Breaking
Top Investing Channel
Archive

March 2025

Browsing

Market Movers in Action: How to Identify High-Probability Dip-Buying Setups

If the essence of stock investing is to buy low and sell high, then buying not just low, but at a steep discount, optimizes your potential returns. This strategy is what’s popularly called “buying the dip.”

Aside from avoiding falling knives, buying the dip as a general approach requires three things:

  1. Finding tools to identify a broad range of declining stocks.
  2. Selecting only those strong stocks on the verge of rebounding.
  3. Formulating a market entry setup.

This article covers the first two steps, though I’ll guide you through all three. I’m emphasizing the first two because there are numerous tools—more than I can cover in a single article—to help you identify a wide range of tradable stocks.

Finding Declining Stocks Amid a Rallying Market

As the markets recovered on Wednesday from a steep two-day decline, my first step was to check the Market Movers tool on my Dashboard to see which stocks were getting hit the hardest.

FIGURE 1. MARKET MOVERS % DOWN. Crowdstrike took the top spot for the biggest percentage loss on Wednesday morning.

Crowdstrike (CRWD) was the biggest decliner, down at the time by nearly 9%. To get a broader picture of the sector action, I switched to MarketCarpets’ tech sector view. It turns out that CRWD was the worst-hit stock amid an otherwise mostly greenish landscape.

FIGURE 2. MARKETCARPETS TECH SECTOR VIEW. This tells you that CRWD was among a few tech stocks experiencing a significant drop, while others were potentially rebounding.

If you check the StockCharts’ Symbol Summary page, you can see CRWD’s earnings and revenue history. While the company recently missed earnings estimates despite beating revenue expectations, the real driver behind the decline was weak earnings guidance.

Let’s switch to a weekly chart for a broader view of CRWD’s price action.

FIGURE 3. WEEKLY CHART OF CRWD. Despite the two sharp drops, the broader trend, which is bullish, is still intact.

CRWD’s uptrend began in 2023 but tumbled sharply in July 2024 after a faulty software update triggered a global IT outage. The stock rebounded later that month, rising sharply only to fall again in February due to disappointing fiscal guidance, insider selling, regulatory scrutiny, and broader macroeconomic concerns that pressured growth stocks.

Nevertheless, the uptrend, as volatile as it is, remains arguably intact. Using the Bollinger Bands® to gauge the trending action, you can see that CRWD has fallen below the middle band to rebound (you see this on the daily chart) at $340. Traders found this to be a favorable spot for entry, and I’ll show you why in the next section when analyzing the price action from a closer perspective.

Meanwhile, CRWD’s StockCharts Technical Rank (SCTR) score remains above 70 (my strength indicating threshold) though falling below the ultra-bullish 90-line. What does this look like from a broader sector perspective? Relative performance shows that CRWD is outperforming the broader tech sector (represented by XLK) by over 36%, though its lead has narrowed.

Let’s switch to a daily chart to see the price action up close.

FIGURE 4. DAILY CHART OF CRWD. Accumulation appears sharp, despite the dip.

The current pullback can be effectively measured by historical support, as shown by the green highlight and a Fibonacci Retracement from the August (2024) low to the February high. I included both since traders may analyze them separately or together, especially as their proximity suggests a potential convergence.

As you can see, bullish investors jumped in at the support level of $340, though, technically, a decline to the range between $300 and $330 would still be considered a favorable dip for those looking to go long. After the initial bounce, price appears to be falling back toward $340. If it drops below the green support range, expect a deeper pullback toward the 50% and 61.8% Fib levels.

The Relative Strength Index (RSI) has declined and, although it isn’t signaling oversold conditions, if CRWD does recover soon, the indicator suggests there’s plenty of room on the upside to run (though momentum doesn’t appear to be picking up yet). 

On the volume side of things, the picture looks brighter. The Chaikin Money Flow (CMF) has declined slightly but still indicates strong buying pressure. But what pops out is the Accumulation/Distribution Line (the orange line overlaid on the price chart). While the price was falling, this ADL was rising, suggesting that buyers might have been absorbing shares sold by weaker hands.

At the Close

Although I took a deep dive into CRWD, the main takeaway here is how I used Market Movers and MarketCarpets to spot potential buy-the-dip opportunities. These tools help identify stocks experiencing sharp declines while also providing a sector-wide perspective to gauge their position among peers.

If you’re looking to widen your dip-buying strategy, test these tools under different market conditions and across various stocks and sectors. The more you use them, the better you’ll become at distinguishing between a real opportunity and a falling knife.

Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The ideas and strategies should never be used without first assessing your own personal and financial situation, or without consulting a financial professional.

Why Investors Are Flocking to XPEV Stock: Decoding High SCTR Scores

And, the Oscar, er, top StockCharts Technical Rank (SCTR) goes to XPeng, Inc. (XPEV), a Chinese smart electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer. XPEV has silently crept its way to the top of the list.

The Chinese EV industry has seen increased sales in the last month. This has made the space much more competitive for Tesla, Inc. (TSLA), which is seeing its sales in China decline. With XPeng’s new SUV slated to hit the market soon, XPEV has high hopes for 2025. I’m sure we’ll hear more about this when the company announces earnings on March 18, before the US market opens.

XPeng’s stock price has been rising steadily since August 2024, attracting the attention of several Wall Street analysts, many of whom have upped their ratings on the stock. And for good reason. The chart below compares XPEV stock to TSLA stock. Since mid-December, TSLA’s stock price (black solid line) has declined while XPEV’s has risen.

