Shares of Burlington Stores (BURL) saw a significant spike, rising nearly 12% Thursday morning, after the company reported a stellar Q4 earnings performance. The retailer delivered strong results that exceeded analyst expectations, with quarterly sales climbing 5% to $3.27 billion, matching the anticipated figures. Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) came in at $4.13, surpassing the consensus estimate of $4.07, according to FactSet. However, it was Burlington’s same-store sales that truly stole the spotlight, surging 6%, far surpassing the company's initial guidance of 0% to 2%.

The off-price retailer, based in New Jersey, also achieved remarkable full-year results. Net income for the year jumped 48%, reaching $504 million. A major factor behind this impressive growth was Burlington’s aggressive store expansion strategy. The company opened 101 new stores last year while relocating 31 older, larger locations. Looking to the future, Burlington has set an ambitious target of opening 500 net new stores between 2024 and 2028, aiming to continue building on its momentum.

Looking ahead to fiscal 2025, Burlington is projecting total sales growth of 6% to 8%. CEO Michael O’Sullivan acknowledged that the economic outlook for 2025 remains uncertain, particularly with the possibility of slowing consumer spending. However, he expressed confidence that the company’s off-price business model is well-equipped to weather such challenges. Burlington’s shares have been performing well, up nearly 30% over the past year, reflecting strong investor confidence in the company’s ability to continue delivering strong results despite market uncertainties.

Core Scientific's stock took a significant dive after Microsoft scaled back its commitments with the company's data center partner.

Core Scientific's stock has taken a sharp dive following news that Microsoft has scaled back its commitments with its data center partner, CoreWeave. According to the Financial Times, Microsoft reduced its partnership with the Nvidia-backed company after facing delivery issues and missed deadlines. CoreWeave, which supplies Microsoft with computing capacity for cloud operations, was in the midst of an IPO filing at a potential valuation of $32 billion when this setback occurred.

This change has had a significant impact on Core Scientific's stock, which dropped 12% as of 10:20 a.m. ET. The company, known for its bitcoin mining operations, is closely linked with CoreWeave in a $1.2 billion data center expansion project. Given that Microsoft is CoreWeave’s largest customer, accounting for over half of its revenue, this pullback has raised concerns about the future outlook for both companies.

The news is particularly concerning for Core Scientific, as the decision by Microsoft to reduce its commitments could have ripple effects on its financial stability and growth prospects. With the company’s future linked so closely to its relationship with CoreWeave, the changes in Microsoft's strategy are likely to send shockwaves through both businesses, leaving investors uncertain about the road ahead.

Cracker Barrel saw its stock surge by more than 20% after reporting a stronger-than-expected earnings report, adding a substantial $190 million to its market cap.

The breakfast chain, known for its nostalgic combination of rocking chairs, graphic tees, and hearty meals, exceeded expectations with a revenue of $949 million, surpassing estimates by approximately $7 million. This upbeat performance sent shares soaring in early morning trading, drawing investor enthusiasm.

The boost in positivity can be attributed to Cracker Barrel’s strong sales figures and its revised guidance for the upcoming year. The company now forecasts total revenue for 2025 to range between $3.45 billion and $3.5 billion, marking a $50 million increase at the lower end of the estimate. Cracker Barrel’s unique blend of old-school charm and a refreshed product lineup, including humorous cat shirts, contributed to its upbeat forecast, further enticing investors.

While rising egg prices due to bird flu have caused competitors like Waffle House to add surcharges to their egg dishes, Cracker Barrel has taken a different approach. The company is rewarding members of its “Peg Rewards” program with extra points for purchasing eggs, offering a customer-centric solution to the ongoing "eggflation" issue.

In addition to the strong revenue performance, Cracker Barrel also reported a 4.7% increase in comparable restaurant sales compared to the same period last year. Retail sales in the front of the restaurant, which feature kitschy items, rose by 0.2%, ending a seven-quarter slump. These results demonstrate Cracker Barrel's ability to navigate challenges and adapt successfully in a competitive market.

Despite significant declines in Tesla’s sales across various global markets and the stock recently dipping below its 200-day moving average for the first time since August, retail traders seem undeterred.

Tesla’s stock has been following the downward trend in sales, which has raised concerns among many investors. Similarly, Nvidia has experienced a rough patch in the market, with its stock also facing downward pressure, even though its fundamentals have not shown nearly the same level of deterioration as Tesla’s.

Nonetheless, retail traders are showing a remarkable level of confidence in both companies. According to JPMorgan strategists, led by Bram Kaplan, retail investors were particularly aggressive in their buying activity on Wednesday. By midday, retail inflows had already surpassed the $2 billion mark, and they ended the day at an impressive $3.7 billion. This surge in activity was marked by a heavy tilt toward individual stocks, with Nvidia (NVDA) and Tesla (TSLA) leading the charge in terms of inflows.

The volume of retail interest is staggering, with net flows reaching a remarkable seven standard deviations above the 12-month average. This indicates that retail investors are heavily involved in the market, with a notable focus on short-term options for Tesla. Their increased interest in short-dated Tesla calls suggests a strong directional bet on the stock, consistent with their broader market behavior.

In a playful adaptation of Marilyn Monroe’s famous line, one could say, “If you don’t love me below my 200-day moving average, you don’t deserve me at my 52-week high.” It seems retail traders are holding onto this philosophy as they continue to double and triple down on their investments in both Tesla and Nvidia, despite the current market challenges.

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