Markets

Netcapital (NCPL) announced a registered direct offering of 641,712 shares at $4.675 per share, aiming for $3 million in gross proceeds. A concurrent private placement offers unregistered short-term warrants for up to 641,712 shares at $4.55 each, potentially adding $2.9 million if fully exercised. Slated to close around July 17, 2025, with H.C. Wainwright & Co. as placement agent, the proceeds will repay promissory notes and fund working capital. The offering involves shareholder dilution with potential for further dilution.

Sam’s Club is facing backlash for including mass-market brands like Orion Pies on its shelves, angering members who perceive this as a betrayal of its premium image. While some criticize the inclusion of domestic brands, these products often have exclusive formulations and are subject to stringent quality controls. The controversy highlights a conflict between perceived prestige and the retailer’s efforts to leverage local supply chains. Rapid expansion and a focus on cost reduction have led to quality control issues, prompting legitimate member complaints unrelated to brand origin.

Meituan’s Core Local Commerce CEO, Wang Putaozhong, revealed the food delivery business operates on thin margins, with Meituan achieving a mere 4% profit margin last year. Growth stems from scaling, not margin expansion. He highlighted the complexity and low per-order profits, contrasting Meituan’s 3% operating profit margin with the struggles of competitors like DoorDash, despite higher commissions. Satisfying merchants, riders, the platform, and consumers presents a constant challenge, making substantial profit margins unrealistic.

Elkhart Plastics, a Myers Industries company, launched the Schwig’s Garden Box™, a modular accessory for its Connect-A-Dock® 2000 Series. This innovation transforms docks into floating gardens, offering a low-maintenance solution for growing plants. Targetting both residential and commercial use, the Garden Box can revitalize shorelines and other underutilized spaces. Available through the Connect-A-Dock dealer network, it expands the company’s product line which includes boat docks and jet ski ports.

Meituan’s local commerce CEO, Wang Putao, addressed concerns about China’s food delivery “war,” acknowledging user anxieties and merchant fatigue caused by intense competition and subsidies. He suggested a return to “rational business judgment” as a path to resolution. Wang outlined potential war-ending scenarios, including annexation, stalemate, or external intervention. Industry insiders view the delivery battle as a platform competition for instant retail dominance, but the long-term sustainability of heavy subsidization is questioned. The benefits for riders and consumers are likely temporary.

ASML, the Dutch lithography leader, is facing growth challenges due to U.S. trade policies and escalating geopolitical uncertainties. CEO Christophe Fouquet warned the company may not meet its 2026 growth targets. Vulnerability to potential U.S. trade restrictions and rising prices have created a challenging market environment. Investor concerns triggered a significant drop in ASML shares. While Q2 2025 results show strong revenue and net profit, the future outlook remains uncertain.

China’s on-demand delivery market is experiencing intense competition as Meituan, Fliggy (Alibaba), and JD.com engage in a subsidy war. This weekend saw a surge in promotional offers, benefiting consumers seeking immediate delivery services. The players are vying for market share by attracting users with heavily discounted prices and incentives. The long-term impact of this subsidy battle on the on-demand delivery landscape remains to be seen.

This document discusses the application of machine learning techniques to predict stock market movements. It explores various algorithms, including recurrent neural networks (RNNs) and long short-term memory (LSTM) networks, for analyzing historical stock data and identifying patterns. The study aims to develop a predictive model that can assist investors in making more informed trading decisions and

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TikTok warns users about a surge in scams where fraudsters impersonate customer service representatives. These scammers trick users into downloading fake apps, like a bogus “TikTok Meetings” app, and then use screen-sharing to access bank accounts and steal funds. TikTok explicitly states there is no official “TikTok Meetings” app and advises skepticism toward unsolicited requests to download software or transfer money. They also caution against post-shopping festival delivery scams that lead to malware downloads. TikTok emphasizes they will never ask users to download third-party software or share screens.