks to navigate the complex dynamics of trade, security, and diplomacy with one of its biggest global rivals.
Perdue lost his Senate seat to Democrat Jon Ossoff in 2020 and later ran unsuccessfully for governor of Georgia in 2022, challenging incumbent Republican Gov. Brian Kemp in a primary that Kemp won easily.
During his gubernatorial campaign, he echoed Trump&#8217;s false claims of electoral fraud in the 2020 election.
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Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Politics

Media

Trump Taps Perdue for China, Signaling More Tension with Beijing

Dollar General Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DG#NYSE">DG</a>) shares <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/movers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">are trading higher Friday</a> after the company reported third-quarter adjusted earnings per share of 89 cents, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/12/42341098/dollar-general-clocks-upbeat-q3-same-store-sales-despite-hurricanes-and-financially-constrained-core-customers-tightens-annual-outlook" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">missing the consensus of 94 cents.</a>
The discount retailer&#8217;s EPS is down 29.4% year-over-year. It now expects 2024 net sales growth of approximately 4.8% to 5.1%, compared to its previous expectation of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/08/40623595/dollar-general-q2-earnings-earnings-miss-slashed-outlook-and-shrinking-margins" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">roughly 4.7% to 5.3%</a>.
Here are the analysts&#8217; takes on the&nbsp;earnings results:
<ul>
<li>Goldman Sachs analyst Kate McShane reiterated the Buy rating, lowering the price objective to $104 from $122.</li>
<li>Bank of America Securities analyst Robert F. Ohmes upgraded Dollar General from Underperform to Buy, with a price forecast of $95.</li>
</ul>
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42369266/meta-reddit-stocks-climb-record-highs-as-tiktoks-battle-against-us-ban-continues-after-court-ruling" rel="noreferrer noopener">TikTok Loses Court Appeal Against Ban, Meta, Reddit Stocks Hit All-Time High</a>
McShane raised the fiscal year 2024 EPS estimate by 0.9% to $5.79. This reflects lower interest expenses from paying down a $750 million note.
The fiscal year 2025 and fiscal 2026 EPS estimates were lowered by 6.8% and 7.4%, respectively. This was due to higher SG&amp;A growth and expected return of incentive compensation.
Overall, the analyst notes that Dollar General saw small wins this quarter, including positive traffic, monthly comps, larger basket sizes, discretionary growth, and share gains with higher-income consumers.
Ohmes upgraded the stock, citing early success in its &#8220;Back-to-Basics&#8221; strategy, including improved inventory, higher in-stock levels, better customer satisfaction, and strong merchandising.
Ohmes also noted SKU reductions, a refreshed sorting process, and the launch of e.l.f. Beauty, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ELF#NYSE">ELF</a>) products as factors supporting growth and profitability in 2025.
The analyst sees benefits from inventory rightsizing, with overall and NC inventory down 7% and 9% per store, respectively, along with plans for 2K full store and 2.25K &#8220;Project Elevate&#8221; remodels, supporting comps of 6%-8% and 3%-5%, respectively.
Price Action: DG shares are trading higher by 2.93% to $81.96&nbsp; at last check Friday.
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Image: Shutterstock

Dollar General 'Back-To-Basics' Strategy Earns Analyst Upgrade Following Mixed Earnings