FIGURE 1. XPEV’S STOCK PRICE VS. TSLA’S STOCK PRICE. TSLA was the outperformer until mid-December, after which it started declining. In February 2025, XPEV outperformed TSLA.Chart source: StockCharts.com. For educational purposes.

Technically, XPEV has a lot going for it.

  • The stock is in a steady uptrend—its one-year performance is +132.81%.
  • XPEV’s SCTR score of 99.9 indicates the stock is technically strong.
  • The relative strength index (RSI) has just crossed 70, indicating there’s room for XPEV’s stock price to move higher.

The daily chart shows the stock price is trading close to its 52-week high of $22.80. A breakout above this level would be positive for the stock and could pave the way for the stock price to move toward its all-time high of $74.49. Let’s switch to the weekly chart of XPEV.

The weekly chart below shows XPEV’s stock price is approaching its weekly July 2023 high, which could be the more likely resistance level XPEV would have to break through.

FIGURE 2. WEEKLY CHART OF XPEV’S STOCK PRICE. The stock price is approaching its 2023 weekly high, which could act as a resistance level. The percentage price oscillator in the lower panel indicates strong momentum in the stock’s price.Chart source: StockCharts.com. For educational purposes.

The percentage price oscillator (PPO) in the lower panel shows the stock has had strong upside momentum and could be overbought. A pullback in the stock’s price is likely to occur. If this pans out and XPEV reverses and pushes through the resistance on the weekly chart with a strong upside follow-through, it would be worth adding XPEV to your portfolio.

Keep an eye on this one. At the rate smart EVs are going, don’t be surprised to find flying cars coming to dealerships.

Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The ideas and strategies should never be used without first assessing your own personal and financial situation, or without consulting a financial professional.

Top 4 Largest Lithium Reserves by Country

Those interested in the lithium sector and investing in lithium stocks are often curious about which countries are the top producers of the battery metal, but they may not stop to consider the top lithium reserves by country.

Major lithium-producing countries are, of course, home to a large number of lithium companies. Many of the world’s top lithium producers also hold significant reserves, and their reserves can give an idea of how much room those countries have to grow. At the same time, nations with high reserves may become more significant lithium players in the future.

Looking forward, lithium demand is expected to continue increasing. That’s because, together with metals such as cobalt, lithium is a key raw material in the lithium-ion batteries used to power electric vehicles, and it is also essential for the energy storage sector.

On that note, here’s an overview of lithium reserves by country, with a focus on the four countries that host the world’s largest lithium deposits. Total worldwide lithium reserves stand at 30,000,000 metric tons as of 2024. Data is based on the most recent information from the US Geological Survey. Reserves data refers to contained lithium content.

1. Chile

Lithium reserves: 9.3 million metric tons

Chile holds the largest lithium reserves in the world at 9.3 million metric tons. The country reportedly hosts most of the world’s “economically extractable” lithium reserves, and its Salar de Atacama region houses approximately 33 percent of the world’s lithium reserve base.

Chile was the second biggest producer of lithium in 2024 at 44,000 metric tons (MT). SQM (NYSE:SQM) and Albemarle (NYSE:ALB) are the key lithium producers in Chile, with operations in the Salar de Atacama.

In late April 2023, Chilean President Gabriel Boric announced plans to partially nationalize the country’s lithium industry in a bid to bolster the economy and protect the environment. “This is the best chance we have at transitioning to a sustainable and developed economy,” he said at the time.

Chile’s state-owned mining company Codelco has negotiated for much larger stakes in both SQM and Albemarle’s lithium assets in the country, and will have controlling interests in all operations in that salar going forward.

According to the Baker Institute, Chile’s strict legal framework surrounding mining concessions has hamstrung the lithium powerhouse from gaining a bigger share of the global lithium market comparable with this mineral largess.

In early 2025, Chile received seven bids for lithium operation contracts across six salt flats, with a key contender beign a consortium of Eramet (EPA:ERA), Chilean miner Quiborax and state-owned Codelco. The government will announce winners in March 2025, while a second bidding phase has been extended to boost participation.

2. Australia

Lithium reserves: 7 million metric tons

Australia’s lithium reserves stand at 7 million metric tons, the majority of which are found in Western Australia. Unlike those found in Chile and Argentina, Australia’s lithium reserves are in the form of hard-rock spodumene deposits.

Although it is second to Chile in reserves, Australia was the largest lithium-producing country in the world in 2024, with many operational lithium mines in the country.

The country is home to the Greenbushes lithium mine, which is operated by Talison Lithium, a joint venture comprised of lithium producers Tianqi Lithium (OTC Pink:TQLCF,SZSE:002466), Australian miner IGO (ASX:IGO,OTC Pink:IPGDF) and Albemarle. Greenbushes has been producing lithium since 1985.

A sharp decline in lithium prices has led some of the country’s lithium companies to curtail or outright halt their lithium operations and development projects until market conditions improve.

While Western Australia dominates lithium exploration, new research highlights untapped potential in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. Published in ‘Earth System Science Data,’ the 2023 study — led by University of Sydney researchers with Geoscience Australia — maps regions with high lithium density, signaling broader opportunities for the growing battery metal market.

“We’ve developed the first map of lithium in Australian soils which identifies areas with elevated concentrations,” said Professor Budiman Minasny. “The map agrees with existing mines and highlights areas that can be potential future lithium sources.”

3. Argentina

Lithium reserves: 4 million metric tons

Argentina ranks third in terms of global lithium reserves at 4 million metric tons. It’s worth noting that Argentina, Chile and Bolivia comprise the “Lithium Triangle,” which hosts more than half of the world’s lithium reserves. The country is also the fourth largest lithium producer in the world, and last year it put out 18,000 MT of the metal.

