slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com, Author at Channelchek

1-800-Flowers.com (FLWS) – A Refocused Growth Strategy

Posted on September 5, 2025September 5, 2025 by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com

Friday, September 05, 2025

For more than 45 years, 1-800-Flowers.com has offered truly original floral arrangements, plants and unique gifts to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, everyday occasions, and seasonal holidays, and to deliver comfort during times of grief. Backed by a caring team obsessed with service, 1-800-Flowers.com provides customers thoughtful ways to express themselves and connect with the most important people in their lives. 1-800-Flowers.com is part of the 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. family of brands. Shares in 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, ticker symbol: FLWS.

Michael Kupinski, Director of Research, Equity Research Analyst, Digital, Media & Technology , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Jacob Mutchler, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Weak Q4 results. Fiscal Q4 revenues declined 6.7% to $336.6 million, roughly in line with our $338.0 million estimate. Adj. EBITDA loss of $24.2 million was larger than our loss estimate of $20.5 million. The quarter benefited by the Easter shift from Q3 a year earlier into Q4 this year. Gross margins declined 290 basis points from the year earlier quarter, in part, due to a highly promotional sales environment.

Reimagining its business. Management indicated that it is seeking an omnichannel approach to target customers, including opening storefronts, and broadening its reach beyond its own e-commerce sites. The company plans to lower its operating costs beyond the earlier announced $40 million in annualized costs, of which $17 million of annualized costs reductions were achieved in Q4.

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*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.

AI Startup Augment Raises $85M to Scale Augie, Its Logistics Teammate

Posted on September 4, 2025September 4, 2025 by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com

Logistics may be one of the most complex and fragmented industries, but San Francisco–based startup Augment is betting its AI teammate can streamline it. The company announced an $85 million Series A funding round this week, led by Redpoint Ventures with participation from 8VC, Shopify Ventures, Autotech Ventures, and others. The raise brings Augment’s total funding to $110 million, remarkable for a company that only came out of stealth five months ago.

At the heart of Augment’s pitch is Augie, its AI productivity platform designed to automate logistics workflows from start to finish. Unlike the patchwork of point solutions that often leave gaps, Augie takes end-to-end ownership of shipments—covering everything from front-office quoting and dispatch to back-office billing and compliance. The platform integrates directly with transportation management systems, shipper portals, and load boards while communicating seamlessly across channels, aiming to reduce the friction that bogs down brokers, shippers, and carriers.

The results so far are drawing attention. Customers report significant productivity gains, with some brokerage reps doubling or even tripling the number of loads managed daily without adding headcount. Shippers are seeing faster billing cycles and tighter adherence to service level agreements, while carriers benefit from quicker payments and fewer service calls. Augment claims Augie has already reduced invoice delays by 40%, shortened billing timelines by as much as eight days, improved gross margins by up to five percent per load, and boosted operational productivity by 30–50%.

That level of impact is what convinced investors to back such a large round so quickly. Co-founder and CEO Harish Abbott said the funds will be used to hire more than 50 engineers and expand its go-to-market teams by year-end, with deeper hiring in 2026. “Logistics runs on millions of decisions under pressure,” Abbott said. “Augie doesn’t just assist—it takes ownership.” His vision is for AI agents like Augie to become standard within 12 to 18 months, handling the majority of repetitive logistics workflows.

For co-founder Justin Hall, the mission is personal. After years in brokerages and fleets, he saw firsthand the waste created by siloed tools and manual processes. “The industry tried hundreds of point solutions that created new problems,” Hall said. “We built Augie as an AI teammate that keeps context and delivers efficiency, stronger margins, and easier work.”

Customers like Armstrong Transport Group, a $1.3 billion brokerage, are already seeing tangible results. Representatives there have gone from managing 10 loads a day to 20 or 30, while morale and customer service scores have improved. “If it gets sent to Augie, it gets done,” said William McManus, an operations specialist at Armstrong.

As freight networks grow more complex, Augment is investing not just in scaling Augie’s coverage but also in building a logistics-native knowledge hub that provides pricing, compliance, and service intelligence across modes. With over $35 billion in freight already managed through its platform, Augment is positioning itself as more than a tool—it wants to be the digital teammate behind the next era of logistics.