Dollar General Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DG#NYSE">DG</a>) reported downbeat earnings for its third <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/dg/earnings">quarter on Thursday</a>.
The company posted third-quarter adjusted EPS of 89 cents, down 29.4% year-over-year, missing the consensus of 94 cents. The retail behemoth reported quarterly sales of $10.2 billion, slightly above the consensus of $10.14 billion.
&#8220;We are pleased with our team&#8217;s execution in the third quarter, particularly in light of multiple hurricanes that impacted our business,&#8221; said Todd Vasos, Dollar General&#8217;s chief executive officer. &#8220;While we continue to operate in an environment where our core customer is financially constrained, we delivered same-store sales near the top end of our expectations for the quarter.&#8221;
Dollar General updated its financial guidance, including the negative impact of hurricane-related expenses of $32.7 million in the third quarter and an estimated fourth-quarter negative impact of approximately $10 million.
The company expects 2024 net sales growth of approximately 4.8% to 5.1%, compared to its previous expectation of roughly 4.7% to 5.3%.
Dollar General shares gained 3.1% to trade at $82.03 on Friday.
These analysts made changes to their price targets on Dollar General following earnings announcement.
<ul>
<li>Truist Securities analyst Scot Ciccarelli maintained Dollar General with a Hold and lowered the price target from $94 to $83.</li>
<li>Goldman Sachs analyst Kate McShane maintained the stock with a Buy and lowered the price target from $122 to $104.</li>
<li>BMO Capital analyst Kelly Bania maintained the stock with a Market Perform and raised the price target from $80 to $84.</li>
<li>Evercore ISI Group analyst Michael Montani maintained the stock with an In-Line and increased the price target from $95 to $96</li>
</ul>
Considering buying DG stock? Here&#8217;s what analysts think: 
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="440" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/06131247/Screenshot-2024-12-06-234230-1024x440.png" alt="" class="wp-image-681123" style="width:547px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/06131247/Screenshot-2024-12-06-234230-1024x440.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/06131247/Screenshot-2024-12-06-234230-300x129.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/06131247/Screenshot-2024-12-06-234230-768x330.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/06131247/Screenshot-2024-12-06-234230.png 1437w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
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These Analysts Revise Their Forecasts On Dollar General Following Q3 Results

Evercore ISI Group analyst Michael Montani maintains Dollar Gen (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DG#NYSE">DG</a>) with a In-Line and raises the price target from $95 to $96.

Evercore ISI Group Maintains In-Line on Dollar Gen, Raises Price Target to $96

B of A Securities analyst Koji Ikeda upgrades Dollar Gen (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DG#NYSE">DG</a>) from Underperform to Buy and maintains the price target from $95 to $95.

Upgrades

B of A Securities Upgrades Dollar Gen to Buy, Maintains Price Target to $95

BMO Capital analyst Kelly Bania maintains Dollar Gen (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DG#NYSE">DG</a>) with a Market Perform and raises the price target from $80 to $84.

BMO Capital Maintains Market Perform on Dollar Gen, Raises Price Target to $84

Goldman Sachs analyst Kate McShane maintains Dollar Gen (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DG#NYSE">DG</a>) with a Buy and lowers the price target from $122 to $104.

Goldman Sachs Maintains Buy on Dollar Gen, Lowers Price Target to $104

WIIM

Dollar General shares are trading higher. Bank of America upgraded its rating on the stock to Buy. BMO Capital also raised its price target from $80 to $84.

Truist Securities analyst Scot Ciccarelli maintains Dollar Gen (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DG#NYSE">DG</a>) with a Hold and lowers the price target from $94 to $83.

Truist Securities Maintains Hold on Dollar Gen, Lowers Price Target to $83

Telsey Advisory Group analyst Joseph Feldman maintains Dollar Gen (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DG#NYSE">DG</a>) with a Market Perform and lowers the price target from $90 to $88.

Telsey Advisory Group Maintains Market Perform on Dollar Gen, Lowers Price Target to $88

The CNN Money Fear and Greed index showed a decline in the overall market sentiment, while the index remained in the &#8220;Greed&#8221; zone on Thursday.
U.S. stocks settled lower on Thursday ahead of the much-awaited jobs report for November, with the Dow Jones index falling more than 200 points during the session. All three major indices notched solid gains on Wednesday, posting record closes.
Kroger Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KR#NYSE">KR</a>) reported weaker-than-expected sales for the third quarter on Thursday. Dollar General Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DG#NYSE">DG</a>) reported third-quarter adjusted EPS of 89 cents, down 29.4% year-over-year, missing the consensus of 94 cents.
On the economic data front, U.S. initial jobless claims increased to 224,000 in the week ending Nov. 30, compared to 213,000 in the previous week, and higher than market estimates of 215,000. U.S. trade deficit shrank to $73.8 billion in October versus a revised $83.8 billion gap in the previous month and compared to market estimates of a $75 billion gap.
Most sectors on the S&amp;P 500 closed on a negative note, with industrials, materials, and healthcare stocks recording the biggest losses on Thursday. However, consumer discretionary and consumer staples stocks bucked the overall market trend, closing the session higher.
The Dow Jones closed lower by around 248 points to 44,765.71 on Thursday. The S&amp;P 500 fell 0.19% to 6,075.11, while the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.17% to close at 19,700.72 during Thursday's session.
Investors are awaiting earnings results from Genesco Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GCO#NYSE">GCO</a>), BRP Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DOOO#NASDAQ">DOOO</a>), and Kirkland&#8217;s, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KIRK#NASDAQ">KIRK</a>) today.
What is CNN Business Fear &amp; Greed Index?
At a current reading of 55.8, the index remained in the &#8220;Greed&#8221; zone on Thursday, versus a prior reading of 56.9.
The Fear &amp; Greed Index is a measure of the current market sentiment. It is based on the premise that higher fear exerts pressure on stock prices, while higher greed has the opposite effect. The index is calculated based on seven equal-weighted indicators. The index ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 represents maximum fear and 100 signals maximum greediness.
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Dow Takes A Breather After Record Close, Dips Over 200 Points Ahead Of Jobs Report: Fear Index Remains In 'Greed' Zone

