Category: Retail and Consumer

Xerox Holdings Corporation (XRX) – A Clearer Path Through the Turnaround

Posted on by [email protected]


Monday, September 21, 2026

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

George Proost, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

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

Xerox Roadshow. On September 16th, Louis Pastor, CEO, Chuck Butler, CFO, and Greg Stein, SVP & Head of IR, presented to investors at a non-deal roadshow in St. Louis. The presentation highlighted the company’s turnaround strategy, focusing on its efforts to stabilize revenue, expand margins, and reduce debt.

Broadening the revenue base. Earlier this month, the company announced a strategic partnership with Flint Group Digital Xeikon to utilize its digital press technology in Xerox-branded products. The partnership bolsters Xerox’s position in the production print market by providing access to digital packaging, labels, and commercial print without the cost of developing the technology internally.


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Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.

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

*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. 

Lands’ End (LE) – Underlying Momentum Remains Intact

Posted on by [email protected]


Friday, September 04, 2026

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

George Proost, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

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

Q2 Revenue Rebounds. Fiscal second-quarter revenue increased 2.7% to $302.0 million, modestly above our $300.0 million estimate, as U.S. eCommerce revenue increased 9.0% and Outfitters increased 4.4%. Importantly, regular consumer fulfillment has normalized following the Q1 WMS disruption.

Underlying eCommerce Trends Are Encouraging. U.S. eCommerce revenue increased to $182.4 million, well above our $172.3 million estimate, supported in part by shipments carried over from Q1. Given the improved performance, we modestly increased our fiscal 2026 U.S. eCommerce revenue estimate to $842.2 million from $840.4 million.


Get the Full Report

Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.

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

*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. 

Release – Vince Announces Reporting Date for Second Quarter 2026 Financial Results

Posted on by [email protected]
Vince Holding Corp.

Research News and Market Data on VNCE

09/03/202

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Vince Holding Corp., (Nasdaq: VNCE) (“VNCE” or the “Company”), a global retail platform, today announced that it plans to report its second quarter 2026 financial results pre-market on Thursday, September 10, 2026. The Company also plans to hold a conference call to discuss its financial results on the same day at 8:30 a.m. ET. During the conference call, the Company may answer questions concerning business and financial developments, trends and other business or financial matters. The Company’s responses to these questions, as well as other matters discussed during the conference call, may contain or constitute information that has not been previously disclosed.

Those who wish to participate in the call may do so by dialing (833) 461-5787, conference ID: 879 266 281. Any interested party will also have the opportunity to access the call via the Internet at http://investors.vince.com/. To listen to the live call, please go to the website at least 15 minutes early to register and download any necessary audio software. For those who cannot listen to the live broadcast, a recording will be available for 12 months after the date of the event. Recordings may be accessed at http://investors.vince.com/.

ABOUT VINCE HOLDING CORP.
Vince Holding Corp. is a global retail platform that operates the Vince brand women’s and men’s ready to wear business and the October’s Very Own (“OVO”) brand apparel and accessories business. Vince, established in 2002, is a leading global luxury apparel and accessories brand best known for creating elevated yet understated pieces for every day effortless style. Vince operates 41 full-price retail stores, 12 outlet stores, and its e-commerce site, vince.com, as well as through premium wholesale channels globally. OVO is a Canadian lifestyle brand originally founded in 2008 by Aubrey “Drake” Graham and a Toronto collective offering premium apparel and accessories. OVO operates 12 flagship retail stores worldwide and its e-commerce site, octobersveryown.com. Please visit investors.vince.com for more information.

This press release is also available on the Vince Holding Corp. website (http://investors.vince.com/).

Investor Relations:
ICR, Inc.
Caitlin Churchill, 646-277-1274
[email protected]

Source: Vince Holding Corp.

Release – Lands’ End Announces Second Quarter Fiscal 2026 Results

Posted on by [email protected]
Lands' End

Research News and Market Data on LE

DODGEVILLE, Wis., Sept. 03, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lands’ End, Inc. (NASDAQ: LE) today announced financial results for the second quarter ended July 31, 2026.

