Markets

On December 2, 2025, Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (EL) executives will participate in a fireside chat at the Morgan Stanley Global Consumer & Retail Conference. President Stéphane de La Faverie and Chief Digital & Marketing Officer Aude Gandon will discuss the company’s strategic vision, growth prospects, digital transformation, and approach to evolving consumer preferences. Topics will include brand strategy, sustainability efforts, and leveraging technology like AI to enhance customer experiences. A live webcast will be available on the EL Companies investor website.

Northwest Biotherapeutics has begun building its first Grade C manufacturing suite in the UK, aiming to significantly increase DCVax® production capacity. This transition, facilitated by their Flaskworks system, allows for simultaneous manufacturing of multiple patient products, improving efficiency compared to Grade B suites. The new suite is expected to be operational in Q2 next year. This expansion supports large-scale production of DCVax® personalized immune therapies, including DCVax-L for glioblastoma, for which the company has already submitted a Market Authorization Application in the UK.

Lithium South (LISMF) extended its Share Purchase Agreement with POSCO Argentina S.A.U. to December 5, 2025, for the US$65 million sale of NRG Metals Argentina S.A., which holds the Hombre Muerto North lithium project and related claims. The delay is due to air travel disruptions and holidays. The sale provides POSCO access to key lithium resources, while Lithium South may explore other projects. The project is located in Argentina’s “Lithium Triangle.”

Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) declared its 187th consecutive quarterly dividend of $0.18 per share, payable March 20, 2024, to shareholders of record as of February 28, 2024. This reflects the airline’s financial stability and dedication to shareholder returns. The consistent payout occurs amid industry challenges like fluctuating fuel prices and evolving travel demand. Southwest’s resilience, fuel hedging, fleet modernization, customer service focus, and capacity management are crucial for future performance and dividend sustainability.

Flux Power (FLUX) received a U.S. patent for its proprietary method of continuously determining battery State of Health (SoH). The patented system utilizes algorithms and predictive modeling to monitor battery health metrics to optimize charging and extend battery lifespan. Flux Power aims to address the growing need for efficient energy consumption by improving fleet uptime, enabling predictive maintenance, lowering total cost of ownership, and improving safety across various industrial applications.

Vext Science Inc. (VEXTF) reported strong Q3 2025 results, with revenue up 41% year-over-year to $12.7 million. This growth was fueled by expanded retail operations in Ohio and resilient performance in Arizona. Year-to-date operating cash flow reached $8.5 million, a significant improvement from the previous year. Vext is on track to reach the Ohio dispensary license cap of eight by 2026, positioning itself for continued growth in the adult-use market. The company maintains a focus on maximizing dispensary performance and strategic expansion.

Omdia reports the Middle East (excluding Turkey) smartphone market rebounded strongly in Q3 2025, with shipments up 23% YoY to 15.1 million units. Growth was driven by demand for mid-tier 4G and affordable 5G devices. While Saudi Arabia saw a slight dip, UAE, Iraq and Rest of Middle East experienced strong growth. Samsung led the market; TRANSSION, Xiaomi, HONOR and Apple also saw gains. Omdia forecasts slower growth in 2026 due to rising component costs.

The Ericsson Mobility Report (Nov 2025) highlights the rise of 5G SA, with over 90 CSPs deploying it. Network slicing enables differentiated connectivity services, evidenced by 118 instances, with 65 commercially available. 6G is anticipated to launch commercially by 2031, reaching 180 million subscriptions. 5G subscriptions are projected to exceed 2.9 billion by the end of 2025, managing 43% of mobile data traffic. Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) continues growth, with 1.4 billion expected to have access by 2031 using 5G, offered by 159 providers.

e.l.f. Beauty is expanding into the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) through a strategic partnership with Sephora. Launching on November 21st, e.l.f. Cosmetics will be available in all 70 Sephora stores across Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as on Sephora’s e-commerce platform. Supported by the “eyes.lips.finally” campaign, this move aims to tap into the GCC’s digitally engaged and lucrative market, contributing to e.l.f.’s international growth strategy.

JOYY Inc. reported unaudited Q3 2025 financial results with $540 million in revenue, a 6.4% quarter-over-quarter increase. Livestreaming revenue reached $388 million, up 3.5% sequentially. BIGO Ads saw a 33.1% year-over-year revenue increase to $104 million. GAAP and non-GAAP operating income rose by approximately 19.1% and 16.6%, respectively. The company held $3.32 billion in net cash. JOYY is executing a $900 million shareholder return program, having distributed $148 million in dividends and repurchased $89 million in shares.