Finimize - 🪥 Colgate's fresh issue

Colgate's healthy earnings didn't spark a smile, Germany's business mood improved, and the psychology of ghosts |
Finimize

Hi Reader, here's what you need to know for October 26th in 3:12 minutes.

  1. Colgate’s latest earnings were pearly, but investors weren’t flashing any smiles.
  2. Three timely investment ideas if you’ve got a year-end lump sum coming – Read Now
  3. Germany’s business morale lightened up, after a sour few months.

🔮 Crystal-ball gazing is all very well and good, but hard facts are better. So join our Modern Investor Summit as JPMorgan's Edward Malcolm and InvestEngine's Marianne Oliver take a look at investment themes for 2025. Grab your free ticket

Feeling The Squeeze
Feeling The Squeeze

What’s going on here?

Colgate-Palmolive delivered some, uh, sparkly white earnings, but that might not be enough to keep investors interested.

What does this mean?

Colgate’s been eking what it can out of rising costs and a pricier shopping basket. Even with inflation squeezing consumers and sending material and packaging costs climbing, the toiletry giant prioritized its essential goods and used savvy pricing strategies to smoothly pass on cost increases to customers. That bumped its third-quarter profit margins to around 61%. Unlike competitors such as Kimberly-Clark, which is losing ground to budget brands, Colgate’s ad spending kept its products shining, while its Hill's pet nutrition brand opened new streams for growth. With sales expected to climb 3-5% and profits up 10-11% in 2024, Colgate’s third quarter beat expectations. The company also lifted its full-year 2024 forecast higher. There was one concerning point, though: growth in North America slowed by more than expected.

Why should I care?

For markets: Good, but not good enough

Colgate’s stock dipped post-earnings, highlighting the high bar consumer staples must clear in today’s market. Don’t get it wrong, the firm has performed well over the past year, benefiting from the consistent demand for essentials. But strong investor interest – driven by the feeling that the US economy was moving from “very good” to “just alright” – has pushed stock valuations for defensive companies like Colgate way up. Not meme-stock expensive, but high relative to the growth they can deliver. So, in the past two months, when the economy started to perk back up, investors dumped their toothpaste and laundry detergent to chase stocks with higher growth potential – especially since those bathroom cupboard brands didn’t provide an attractive entry point anymore. Other investors high-tailed it to bonds as a safer, higher-yield option – thanks to today’s loftier interest rates. The message here seems crystal clear: as long as the economy remains strong, staples like Colgate will need to do more than just “good enough” to win back investors.

Copy to share story: https://app.finimize.com/content/feeling-the-squeeze

🙋 Ask a question

TODAY'S INSIGHT

Where To Invest A Year-End Stash Of Cash

Carl Hazeley

Where To Invest A Year-End Stash Of Cash

The holiday season is around the corner, and if you’re high up on Santa’s nice list, you might find yourself in for a seasonal bonus.

And sure, you might want to use that money to spoil yourself today, but there’s the possibility of an even bigger treat tomorrow (figuratively speaking) if you invest it.

So here are three ideas three experts shared with Bloomberg – and my take on each one.

That’s today’s Insight: three timely investment ideas if you’ve got a lump sum coming.

Read or listen to the Insight here

* SPONSORED BY ENKY

Furniture that works harder – for investors

Finding furniture for your business can be as tricky as finding a good investment for your portfolio. But a Belgium-based startup wants to help you do both.

Enky’s furniture-as-a-service model offers eco-friendly pieces at a monthly fee for workplaces, hospitality spaces, and real estate outfits.

Customers can subscribe to the furniture and save money from the start, or buy it outright with the option of selling it back within ten years. It means nothing ends up in a landfill.

Enky even has its own financing platform – Enky Invest – that it uses to buy all its gorgeous furnishings. And with a yearly ROI of 6% to 8.5%, it's raised over $1 million in the past three months.

Now, as it looks to expand across borders – it’s already set up shop in the UK – Enky is offering a unique opportunity to join its crowdfunding campaign.

So put your feet on your desk like a boss, and check out Enky’s numbers. It might be the acquisition you’ve been looking for.

Discover More

When you support our sponsors, you support us. Thanks for that.

If you want your brand featured here, get in touch.

On Firmer Ground
On Firmer Ground

What’s going on here?