In May 2022, the Argentine government committed to investing up to US$4.2 billion in its lithium industry over the next three years with the goal of increasing lithium output.

More recently, in April 2024, the government greenlit Argosy Minerals’ (ASX:AGY,OTC Pink:ARYMF) expansion of its operations at the Rincon salar to raise annual lithium carbonate production from 2,000 MT to 12,000 MT.

Argentina hosts around 50 advanced lithium mining projects, reports Fastmarkets. “Argentina’s lithium production remains cost-competitive even in a low-price environment,” said Ignacio Celorrio, executive VP of legal and government affairs at Lithium Argentina.

In late 2024 mining major Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO,NYSE:RIO,LSE:RIO) announced plans to invest US$2.5 billion to expand lithium extraction at its operations on Argentina’s Rincon salar, increasing capacity from 3,000 to 60,000 MT, with full capacity reached following a three-year ramp up period beginning in 2028.

4. China

Lithium reserves: 3 million metric tons

China holds lithium reserves of 3 million metric tons. The country has a mix of deposit types; lithium brines make up the majority of its reserves, but it has spodumene and lepidolite hard-rock reserves as well.

Last year it produced 41,000 MT of the mineral, a 5,300 MT increase from the previous year. While it does have significant production and is working to increase it, the Asian nation currently still imports most of the lithium it needs for its battery cells from Australia.

China’s lithium usage is high due to its electronics manufacturing and electric vehicle industries. It also produces the majority of the world’s lithium-ion batteries and hosts most of the world’s lithium-processing facilities.

In October 2024, the US State Department accused China of flooding the market with lithium to create a low price environment to kill off ex-China competition.

“They engage in predatory pricing… (they) lower the price until competition disappears. That is what is happening,” stated Jose W. Fernandez, the US Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment.

In early 2025, Chinese media reported that the country has significantly bolstered its lithium ore reserves, claiming national deposits now account for 16.5 percent of global resources, up from 6 percent.

The surge is attributed in part to the discovery of a 2,800 kilometer lithium belt in the western regions, with proven reserves exceeding 6.5 million tons of lithium ore and potential resources surpassing 30 million tons. Additionally, advancements in extracting lithium from salt lakes and mica have further expanded China’s reserves.

Other lithium reserves by country

While Chile, Australia, Argentina and China are home to the world’s highest lithium reserves, other countries also hold significant amounts of the metal. Here’s a quick look at these other nations:

  • United States — 1,800,000 MT
  • Canada — 1,200,000 MT
  • Brazil — 390,000 MT
  • Zimbabwe — 480,000 MT
  • Portugal — 60,000 MT

As the lithium industry continues to grow, production has followed, and many of these countries with high reserves are becoming significant producers as well.

FAQs for lithium reserves

Where in the world are the best lithium reserves?

Chile has the largest lithium reserves, and the three countries that make up the Lithium Triangle — Argentina, Bolivia and Chile — together account for a large portion of the world’s lithium reserves.

What are the biggest lithium reserves in Europe?

Portugal has the biggest lithium reserves in Europe, coming in at 60,000 metric tons. The Southern European country produced 380 MT of lithium in 2024, the same as the previous year.

Securities Disclosure: I, Georgia Williams, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Goldman Sachs Kostin Warns of a Potential S&P 500 Correction

Goldman Sachs Kostin analyst has issued a warning that the S&P 500 may be headed for a significant correction. His comments, based on current market data and public economic trends, suggest that heightened market risks could force investors to reconsider their positions.

Rising Market Risks and Overvaluation

According to Goldman Sachs Kostin, current market conditions point to growing volatility. He notes that the S&P 500 appears overvalued when measured against fundamental economic indicators. In addition, factors such as rising interest rates and economic uncertainty have increased the overall market risk. These factors, when combined, can create an environment where a correction is likely.

Investor Caution Amid Volatile Trends

Investors are being urged to remain cautious. Kostin emphasizes that the prevailing market optimism may be unsustainable if key economic data turns negative. Many market experts agree that investor caution is necessary during such periods of volatility. In turn, a pullback in the S&P 500 could offer a correction that might reset market valuations to more sustainable levels.

Implications for the Broader Market

A potential S&P 500 correction could have far-reaching implications for other asset classes. With heightened market volatility, investors might shift their focus to safer assets. Moreover, such a correction may serve as a wake-up call for the broader market, prompting both retail and institutional investors to review their portfolios and risk management strategies.

Conclusion

In summary, public data and current market trends support Kostin’s warning about the S&P 500. Rising market risks, overvaluation, and economic uncertainties are key factors that may trigger a correction. Investors should stay informed and practice caution as they navigate these turbulent market conditions. Ultimately, this forecast calls for a balanced approach to risk and a strategic review of investment positions.

This analysis is based on widely reported public market data and reflects a growing consensus among financial experts. As the market evolves, monitoring these trends closely will be essential for making well-informed decisions.

The post Goldman Sachs Kostin Warns of a Potential S&P 500 Correction appeared first on FinanceBrokerage.

Macy’s turnaround hinges on revamping some stores and closing others. It appears to be working

Macy’s delivered another quarter of mixed results on Thursday as investors wait and see how quickly CEO Tony Spring can pull off a turnaround of the business with yet another activist investor looking to take the chain private.

