A Christmas gift-giving survey reveals a shift towards experiences over material possessions. Experiential gifts like travel vouchers are highly desired, while many receive unwanted presents. The average gift cost is £77, with Baby Boomers spending the most. Italy is the top travel destination for 2025.
The National Retail Federation (NRF) predicts a 2.5% to 3.5% surge in holiday spending this year, reaching between $979.5 billion and $989 billion. Despite economic uncertainty, strong job growth and wage increases are expected to fuel consumer spending, with online shopping leading the way.
Mastercard (MA) stock surged to a new 52-week high following Donald Trump’s presidential election victory, driven by investor expectations of favorable economic policies and increased consumer spending. Piper Sandler reaffirmed its bullish stance on the stock, raising its price target to $575, while analysts anticipate a surge in transaction volumes fueled by Trump’s proposed tax cuts and deregulation agenda. Mastercard’s focus on financial technology and commercial payments is expected to benefit from these trends, potentially leading to significant growth in the coming years.
Netflix shares are experiencing a surge, hitting an all-time high of $832. This rally is driven by a confluence of factors, including market strength following Donald Trump’s re-election, expectations of increased consumer spending due to potential tax cuts, and the success of Netflix’s ad-supported streaming tier, which has reached 70 million users. Wall Street analysts are optimistic about Netflix’s future, and the stock’s recent performance suggests investors are confident in its continued growth.
A leading economist predicts a surge in consumer spending on big-ticket items in the fourth quarter as Americans anticipate President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed 20% tariff on imports. The potential spending spree could be fueled by consumers rushing to buy durable goods before the tariffs take effect, potentially pushing inflation higher and even triggering a recession.
Mastercard exceeded analyst expectations for its third-quarter earnings, driven by robust consumer spending and continued growth in its value-added services and solutions. The company saw strong performance in payment network revenue, cross-border volume, and switched transactions, reflecting a positive outlook for the global economy. Mastercard also highlighted its strategic investments in artificial intelligence and subscription management, positioning itself for continued growth.
The US economy grew at a robust 2.8% in the third quarter, but beneath the strong headline number, economists see diverging forces at play. While growth slowed from the previous quarter, strong consumer spending and a surge in defense spending fueled the expansion. Despite the positive GDP figures, economists remain cautious about the sustainability of growth and the Fed’s response to inflation.
The US economy is poised for a strong third quarter, with analysts predicting GDP growth of 3%. Resilient consumer spending and a booming services sector are driving this positive outlook. The Atlanta Fed’s GDPNow model forecasts even higher growth at 3.3%, highlighting the economy’s resilience amidst global challenges.
PepsiCo is taking a bold step to combat ‘shrinkflation’ by offering larger bags of chips at the same price. The move aims to attract cost-conscious consumers and revive flagging snack sales, which have been impacted by rising inflation and shrinking purchasing power. This strategic shift could signal a trend in the industry, with other snack manufacturers potentially following suit.
Anta Sports Products Ltd., a leading Chinese sportswear maker, has seen its Fila brand sales contract in the third quarter as cost-conscious consumers shift towards cheaper alternatives. Despite this, analysts anticipate strong overall revenue growth for Anta due to robust performance from its other brands. This trend reflects the broader slowdown in the Chinese economy and a shift towards domestic brands, posing challenges for even top players like Anta.