OpenAI Expands Employee Share Sale to $10.3 Billion at $500B Valuation

Posted on September 4, 2025September 4, 2025 by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com

OpenAI is expanding its latest secondary share sale, allowing current and former employees to sell up to $10.3 billion worth of stock. The transaction values the artificial intelligence company at $500 billion, reinforcing its position as one of the most highly valued private startups globally. The expanded sale, up from the $6 billion originally targeted, provides employees an opportunity to realize gains without forcing the company into a near-term public listing.

For staff who have held shares for more than two years, the window to participate runs through the end of September, with the transaction expected to close in October. Major institutional investors including SoftBank, Dragoneer Investment Group, Thrive Capital, Abu Dhabi’s MGX, and T. Rowe Price are expected to purchase the shares, according to people familiar with the offering.

The offering follows a sharp rise in OpenAI’s valuation. Earlier in 2025, the company raised capital at a $300 billion valuation. The new $500 billion figure reflects investor confidence in OpenAI’s revenue growth trajectory, driven by enterprise adoption of its AI models and partnerships with major cloud providers.

The $200 billion valuation jump in less than a year highlights both market enthusiasm for AI and the scarcity of opportunities to invest directly in sector leaders. With OpenAI remaining private, secondary sales represent one of the few avenues for institutional investors to gain exposure at scale.

Secondary share sales have become a preferred mechanism for late-stage startups to provide liquidity to employees while avoiding the volatility of public markets. By giving staff the ability to convert equity into cash, companies like OpenAI can retain talent in an increasingly competitive industry.

Other major startups, including SpaceX, Stripe, and Databricks, have employed similar strategies to balance growth with employee satisfaction. For investors, these transactions provide a controlled entry point into companies with high valuations, while founders and leadership avoid the pressure of quarterly earnings scrutiny.

For outside investors, OpenAI’s decision underscores the strength of demand for exposure to artificial intelligence platforms. With public-market alternatives limited to large tech incumbents, institutional capital continues to flow into private leaders despite lofty valuations.

Still, some analysts caution that these valuations hinge on sustained revenue expansion and market share gains in a sector that is evolving rapidly. For now, OpenAI’s positioning at the forefront of generative AI makes it one of the most closely watched private companies in the world.

Mortgage Rates Sink to 6.5% but Affordability Still Freezes Buyers

Posted on September 4, 2025September 4, 2025 by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com

Mortgage rates have drifted lower once again, hitting a fresh low for 2025, but the relief has yet to thaw an otherwise sluggish housing market. According to Freddie Mac, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate slipped to 6.5% this week, down slightly from 6.56% the prior week and the lowest level since October 2024. The 15-year fixed mortgage rate also moved lower to 5.6%. The decline extends a trend that has carried through much of the summer as bond yields fell alongside growing expectations that the Federal Reserve will soon cut interest rates.

Yet even as borrowing costs reach their most attractive levels in nearly a year, homebuyers remain cautious. Mortgage Bankers Association data showed purchase applications dropped 3% from the previous week, signaling that lower rates are not drawing many new entrants into the market. Refinancing activity, which tends to be more rate-sensitive, rose by just 1%, suggesting only a modest response among households looking to restructure existing debt. Brokerage Redfin described the current environment as one producing a “trickle, not a surge” of demand, with affordability challenges still weighing heavily on potential buyers.

The central issue remains housing affordability. Home prices, while cooling in some regions, are still elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels, and many prospective buyers remain priced out despite the recent dip in borrowing costs. Supply shortages also persist as homeowners who locked in ultra-low rates during 2020 and 2021 are reluctant to sell, limiting inventory and keeping prices from adjusting downward in a meaningful way. This lock-in effect continues to hold back mobility in the market, even as conditions grow more favorable on the financing side.

Attention now shifts to broader economic forces that could determine whether mortgage rates continue to ease. Treasury yields, which mortgage rates closely track, have been under pressure as investors reassess the path of monetary policy. The upcoming August jobs report will be critical in shaping those expectations. If employment data comes in weaker than forecast, markets are likely to bet more aggressively on Fed rate cuts, which could drive borrowing costs lower still. Conversely, a strong report could quickly reverse recent gains, sending yields and mortgage rates higher again.

