UBS Surges, Gucci Sinks, and Athleta Snatches Nike’s Star

Money Masters' Market Movers 31

July 30, 2025

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Dear Money Master,

Welcome to this week’s market insights! UBS crushed expectations this quarter, doubling profits as it rode the wave of strong wealth management and investment banking. In contrast, HSBC posted a 29% profit drop, weighed down by impairments from China and strategic divestitures. Starbucks shares jumped as momentum builds under its new CEO, while Gucci’s parent Kering tanked with a brutal 25% sales collapse at the iconic brand.

Also, Trump-era tariffs are quietly hitting your wallet, with companies like Carter’s and Walmart warning of price hikes on everyday goods. Consumer confidence is up, but job openings slipped, suggesting a market caught between optimism and caution.

In tech, Tesla was revealed as the buyer in a $4.3B battery deal with LG, right after sealing a $16.5B chip contract with Samsung. Meanwhile, AI challenger Anthropic is chasing a $170B valuation in its latest funding round. And in cybersecurity, Palo Alto Networks is eyeing a $20B takeover of CyberArk, underscoring just how hot digital defense has become.

Lastly, Nike just lost its top women’s exec to Athleta, signaling a new front in the war for female consumers. Retail is evolving and fast. 🪙💼

📰 Your Daily Financial Digest - July 30th, 2025

🌍 Economics & Finance:

  1. Tariffs Push Up Prices on Everyday Goods 📈
    Major U.S. companies like Deckers and Carter’s are hiking prices as new tariffs bite, costing Carter’s alone up to $150M a year. Supply chains are shifting, with some firms cutting back imports to offset costs. Read More

  2. Union Pacific to Acquire Norfolk Southern in $85B Megamerger 🚂
    The deal will create a $200B rail giant, valuing Norfolk Southern at $320 per share, a 12% premium over its last close. It marks the largest rail consolidation in U.S. history. Read More

  3. Consumer Confidence Jumps 😊
    July’s index rose to 97.2 from June’s 95.2. Consumers feel more upbeat about future job prospects and income. Read More

  4. Job Openings Slide to 7.4M as Labor Market Cools ⚖️
    Openings dropped slightly below forecasts for June. Hiring and firing remain muted as companies wait for more economic clarity amid sticky inflation and tariff pressures. Read More

  5. Nike Exec Jumps Ship to Lead Struggling Athleta 👟
    Maggie Gauger, formerly head of Nike’s North America women’s division, is now CEO of Athleta. This marks Athleta’s third CEO in two years amid plunging sales. Read More

💻 Technology:

  1. LG Signs $4.3B Battery Deal with Tesla as the Reported Buyer 🔋
    While the counterparty wasn’t officially disclosed, Reuters identified Tesla as the buyer. The contract runs through 2030 and aligns with Tesla’s $16.5B chip deal with Samsung. Read More

  2. Anthropic Eyes $170B Valuation in Fresh AI Round 🤖
    The OpenAI rival is reportedly raising up to $5B from Iconiq Capital. Just four months ago, it raised $3.5B at a $61.5B valuation, tripling in under half a year. Read More

  3. Palo Alto Networks in Talks to Acquire CyberArk for $20B 🔐
    The deal would mark a major consolidation in cybersecurity as AI-driven threats accelerate the demand for enterprise protection. Read More

💹Earnings:

  1. HSBC Misses Q2 Estimates, Announces $3B Buyback 💸
    Profits dropped 29% YoY to $6.3B, hit by charges linked to China and divestments. Despite the miss, HSBC is returning cash to shareholders with a $3 billion repurchase plan. Read More

  2. UBS Doubles Q2 Profit, Smashes Analyst Forecasts 💼
    Driven by strength in wealth management and investment banking, UBS reported $2.395B in net profit, beating expectations by over $400M. Return on equity jumped to 11.8%. Read More

  3. Starbucks Revenue Beats, Momentum Builds Under New CEO ☕
    With $9.5B in revenue and a positive tone from leadership, Starbucks is showing signs of a turnaround. Read More

  4. Gucci Sales Drop 25%, Dragging Down Kering’s Q2 📉
    Luxury giant Kering posted a 15% decline in revenue, missing forecasts amid weak Gucci performance. Sales dropped to €3.7B, with leadership promising more restructuring. Read More

  5. Royal Caribbean Raises Full-Year Forecast as Bookings Surge 🚢
    New guidance bumps EPS to as high as $15.55. The CEO says experience-driven travel is booming, with 75% of consumers planning to spend more on vacations. Read More

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