Wall Street experienced subdued trading on Thursday morning, with major indices remaining near the flatline as investors awaited further confirmation of potential interest rate cuts from the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/12/42346164/november-jobs-report-preview-will-it-seal-the-deal-for-a-fed-interest-rate-cut">upcoming November jobs report.</a>
The S&amp;P 500 and Nasdaq 100 edged up by 0.1%, extending their record-high levels, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.3%. Small-cap stocks underperformed, with the Russell 2000 declining 0.8%.
Airline stocks emerged as a standout industry, buoyed by American Airlines Group Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAL#NASDAQ">AAL</a>), which surged by a staggering 16% after the company raised its quarterly growth forecast on robust travel demand. 
Shares of United Airlines Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UAL#NASDAQ">UAL</a>) gained 5%, while Delta Air Lines Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DAL#NYSE">DAL</a>) climbed 4.3%. The broader sector, tracked by the U.S. Global Jets ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JETS#NYSE">JETS</a>), advanced 4%, reaching levels unseen since June 2021.
Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) added more than 3%, touching highs last seen in March 2022 after Bank of America raised its 12-month price target on the stock from $350 to $400, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/12/42344440/teslas-path-to-400-bank-of-america-highlights-ev-ai-growth">citing improving growth prospects.</a>
The U.S. dollar softened by 0.4%, while Treasury yields held steady, with little movement across the curve.
Gold dropped 0.9%, while copper and silver retreated 0.4% and 0.7%, respectively, reflecting broader weakness in metals.
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) was up 2.4% to trade around $101,000. The leading cryptocurrency briefly touched $103,650 by 10:00 a.m. ET before retreating slightly amid high volatility.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Thursday&#8217;s Performance In Major US Indices, ETFs</h3>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Major Indices</td>
<td>Price</td>
<td>1-day %chg</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>6,090.78</td>
<td>0.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq 100</td>
<td>21,497.32</td>
<td>0.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>44,829.20</td>
<td>-0.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>2,407.36</td>
<td>-0.8%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Updated at 12:45 p.m. ET</figcaption></figure>
According to&nbsp;<a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent120224&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">Benzinga Pro</a>&nbsp;data:
<ul>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) inched 0.1% up to $608.06.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>)&nbsp;eased 0.3% to $449.43.</li>
<li>The tech-heavy&nbsp;Invesco QQQ Trust Series&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) inched 0.1% up to $523.76.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;iShares Russell 2000 ETF&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) fell 0.8% to $239.12.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLY#NYSE">XLY</a>) outperformed, rising 1%; the&nbsp;Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLB#NYSE">XLB</a>) lagged, down 1.5%.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Thursday&#8217;s Stock Movers</h3>
<ul>
<li>Synopsys Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SNPS#NASDAQ">SNPS</a>) fell over 11% in reaction to the company&#8217;s latest earnings report. </li>
<li>Other stocks reacting to earnings included SentinelOne Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/S#NYSE">S</a>), down 10.3%, PVH Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PVH#NYSE">PVH</a>), down 0.7%, Five Below Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FIVE#NASDAQ">FIVE</a>), up 12%, Kroeger Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KR#NYSE">KR</a>), up 1.3%, and Dollar General Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DG#NYSE">DG</a>), down 3%. </li>
<li>Companies slated to report their earnings after the close are DocuSign Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DOCU#NASDAQ">DOCU</a>), Ulta Beauty Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ULTA#NASDAQ">ULTA</a>), Lululemon Athletica Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LULU#NASDAQ">LULU</a>), Veeva Systems Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VEEV#NYSE">VEEV</a>), Samsara Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IOT#NYSE">IOT</a>), and Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HPE#NYSE">HPE</a>). </li>
</ul>
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In a report released today, Zhihan Ma from Bernstein maintained a Buy rating on Dollar General (DG – Research Report), with a price target of $92.0...