Across the business, which includes the Macy’s banner, Bloomingdale’s and Blue Mercury, comparable sales during the all-important holiday quarter were down 1.1%. But comparable sales across its owned and licensed businesses, plus its online marketplace, were up 0.2%, which is the highest the metric has been since the first quarter of 2022. 

Plus, the so-called First 50 locations — the stores that Macy’s is devoting more resources to as part of its turnaround plan — saw comparable sales up 0.8%, marking the fourth quarter in a row the metric has been positive.

The two bright spots in an otherwise worse-than-expected set of results suggest Macy’s turnaround is showing some signs of life — it just might not be working fast enough.

For fiscal 2025, Macy’s is expecting adjusted earnings per share of $2.05 to $2.25 and sales of between $21 billion and $21.4 billion, lower than Wall Street expectations of $2.31 per share and $21.8 billion, according to LSEG.

Macy’s shares fell slightly in early trading.

Here’s how the department store performed during its fiscal fourth quarter, compared with what Wall Street was anticipating, based on a survey of analysts by LSEG:

The company’s reported net income for the three-month period that ended Feb. 1 was $342 million, or $1.21 per share, compared with a loss of $128 million, or a loss of 47 cents per share, a year earlier. Excluding one-time items including impairments and settlement and restructuring charges, Macy’s reported earnings of $507 million, or $1.80 per share. 

Sales dropped to $7.77 billion, down about 4% from $8.12 billion a year earlier. Like other retailers, Macy’s benefited from an extra selling week in the year-ago period, which has skewed comparisons. 

For the current quarter, Macy’s is expecting adjusted earnings per share of between 12 cents and 15 cents and sales of between $4.4 billion and $4.5 billion, far below estimates of 28 cents and $4.71 billion, according to LSEG.

On a call with analysts, chief operating officer and chief financial officer Adrian Mitchell said the company is taking a “prudent” approach to guidance given the fluid nature of the turnaround plan, cautious consumer spending and uncertainties created by recent tariff increases between the U.S. and major trade partners.

“If we weren’t in the environment that were operating in, I would be even more bullish on our potential,” CEO Spring said during a call with analysts. “But I think prudency is important at this point in time.”

Macy’s mixed results come just over a year into Spring’s tenure as the legacy department store’s chief executive and his three-year strategy to turn the business around. While Bloomingdale’s and Blue Mercury saw another quarter of positive comparable sales, growing 4.8% and 6.2%, respectively, Macy’s namesake banner continues to be the company’s laggard with comps down 1.9%. 

To address long-standing issues at the legacy banner, Spring has implemented an aggressive store closure plan that includes shuttering 150 doors and a strategy to fix its better-performing locations. As Macy’s and other department stores have shrunk over the years, it’s faced criticism for neglecting its stores, not having enough staff and falling behind on the retail essentials that are necessary to win in any environment. 

Spring has started to address those issues by investing in 50 locations and providing better staffing, merchandising and visual presentation of the company’s varied assortment.

So far, the plan appears to be working. When Macy’s added more staffing to the shoes and handbag departments at 100 test locations, those stores outperformed shops that didn’t have those investments, Spring said Thursday.

Storewide, the first 50 locations have continued to outperform the bulk of the chain, and in February, the company added an additional 75 stores to the program, bringing the total number of “reimagined” locations to 125.

“Performance of both the first 50 and the 100 test stores illustrate that when we invest in the customer experience, we can grow sales,” said Spring. “Now we must scale these changes in order to achieve our long-term goals.”

In fiscal 2024, comparable sales across Macy’s business were still down by 0.9%, but that’s an improvement of 5.1 percentage points compared to fiscal 2023. In the fourth quarter, comparable sales at the Macy’s nameplate also saw a decline of 0.9%, up 3.8 percentage points from the prior year.

Still, investors shouldn’t expect a return to growth this year. The company is projecting comparable sales for the owned stores it’s keeping open, plus its licensed businesses and online marketplace, to be down 2% to flat in fiscal 2025 compared to the prior year.

Reimagined stores now make up 36% of the 350 Macy’s locations that the business plans to keep open after it finishes closing underperforming locations. It will take time — and capital — to extend its strategy to the bulk of the chain. Spring has given the company two more years to pull it off, but whether investors have the patience to see the strategy play out — and whether macroeconomic conditions will slow it down — remains to be seen. 

In December, activist investor Barington Capital revealed it has a position in Macy’s and wants the company to cut spending, explore selling its luxury brands and take a hard look at its real estate portfolio. It’s the fourth activist push at the department store in the last decade.

Like the activists that had come right before it, Arkhouse and Brigade, many suspect that Barington is mainly after Macy’s lucrative real estate portfolio and is more interested in juicing it for profit than doing the work necessary to revitalize the chain. Still, Macy’s must act in the interest of shareholders and if it’s not doing enough to return value quickly an activist could eventually win out.

Macy’s on Thursday announced its intent to resume share buybacks under its remaining $1.4 billion share repurchase authorization, “market conditions pending.” 

“Building on our momentum, we continue to elevate the customer experience, deliver operational excellence and make prudent capital investments,” said Mitchell. “We remain committed to generating healthy free cash flow and returning capital to shareholders through share buybacks and predictable quarterly dividends.” 

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

Macy’s turnaround hinges on revamping some stores and closing others. It appears to be working.

Macy’s delivered another quarter of mixed results on Thursday as investors wait and see how quickly CEO Tony Spring can pull off a turnaround of the business with yet another activist investor looking to take the chain private.

Across the business, which includes the Macy’s banner, Bloomingdale’s and Blue Mercury, comparable sales during the all-important holiday quarter were down 1.1%. But comparable sales across its owned and licensed businesses, plus its online marketplace, were up 0.2%, which is the highest the metric has been since the first quarter of 2022. 