Charlie Cole, Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Since joining Lands’ End, I have been energized by what I see ahead for this iconic American company. What excites me most is the clear runway we have to utilize our stellar brand strength and deep customer loyalty to further strengthen our customer engagement, expand our digital capabilities, and more effectively reach and convert new customers. Our focus now is on excellence in execution to ensure we have the right infrastructure, technology, and customer acquisition capabilities in place as we head into the holiday season. I am confident we are well positioned, and I look forward to sharing more in the months ahead.”

Second Quarter Financial Highlights

  • Net revenue was $302.0 million for the second quarter of 2026, an increase of $7.9 million or 2.7% from $294.1 million during the second quarter of 2025.
    • U.S. Digital Segment Net revenue was $268.9 million for the second quarter of 2026, an increase of $13.6 million or 5.3% from $255.3 million in the second quarter of 2025.
      • U.S. eCommerce Net revenue was $182.4 million for the second quarter of 2026, an increase of $15.1 million or 9.0% from $167.3 million in the second quarter of 2025. The increase was primarily driven by carryover shipments from the temporary disruption associated with the rollout of the new warehouse management system in the first quarter of 2026.
      • Outfitters Net revenue was $69.3 million for the second quarter of 2026, an increase of $2.9 million or 4.4% from $66.4 million in the second quarter of 2025. The increase was driven by enterprise accounts which more than offset the impact of warehouse management system challenges affecting the processing of value-added service products in our school uniform business.
      • Third Party Net revenue was $17.2 million, for the second quarter of 2026, a decrease of $4.4 million or 20.4% from $21.6 million during the second quarter of 2025. The decrease was primarily due to prioritizing profitable high-quality sales and brand quality over lower-value promotional volume.
    • Europe eCommerce Net revenue was $19.7 million for the second quarter of 2026, an increase of $0.1 million or 0.5%, from $19.6 million during the second quarter of 2025. The increase was primarily due to a strategic shift to a franchise-first assortment simplifying the business and improving product margins.
  • Gross profit was $157.0 million for the second quarter of 2026, an increase of $13.6 million or 9.5% from $143.4 million during the second quarter of 2025. Gross margin increased approximately 320 basis points to 52.0% in the second quarter of 2026, compared with 48.8% in the second quarter of 2025. The gross margin increase was primarily driven by the IEEPA tariff refunds, partially offset by the new royalty structure associated with the JV, and temporary costs associated with our new warehouse management system.
  • Selling and administrative expenses increased $5.9 million to $135.3 million or 44.8% of Net revenue in the second quarter of 2026, compared with $129.4 million or 44.0% of Net revenue in the second quarter of 2025. The approximately 80 basis point increase was driven by investment in digital marketing focused on new customer acquisition and operational inefficiencies from the temporary disruption of the new warehouse management system partially offset by leverage from higher net revenue.
  • Net income was $3.5 million, and $0.11 earnings per diluted share in the second quarter of 2026 compared to Net loss of $3.7 million and $0.12 loss per diluted share in the second quarter of 2025.
  • Adjusted net income was $2.7 million and Adjusted diluted earnings per share was $0.09 in the second quarter of 2026, compared to Adjusted net loss of $1.1 million and Adjusted diluted loss per share of $0.04 in the second quarter of 2025.
  • Adjusted EBITDA was $11.3 million in the second quarter of 2026, a decrease of 25% compared to $15.1 million in the second quarter of 2025.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Highlights

Cash and cash equivalents were $16.1 million as of July 31, 2026, compared to $21.3 million as of August 1, 2025.

Inventories were $342.0 million as of July 31, 2026, and $301.8 million as of August 1, 2025, representing a 13% year over year increase. That increase primarily reflects inventory levels consistent with the Company’s normal seasonal build and support its current revenue projections compared to the intentionally lean inventory position the Company held a year ago amid tariff uncertainty.

Net cash used in operating activities was $86.5 million for the 26 weeks ended July 31, 2026, compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $0.5 million for the 26 weeks ended August 1, 2025. The increase in net cash used in operating activities was primarily due to the impact of the closing of the WHP Global transaction and the seasonal build of inventory to support the fall and holiday selling seasons.