Germany’s business outlook brightened a bit this month, according to a new survey, fueling hopes that Europe’s biggest economy might finally be finding its footing.

What does this mean?

The Ifo Institute’s business climate index hit its highest mark since June this month, which points to a little more confidence among firms. Although the manufacturing sector is still downbeat, the services sector – led by tourism, IT, and logistics – has started picking up pace. But the skies aren’t all sunshiney: the country’s central bank expects economic growth to flatline again in the fourth quarter as cautious consumers and pesky global uncertainty keep it in check.

Why should I care?

For markets: Adapt or fail.

Germany’s auto industry – once its crown jewel – is now the poster child for the country’s struggle to keep up. Traditional heavyweights like Mercedes and Volkswagen are finding the shift to EVs isn’t just costly, but also requires a complete change of gears for their business models. Tough competition from China and strict green regulations are only making matters worse, exposing faults in this decades-old jalopy. Mind you, it’s not just the auto industry that’s stalling: a look under the hood of Germany’s economy reveals a tech and sustainability engine that’s in dire need of service too.

The bigger picture: Roundabouts.

Germany and France have been Europe’s hard-driving powerhouses forever. But now both are wrestling with slower economic growth and rising government expenses. In both countries, aging populations are slowing economic output, while amping up healthcare and support costs. And that’s coming as global trade tensions rise, threatening their industries. No wonder the economic focus has shifted to southern Europe. Spain and Greece are now living the good life, enjoying healthy economic growth, thanks to booming tourism and rising foreign investment. All that and nicer winters too.

Copy to share story: https://app.finimize.com/content/on-firmer-ground

🙋 Ask a question

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"No man has a good enough memory to be a successful liar."

– Abraham Lincoln (former US President)
Tweet this

* SPONSORED BY RANDOM HERO

Who wants to be a millionaire?

You’ve got to admit: it’d be fun to have $1 million to play around with.

And there’s a way that you can do that while turning make-believe dollars into real cash prizes of up to $2,000 with Random Hero.

The fantasy trading platform has just opened a new competition, which will give you a million virtual bucks to trade with. Getting started is easy – all you have to do is sign up with your phone number and email address.

Each player will start with that amount in a competition account. You can invest in most NASDAQ and NYSE stocks in the US markets, with an account that’s a mix of cash and shares (but no fractional shares – even “heroes” draw a line somewhere).

At the close of play, whoever has the most money in their account wins. But don’t worry if you don’t finish first: there are also prizes for the top 20 competitors.

Find Out More

Terms of Service apply.

This content is for US investors only, if you are not a US investor please ignore this content. This content is a paid advertisement for Random Hero from Sideways Frequency and Finimize. This is not Finimize editorial content. Finimize received a fixed fee from Sideways Frequency for producing, hosting and promoting this content via 3 email sends on behalf of Random Hero, totalling $13,000. Other than the compensation received for this service, Finimize and its principals are not affiliated with either Sideways Frequency or Random Hero. Finimize and its principals have no ownership in Random Hero. The content on this page should not be taken as advice, an endorsement, or a recommendation from Finimize and its principals to buy or sell any security. Finimize and its principals have not evaluated the accuracy of any claims made on this page. Finimize and its principals recommend that investors do their own independent research and consult with a qualified investment professional before buying or selling any security. Investing is inherently risky and capital is at risk. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

When you support our sponsors, you support us. Thanks for that.

If you want your brand featured here, get in touch.

🎯 On Our Radar

1. Wrestling with serpents. Meet one of Florida’s most successful python hunters.

2. Don’t get bogged down by the circus. Check out IG’s free guide to investing during the political season.*

3. Seriously cute animals. Here’s how we’re hardwired to find baby animals adorable.

4. Back to the futures. Get to the root of trading futures and (why you’d want to) with this free guide.*

5. Spooky season is upon us. Why people believe in ghosts.

When you support our sponsors, you support us. Thanks for that.

🌍 Finimize Live

🤩 Grab your tickets...