Plus, the so-called First 50 locations — the stores that Macy’s is devoting more resources to as part of its turnaround plan — saw comparable sales up 0.8%, marking the fourth quarter in a row the metric has been positive.

The two bright spots in an otherwise worse-than-expected set of results suggest Macy’s turnaround is showing some signs of life — it just might not be working fast enough.

For fiscal 2025, Macy’s is expecting adjusted earnings per share of $2.05 to $2.25 and sales of between $21 billion and $21.4 billion, lower than Wall Street expectations of $2.31 per share and $21.8 billion, according to LSEG.

Macy’s shares fell slightly in early trading.

Here’s how the department store performed during its fiscal fourth quarter, compared with what Wall Street was anticipating, based on a survey of analysts by LSEG:

The company’s reported net income for the three-month period that ended Feb. 1 was $342 million, or $1.21 per share, compared with a loss of $128 million, or a loss of 47 cents per share, a year earlier. Excluding one-time items including impairments and settlement and restructuring charges, Macy’s reported earnings of $507 million, or $1.80 per share. 

Sales dropped to $7.77 billion, down about 4% from $8.12 billion a year earlier. Like other retailers, Macy’s benefited from an extra selling week in the year-ago period, which has skewed comparisons. 

For the current quarter, Macy’s is expecting adjusted earnings per share of between 12 cents and 15 cents and sales of between $4.4 billion and $4.5 billion, far below estimates of 28 cents and $4.71 billion, according to LSEG.

On a call with analysts, chief operating officer and chief financial officer Adrian Mitchell said the company is taking a “prudent” approach to guidance given the fluid nature of the turnaround plan, cautious consumer spending and uncertainties created by recent tariff increases between the U.S. and major trade partners.

“If we weren’t in the environment that were operating in, I would be even more bullish on our potential,” CEO Spring said during a call with analysts. “But I think prudency is important at this point in time.”

Macy’s mixed results come just over a year into Spring’s tenure as the legacy department store’s chief executive and his three-year strategy to turn the business around. While Bloomingdale’s and Blue Mercury saw another quarter of positive comparable sales, growing 4.8% and 6.2%, respectively, Macy’s namesake banner continues to be the company’s laggard with comps down 1.9%. 

To address long-standing issues at the legacy banner, Spring has implemented an aggressive store closure plan that includes shuttering 150 doors and a strategy to fix its better-performing locations. As Macy’s and other department stores have shrunk over the years, it’s faced criticism for neglecting its stores, not having enough staff and falling behind on the retail essentials that are necessary to win in any environment. 

Spring has started to address those issues by investing in 50 locations and providing better staffing, merchandising and visual presentation of the company’s varied assortment.

So far, the plan appears to be working. When Macy’s added more staffing to the shoes and handbag departments at 100 test locations, those stores outperformed shops that didn’t have those investments, Spring said Thursday.

Storewide, the first 50 locations have continued to outperform the bulk of the chain, and in February, the company added an additional 75 stores to the program, bringing the total number of “reimagined” locations to 125.

“Performance of both the first 50 and the 100 test stores illustrate that when we invest in the customer experience, we can grow sales,” said Spring. “Now we must scale these changes in order to achieve our long-term goals.”

In fiscal 2024, comparable sales across Macy’s business were still down by 0.9%, but that’s an improvement of 5.1 percentage points compared to fiscal 2023. In the fourth quarter, comparable sales at the Macy’s nameplate also saw a decline of 0.9%, up 3.8 percentage points from the prior year.

Still, investors shouldn’t expect a return to growth this year. The company is projecting comparable sales for the owned stores it’s keeping open, plus its licensed businesses and online marketplace, to be down 2% to flat in fiscal 2025 compared to the prior year.

Reimagined stores now make up 36% of the 350 Macy’s locations that the business plans to keep open after it finishes closing underperforming locations. It will take time — and capital — to extend its strategy to the bulk of the chain. Spring has given the company two more years to pull it off, but whether investors have the patience to see the strategy play out — and whether macroeconomic conditions will slow it down — remains to be seen. 

In December, activist investor Barington Capital revealed it has a position in Macy’s and wants the company to cut spending, explore selling its luxury brands and take a hard look at its real estate portfolio. It’s the fourth activist push at the department store in the last decade.

Like the activists that had come right before it, Arkhouse and Brigade, many suspect that Barington is mainly after Macy’s lucrative real estate portfolio and is more interested in juicing it for profit than doing the work necessary to revitalize the chain. Still, Macy’s must act in the interest of shareholders and if it’s not doing enough to return value quickly an activist could eventually win out.

Macy’s on Thursday announced its intent to resume share buybacks under its remaining $1.4 billion share repurchase authorization, “market conditions pending.” 

“Building on our momentum, we continue to elevate the customer experience, deliver operational excellence and make prudent capital investments,” said Mitchell. “We remain committed to generating healthy free cash flow and returning capital to shareholders through share buybacks and predictable quarterly dividends.” 

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

Navigating Tariffs: Master the Charts to Outsmart Market Volatility

Tariffs have thrown the stock market into dizzying moves, moving up and/or down based on whatever news headlines circulate. The broader stock market indexes have all declined, although they are holding on to their 200-day simple moving average (SMA). The Nasdaq Composite ($COMPQ) fell below the average on Tuesday, but recovered on Wednesday and closed above it.