As previously announced, the Company used the majority of the $300 million in cash proceeds from the WHP Global transaction to fully repay its term loan.

As of July 31, 2026, the Company had $60.0 million of borrowings outstanding and $89.3 million of availability under its ABL Facility, compared to $35.0 million of borrowings and $87.6 million of availability as of August 1, 2025.

During the second quarter of 2026, the Company repurchased $10.5 million of the Company’s common stock under the share repurchase program announced on April 1, 2026. As of July 31, 2026, additional purchases of up to $89.2 million could be made under the current program through March 31, 2029.

Outlook

Bernie McCracken, Chief Financial Officer, stated, “We made meaningful progress during the second quarter, moving beyond the distribution center challenges that affected our operations earlier in the year. Our core U.S. eCommerce operations normalized during the quarter and Outfitters has now returned to normal operating levels. We also repurchased approximately 3% of our outstanding shares, reflecting our disciplined approach to capital allocation and our confidence in the long-term value of Lands’ End. Combined with our significantly reduced debt and interest expense, these developments provide a stronger foundation for executing through the holiday season and creating long-term value.”

The Company’s guidance reflects current conditions, including tariffs at currently implemented rates and prevailing macroeconomic factors.

For Third Quarter fiscal 2026 the Company expects:

  • Net revenue to be between $300.0 million and $330.0 million.
  • Net loss to be between $1.0 million and net income of $3.0 million and diluted loss per share to be between $0.03 and diluted earnings per share of $0.10.
  • Adjusted net income to be between $2.0 million and $6.0 million and Adjusted diluted earnings per share to be between $0.07 and $0.20.
  • Adjusted EBITDA in the range of $14.0 million to $18.0 million.

For fiscal 2026 the Company now expects:

  • Net revenue to be between $1.30 billion and $1.35 billion.
  • Net income to be between $317.0 million and $325.0 million and diluted earnings per share to be between $10.87 and $11.14.
  • Adjusted net income to be between $13.0 million and $21.0 million and Adjusted diluted earnings per share to be between $0.44 and $0.72.
  • Adjusted EBITDA in the range of $62.0 million to $70.0 million.

For the full year, the Company’s guidance includes approximately $40.0 million of capital expenditures.

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. ET to review its second quarter financial results. The call may be accessed through the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at http://investors.landsend.com.

About Lands’ End, Inc.