Recent indicators suggest the labor market is losing momentum. Job openings in July fell to their lowest level in ten months, with fewer available positions relative to unemployed workers. Meanwhile, private payroll data from ADP showed the economy added just 54,000 jobs in August, underscoring the slowdown. Economists point out that while layoffs remain limited, the ability for unemployed workers to re-enter the job market has become more difficult, reflecting a gradual cooling rather than a sharp downturn.

For now, mortgage rates are at their most favorable point in nearly a year, but affordability barriers, limited supply, and broader economic uncertainty mean the housing market remains stuck in neutral. The next move may depend less on where rates are today and more on whether labor market weakness forces the Fed to deliver deeper cuts that could eventually bring real relief to buyers.

Job Openings Slip Below Jobless Figures for First Time Since 2021

Posted on September 3, 2025September 3, 2025 by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com

For the first time in more than four years, the number of unemployed Americans has surpassed the number of available job openings, highlighting a turning point in the post-pandemic labor recovery. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ July Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS), there were 7.18 million vacancies compared with 7.25 million unemployed workers. This pushed the ratio of job openings to job seekers down to 0.99, the lowest level since April 2021.

The shift marks a departure from the tight labor conditions that dominated much of the past three years, when employers struggled to attract talent and job seekers often had multiple options. Instead, the balance has tipped slightly in favor of employers, with fewer roles available and greater competition among applicants.

The data suggests the softer labor conditions are being driven more by a slowdown in hiring demand than a surge in job losses. Layoffs remain relatively subdued, indicating that workers currently employed are not facing widespread displacement. Instead, the challenge lies with individuals attempting to re-enter the workforce or find new opportunities after leaving prior roles.

Economists noted that job openings have been gradually trending lower throughout 2024 and 2025, rather than collapsing suddenly. This indicates a measured cooling rather than a shock-driven downturn, which is consistent with an economy that is slowing toward equilibrium rather than tipping into recession.

On the supply side, labor force participation fell to its lowest since late 2022. Demographics are partly to blame: the U.S. workforce continues to age, and participation among older workers has steadily declined. Policy also plays a role, as more restrictive immigration measures in recent years have limited the inflow of working-age migrants, reducing available labor.

While fewer workers in the labor pool can put pressure on certain industries still seeking talent, it also means that the rise in unemployment is cushioned compared to previous downturns. With both supply and demand easing at the same time, the job market appears to be rebalancing rather than unraveling.

For job seekers, the environment has become more competitive. Workers without recent employment may find it harder to secure positions, as openings are spread more thinly across industries. However, the relative stability of layoffs indicates that those currently in jobs are less vulnerable to sudden cuts, reducing the risk of mass unemployment events that typically accompany recessions.

The JOLTS report adds to the broader picture of a cooling labor market but stops short of signaling a contraction. Payroll gains and unemployment rates remain within ranges considered sustainable by economists, suggesting that conditions are closer to a long-term “steady state” rather than a downturn. The upcoming August employment report will provide further clarity, particularly on whether employers are continuing to add jobs at a pace consistent with stable growth.

GDEV (GDEV) – Operating Metrics Gain Positive Momentum

Posted on September 3, 2025September 3, 2025 by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com

Wednesday, September 03, 2025

Michael Kupinski, Director of Research, Equity Research Analyst, Digital, Media & Technology , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Jacob Mutchler, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Strong Q2 Results. The company reported strong Q2 results. Revenue of $119.9 million, and adj. EBITDA of $20.7 million, both easily surpassed our estimates of $97.0 million and $7.0 million, respectively, as illustrated in Figure #1 Q2 Results. Notably, management attributed the strong quarter to an increase in consumable in-app purchases, which are recognized during the quarter rather than being deferred over the average player life cycle of 28 months.

Key operating metrics. Bookings and monthly paying users (MPU) decreased by 14% and 18%, respectively, compared to the prior year period, but the decrease was expected as the company is focused on the quality of gameplay and not over-monetizing its user base. However, the company is showing signs of returning to growth as both average bookings per paying user (ABPPU) and MPUs increased sequentially from Q1. ABPPU increased from $90 in Q1’25 to $93 in Q2’25, and MPUs increased from 284,000 to 312,000 over the same period.

