Discount Retailer Bucks Trend, Posts 6% Gains

A discount retailer is climbing nearly 6% on strong sales growth, a quantum computing firm is gaining ground as revenue and bookings top forecasts, and a smart fitness equipment maker is soaring on a fresh $3.6M investment. Read on to know more.

Disruptive AI Tech (Sponsored)

A little-known Nasdaq-listed company is making big moves in the smart glass industry, a market projected to reach $124 billion.

Its patented AI-driven glass technology is already used by Boeing, Mercedes-Benz, and National Geographic, setting the stage for massive expansion. With revenue surging and demand growing, this stock may not stay under the radar for long.

The opportunity is here, but once Wall Street catches on, the window to get in early could close fast.

Futures 📈

What to Watch

Earnings:

  • DocuSign, Inc. (DOCU): Aftermarket

  • Ulta Beauty, Inc. (ULTA): Aftermarket

  • Rubrik, Inc. (RBRK): Aftermarket

  • ServiceTitan, Inc. (TTAN): Aftermarket

  • Semtech Corporation (SMTC): Aftermarket

  • Mach Natural Resources LP (MNR): Aftermarket

  • EverCommerce Inc. (EVCM): Aftermarket

Economic Reports:

  • Initial jobless claims [March 8]: 8:30 a.m.

  • Producer price index [Feb]: 8:30 a.m.

  • Core PPI [Feb]: 8:30 a.m.

Discount Retail

Dollar General Shares Edge Up On Strong Sales Despite Weak Q4 Earnings

Dollar General (NYSE: DG) reported a sharp decline in fourth-quarter earnings, missing analyst expectations, but its revenue has increased year-over-year.

The company’s stock is up 5.5% in premarket trading.

For the quarter ending January 31, Dollar General posted earnings per share of $0.87, significantly lower than the $1.83 reported a year earlier.

The result also fell short of the analyst consensus of $1.51, according to FactSet.

Net sales for the quarter are $10.30 billion, up from $9.86 billion a year ago, and slightly exceeding analyst expectations of $10.26 billion.

Comparable-store sales are up 1.2%, also exceeding expectations of a 0.9% increase.

Looking ahead to fiscal 2025, Dollar General forecasts earnings per share between $5.10 and $5.80, which is also below analysts' projected $5.90.

The company expects net sales to increase by approximately 3.4% to 4.4% over the year.

Same-store sales growth is projected between 1.2% and 2.2%, closely aligning with analyst estimates of 1.8%.

The discount retailer continues to navigate a challenging retail environment, balancing rising costs and shifts in consumer spending.

Financial Services

Moomoo Parent Futu Holdings Reports Strong Q4 Growth

Futu Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: FUTU) reported a 113% year-over-year surge in fourth-quarter net income, driven by record trading volumes fueled by heightened investor interest in artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency stocks.

Shares of the financial services firm are up 4.0% in early trade.

For the quarter ending December 31, Futu is posting a net income of HK$1.87 billion (US$240.7 million), significantly higher than HK$877 million a year earlier.

Revenue is also up 86.8%, reaching HK$4.43 billion (US$570.6 million), as all business segments experienced robust growth.

Trading activity on Futu’s platform reached an all-time high during the quarter, with total trading volume hitting HK$2.89 trillion in Q4—more than triple the previous year’s level and up 51.5% from Q3.

U.S. stock trading volume climbed 36.1% sequentially to HK$2.08 trillion, while Hong Kong stock trading volume more than doubled quarter-over-quarter to HK$754.5 billion.

CEO Leaf Hua Li highlighted how AI stocks previously unknown to users became some of the most-traded names on the platform due to their strong performance and increasing public confidence in AI’s long-term impact.

Futu’s wealth management division also expanded, with total client assets growing 92.6% year-over-year to HK$110.9 billion. The company ended 2024 with 2.4 million paying clients, a 41% increase from the previous year, and expects to add 800,000 more in 2025.

For the full year, Futu reported a 27% rise in net income to HK$5.43 billion (US$699.4 million) on revenue of HK$13.59 billion (US$1.75 billion), up 35.8% from 2023.