Bernstein Sticks to Their Buy Rating for Dollar General (DG)

Following a strong Thanksgiving and holiday shopping season, the grocery and big-box retail industry is poised for continued growth. Elevated food prices have provided an additional tailwind for grocery chain retailers like Sprouts Farmers Market (SFM) and Dollar General Corp. (DG). But which of the two is more appetizing for your portfolio? Read on to find out… This holiday season brought a welcome boost to sales as Americans navigated elevated prices on groceries and other essentials. According to Mastercard SpendingPulse, holiday sales between early November and Christmas Eve <a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/u-s-consumers-increased-holiday-spending-this-year-even-as-they-battled-higher-prices">rose 3.8%</a>, surpassing last year's 3.1% growth. In fact, the last five days of the season accounted for 10% of total spending.
In this article, we'll compare the fundamentals of two grocery chain retailers, Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/SFM/">SFM</a>) and Dollar General Corporation (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/DG/">DG</a>), to ascertain which one is more appetizing for your portfolio.
Retailers faced added pressure to drive early and bulk purchases this year, given the five fewer shopping days between Thanksgiving and Christmas. New data from the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Prosper Insights &amp; Analytics shows that <a href="https://nrf.com/media-center/press-releases/197-million-consumers-shop-over-thanksgiving-holiday-weekend">197 million consumers</a> shopped during the five-day holiday weekend, including Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday. This figure, the second highest in the survey's history, exceeded NRF's initial forecast of 183.4 million shoppers.
In addition, the U.S. online grocery market recorded <a href="https://www.thepacker.com/news/retail/november-u-s-e-grocery-total-18-over-year-ago">$9.6 billion in monthly sales</a> in November 2024, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 17.8%. Looking ahead, the global food and grocery retail market is projected to hit $14.78 trillion by 2030, expanding at a <a href="https://www.grandviewresearch.com/press-release/global-food-grocery-retail-market">CAGR of 3.2%</a>.
With a market cap of over $13 billion, SFM operates as a retailer of fresh, natural, and organic food products under the Sprouts brand in the United States. Meanwhile, DG, with a market cap of $16.31 billion, is a discount retailer of consumable products, packaged food items, and perishables that include milk, eggs, bread, refrigerated and frozen food, beer, and wine.
The fourth-quarter results for both SFM and DG are due for revelation soon. SFM's revenue and EPS are expected to increase 15.1% and 47.3% year-over-year to $1.95 billion and $0.72 in the fiscal fourth quarter ended December 2024. On the contrary, DG's EPS for the fourth quarter (ending January 2025) is expected to decline by 18% year-over-year to $1.50. However, its revenue estimate of $10.26 billion indicates an increase of 4.1% from the same period last year.
In terms of price performance, SFM has gained 23.1% over the past three months, while DG declined 12.1%. Moreover, over the past year, SFM has gained 182.4% to close the last trading session at $138.94, whereas DG has lost 45.4% to close the last trading session at $74.17. SFM is a clear winner here.
Here are the reasons why I think SFM might perform better in the near term:
Recent Financial Results
SFM's net sales for the fiscal third quarter that ended September 29, 2024, came at $1.95 billion, up 13.6% year-over-year, while its <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/adjusted-ebitda.asp">adjusted EBITDA</a> grew 28.2% from the prior-year quarter to $158.58 million.
The company's adjusted net income and adjusted EPS rose 36.5% and 40% from the prior-year quarter to $91.61 million and $0.91, respectively. For the nine months that ended September 30, 2024, its cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash increased 22.8% year-over-year to $311.73 million.
On the other hand, DG's net sales came to $10.18 billion during the fiscal third quarter ended November 1, 2024, reflecting an increase of 5% year-over-year. However, its operating profit fell 25.3% from the year-ago value to $323.80 million. The company's net income and EPS stood at $196.53 million and $0.89, down 28.9% and 29.4%, respectively, from the previous year's quarter.