Lands’ End, Inc. (NASDAQ:LE) is a leading digital retailer of solution-based apparel, swimwear, outerwear, accessories, footwear, home products and uniforms. Lands’ End offers products online at www.landsend.com, through third-party distribution channels and our own Company Operated stores. Lands’ End also offers products to businesses and schools, for their employees and students, through the Outfitters distribution channel. Lands’ End is a classic American lifestyle brand that creates solutions for life’s every journey.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding the future of the Company, brand strength, customer loyalty, customer engagement, digital capabilities and new customers; ensuring the right infrastructure, technology and customer acquisition capabilities, and the Company’s positioning; expectations regarding inventory, revenue and tariffs; the share repurchase program and its anticipated scale and impact; distribution center operations; confidence in the long-term value of the Company; execution through the holiday season and long-term value creation; and the Company’s Q3 and full fiscal year 2026 outlook and expectations as to Net revenue, Net income (loss), Adjusted net income, diluted earnings (loss) per share, Adjusted EBITDA and capital expenditures. The following important factors and uncertainties, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements: the stock repurchase program may not be executed to the full extent within its duration, due to business or market conditions; risks associated with the Company’s license agreement relating to the Lands’ End brand; failure to protect or preserve the image of the Company’s brands, reputation or intellectual property rights; the ability of the Company’s principal stockholders to exert substantial influence over the Company; risks associated with the implementation, stabilization and performance of the Company’s warehouse management system and distribution center operations; the Company’s results may be materially impacted if tariffs on imports to the United States increase and it is unable to offset the increased costs from current or future tariffs through pricing negotiations with its vendor base, moving production out of countries impacted by the tariffs, passing through a portion of the cost increases to the customer, or other savings opportunities; global supply chain challenges and their impact on inbound transportation costs and delays in receiving product; disruption in the Company’s supply chain, including with respect to its distribution centers, third-party manufacturing partners and logistics partners, caused by limits in freight capacity, increases in transportation costs, port congestion, other logistics constraints, and closure of certain manufacturing facilities and production lines due to public health crises and other global economic conditions; the impact of global economic conditions, including inflation, on consumer discretionary spending; the impact of public health crises on operations, customer demand and the Company’s supply chain, as well as its consolidated results of operation, financial position and cash flows; the Company’s ability to offer merchandise and services that customers want to purchase; changes in customer preference from the Company’s branded merchandise; customers’ use of the Company’s digital platform, including customer acceptance of its efforts to enhance its eCommerce websites, including the Outfitters website; customer response to the Company’s marketing efforts across all types of media; the Company’s maintenance of a robust customer list; the Company’s retail store strategy may be unsuccessful; the Company’s Third Party channel may not develop as planned or have its desired impact; the Company’s dependence on information technology; failure of information technology systems, including with respect to its eCommerce operations, or an inability to upgrade or adapt its systems; failure to adequately protect against cybersecurity threats or maintain the security and privacy of customer, employee or company information and the impact of cybersecurity events on the Company; fluctuations and increases in costs of raw materials as well as fluctuations in other production and distribution-related costs; impairment of the Company’s relationships with its vendors; the Company’s failure to compete effectively in the apparel industry; legal, regulatory, economic and political risks associated with international trade and those markets in which the Company conducts business and sources its merchandise; increases in postage, paper and printing costs; failure by third parties who provide the Company with services in connection with certain aspects of its business to perform their obligations; the Company’s failure to timely and effectively obtain shipments of products from its vendors and deliver merchandise to its customers; reliance on promotions and markdowns to encourage customer purchases; the Company’s failure to efficiently manage inventory levels; unseasonal or severe weather conditions; natural disasters, political crises or other catastrophic events; the adverse effect on the Company’s reputation if its independent vendors or licensees do not use ethical business practices or comply with contractual obligations, applicable laws and regulations; assessments for additional state taxes; incurrence of charges due to impairment of other intangible assets and long-lived assets; the impact on the Company’s business of adverse worldwide economic and market conditions, including inflation and other economic factors that negatively impact consumer spending on discretionary items; global economic, political, legislative, regulatory and market conditions (including competitive pressures), evolving legal, regulatory and tax regimes, including the effects of tariffs, inflation and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations around the world, the challenging consumer retail market in the United States and around the world and the impact of war and other conflicts around the world; and other risks, uncertainties and factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” sections of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2026 as updated by the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The Company intends the forward-looking statements to speak only as of the time made and does not undertake to update or revise them as more information becomes available, except as required by law.

CONTACTS

Lands’ End, Inc.
Bernard McCracken
Chief Financial Officer
(608) 935-4100

Investor Relations:
ICR, Inc.
Tom Filandro
(646) 277-1235
[email protected]

View full release here.

Vince Holding Corp. (VNCE) – OVO Acquisition Establishes Multi-Brand Platform

Posted on by [email protected]


Friday, August 28, 2026

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

George Proost, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

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

A multi-brand platform expansion. On August 24, the company completed the acquisition of Drake’s October’s Very Own (OVO) operating business, including its 12 stores, e-commerce platform, wholesale relationships, employees, assets, and liabilities across Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

Acquisition details. OVO’s intellectual property was valued at approximately $117.6 million, with Authentic Brands Group owning 51%, Drake retaining 44%, and Vince purchasing the remaining 5% for $6 million. A portion of the proceeds from the IP sale was used to repay OVO’s debt and provide additional liquidity for its operating business, which Vince acquired for a nominal equity price of $3.


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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. 