All events in UK time.
🇺🇸 Pre-Election Special: What Investors Need To Know: 5pm, October 29th
🇺🇸 Post-Election Special: The Landscape, Regardless Of Who Wins: 5pm, November 7th
🏅 How To Tap Into Your Gold Opportunity: 5pm, November 14th
💰 Spread Betting vs CFDs: How To Trade Tax-Free: 5pm, November 19th
🚀 2024 Modern Investor Summit: 2pm, December 3rd

Get your free ticket for the Modern Investor Summit

Thanks for reading Reader. If you liked today’s brief, we’d love for you to share it with a friend – here’s a link: Share this email

You stay classy, Reader 😉

Any thoughts on today’s email? Give feedback

Want to advertise with us? Get in touch

Image credits: Shutterstock-Pixelsquid | Midjourney

Preferences:

Update your email or change preferences

View in browser

Unsubscribe from all Finimize Emails

Crafted by Finimize Ltd. | 280 Bishopsgate, London, EC2M 4AG

All content provided by Finimize Ltd. is for informational and educational purposes only and is not meant to represent trade or investment recommendations. You signed up to this mailing list at finimize.com or through one of our partners. © Finimize 2024

View Online

When you support our sponsors, you support us. Thanks for that.

Older messages

💵 How you spend it

Thursday, October 24, 2024

Hermès is on the up as other brands suffer, Ozempic is linked to Alzheimer's benefits, and homes of the future | Finimize TOGETHER WITH Hi Reader, here's what you need to know for October 25th

🇮🇳 Down on India

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

Goldman Sachs downgrades India, BlackRock hurls itself into AI, and graveyard picnics | Finimize TOGETHER WITH Hi Reader, here's what you need to know for October 24th in 3:15 minutes. Goldman

⚔️ GM vs Tesla

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

General Motors puts the pedal down, SAP hits a record high, and wasps that don't get hangovers | Finimize TOGETHER WITH Hi Reader, here's what you need to know for October 23rd in 2:58 minutes.

🤖 AI is winning

Monday, October 21, 2024

AI startup Perplexity enters talks for big money, China cuts its key rates, and looking stylish in the kitchen | Finimize TOGETHER WITH Hi Reader, here's what you need to know for October 22nd in 3

🎤 Tesla and Amazon take the stage

Sunday, October 20, 2024

Plus, everything you need to know for the week ahead | Finimize 👋 Hi Reader. Here's what you need to know for the week ahead and what you might've missed last week. Moving Days Investors buy

You Might Also Like

😏 More like Alphabeat

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Alphabet posted its earnings, McDonald's has mixed feelings , and the origins of kissing | Finimize TOGETHER WITH Hi Reader, here's what you need to know for October 30th in 3:09 minutes.

💌 You’re invited!

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Join us for three free, timely events with financial pros. ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌  ͏ ‌

Does your home need new windows?

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

We've got deals galore Upgrade your home with up to 50% off new windows Replacement windows do more than beautify your home, they could improve your well-being and also make economic sense. New

Homelessness Among Older Adults Is Rising

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Steps you can take to avoid that fate ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌

Gold Prices Climb as Election Heats Up

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Is This the Next Big Find? ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

U.S. Steel’s decline nearly killed this town. Its sale could save it

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Braddock, Pennsylvania lost most of its population over the past almost 100 years, due largely to US Steel's decline. Here's how some locals feel about the company's potential sale to the

📊 An earnings hurdle

Monday, October 28, 2024

More S&P 500 firms have fallen short, oil hits a low, and taking a breakup viral | Finimize TOGETHER WITH Hi Reader, here's what you need to know for October 29th in 3:15 minutes. Companies in

Tools, Agents, Interfaces, and Synthetic Luck: AI Interaction Models

Monday, October 28, 2024

Plus! Lyft Got Fined For Telling the Truth and is Now Compelled to Lie to Drivers; Ozempic and Signaling; Wargaming and Pivots; Failure Modes; ESG, Etc.; Diff Jobs Tools, Agents, Interfaces, and

Tools, Agents, Interfaces, and Synthetic Luck: AI Interaction Models

Monday, October 28, 2024

Plus! Lyft Got Fined For Telling the Truth and is Now Compelled to Lie to Drivers; Ozempic and Signaling; Wargaming and Pivots; Failure Modes; ESG, Etc.; Diff Jobs Tools, Agents, Interfaces, and

20 Years of Rising Prices - Thanks to AI

Monday, October 28, 2024

Trade of The Next 2 Decades ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