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Century Lithium Corp. (CYDVF) – Recent Financing Provides Financial Flexibility to Advance Angel Island

Posted on September 3, 2025September 3, 2025 by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com

Wednesday, September 03, 2025

Mark Reichman, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

LIFE offering closed. Century Lithium closed the second and final tranche of its financing under the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption (LIFE). Together with the initial closing, the company issued a total of 15,785,833 units for aggregate gross proceeds of C$4,735,749.90. Each unit consists of one common share and one common share purchase warrant. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share at an exercise price of C$0.45 for a period of 60 months following the issuance of the units.

Use of net proceeds. Net proceeds from the financing will be used to complete an updated feasibility study for the company’s Angel Island Lithium Project, complete the project’s Plan of Operations, work towards National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance, and fund general working capital.

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This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

Kraft Heinz Breaks Up: Split Marks End of Unfulfilled $45 Billion Merger

Posted on September 3, 2025September 3, 2025 by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com

Kraft Heinz is officially dismantling a decade-old experiment in consumer goods consolidation, announcing plans to split into two publicly traded companies. The breakup, slated for completion in the second half of 2026, will create one company focused on sauces and spreads and another dedicated to grocery staples and ready-to-eat meals.

The move reflects a growing trend among global consumer brands, which are abandoning the diversified conglomerate model in favor of sharper focus, simplified structures, and more direct accountability. For Kraft Heinz, the decision comes after years of lagging sales, weak innovation, and declining brand equity despite its stable of iconic products.

Investors reacted cautiously, sending shares down more than 7% in Tuesday trading. While the spinoff has long been anticipated, markets remain skeptical about whether separating the businesses can meaningfully address underlying challenges. Analysts suggest the split could unlock near-term value, but note that execution risks remain high, particularly as private-label competition intensifies and consumer preferences continue shifting toward fresher, healthier options.

The grocery division, which will include brands such as Oscar Mayer and Lunchables, will be led by current CEO Carlos Abrams-Rivera. The sauces and spreads business, housing household names like Heinz ketchup, Philadelphia cream cheese, and Kraft Mac & Cheese, will operate under new leadership yet to be appointed. Together, the two companies generated more than $25 billion in combined sales in 2024.

The separation is also the latest chapter in what has become one of the more disappointing large-scale mergers in recent memory. The 2015 tie-up of Kraft Foods and Heinz, engineered with backing from Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway and private equity firm 3G Capital, was initially valued at $45 billion. The strategy relied heavily on cost-cutting, but growth never materialized as hoped. Today, Kraft Heinz carries a market value closer to $33 billion, with shares losing roughly 60% since the merger.

Even Buffett, one of the original architects of the deal, has expressed regret over the outcome. While acknowledging that splitting the company could simplify operations, he suggested the decision is unlikely to fix long-standing performance issues without deeper changes. His investment firm recently booked a multibillion-dollar write-down on its stake in the company.

Strategically, management argues the breakup will allow each entity to prioritize resources, pursue innovation, and scale its most promising categories. The company estimates separation costs of up to $300 million, but believes efficiencies will offset much of the expense. Still, industry analysts caution that Kraft Heinz’s core problem—relevance with consumers—will not be solved by structural changes alone.

The decision comes as the packaged foods industry undergoes broad realignment. Rivals such as Nestlé and PepsiCo are also facing shareholder pressure to streamline portfolios and accelerate growth. Meanwhile, recent moves like Keurig Dr Pepper’s planned $18 billion takeover of JDE Peet’s illustrate how sector leaders are experimenting with restructuring to remain competitive.

For Kraft Heinz, the split represents both an admission of past missteps and a chance to reset its trajectory. Whether investors will ultimately view the move as a turning point or a temporary lift will depend on how successfully each business can adapt in a crowded, fast-changing marketplace.

Treasury Yields Spike as 30-Year Nears 5% Amid Global Bond Sell-Off

Posted on September 2, 2025September 2, 2025 by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com

U.S. Treasury yields rose sharply on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, as long-dated European bonds sold off and a busy slate of corporate debt offerings pressured markets. The 30-year Treasury yield approached the 5% mark, reflecting investor concern over the trajectory of U.S. monetary policy and broader economic conditions.

The move came as traders returned from the holiday weekend, digesting weak ISM manufacturing data that signaled softness in employment, overall activity, and prices paid, although new orders showed some recovery. Benchmark Treasury yields climbed roughly three basis points across the curve, with the 10-year and 30-year notes leading the advance. Block trades, including a large buyer of 10,000 10-year note contracts, helped stabilize yields near their session highs.