Mortgage Rates Barely Budged During the Wildest Bond Week in Years

Posted on by [email protected]

Mortgage rates edged only slightly lower this week despite a genuinely dramatic stretch in the bond market that saw the 30-year Treasury yield hit its highest level since 2007. The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage came in at 6.65% through Wednesday, according to Freddie Mac data, down marginally from 6.67% a week earlier. As of Thursday, Zillow data put the 30-year fixed rate at 6.52%.

The relative calm in mortgage rates masks real volatility underneath. Long-term government bond yields briefly topped 5.3% on Tuesday, the highest level in 19 years, as markets grew increasingly anxious about inflation and the country’s expanding fiscal deficit, a move we detailed as it happened earlier this week. The following day, the Treasury announced it was doubling the size of its long-term bond buying program specifically to support prices and bring yields back down. That intervention worked in the immediate term, yields fell sharply Wednesday, before climbing again Thursday, underscoring just how unsettled this corner of the market remains.

Because most homeowners refinance or sell well before their 30-year term is actually up, mortgage rates track the 10-year Treasury yield far more closely than the 30-year. The 10-year saw comparatively smaller swings than its longer-dated counterpart this week, which is largely why mortgage rates held relatively steady even as headlines focused on the 30-year hitting a 19-year high.

That stability may prove temporary. Economists covering the housing market have cautioned that the forces driving this week’s bond market shock, elevated concern over the fiscal deficit, oil price volatility, and rising debt tied to AI infrastructure spending, have not actually gone away, they were simply papered over mechanically by the Treasury’s buyback intervention. Several housing economists have specifically warned that mortgage rates are unlikely to fall meaningfully in the weeks ahead and could even drift higher, a genuinely difficult setup heading into a stretch of the year that has traditionally favored buyers.

For investors tracking the small cap space, this dynamic extends well beyond individual homebuyers. The same structural forces keeping a floor under mortgage rates, deficit concerns, energy price volatility, and the sheer scale of debt now being issued to fund AI infrastructure buildouts, are the identical pressures keeping borrowing costs elevated for smaller, more leveraged companies. Small and microcap businesses carry disproportionately more variable-rate debt than large cap peers, and a bond market that requires direct Treasury intervention just to stabilize, rather than genuinely ease, is not the kind of environment that delivers meaningful relief to smaller companies’ cost of capital anytime soon. Investors should treat this week’s mortgage rate stability as a temporary, mechanically induced calm rather than evidence that the broader rate pressure weighing on small caps has actually resolved.

Xcel Brands (XELB) – Commercialization Advances: Building Toward a Second-Half Revenue Inflection

Posted on by [email protected]


Monday, August 17, 2026

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

George Proost, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

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

Q2 results were softer than expected, largely due to timing. Revenue was approximately $1.1 million, compared with $1.3 million in the prior-year period, reflecting the Judith Ripka divestiture and delays associated with QVC’s bankruptcy and vendor-credit issues. Importantly, the QVC-related disruptions appear to have largely been resolved.

Commercialization remains the key story as the creator portfolio moves into the market. With the portfolio’s social media reach having expanded from roughly 5 million to more than 46 million followers, we believe the company has assembled a compelling audience from which to build consumer brands. The next several quarters should provide evidence regarding Xcel’s ability to convert that audience into sustainable royalty revenue.


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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).

*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. 

Xcel Brands (XELB) – Creator-Commerce Strategy Advances Despite Slower Revenue Ramp

Posted on by [email protected]


Friday, August 14, 2026

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

George Proost, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

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

Q2 results reflect a slower-than-anticipated revenue ramp, but underlying operating trends improved. Second quarter revenue of $1.1 million was below our $1.8 million estimate, largely reflecting the timing of the company’s creator-led brand commercialization and the divestiture of Judith Ripka. Importantly, adjusted EBITDA improved sequentially to a loss of $479,000 from roughly $700,000 in Q1, representing a 32% improvement, as illustrated in Figure #1 Q2 Results. 

Creator-led brands begin to contribute; commercialization remains the key catalyst. Management attributed the improved adjusted EBITDA performance in part to product launches from two of its new influencer-led brands. We believe Xcel is transitioning from the investment and incubation phase of its transformation toward commercialization, with Jenny Martinez, Gemma Stafford, Cesar Millan, Coco Rocha, Christie Brinkley, and Longaberger providing multiple opportunities to expand product categories and distribution.