Investor Risk Signals (Sponsored)

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Quantum Computing

D-Wave Shares Jump Despite Larger Q4 Loss as Revenue Tops Forecasts

D-Wave Quantum (NYSE: QBTS) reported a wider-than-expected loss for the fourth quarter, but its stock is up 4.3% in premarket trading because its revenue and bookings are both up.

For the quarter ending December 31, the quantum-computing firm posted a loss of $0.08 per share, missing analysts' expectations of a $0.06 loss.

However, revenue reached $2.3 million, slightly surpassing the Wall Street estimate of $2.2 million, according to FactSet.

Full-year revenue is flat at $8.8 million, in line with projections.

Bookings, however, saw a notable jump to $23.9 million, marking an increase of $13.4 million compared to 2023.

The company added five major clients, including four government and research institutions and one Forbes Global 2000 company.

Looking ahead, D-Wave expects its first-quarter revenue to exceed $10 million, driven largely by the sale of a D-Wave Advantage quantum computer.

CEO Alan Baratz emphasized the company’s mission to bring quantum computing solutions to organizations today, highlighting record bookings and a strong cash position.

Social Media

Weibo Beats Revenue Estimates, Stock Edges Higher

Weibo Corporation (NASDAQ: WB) reported fourth-quarter 2024 revenue slightly above analyst expectations, with the company’s stock rising 3.5% in premarket trading.

For the quarter ending December 31, Weibo posted revenue of $456.8 million, surpassing the consensus forecast of $453.11 million.

Adjusted earnings per share are $0.40, aligning with market expectations.

Advertising and marketing revenue is down 4% year-over-year to $385.9 million, largely due to weakness in the online gaming sector.

However, value-added services jumped 18% to $71.0 million, fueled by increased demand for membership services and gaming-related offerings.

CEO Gaofei Wang highlighted the company's solid overall performance, noting steady advertising results and strong momentum in value-added services throughout the year.

User engagement remained strong, with monthly active users reaching 590 million in December 2024, while daily active users climbed to 260 million.

Additionally, Weibo’s board has approved an annual dividend policy, with a $200 million payout planned for fiscal 2024.

The move signals confidence in the company’s financial position as it looks to maintain growth in a shifting digital landscape.

Movers and Shakers

Interactive Strength Inc. [TRNR] - Last Close: $1.42

Interactive Strength Inc. is a fitness technology company specializing in smart fitness equipment and digital training solutions under its CLMBR and FORME brands.

Its shares are up 9% in premarket after Interactive Strength secured a $3.6 million investment through convertible notes from an institutional investor, further supporting its M&A strategy, including the pending Sportstech acquisition.

My Take: TRNR is down 50% YTD and hasn’t made profits since its inception. It might be best to adopt a wait and watch approach here.

Aveanna Healthcare Holdings Inc. [AVAH] - Last Close: $3.74

Aveanna Healthcare Holdings Inc. is a home healthcare services provider specializing in pediatric and adult care.

Its shares are rising 9% in early trading after Aveanna reported a dramatic turnaround in Q4 2024, swinging from a $25.7 million loss to a $29.2 million net profit.

Revenue increased 8.6% year-over-year to $519.9 million, while adjusted EBITDA surged 42.8% to $55.2 million.

My Take: The company also provided an optimistic 2025 outlook, projecting further revenue and profit growth. However, it’s struggled in the past with profitability so it might be best to keep a close watch on this stock for now.

Freightcar America, Inc. [RAIL] - Last Close: $6.23

FreightCar America, Inc., is a manufacturer of railcars for the freight transportation industry.

Its shares are rising 13% in premarket after posting a strong Q4, swinging to an adjusted profit of $0.21 per share from a $0.16 loss a year earlier.

Revenue increased to $137.7 million, and the company provided a positive 2025 outlook, expecting revenue between $530 million and $595 million.

My Take: FreightCar America has made a solid turnaround after a disastrous Q3, but it remains to be seen if it can sustain the momentum. Keep this stock on your radar.

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Everything Else

That’s all for today. Thank you for reading. If you have any feedback, please reply to this email.

Best Regards,

— Adam Garcia
Elite Trade Club

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