Yields in the United Kingdom and Europe also surged, contributing to pressure on U.S. debt markets. Analysts suggest that global long-term rates are recalibrating in response to rising inflation expectations abroad and uncertainties in policy direction. John Briggs, head of U.S. rates strategy at Natixis North America, noted that the 30-year approaching 5% is not a “magical number” but reflects genuine concerns about the path of long-dated bonds globally.

Investors are pricing in expectations for a potential Federal Reserve interest rate cut this month, though bets remain modest. Currently, futures indicate roughly 22 basis points of a quarter-point reduction at September’s meeting, with slightly more than two total quarter-point cuts priced by year-end. Analysts caution that the magnitude of easing will depend heavily on the August jobs report due Friday, which will offer a key read on the labor market and economic momentum.

The labor market is central to the Fed’s policy outlook. Governor Christopher Waller has expressed support for a 25-basis-point rate cut at the September meeting, but signaled that more aggressive easing could be warranted if employment data show pronounced weakness and inflation remains contained. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg anticipate August payrolls rose by only 75,000, with the unemployment rate inching up to 4.3%.

Kathy Jones, chief fixed income strategist at Charles Schwab, emphasized that Treasury yields are pricing in uncertainty about the Fed’s next moves. She highlighted the market’s sensitivity to coherent policy signals and the potential for the jobs report to influence the term premium, particularly in longer maturities.

The spike in yields has important implications for investors and corporations alike. Higher long-term rates increase borrowing costs for issuers and can weigh on equity valuations, particularly for growth and rate-sensitive sectors. Conversely, rate volatility may offer opportunities for fixed-income investors to adjust portfolios in anticipation of potential Fed easing.

Traders also note that September is historically a weak month for long-dated interest-rate exposure, which could compound volatility as markets digest both domestic and international developments. Any deviation from expectations in the jobs report or inflation metrics could sharply alter Treasury pricing and market sentiment.

As the week progresses, all eyes will be on Friday’s employment figures, which are expected to set the tone for the Fed’s September policy decision. Until then, Treasury markets remain on edge, balancing global pressures, domestic economic signals, and uncertainty around the central bank’s path forward.

Nicola Mining Inc. (HUSIF) – Early Innings of a Compelling Growth Story

Posted on September 2, 2025September 2, 2025 by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com

Tuesday, September 02, 2025

Mark Reichman, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Second quarter financial results. Nicola Mining Inc. (OTCQB: HUSIF, TSX.V: NIM) reported net income of C$1,181,286, or C$0.01 per share, compared to a net loss of C$2,519,885, or C$(0.02) per share, during the second quarter of 2024. We had projected a net loss of C$1,077,068, or C$(0.01) per share. The variance to our estimate was mostly due to a revaluation gain on marketable securities. We increased our 2025 net income and EPS estimates to C$11,004,631 and C$0.06 per share, respectively, from C$7,582,855 and C$0.04. We updated our commodity price assumptions based on actual July and August pricing and CME futures settlements for the remainder of 2025 and 2026.

Merritt Mill is ramping up production. With 200 tonnes per day of capacity, Nicola’s Merritt Mill is transitioning to full commercial production and cash flow generation. Nicola expects to utilize 100% of the mill’s capacity by the end of the third quarter. In early July, the Merritt Mill began processing ore received from Talisker Resources’ (OTCQX: TSKFF, TSX: TSK) Bralorne project. In addition to processing ore for Talisker, ore is expected to be received during the third quarter from Blue Lagoon’s (OTCQB: BLAGF, CSE: BLLG) Dome Mountain gold mine, and from the Dominion Creek Gold Project, of which Nicola owns a 75% economic interest.

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MustGrow Biologics Corp. (MGROF) – Reports 2Q25 Results; Sold Out of TerraSante

Posted on September 2, 2025September 2, 2025 by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com

Tuesday, September 02, 2025

Joe Gomes, CFA, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Generalist , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

2Q25 Results. MustGrow reported record second quarter revenue of $2.8 million in 2Q25, compared to no revenue in the same period last year. Revenue was driven by the NexusBioAg segment, although TerraSante sales amounted to $318,832. Gross margin improved to 20.9%, up from 14.3% in the first quarter of 2025. MustGrow recorded a net loss of $1.1 million, or a loss of $0.02/sh in 2Q25, compared to a net loss of $0.96 million, or a loss of $0.02/sh, in 2Q24.