Looking at weekly performance, Real Estate, Health Care, and Consumer Staples are the top three S&P sector performers. These sectors fall under the defensive category, which suggests that investor uncertainty is still in the air. Gold and silver prices are rising, an indication of risk-off sentiment.

The Mag 7 Breakdown

Investors were flocking to the Mag 7 stocks not too long ago, but this is no longer the case. The daily chart of the Roundhill Big Tech ETF (MAGS), a basket of the Mag 7 stocks, illustrates that this group of stocks has technically broken down.

FIGURE 1. DAILY CHART OF ROUNDHILL BIG TECH ETF (MAGS). The ETF which holds all the Mag 7 stocks has broken down. However, it bounced off its 200-day simple moving average, and the relative strength index stayed above the 30 level.Chart source: StockCharts.com. For educational purposes.

Note that despite the downward trend, MAGS managed to bounce off its 200-day SMA. The relative strength index (RSI) didn’t dip below 30. Does this mean the Mag 7 could bounce back? Semiconductor stocks were up two days in a row, which may have helped MAGS stay afloat. But semiconductors are vulnerable to tariffs, so why are these stocks showing green shoots? It’s a very challenging market and I would monitor the MAGS chart daily. You wouldn’t want to miss out on a strong upside move.

Change is in the Air

President Trump’s tariffs have stirred the pot and caused shifts in investor sentiment. International stocks are gaining momentum, something we haven’t seen in a long time. The weekly chart below summarizes the performance of US stocks against the rest of the world.

FIGURE 2. US VS. THE REST OF THE WORLD. The Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF which consists of large growth US stocks is declining in performance against international stocks.Chart source: StockCharts.com. For educational purposes.

It’s also worth noting the performance of the US dollar. The US dollar plunged and is now trading below its 200-day SMA. The Canadian dollar and Mexican peso are showing signs of gaining strength against the US dollar (see chart below).

FIGURE 3. THE WEAKENING US DOLLAR. After tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico were implemented, the US dollar started to weaken against the Canadian dollar and Mexican peso.Chart source: StockCharts.com. For educational purposes.

The Bottom Line

Now’s a good time to test your patience. It’s not exactly the type of market you want to open long positions. It’s more of a “wait and see” type of market. We’ll get the February jobs report on Friday, but how much it’ll impact the market is unclear. With investors focused on tariffs, the jobs report may be brushed off, unless it comes in vastly different than the forecast. Expect more volatility in the weeks ahead.

Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The ideas and strategies should never be used without first assessing your own personal and financial situation, or without consulting a financial professional.

Top 9 Lithium-producing Countries

Interest in lithium continues to grow due to its role in the lithium-ion batteries that power electric vehicles (EVs). As a result, more and more attention is landing on the top lithium-producing countries.

About 80 percent of the lithium produced globally goes toward battery production, but other industries also consume the metal. For example, 7 percent of lithium is used in ceramics and glass, while 4 percent goes to lubricating greases.

According to the US Geological Survey, lithium use in batteries has increased in recent years due to the use of rechargeable batteries in portable electronic devices, as well as in electric tools, EVs and grid storage applications.

Manufacturers commonly use lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide in these batteries rather than lithium metal. Lithium-ion batteries also include other important battery metals, such as cobalt, graphite and nickel.

After a volatile 2024 that saw lithium carbonate prices drop 22 percent amid oversupply, analysts predict continued market turbulence in 2025. However, production cuts could narrow the surplus from 84,000 to 33,000 metric tons, while strong EV demand — driven by China’s record sales — remains a key factor, as geopolitical tensions and rising tariffs on Chinese EVs add uncertainty in North America.

Despite the recent market challenges, global lithium demand is set to surge over the next decade due to demand from EVs and energy storage. Benchmark Mineral Intelligence forecasts a more than 30 percent year-on-year increase in demand from these sectors in 2025.

Meeting this growth will require up to 150 new battery factories and US$116 billion in investments by 2030 to prevent supply deficits. China will remain dominant, but the EU and US are poised for the fastest expansion. With lithium mining projected to grow at a 7.2 percent compound annual growth rate through 2035, the sector faces a critical decade of investment and supply chain restructuring.

As demand for lithium continues to rise, which countries will provide the lithium the world requires? The latest data from the US Geological Survey shows that the world’s top lithium-producing countries are doing their best to meet rising demand from energy storage and EVs — in fact, worldwide lithium production rose sharply from 2023 to 2024, coming in at 240,000 metric tons (MT) of lithium content last year, compared to 204,000 MT in 2023. These totals do not include US production, as that data is withheld.

What are the top lithium-producing countries?

Where is lithium mined? Australia, Chile and China are the top three for lithium production by country. Zimbabwe has also risen significantly in the ranks, moving from sixth in 2023 to fourth in 2024. As the EV lithium-ion battery market continues to grow, it’s likely these countries will vie for larger roles in supplying the metal in the years to come.

Read on for our list of top global lithium production by country.

1. Australia

Lithium production: 88,000 metric tons

In 2024, Australia produced 88,000 metric tons of lithium, making it the world’s largest producer of lithium. Although the country tops the list, year-over-year production decreased just over 4 percent from 91,700 MT in 2023 to 88,000 MT in 2024.

It’s likely the country’s lithium production declined in 2024 as a result of weaker demand in the EV space, which in turn pushed lithium prices lower.

Australia is home to many significant lithium mines. The Greenbushes hard rock lithium mine in Western Australia is operated by Talison Lithium, a subsidiary that is jointly owned by miners Albemarle (NYSE:ALB), Tianqi Lithium (OTC Pink:TQLCF,SZSE:002466) and IGO (ASX:IGO,OTC Pink:IPDGF). Greenbushes has been in operation for over a quarter of a century, making it the longest continuously running mining area in the state.

