💰Square: Cash App Shining💰

The stock had moon after receiving an upgrade from $265 to $300. Investors are delighted with the fast-moving disruption on payments and broader financial technology of which Square is well-posed to thrive. The robust product development in scaling up mobile banking and its Cash App, a payment platform, means firmer gross profit ahead.

Cash App is seen as a winner for consumers looking for a digital wallet with solid profit growth for years to come. Moreover, the company is likely to benefit tremendously from its recent acquisition of Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) provider, Afterpay, which will further broader its service offering to consumers.

Pika World is cheerful on Square and is exploring opportunities for entry / accumulation.

🎙Levi Strauss & Co: Earning Beat🎙

Things look better as the company up to its guidance with a delicious dessert of $200 million share buyback on a backdrop of completion in acquiring a yoga brand as it seeks to expand into the activewear market.

Despite a challenging supply chain problem, the company is optimistic about the outlook given its diversified manufacturing base that springs over 24 countries. Moreover, it has locked in shipping cost till summer 2022, thus ensuring healthy cost control.

🧯High Energy Price Hurting the Economy🧯

The strong rebound in energy price reflects a robust economy. However, the sharp rise has been uncomfortable even for energy companies despite them benefiting from the environment.

Essentially, energy producers will take the hit if their consumers reduce demand for their products. Moreover, oil prices have always been intertwined into the political sphere where it could cause social unrest, such as the protests seen in France some years ago.

Pika World maintains that high energy prices are likely to continue their traction and can spell trouble. Historically, a swift upward movement in oil prices is often accompanied by recessions. Oil prices did shoot up before the Dot.com bust in 2000. Similarly, it rose sharply before the financial crisis and continued till the end of the recession.

On a side note, Pika World is concerned as it threatens the global economy’s recovery story, especially when inflation is rampant and China growth seems to be cooling.