TerraSante. Initial sales ramp up of TerraSante has begun, with $318,832 of sales in the quarter, or triple its full year 2024 sales. MustGrow sold out of its TerraSante inventory in the U.S during the quarter. The improved TerraSante sales were a key driver in gross margin improvement. MustGrow is working on producing more TerraSante to meet demand.

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S&P 500 Pulls Back but Still on Track for Fourth Straight Monthly Gain

Posted on August 29, 2025August 29, 2025 by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com

U.S. stocks slipped on Friday as investors locked in profits heading into the long weekend, but the pullback wasn’t enough to erase August’s gains. The S&P 500 retreated 0.7% after notching a fresh record earlier in the week, while the Nasdaq Composite dropped 1.2% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 123 points, or 0.3%.

Despite the losses, August remains another winning month for equities. The Dow is tracking a roughly 3% gain, the S&P 500 is up nearly 2%, and the Nasdaq has advanced more than 1%. That would mark the fourth consecutive month of gains for the broad market index, underscoring investor resilience even as inflation data and policy uncertainty remain in focus.

A key driver of Friday’s caution was the latest reading of the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge. Core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) rose 2.9% year-over-year in July, matching expectations but accelerating from the prior month. The increase, the highest since February, highlighted ongoing price pressures just as the Fed prepares for its September policy meeting.

While inflation remains sticky, market consensus still points to a rate cut next month. Analysts note that the Fed is increasingly balancing inflation concerns against signs of cooling in the labor market. For now, many strategists believe the central bank will move forward with a cut, although the pace and magnitude of easing remain open questions.

Friday’s weakness also came against the backdrop of strong recent performance, leading some to view the decline as simple profit-taking. The S&P 500 had just closed above the 6,500 level for the first time, and investors often trim positions after fresh highs ahead of holiday weekends.

Earnings season added another layer to the cautious mood. Nvidia, which recently reported 56% revenue growth and reaffirmed its position at the center of the AI trade, slid 3% as traders digested headlines about China’s Alibaba developing a more advanced chip. The update raised questions about long-term competition and underscored the geopolitical risks surrounding U.S. technology exports.

Elsewhere, tariff worries resurfaced after Caterpillar warned of a potential $1.5 billion to $1.8 billion hit this year from new U.S. trade measures. Retailer Gap also flagged pressure on profits, highlighting how trade policy remains a headwind for corporate America.

Looking ahead, September looms as a potential test for the rally. Historically, the month has been the weakest for stocks, with the S&P 500 averaging a 0.7% decline since 1950, according to The Stock Trader’s Almanac. Bespoke Investment Group notes that the index has posted especially lackluster September performances over the past decade.

Still, momentum heading into the new month suggests investors are willing to look past near-term headwinds. With inflation cooling gradually, the Fed leaning toward easing, and earnings broadly holding up, the market may find support even as seasonal trends turn less favorable.

Lucky Strike Entertainment (LUCK) – Throws A Curve Ball, But Delivers A Strike!

Posted on August 29, 2025August 29, 2025 by slightbourne@noblecapitalmarkets.com

Friday, August 29, 2025

Lucky Strike Entertainment is one of the world’s premier location-based entertainment platforms. With over 360 locations across North America, Lucky Strike Entertainment provides experiential offerings in bowling, amusements, water parks, and family entertainment centers. The company also owns the Professional Bowlers Association, the major league of bowling and a growing media property that boasts millions of fans around the globe. For more information on Lucky Strike Entertainment, please visit ir.luckystrikeent.com.

Michael Kupinski, Director of Research, Equity Research Analyst, Digital, Media & Technology , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Jacob Mutchler, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

A solid finish to the year. The company beat our fiscal Q4 revenue and adj. EBITDA estimates, culminating in a transitional fiscal full year 2025 with improving revenue trends. Total Q4 revenues of $318.0 million, beat our $292.0 million estimate, and adj. EBITDA of $88.7 million was better than our $83.0 million estimate.

Improving revenue trends. Same store revenues, while down 4.1%, reflecting sequential monthly improvement from the down 6% in April, negative 3% in May and flat in June. Management indicated that same store revenue trends were up over 1% in July.

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