The Greenbushes complex also houses four spodumene concentrate plants with a combined annual production capacity of 1.5 million MT. The mine supplies spodumene to the Kemerton lithium plant and other Albemarle conversion sites worldwide for processing.

Mount Marion, a joint venture between Mineral Resources (ASX:MIN,OTC Pink:MALRF) and Ganfeng Lithium (OTC Pink:GNENF,SZSE:002460,HKEX:1772), is another key lithium mine in Australia. The project, which is located in the Yilgarn Craton, southwest of Kalgoorlie, also contains a processing plant with an annual production capacity of 600,000 MT.

Australia also holds 7 million MT of identified JORC-compliant lithium reserves, which puts it behind Chile’s 9.3 million MT. It is worth noting that most of Australia’s lithium supply is exported to China as spodumene.

2. Chile

Lithium production: 49,000 metric tons

Chilean lithium production topped 49,000 metric tons in 2024. Lithium miners in Chile have steadily increased the nation’s output by 127 percent since 2020 when production was 21,500 MT.

Chile’s year-over-year growth has positioned it as the second top lithium producer in the world. Unlike Australia, where lithium is extracted from hard-rock mines, Chile’s lithium is found in lithium brine deposits.

The Salar de Atacama salt flat in Chile generates roughly half the revenue for SQM (NYSE:SQM), a top lithium producer. The Salar de Atacama is also the home of another top lithium brine producer — US-based Albemarle.

In April 2023, market participants and lithium miners were surprised by the Chilean government’s plans to nationalize the lithium industry. While ultimately it wasn’t a true nationalization, the country is moving to gain controlling stakes in lithium assets in the Salar de Atacama and Maricunga through its state-owned mining company Codelco.

SQM has signed an arrangement with Codelco that will allow it to continue operations in the Salar de Atacama until 2060. The two companies will create a new entity for the operations, with Codelco owning 50 percent plus one share of the company.

Chile’s lithium potential has also attracted the attention of major US oil companies. In February 2025 news broke that Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM) is in talks with Chilean officials about lithium opportunities, as fossil fuel firms ramp up investments in EV battery metals.

US oilfield services firm SLB (NYSE:SLB) is also expanding into lithium, with its Head of Mining, Nicholas Lugansky, meeting Chilean officials in January. SLB is among eight companies testing lithium extraction techniques and technologies in northern Chile.

Lithium brine operations in Chile’s Salar de Atacama.

Freedom_wanted / Shutterstock

3. China

Lithium production: 41,000 metric tons

China produced 41,000 metric tons of lithium in 2024, earning it the third spot on the top producing countries list. The Asian country saw its lithium supply grow by nearly 15 percent year-on-year, from 35,700 in 2023 to 41,000 in 2024.

China is the largest consumer of lithium due to its electronics manufacturing and EV industries. It also produces more than two-thirds of the world’s lithium-ion batteries and controls most of the world’s lithium-processing facilities. China currently gets the majority of its lithium from Australia, but it is looking to expand its capacity.

In January of 2024, China announced the discovery of a massive million-metric-ton lithium deposit in the country’s Sichuan Province. Lithium exploration in China over the last three years has boosted the country’s lithium reserves by 1 million MT, to 3 million MT, according to the USGS.

However, in early 2025 the China Geological Survey, pegged the nation’s total reserves to be more than 30 million MT.

4. Zimbabwe

Lithium production: 22,000 metric tons

In 2024 Zimbabwe’s lithium production ballooned to 22,000 metric tons, an exponential increase from 2022’s 800 MT. Year-over-year lithium output rose 47 percent between 2023 and 2024, from 14,900 MT to 22,000 MT.

Total reserves in Zimbabwe have also seen growth climbing from 310,000 MT in 2023 to 480,000 MT as per the US Geological Survey.

In December 2022, Zimbabwe banned the export of raw lithium in an effort to build out the nation’s capacity to process battery-grade lithium domestically. The ban excludes companies that are already developing mines or processing plants in Zimbabwe. Lithium concentrate is now on track to become Zimbabwe’s third biggest mineral export, behind gold and platinum-group metals, reported Reuters in November 2023.

Lithium-producing countries in Africa have attracted much attention from Chinese firms in recent years, especially Zimbabwe. Sinomine Resource Group (SZSE:002738), for example, bought a stake in Zimbabwe’s emerging lithium industry with the purchase of the Bikita mine, the African nation’s oldest lithium mine.

Zimbabwe’s other key lithium mines include Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt’s (SHA:603799) Arcadia mine and state miner Kuvimba Mining House’s Sandawana mine.

In September 2024, Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt and Tsingshan Group,a nickel and stainless steel company, announced plans to study and build a lithium mine and processing plant at Sandawana located in the south of Zimbabwe.

5. Argentina

Lithium production: 18,000 metric tons

Argentina’s annual lithium production grew significantly in 2024, totaling 18,000 metric tons. Year-over-year lithium production increased by more than 100 percent from 8,630 MT in 2023.

It’s well known that Bolivia, Argentina and Chile make up the Lithium Triangle. Argentina’s Salar del Hombre Muerto district hosts significant lithium brines, and its reserves – 4 million MT – are enough for at least 75 years.

At present, lithium mining in the country consists of two major brine operations currently in production and 10 projects that are in development. Analysts at consultancy firm Eurasia Group project that Argentina’s lithium production has the potential to grow approximately tenfold by 2027, as per CNBC.