However, as of November 01, 2024, DG's cash and cash equivalents stood at $537.26 million, compared to $365.45 million as of November 03, 2023.
Profitability
SFM's trailing-12-month gross profit margin of 38% is higher than DG's 29.61%. In addition, SFM's trailing-12-month Return on Total Capital of 10.20% is higher than DG's 5.07%. Moreover, SFM's trailing-12-month Return on Total Assets of 9.79% is higher than DG's 4.25%.
Thus, SFM seems more profitable.
POWR Ratings
SFM has an overall rating of B, which equates to a Buy in our proprietary <a href="https://stocknews.com/powr-ratings/">POWR Ratings</a> system. Conversely, DG has an overall rating of C, translating to a Neutral. The POWR Ratings are calculated considering 118 different factors, with each factor weighted to an optimal degree.
Our proprietary rating system also evaluates each stock based on eight distinct categories. SFM's Quality grade of A is in sync with its higher-than-industry profitability metrics. Its trailing-12-month net income margin of 4.73% is 13.4% higher than the industry average of 4.17%. Moreover, its trailing-12-month Return on Common Equity (ROCE) of 28.56% is 169% higher than the industry average of 10.62%.
Conversely, DG's C grade for Quality justifies its mixed profitability. Its trailing-12-month EBIT margin of 4.99% is 47.6% lower than the industry average of 9.53%. However, its trailing-12-month ROCE of 19.37% is 82.5% higher than the industry average of 10.62%.
Within the A-rated <a href="https://stocknews.com/category/grocery-big-box-retailers/">Grocery/Big Box Retailers</a> industry, SFM is ranked #27 out of 37 stocks, while DG is ranked #36.
Beyond what we've stated above, we have also rated both stocks for Growth, Value, Momentum, Stability, and Sentiment. <a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/SFM/">Click here</a> to view SFM ratings. Get all DG ratings <a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/DG/">here</a>.
The Winner
As consumer spending remains robust both online and in-store, the grocery and big-box retail sector is poised for sustained growth. <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/04/inflation-has-cooled-but-experts-believe-food-prices-will-remain-high.html#:~:text=However%2C%20experts%20say%20high%20food,see%20the%20big%20price%20increases.">High food prices</a> are set to bolster this performance further, potentially boosting profitability for those within the sector. Industry players SFM and DG could benefit from these industry tailwinds.
However, SFM stands out notably due to its profitability, promising outlook, vigorous financial health, and encouraging bottom-line forecasts, making it the more advantageous pick now.
Our research shows that the odds of success increase when one invests in stocks with an Overall Rating of Strong Buy or Buy. View all the top-rated stocks in the Grocery/Big Box Retailers industry <a href="https://stocknews.com/category/grocery-big-box-retailers/">here</a>.
What To Do Next?
Get your hands on this special report with 3 low priced companies with tremendous upside potential even in today's volatile markets:
<a href="https://report.stocknews.com/free-report/3stocks/?formplacement=artbotad_3s">3 Stocks to DOUBLE This Year &gt;</a>

<hr />
DG shares . Year-to-date, DG has declined -1.41%, versus a 0.44% rise in the benchmark S&amp;P 500 index during the same period.
<hr><div style="clear:both;"></div> <h2>About the Author: Shweta Kumari</h2> <img src='https:/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Shweta-Kumari_Image-2.jpg' style="float:left; padding:5px;width:125px;">Shweta's profound interest in financial research and quantitative analysis led her to pursue a career as an investment analyst. She uses her knowledge to help retail investors make educated investment decisions.<a href="https://stocknews.com/authors/?author=shweta-kumari">More...</a>The post <a href=https://stocknews.com/news/dg-sfm-sprouts-farmers-market-vs-dollar-general-which-grocery-chain-stock/>Sprouts Farmers Market vs. Dollar General: Which Grocery Chain Stock Is More Appetizing?</a> appeared first on <a href=https://stocknews.com/>StockNews.com</a>

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