The crucial metric – comparable restaurant sales – has actually declined. A most unpleasant surprise. And the full-year guidance? Let’s just say it lacks the sort of optimistic flourish one expects from a company commanding such a premium valuation. A P/E ratio of 35 demands a performance, not a politely murmured apology.
The trading volume swelled to 57.77 million shares. Eighty-nine percent above the three-month average. A veritable stampede of hopefuls, or perhaps just algorithms mistaking noise for signal. The company, you will recall, burst onto the scene in 2020, a moment when even the most financially challenged among us entertained fantasies of flipping houses and retiring to the Riviera. A quaint memory, now.
Morgan Stanley, those meticulous chroniclers of capital, estimate a market of $150 billion by 2035. Such figures are, of course, merely projections, but one should never dismiss a well-calculated indulgence. It is, after all, far more profitable to anticipate excess than to attempt moderation.
The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) took a bit of a tumble, down nearly a percent to 6,917. The Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQINDEX: ^IXIC) fared worse, sinking a good 1.43 percent to 23,255. Seems these “growth stocks” are finding gravity’s pull as much as the rest of us. Eli Lilly (LLY 3.90%) wasn’t spared either, down almost four percent to $1,002.98. Novartis (NVS 0.83%) dipped a bit too, finishing at $149.86. It’s a reminder that even in the world of potions and pills, there’s no such thing as a sure thing, and a downturn affects most everybody.
Twenty-seven consecutive quarters of sales growth! A number that rolls off the tongue with a suspicious ease. One imagines the accountants, a pale and dedicated brotherhood, toiling night and day to conjure these figures from the ether. It is, admittedly, impressive, particularly when one considers the behemoths they jostle against—Procter & Gamble, a name that evokes images of vast warehouses and relentless efficiency, and Estée Lauder, purveyors of dreams bottled in crystal flacons. E.l.f. Beauty, by contrast, offers a different sort of enchantment—the promise of transformation without the ruinous expense. They’ve managed to undercut the established players, a feat akin to selling snow to an Eskimo, though perhaps more profitable.
PayPal (PYPL 20.31%) closed at $41.70, down a rather substantial 20.31%. It’s funny, isn’t it? We build these elaborate systems, these digital cathedrals of convenience, and then they just… falter. The volume was insane – 139 million shares traded. That’s like everyone suddenly remembering they owned stock in the company, or, more likely, realizing they hadn’t sold when they should have. It’s been ten years since the IPO. Ten years. That’s… not nothing. Though, admittedly, not exactly a rocket ship, either.
But adequate is rarely remembered. The S&P 500, that restless beast, did better. Much better, actually. 539%. Colgate just sort of… lingered. 2025 wasn’t a banner year. It wasn’t a terrible year, either. Just… unremarkable. History is full of unremarkable years, isn’t it?
Apple’s sustained success is predicated on a robust brand reputation and a tightly integrated ecosystem of hardware, software, and services. The iPhone, in particular, maintains a dominant position in the premium smartphone segment, benefiting from considerable consumer loyalty. Counterpoint Research data indicates that Apple devices accounted for seven of the top ten best-selling smartphones globally in the previous year – a testament to the enduring appeal of the product line. This brand strength provides a considerable competitive advantage, mitigating price sensitivity and fostering repeat purchases.
The stock jumped after their latest numbers, apparently fueled by record Q4 growth and the siren song of AI demand. Investors are now pondering whether this translates into sustained expansion. I’m less concerned with sustainability and more with the sheer volume of money changing hands. Over 111.3 million shares traded – 139% above their three-month average. That’s a lot of hope being priced in. Palantir IPO’d in 2020, and has, since then, climbed 1,562%. It makes me think of those inflatable waving tube men you see outside used car dealerships. A lot of enthusiastic movement, but ultimately tethered to the ground.
The transaction, dutifully recorded in a February 3rd filing, amounts to approximately $3.68 million, calculated using the quarterly average price. A tidy sum, to be sure. Though, as any seasoned gambler knows, the size of the wager is far less important than the calculation behind it. The quarter-end value also clocked in at $3.68 million – a testament to the firm’s precision, or perhaps just a fortunate alignment of the stars.