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Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.

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

*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. 

ONE Group Hospitality (STKS) – Implementing the Asset Light Strategy

Posted on by [email protected]


Thursday, August 06, 2026

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.

Overview. The ONE Group Hospitality’s second quarter 2026 results underscore the momentum the Company is building across the portfolio, driven by the continued strength of the Company’s Vibe Dining brands. Consolidated comparable sales were positive, with positive transaction growth across all segments. Quarterly margin performance was strong, with the consolidated margin expanding 110 basis points to 16.4%.

2Q26 Results. ONE Group reported 2Q26 revenue of $200.5 million, down 3.3% from $207.4 million for the same quarter last year. The decrease was primarily attributable to the closed grill concept restaurants, partially offset by an increase in comparable restaurant sales and sales from new restaurants opened since July 2025. Adjusted EBITDA attributable to ONE Group was $21.1 million in 2Q26 compared to $23.4 million in 2Q25, a decrease of 9.7%, primarily due to increased investment in marketing during the quarter and an increase in general and administrative expenses, excluding stock-based compensation.


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Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.

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

*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. 

Superior Group of Companies (SGC) – Branded Products Powers Earnings Growth

Posted on by [email protected]


Wednesday, August 05, 2026

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

George Proost, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

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

An impressive earnings beat. Q2 revenue increased 2.6% to $147.8 million, while adjusted EBITDA rose 26.6% to $7.7 million and adjusted EPS more than doubled to $0.21. The results beat our estimates of $143.8 million, $6.5 million, and $0.08 per share, respectively. 

Branded Products powers the recovery. Revenue advanced 6.2%, and segment EBITDA increased 24.9% to $11.2 million, supported by a favorable customer mix, improved sourcing, and growing volumes from existing customers. Management indicated that the segment has favorable operating momentum into the second half. 


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Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.

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

*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. 

Consumer Sentiment Rose in July Even as Gas Prices Climbed Back Above $4

Posted on by [email protected]

American consumers grew more optimistic in July, even as the war with Iran appeared to widen and gasoline prices climbed back above $4 a gallon. The University of Michigan’s final assessment of consumer sentiment for the month showed the headline index climbed nearly 12% from June’s level to 55.2, slightly above the already elevated preliminary reading of 54.4 released earlier in the month.

That improvement comes with an important caveat. Sentiment remains 11% below where it stood a year ago, reflecting what the survey’s director described as a generally somber view of the economy shaped by five years of elevated inflation and persistently high prices. Consumers appear to be focused primarily on pocketbook concerns like purchasing power, with political and military developments registering as more of a background concern than a driver of sentiment itself.

Two Surveys, Two Different Signals

The improvement in the University of Michigan reading stands in contrast to a separate measure of consumer attitudes. The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index actually slid in July, with respondents citing higher gas and grocery prices as a concern even as mentions of geopolitical tension declined. The divergence between the two surveys underscores how sensitive consumer sentiment has become to specific, tangible cost pressures rather than broader macro or political narratives.

The Inflation Backdrop

The sentiment data arrives alongside a genuinely mixed set of economic signals. June consumer prices grew 3.5% year over year, with average hourly earnings gains just barely keeping pace even as inflation cooled modestly from its apparent peak in May. The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge, the Personal Consumption Expenditures index, showed a similar pattern, slower price growth in June compared to the prior month, but still elevated relative to the Fed’s target.

Separately, data released this week showed second quarter economic growth came in slower than expected. Notably, consumer spending itself remained strong even as overall GDP growth decelerated, a combination that suggests households are continuing to spend despite feeling squeezed by prices, rather than pulling back broadly.

Why This Matters for Small Cap Investors

For companies operating below the $2 billion market cap threshold, this data presents a genuinely nuanced picture rather than a clean bullish or bearish signal. Rising sentiment alongside continued strong consumer spending is a constructive combination for consumer-facing small caps in retail, restaurants, and discretionary goods, even if that sentiment remains historically depressed and gas prices continue pressuring household budgets.