One of the largest lithium miners in Argentina is Arcadium Lithium (ASX:LTM,NYSE:ALTM), the result of the January 2024 merger of Livent and Allkem. The new entity is the third largest lithium producer in the world. This is soon to change as Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO,NYSE:RIO,LSE:RIO) is set to close its acquisition of Arcadium in early March, bringing its assets under Rio Tinto’s umbrella.

Rio Tinto also owns the Rincon lithium brine project, which is set to be a major contributor to the country’s lithium output once it begins commercial production, targeted for 2028. In December 2024, Rio Tinto announced a US$2.5 billion expansion. Once operational, Rincon will use direct lithium extraction technology and produce 60,000 MT of battery-grade lithium carbonate annually, combining a 3,000 MT starter plant and the 57,000 MT expansion.

6. Brazil

Lithium production: 10,000 metric tons

Lithium production in Brazil continues to trend higher. In 2024 the South American nation produced 10,000 MT, almost double 2023’s 5,260 MT. After achieving output of 400 MT or less from 2011 to 2018, the country’s production hit 2,400 MT in 2019 and has continued to rise year-over-year.

Brazil’s government plans to invest more than US$2.1 billion by 2030 into expanding the nation’s lithium production capacity.

At the state level, in 2023 the Minas Gerais government launched the Lithium Valley Brazil initiative, which is aimed at promoting investment in lithium mining. The program includes four publicly listed lithium companies with assets in the state’s Jequitinhonha Valley: Sigma Lithium (TSXV:SGML,NASDAQ:SGML), Lithium Ionic (TSXV:LTH,OTCQX:LTHCF), Atlas Lithium (NASDAQ:ATLX) and Latin Resources (ASX:LRS,OTC Pink:LRSRF).

EV makers are also eyeing Brazil’s lithium market. In February 2025, Reuters reported that Chinese EV giant BYD (OTC Pink:BYDDF,HKEX:1211,SZSE:002594) reportedly entered the mining sector in 2023, when it acquired 852 hectares of lithium-rich land in Minas Gerais’ Jequitinhonha Valley. The company is currently building an EV factory in Bahia state, but construction was paused at the end of 2024 due to ‘slavery-like’ working conditions.

7. Canada

Lithium production: 4,300 metric tons

Canada’s lithium production increased to 4,300 metric tons in 2024, representing a 32 percent uptick from 2023’s 3,240 MT.

The country currently produces lithium from two operations: the Tanco mine in Manitoba, owned by Sinomine subsidiary Tantalum Mining, and the North American Lithium operation in Québec, a joint venture between Piedmont Lithium (ASX:PLL,NASDAQ:PLL) and Sayona Mining (ASX:SYA,OTCQX:SYAXF).

While Canada is home to a wealth of hard-rock spodumene deposits and lithium brine resources, much of it remains underdeveloped. In an effort to grow a strong North American lithium supply chain for the battery industry, the government has invested in a number of lithium projects, including C$27 million for E3 Lithium (TSXV:ETL,OTCQX:EEMMF), a lithium resource and technology company, and C$1.07 million to private company Prairie Lithium. Both are developing direct lithium extraction technology in Canada’s prairie provinces Alberta and Saskatchewan.

In November 2023, the Canadian government launched the C$1.5 billion Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund. The fund seeks to address gaps in the infrastructure required for the sustainable development of the nation’s critical minerals production, including battery metals like lithium.

Canada’s efforts were rewarded in early 2024, when BloombergNEF gave the nation the top spot in the fourth edition of its Global Lithium-ion Battery Supply Chain Ranking.

At the end of 2024, the Canadian government’s Export Development Canada program pledged up to C$100 million in financing to Green Technology Metals (ASX:GT1,OTC Pink:GTMLF) for the development of Ontario’s first lithium mine at Seymour Lake.

8. Portugal

Lithium production: 380 metric tons

Portugal’s lithium production remained flat in 2024 coming in at 380 metric tons, the same tally as the previous year. Output has declined drastically since 2021, when its lithium production reached 900 MT.

Most of Portugal’s lithium comes from small-scale operations targeting quartz and feldspar. Despite this lithium-producing country’s comparatively low output, Portugal’s lithium reserves stand at 60,000 MT.

In September 2024, Savannah Resources (LSE:SAV,OTC Pink:SAVNF) delayed the start of lithium production at its Barroso project in Portugal to 2027, citing prolonged environmental approval processes and regulatory hurdles. The project has also received public backlash due to concerns about the environmental impact of lithium mining.

The project, set to be Western Europe’s first significant lithium mine, is projected to play a pivotal role in the EU’s ambitions of battery material self-sufficiency. Despite the setback, Savannah remains committed to advancing the development, emphasizing its role in strengthening Europe’s EV supply chain.

9. United States

Lithium production: Withheld

In the final place on this top lithium-producing countries list is the US, which has withheld production numbers to avoid disclosing proprietary company data. Its only output last year came from two operations: a Nevada-based brine operation, most likely in the Clayton Valley, which hosts Albemarle’s Silver Peak mine, and the brine-sourced waste tailings of Utah-based US Magnesium, the largest primary magnesium producer in North America.

There are a handful of major lithium projects underway in the US, including Lithium Americas’ (TSX:LAC,NYSE:LAC) Thacker Pass lithium claystone project, Piedmont Lithium’s hard-rock lithium project and Standard Lithium’s (TSXV:SLI,OTCQX:STLHF) Arkansas Smackover lithium brine project.

Securities Disclosure: I, Georgia Williams, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com