The divergence between the University of Michigan and Conference Board surveys is also worth watching closely in the months ahead. If the softer Conference Board reading proves to be the more accurate leading indicator, consumer-facing small caps could see demand soften even as broader sentiment metrics suggest improvement. If the University of Michigan’s more optimistic reading holds, it would support the case that consumers are adapting to a higher cost environment rather than retreating from it entirely, a distinction that matters considerably for companies planning inventory, staffing, and pricing strategy heading into the back half of the year.

Perfect (PERF) – Fundamentals Overshadowed by Pending Buyout

Posted on by [email protected]


Tuesday, July 28, 2026

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

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

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

Another quarter of improving profitability. Revenue remained stable while higher gross margins and disciplined expense management drove another quarter of improving earnings quality.

AI SaaS model continues to scale. Gross margins remained above 80%, demonstrating the attractive economics of the company’s subscription-driven AI platform and expanding operating leverage.


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June’s Cool CPI Print Sends Treasuries Rallying and Fed Hike Odds Tumbling

Posted on by [email protected]

Consumer prices came in far cooler than expected in June, and markets reacted fast. Treasury yields dropped sharply and bets on a July interest rate hike nearly evaporated.

The Consumer Price Index fell 0.4% from May to June, the largest single-month decline since April 2020. On an annual basis, inflation eased to 3.5%. Both figures beat expectations by a wide margin, with forecasts calling for just a 0.1% monthly decline and a 3.8% annual reading.

Falling energy prices did much of the work, as drivers saw real relief at the pump. That’s a sharp reversal from May, when a temporary spike in gas prices tied to conflict in the Middle East had pushed inflation higher.

Core inflation, which strips out volatile food and energy prices, also came in soft. Core prices were flat month-over-month and up 2.6% year-over-year, again below expectations that had priced in a 0.2% monthly gain driven by higher travel and electronics costs.

Bond traders repriced their outlook almost immediately. The two-year Treasury yield, the maturity most sensitive to near-term Fed policy, fell as much as 14 basis points to 4.14%, on pace for its biggest one-day drop since February. Rate-hike expectations for the July Fed meeting, as measured by the swaps market, collapsed from around 40% probability before the report to roughly 20% after.

Market watchers are describing the report as a broad, downside surprise. Fear of a hot print had been building heading into the release, so the miss is being read as bond-friendly and likely to help steepen the yield curve. The growing consensus is that the Fed holds steady rather than moves on rates this month.

The timing is notable. The report landed just a day before the Fed chair is set to testify before Congress for the first time in his role, with inflation expected to be a central topic. Prepared remarks released ahead of the hearing struck a hawkish tone, emphasizing zero tolerance for persistently high inflation. It’ll be worth watching whether that tone shifts now that the data has moved in the Fed’s favor.

The CPI release also landed alongside a strong batch of bank earnings, with results pointing to a resilient underlying economy even as price pressures ease. That combination matters: a slowdown in inflation paired with weak growth would raise questions about the economy’s health, but paired with solid earnings, it reads instead as a sign that price pressures are normalizing without derailing activity.

It’s also a meaningful shift in narrative after a rough spring. May’s inflation report ran hot, largely because of an energy price spike tied to geopolitical tension, and it left markets bracing for a similarly uncomfortable June number. Instead, energy prices reversed course and gave consumers breathing room, which shows up clearly in both the headline and core figures.

For everyday spending, this kind of pullback tends to show up first at the pump and then gradually filters into other categories, though the core reading suggests broader price pressures outside food and energy are still holding fairly steady rather than reversing outright.

Put together, cooler inflation paired with solid earnings is often the combination markets like best — it eases pressure on the Fed without signaling economic weakness. With rate-hike odds falling and yields pulling back, the setup looks constructive for both bonds and rate-sensitive stocks heading into this week’s testimony and the rest of earnings season. Investors will likely be watching upcoming data closely to see whether June’s cooldown holds or proves to be a one-month blip.